Fictional History
Southside, also known as The Simon Project (in the Post-Crisis) continuity, and most notably, Suicide Slum, has been at various times the stomping ground of several superheroes, including the Guardian (who protected the Newsboy Legion) and Black Lightning. It was based on the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City in which Jack Kirby grew up. In the comics the district's real name is Hobb's Bay. It was occasionally referred to by this name in the alternate continuity of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
Suicide Slum is also the site of The Ace O' Clubs, a bar owned by Superman supporting character Bibbo Bibbowski. The human personification of the New God Black Racer lives, paralyzed, in a hospital in Suicide Slum. This was also where he was murdered. The Slum is also where the villain called Sleez operates from for some time, until he is slain. It is also the childhood home of Jose Delgado (schoolteacher-turned-vigilante Gangbuster) and Jefferson Pierce (the superhero known as Black Lightning).
In a notable single issue story, "They Call It Suicide Slum," on Superman v.2 #121, written and art by Dan Jurgens, its central theme is against urban crimes and gun violence instead the usual superhero actions. Superman made less appearances on this story, instead it was more about Clark Kent and the column he's writing about 'The Simon Project' for The Daily Planet. Known as 'Southside' and 'Suicide Slum', the area is believed by many to be beyond help, even Superman's. When a child, Lateesha Johnson, witnessed a local gang murders a group of local kids who was playing basketball for no apparent reasons, she became a target. The criminals feared she would tell the police of what she saw.
Clark Kent learns the residents believe Superman doesn't care. As Superman, he targets every known criminal and destroys every gun, hoping to also protect Lateesha.
However, an unnamed arms dealer, who works for a "Mr. L.," supplies more unregistered guns to the neighborhood's criminals. Lateesha is injured and Clark, not caring that he is risking his secret (however it is safe as no one notice him using his powers during the chaos resulted from the attack), gets her to help. He feels the overwhelming fear, helplessness and outrage of the citizenry... As Clark Kent his column garners enough attention that Lateesha's family is able to move and more officers are assigned to patrol the Project. Superman himself also steps up his patrolling of the area.
Later, the superhero Steel, AKA John Henry Irons, establishes his base of operations in the area, in an old warehouse.
Read more about this topic: Suicide Slum
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