The opinions and speculations expressed herein on the possible implications of the DCU Rebirth Special and Watchmen which including, but not limited to, those of a political, social, metaphysical, psychological, or alternate reality – reflect the actual opinions, views, and theories that I have actually given a lot of thought about while reading this comic . Any so-called “errors” or “misrepresentations of fact,” should be considered in light of the fact that my brain is a sieve when it comes to trying to remember events in the DC Universe. Any tangent that I go on below (and there are a lot) should be attributed to my passion for the medium when unchained by slavish convention. If a scapegoat is required, let us look to the dark, depraved times of the Comic Book Industry in which we live and the fact that Dan Didio was adamant that the New 52 was going to be the status quo going forward, no backdoor return to the old Universe. Praise be to the writing of the current creative teams on the Superman family books

In the past, both Post-Crisis/Pre-Flashpoint and the New52 Superman, were always tough sells for me when it came to reading or caring about since he is an all-powerful character, that could do pretty much anything.

Pre-New52, I would pick up the Superman titles if they crossed over with the event or it was a story that interesting, like Geoff Johns’ Up, Up, and Away which was post-Infinite Crisis and One Year Later arc which saw Clark get his powers back after losing them fighting Superboy-Prime.

During the New52/DCYou run, I was lukewarm on the Superman titles, except maybe Grant Morrison’s Action Comics run, it wasn’t that I was pining for the Pre-Flashpoint version, I just didn’t find it as interesting as the other titles that were out. It also felt like Superman was into many titles Superman, Action Comics, Batman/Superman, and Superman/Wonder Woman.

It wasn’t until the Pre-Flashpoint Superman reappeared at the end of the New52 that my interest was piqued. Since the beginning of the Rebirth Era and the mysteries surrounding the Pre-Flashpoint Superman (as I refer to him), all the Superman family titles, but especially Superman, have been at the top of my reading stack each week.

Catching up on Superman:

The status quo for Superman in the Rebirth Era is probably one of the more confusing threads for someone who wasn’t reading the New52 series or events.

As I have mentioned in my posts on the Rebirth Special at the end of the New52/DCYou era there were two Supermen.

First, there was the New52 Superman.

This version was the one that first appeared in Justice League #1 which kicked off the New52

This was the Superman who was younger, less experienced, in a relationship with Wonder Woman, developed the Solar Flare power, was depowered and died going into the Rebirth Era.

Second, there is the Pre-Flashpoint Superman (Current Superman)

This version was pulled out of the timeline by Brainiac and spent a year depowered in the domed Gotham City of the pre-Flashpoint continuity. It was also during this period was also when Lois got pregnant with and had Johnathan, in Flashpoint Batman’s Batcave no less.

This Superman was part of the group of heroes that went back to the original Crisis and defeated the Monitor, thus preventing the destruction of the Multiverse. After this battle, while recounting the events that lead to him being in the New52 Universe, Superman mentions that his and Lois’s original timeline no longer existed (thanks to Doctor Manhattan, Mr. Oz, or both) so they returned to the New52 Universe where Superman worked covertly, not revealing himself to the other Superman or heroes, merely observing the major events like Darkseid’s first invasion from the sidelines or trying to prevent similar events like happened Pre-Flashpoint like Hank Henshaw becoming CyBorg Superman.

It wasn’t until the New52 Superman was dying that Clark reveals himself to the New52 Trinity, saying that when the time is right that he would explain himself.

—

Lois Lane

When the Rebirth Era begins there are two Lois Lanes.

New52 Lois is the one who exposed the identity of the New52 Superman to the world and who along with Lana Lang, absorbs the Kryptonian radiation from the dying New52 Superman which gives her the classic powers of Superman which she uses as one-half of Superwoman.

Pre-Flashpoint Lois is the husband of Clark and mother of Jon, who was born during the Convergence event. When they first return to the New52 Universe following Convergence, Lois writes a book exposing InterGang under the pen name of Author X

While Pre-Flashpoint Lois knows of New52 Lois, it is unsure (until later) if New52 Lois knew about her counterpart.

Johnathan Kent

As a result of Superman and Lois spending a year trapped in one of Brainiac’s domes, Lois becomes pregnant (I don’t think I need to explain how) and gives birth to Johnathan in the Bat Cave of the Flashpoint’s Batman Thomas Wayne after she is kidnapped by the Flashpoint version of Superman (don’t think about it too hard, just trust me).

At the end of the DCYou Superman: Lois and Clark, Johnathan’s superpowers manifested.

—

Lex Luthor:

Following the Forever Evil Storyline during the New52, Lex, who had helped defeat the Crime Syndicate, was given a spot on the Justice League. During the Darkseid War, he briefly became the God of Apokolips following Darkseid’s death and had the people he freed from Darkseid’s prisons fashion him a new suit using Mother Box tech.

