Molecular Impulsion Beam

Molecular Impulsion Beam

A massively powerful "microwave" device invented and used by Lex Luthor to melt, twist, and distort the atomic structure of all manner of materials. Clark Kent and Lois Lane investigate a weird landscape of twisted trees, melted rocks, and mangled metal caused by Luthor's beam, and are also present in the offices of the Daily Planet when Luthor unleashes its power again.

Superman confronts Luthor, who believes the beam will destroy even Superman's dense molecular body, and it does succeed in knocking the Man of Tomorrow from the sky. However, Superman fortunately falls on an electric condenser at a power plant and is revived by the intense charge. Luthor attempts to escape by hurling a grenade-sized "atomic bomb" at Superman, but the explosion is contained by the Man of Steel so that neither he nor Luthor are harmed -- and the evil scientific genius is brought into custody (S No. 38, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!").