All is not right in the city of Metropolis, and Superman knows it. Marisol Leone has constructed a vast underground crime network called the Invisible Mafia. Using a series of code names, "no-no" words, and lead containers, Metropolis' newest evil organization has managed to thrive in the shadows as Superman deals with Lex Luther, Leviathan, and his recently revealed secret identity.
Their criminal exploits include attacking Lois and Jimmy and killing mayoral candidate Melody Moore. Add to this the revelation that the Invisible Mafia has purchased the Daily Planet, and the full reach and power of this organization becomes clear.
Since its first appearance in 1940, the Daily Planet has been as much a monument to truth and justice as Superman himself. In the midst of Action Comics’ “The House of Kent” story arc, it is discovered that DC’s most famous newspaper is actually owned by Marisol Leone and the Invisible Mafia. It hardly seems likely that a periodical purchased by a criminal element could ever remain trustworthy and impartial, and many of the papers' top reporters are committed to removing it from criminal hands. So, when the dust clears and Leone and her gang are safely behind bars, who will be the newest owner of the Daily Planet?
Over the years, the Daily Planet has changed hands more than a bad poker player. From Morgan Edge to Franklin Stern to Lex Luthor, there are few DC billionaires who haven't owned the Great American Newspaper at one time or another. The Planet's next owner should be someone with the time, resources, and moral code to keep it independent. Former owner Bruce Wayne would be an obvious choice to buy the paper back, except that "The Joker War" finds him bankrupt. That leaves few qualified candidates.
Enter Ted Kord. Ted is based in Metropolis, fabulously wealthy, and seems to be content leaving most of the Blue Beetle duties to Jaime Reyes. In recent years, Ted has become more and more a representative of yesterday's superhero - the kind of hero who comes out of semi-retirement in an emergency - and it's unlikely he'll ever take back the Blue Beetle mantle full time. Buying the Daily Planet would give Ted a new, vital purpose in the DC Universe while allowing him to fade in and out of stories according to the whim of the writer. It may be a bit of a stretch to assume that the Invisible Mafia will allow one of their biggest assets to fall back onto the market, but if they do, billionaire Ted Kord should prove that print isn't dead and help out Superman by snapping up the Daily Planet.