Following the death of the New52 Superman, Lex champions himself as the heir and new Superman of Metropolis.

—

Superman: Rebirth

The world needs a Man of Steel, but can Superman protect the world while raising a super-son with his wife, Lois Lane? Now it’s Clark’s turn to be Pa Kent and teach his son what it means to be super, but who is hunting Superman’s son and why?

So this is the transition between the new 52 version and the “new” Rebirth Superman (the 90s one). Clark basically recaps the events that lead to the death of New52 Superman and catches Lana Lang breaking into the Superman memorial so she can bury the dead Superman with his parents, which she promised New52 Superman back in Superman# 51: The Final Days of Superman. Pre-Flashpoint Clark reveals himself to her and says that he expects that this Superman will return from the dead like he did following his battle with Doomsday. After he and Lana take a trip to the Fortress of Solitude to locate the Regeneration Matrix, which turns out does not exist in the New52 Universe.

The issue ends with Pre-Flashpoint Superman accepting that the world needs a Superman.

As a starting point for new readers, this issue does okay, not great but it does what is needed. It gives those who may not have read the New52 series just enough of the previous events so that they can understand this new Rebirth status quo.

It does have a lot of nostalgic callbacks for Superman fans who may not have liked how the New52 version was presented and it sets up for where the ongoing Superman and Action Comics start.

Watchmen References: None

ACTION COMICS

With the launch of the Rebirth Era, DC decided to return Action Comics to the original numbering instead of starting with a new number one, which is a smart move and means that issue #1000 is about 1.5 -2 years away.

Whereas the Superman title focuses on the SuperFamily (Supes, Lois, and Jon), Action Comics brings the Pre-Flashpoint Superman back into the Superman family of characters. Not only is Clark a stranger to this timeline but he also has to deal with the fallout from the death of New52 Superman whose identity as Clark Kent was revealed to the world. Supes also has to deal with a reformed Lex Luthor, who is powered by New Genesis tech and has taken up the mantle of the dead New52 Superman, Clark Kent, and Mr. Oz who is manipulating things behind the scenes.

Action Comics #957 – #962

Path to Doom Superman returns to Metropolis just in time to meet the city of tomorrow’s newest protector: Lex Luthor. But it’s not long before these dueling titans meet someone unexpected – the new Clark Kent! Luthor and Superman must put aside their differences and face the common threat of Doomsday, as Jimmy Olsen and the Planet staff try to uncover the truth: who is the man claiming to be Clark Kent. As Doomsday crashes through the streets of Metropolis! As Lois struggles to keep young Jonathan out of the path of destruction

Story Arc Rating: 4.5/5

The opening arc of Action Comics begins with Pre-Flashpoint Superman finally revealing himself to the world (the events here take place before Superman #1) as Clark shaves his facial hair (with his heat vision) and in Superman #1, he is already beardless in the first issue.

The thing that causes Clark to come out of hiding is Lex Luthor (New52) who has turned into a hero, adopts the mantle of the New52 Superman using the Apokolips tech he acquired while part of the Justice League following the events of Forever Evil and the Darkseid War. Superman doesn’t trust that Luthor’s made the turn to a hero (given his history with the Luthor from Pre-Flashpoint) and a fight between ensues between the two, which is cut short when Doomsday appears on the scene, and oh yeah Clark Kent shows up in the crowd.

The following issues are basically Superman trying to defeat Doomsday, even receiving an assist from Wonder Woman, while Lois and Jon watch the battle on television before Doomsday senses Jon cheering for his dad. Doomsday runs off to find Jon and Superman along with Wonder Woman race to protect Lois and Jon while Lex stays behind to help with the damage in Metropolis.

After the crisis is over, Superman talks with Luthor and agrees to let him continue acting as a hero using his logo when Superman concedes that he has no clear evidence that thisLuthor has any criminal activity.

Having faced Doomsday before and died, Superman is willing to do it again if it means saving his family. He does have a plan which involves trapping Doomsday in the Phantom Zone, which at the end he believes he has done.

A great opening arc for the return to the original numbering of Action Comics.

Watchmen/Rebirth References: As it turns out it was the mysterious Mr. Oz who released Doomsday from the Geneticron company. Throughout the fight, Mr. Oz is seen watching the Superman and Doomsday on his screens and wondering how this new Superman will fair against the monster.

Oz also captures Doomsday as he is supposedly teleported to the Phantom Zone and is last seen in restraints in Mr. Oz’s presence.

