After delving into Gene’s report from the Phoenix Supergirl panel, one particular comment from Sterling stood out and lingered in my thoughts. When questioned about whether Cat Grant would face an emotional “smack down,” Sterling confirmed it. And to the query of Toyman’s potential involvement, the response was a cryptic “Wait and see.”
This caught my attention because the anticipation for this confrontation has been building for quite some time. It’s undeniable that Cat Grant’s narrative thread became somewhat diluted amidst the grander scope of New Krypton. While we briefly saw her complicity in General Lane’s propaganda efforts during The Hunt For Reactron storyline, her presence in Supergirl diminished as the New Krypton saga expanded.
However, this statement also intrigued me because, as is often the case, I have a hunch about how this “smack down” might unfold.
And while the official stance remains ambiguous regarding Toyman’s involvement, I believe his presence is almost inevitable. Their storylines are intrinsically linked. It was back in 1993’s Superman #84 that Dan Jurgens, serving as both writer and artist, penned the tragic moment where Toyman murdered Cat’s son, Adam. This event, a stark example of the grim excesses prevalent in 1990s comics, transformed a once-harmless, quirky villain into a child killer burdened with a mother complex.
Cover of Superman #84, depicting Superman and Toyman, highlighting the comic book where Toyman killed Cat Grant's son, Adam.
The subsequent issue, Superman #85, explored Cat’s internal ethical conflict as she grappled with the temptation to kill Toyman in his prison cell, ultimately pulling back at the last moment. Following this traumatic episode, Cat relocated to Los Angeles seeking distance and effectively receded from the Superman comic narratives.
Panel from Superman #85, showing Cat Grant in a jail cell, emotionally conflicted and facing Toyman, illustrating her struggle with revenge after her son's death.
Fifteen years later, in Action Comics #865, Geoff Johns reimagined Toyman, somewhat reverting him to his Silver Age origins. Jesus Merino’s artwork in this issue is noteworthy, and the comic is likely still available at cover price in many comic book stores, making it a worthwhile purchase.
Cover of Action Comics #865, featuring Superman confronting a redesigned Toyman, showcasing the comic where Toyman's character was reimagined and reintroduced.
Johns’ reinvention casts Toyman as, quite literally, a “Toy Man.” Winslow Schott is portrayed as a brilliant toy engineer with a genuine affection for children and toys. He retains some of the whimsical nature of the classic Toyman, embodying a childlike enthusiasm for playthings.
Panel from Action Comics #865, depicting the reimagined Toyman with a more whimsical and less menacing appearance, emphasizing his love for toys and children.
However, this reimagining isn’t devoid of a 21st-century sense of malice. While he would never intentionally harm a child, he shows no hesitation in eliminating adults who pose a threat to him.
In this particular issue, Toyman kidnaps Jimmy Olsen and proclaims his innocence in Adam Grant’s murder.
After all, this iteration of Toyman, with his long red hair and clown suit, is a far cry from the bald, knife-wielding killer previously associated with the moniker.
Panel from Action Comics #865, where Toyman, with red hair and clown attire, has captured Jimmy Olsen, highlighting the character's redesigned appearance and storyline.
While it’s true that a Toyman was responsible for Adam’s death, it wasn’t the Toyman, Winslow Schott himself. It was one of Schott’s Toyman robots. He possesses a whole arsenal of these duplicates, designed to divert authorities from the real Winslow Schott. This revelation neatly explains away the various Toymen encountered in the DC Universe: Hiro from Superman/Batman, the marionette from Justice, and, crucially, Adam’s killer.
Panel from Action Comics #865, revealing Toyman's robots and explaining the multiple Toymen appearances in DC Comics, clarifying the identity of Adam Grant's killer.
This issue marked the first instance where we learned that Schott’s duplicates were so meticulously crafted that they could even deceive Superman’s heightened senses. But more on that later.
Regrettably, the bald Toyman duplicate developed sentience and began acting independently. When Schott attempted to recall it, the robot misinterpreted these commands as his “mother” addressing him. It was this rogue robot that tragically murdered Adam Grant.
I commend Johns for this ingenious twist on Toyman’s origin, which not only provided a cohesive explanation for the various Toymen encountered previously but also crafted a plausible narrative surrounding the Toyman responsible for Cat’s son’s death.
Jimmy successfully escapes, and Superman and Batman apprehend Toyman. Schott, at least, manages to clear his name, proving he wasn’t personally involved in Adam’s demise.
The issue concludes with our first glimpse of Cat in a decade. With Schott’s public admission, she resolves to return to Metropolis and initiate her smear campaign against Supergirl. However, the Toyman/Cat narrative doesn’t conclude there, at least not in my estimation.
Panel from Supergirl #38, showing Cat Grant back in Metropolis, looking determined and hinting at her future actions against Supergirl after learning the truth about Toyman and her son's death.
Way back in Supergirl #39, Cat receives a package from an anonymous admirer. I appreciated the subtle detail of Cat having a picture of Adam on her desk, a poignant reminder of her depth beyond her glamorous facade.
Inside the package was an antique sock doll of Supergirl, a clear indication that Toyman’s interaction with Cat was far from over.
But then the New Krypton storyline took center stage and dominated the title, leaving this intriguing plot thread untouched for the past year. It’s almost certain that Toyman will resurface to target Cat in some manner.
Of course, Toyman has made subsequent appearances, and his undetectable duplicates have also surfaced, as seen in World’s Finest #4 and the Luthor duplicate on Brainiac’s ship in Last Stand of New Krypton.
So, what about this emotional smackdown? Here’s my theory.
Let’s speculate that this iteration of Toyman harbors remorse for the fact that one of his creations caused Adam Grant’s death. Imagine he desires to atone for his actions but in a characteristically warped way. Given his demonstrated ability to create near-perfect duplicates, perhaps he might construct a robot replica of Adam and send it to Cat, oblivious to the profound emotional distress this would inflict.
Now, envision a scenario where Supergirl is compelled to destroy this robot. Even with the knowledge that it’s a fake, wouldn’t witnessing the destruction of Adam’s simulacrum be akin to reliving her son’s death for Cat? And wouldn’t this event further fuel her animosity towards Supergirl, even if such resentment seems logically unfounded?
Well, that’s my conjecture, and I’m standing by it. I sincerely hope we witness this Cat Grant storyline unfold soon!
