Cover: John Van Fleet

Superman #189

Feb 2003 · DC · 2.25 USD; 3.75 CAD

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“Lost Hearts, Part One: Lost”

★ 1st appearance — Traci 13

About this Issue

Superman vol. 2 #189 is the debut issue of Traci Thirteen (also known as Girl 13), a young urban mage who would go on to become a recurring supernatural presence across the DC Universe — appearing in Teen Titans, Infinite Crisis tie-ins, Flashpoint, and eventually animated adaptations including Young Justice. Her introduction brought a grounded, street-level magical character into the Superman corner of the DC Universe, connecting the Man of Steel's world to the mystic tradition embodied by her father, the long-running skeptic Doctor Thirteen. The issue also opens the 'Lost Hearts' crossover arc, one of the more socially grounded Superman stories of the early 2000s, set in the poverty-stricken Hell's Heart neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and focusing on exploitation, despair, and the limits of superheroic power.

In "Lost Hearts, Part One: Lost," Clark Kent answers a desperate call from Peter Ross when Lana Lang vanishes without a trace in the dangerous, forgotten region known as Hell's Heart. With Power Girl's help just a memory, Superman must navigate the treacherous terrain and unravel the mystery behind Lana's disappearance, guided only by whispers and shadows. Written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Pascual Ferry, with inks by Keith Champagne and colors by the Horie duo, this issue features a striking cover by John Van Fleet.

writer Geoff Johns · artist, inker Pascual Ferry · inker Keith Champagne · colorist Tanya Horie · colorist Richard Horie · letterer Comicraft · cover John Van Fleet

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History

The issue was written by Geoff Johns with interior pencils by Pasqual Ferry, inks by Keith Champagne and Ferry, and a painted cover by John Van Fleet — a team that had been collaborating on the Superman vol. 2 title throughout 2002. Johns was deep into a productive run on the Superman family of books at this point, having recently co-written crossover arcs including 'Ending Battle' in issues #186–187. 'Lost Hearts' was structured as a four-part crossover spanning all four Superman titles of the month, with this issue serving as the opening chapter, continuing through Adventures of Superman #611, Superman: The Man of Steel #133, and Action Comics #798. The story was later collected in the trade paperback Superman: Lost Hearts.

Trivia · 8 facts

First appearance of Traci Thirteen (also called Girl 13), a Homo Magi urban mage and daughter of supernatural skeptic Doctor Thirteen; created by writer Geoff Johns and artist Pasqual Ferry.
Story title: 'Lost Hearts, Part One: Lost' — Part 1 of a four-issue crossover continuing in Adventures of Superman #611, Superman: The Man of Steel #133, and Action Comics #798.
Published with a cover date of February 2003; placed on sale December 4, 2002 (per DC Fandom and League of Comic Geeks).
Interior art by Pasqual Ferry (pencils) with inks by Keith Champagne and Ferry; painted cover by John Van Fleet.
Guest appearances by Batman and Power Girl; Pete Ross appears in his role as Vice President of the United States, and Lana Lang's disappearance in the Hell's Heart slum of Washington, D.C. drives the plot.
Traci Thirteen later developed a romantic relationship with Jaime Reyes (Blue Beetle) and allied with Natasha Irons (Steel) and other Superman-family characters.
The issue was reprinted in DC Comics Presents: Superman #2 (January 2011).
Traci Thirteen's animated counterpart (renamed Traci Thurston) debuted in Young Justice Season 3, voiced by Lauren Tom; the character also appeared in the animated film Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.