Action Comics #963 – 964 Who is Clark Kent As Metropolis recovers from the devastating attack of Doomsday, the mysterious figure claiming to be Clark Kent takes the spotlight to clear his name and prove once and for all that Clark Kent is not Superman! Superman comes face to face with Clark Kent, and he wants answers! But first the Man of Steel must protect his former alter ego. Clark Kent tells all in

Story Arc Rating:5/5

The next 2 issue story arc delves into the mystery of just who is this person claiming to be Clark Kent. During the TRUTH storyline New52, Lois revealed to the world that Clark Kent was Superman which caused a lot of trouble for the Man of Steel who was also depowered at the time. With the death of New52 Superman, many thought Clark was dead until this Clark Kent showed up at during the battle with Doomsday.

Superman has Batman administer a lie detector test, which Clark passes and Supes takes Clark to the Fortress of Solitude and uses the Globe of Revelation on and learns that whomever Clark Kent is, also has all the memories minus the Superman parts and he does not possess the metagene. It is also revealed that this Clark and the New52 Superman were working together to uncover the secrets of Geneticron and it was their plan to let the world believe they were one in the same people. However, when the New52 Superman got sick and lost his powers and stopped checking in, “Clark” returned from his hiding in the Rockies to Metropolis only to learn that New52 Superman was dead.

The two also learn that Doomsday was released by whoever broke into Geneticron back in the first arc of Action Comics. When the two return to Metropolis, the Geneticron building has disappeared.

Watchmen/Rebirth References: Mr. Oz does not appear in these issues I feel that he is somehow connected to Geneticron, since if Mr. Oz is Adrian Veidt from Watchmen than he did do a lot of genetic experiments and developed the psychic monster that destroys NYC. I think that the New52 Superman was somehow a creation of Mr. Oz who claims to have taught him stuff and was interested in the events going on prior to his death. More thoughts on this below in the Superman Reborn section.

These issues don’t really answer any of the questions as to who this “Clark Kent” is, but adds more layers to the mystery.

Action Comics #965 – 966

Lois Lane, Back In the Planet Superman returns to the public eye-but what of Lois Lane? When a mysterious package arrives for Lois and Clark back on the farm, Lois can stay on the sidelines no more. But where does that leave Superman’s human doppelgänger, Clark? As the Daily Planet’s star returns to work, so does Lex Luthor. Meanwhile, Superman continues to investigate the devastation in the aftermath of the Doomsday attack.

Story Arc Rating: 4/5

While Superman deals with Super-Lex and “Clark Kent,” Lois is also having strange dreams that started after she received a strange package from the New52 Lois Lane, who somehow knows about her, asking her to finish the book on Superman that she was supposed to write following the New52 Superman’s death. The New52 Lois has been MIA (see Superwoman below) and Lois feels that she may be in trouble. Her search for answers leads her to the Daily Planet where New52 Lois had taken a leave from to write her Superman book. When Lois enters she sees may familiar yet different people that she used to work with Pre-Flashpoint. While looking around New52 Lois’ office she has a run in with “Clark Kent” which spooks her for obvious reasons.

She ends up at New52 Lois’s apartment only to be confronted by Lana Lang (Superwoman) who is also looking for Lois. It is here that Superman (and Lois) learn that the New52 Lois and Lana both received New52 Superman’s powers when he died and that those powers are killing Lois much like they did New52 Superman. The arc ends with Lois returning to the Daily Planet

Watchmen/Rebirth References: Nothing really happens besides Superman learning about Lana being Superwoman and the New52 Lois being dead, which will later play into the Superman: Reborn event.

Action Comics #967 – 972

Men of Steel LEX LUTHOR is under attack—and only Superman can save him! When the world’s most ingenious scientific mind took on the mantle of Metropolis’ new man of steel, the world took notice—and so did the mysterious Godslayer! Superman must find and protect his oldest, most conniving enemy. But are the Godslayer’s actions justified Trapped on the Godslayer’s home world, Superman and Lex Luthor must unite if they want to make it back to Earth! Superman’s found a way to save Lex Luthor’s life, but it may cost the Man of Tomorrow his own future

Story Arc Rating: 4/5

Lex Luthor is targeted for death by the Godslayer who is trying to prevent a future Luthor turns Earth into Apokolips which one of them saw in a vision.

Superman appeals to them to let Luthor free by arguing that the future is always changing and he will do his best to ensure that the dark future they foresaw for Luthor will never come to pass.

It could be argued that this storyline is similar to Marvel’s CIVIL WAR II, but done better. Both involved the question of whether or not someone or some outcome based on a vision is enough to warrant preemptive. Where the Marvel story involved heroes fighting heroes over the split of ideology, Superman explains why the whole situation and the methods used by the Godslayer aren’t that great in just a few panels.

Watchmen/Rebirth References:

When The Godslayer looks into Superman’s future there is the possible foreshadowing of future storylines:

Top to Bottom (L to R)

“Clark Kent” who has been a mystery since he returned back during the Doomsday attack

Johnathan and what looks to be Red and Blue energy (looking at this in hindsight probably a Superman Reborn reference)

Superman taking Darkseid Lex’s Mother Box, apparently preventing the future seen by the Godslayer

Blanque- the first superpowered villain Pre-Flashpoint Superman faced in the New52 Universe (Superman: Lois and Clark DCYou series)…with Telekinesis and Telepathy powers

Cyborg Superman … possibly Hank Henshaw version, not the version that is Supergirl’s father.

Mr. Oz …of course

and just to mention this is perhaps my favorite moment in the story was just before the Superman and Jon discover the Geneticon building in the Amazon which “disappeared” after the Doomsday battle:



Action Comics #973 – 974

Mild Mannered Superman and Lex Luthor return to Earth,and the Man of Steel turns his attention to uncovering the mystery of the human Clark Kent living and working in Metropolis. But there’s something…off about this guy, and Superman better figure out just what that is, before it’s too late!

Story Arc Rating: 4/5

The mystery of the mysterious man believing himself to be Clark Kent is finally addressed before the Superman Reborn storyline reveal. “Clark Kent” at the Daily Planet and even works alongside the recently returned Pre-Flashpoint Lois. In this issue, Lois goes undercover to help Maggie Sawyer of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit bust some councilmen cutting deals with mafia bosses. Lois’ cover is blown when “Clark” rushes in to save her in a very “Silver Age manner,” ie klutzy and oafishly.

Lois follows “Clark” and it turns out that he loves junk food, lives in the apartment that Pre-Flashpoint Superman did prior to marrying Lois, not everyone can see him, and he also has a thing for wanting to get to know Lois better (what Multiverse Superman doesn’t). Lois ends up going out on a date with him where he precedes to ask her to marry him. After Lois refuses his proposal, “Clark” follows Lois back to Hamilton County where she and Superman live and learns that she is married and has a son. The shock of the revelation causes “Clark” to remember who he really is.

While Lois is dealing with “Clark,” Superman is at the Fortress of Solitude where Steel (John Henry Irons) has brought Lana “Superwoman” Lang, whose powers are killing her like they did to New52 Lois (see below).

Watchmen/Rebirth References:

Nothing really is revealed but builds to the Reborn story.

SUPERMAN (vol. 4)

The Superman title has focused on the Super Family and Clark teaching Jon how to use his powers responsibly. The title so far has also dealt with Pre-Flashpoint Superman’s place in the current DC Universe and how they are adapting to life as a family and superheroing,

Superman: #1 – 6

Son of Superman The Last Son of Krypton must decide whether to help his young son use his new and rapidly increasing abilities, or hide them from the world. When Superboy takes flight and accompanies his father, the Man of Steel, on their first mission together they confront the Eradicator.

Story Arc Rating: 4/5

This was a nice opening arc which further explored Superman and his family and their new status quo in the Rebirth Era

The story is very accessible for readers who may have stepped away during the New52 or checking out the series for the first time.

I really enjoyed the dynamic of between Clark, Lois, and Johnathan especially Johnathan learning about his new powers and how to control them.

This run also establishes the Trinity series as the New52 Batman and Wonder Woman confront this new Superman to see if he can be trusted and just who he is and the fact that he has a son with powers similar to his.

Watchmen References: None (unless you want to count the squid-like monster in issue #2)

–

Superman: #7

Our Town In this epilogue to the first arc, Son of Superman, Superman considers the toll his battles with the Eradicator and Doomsday have taken on his family and the need for a normal life.

Issue Rating: 4/5

This was a nice one-shot breather issue (also taking place after the first Action Comics arc in continuity).

It was great just to see the Super Family out having normal family time at the County Fair and giving the superhero a break.

Watchmen References: None

–

Superman: # 8 – 9

Escape from Dinosaur Island While Clark and Johnathan are working on a science assignment a bizarre consequence transports them along with Krypto to Dinosaur Island! Now, amid relics of World War II, Superman tries to keep Jon from the jaws of prehistoric predators! While trapped on the strange island that is removed from time, Superman and Son encounter a lone survivor from the past, who may hold the key to their escape.

Story Arc Rating: 5/5

This was a great 2 issue arc.

It was nice to see this homage to the late Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier (Earth-21) miniseries.

This seems to be the Pre-Crisis version of Dinosaur Island and The Losers (there was a New52 version in the G.I. Combat miniseries by J.T. Krul).

This again was a great Superdad/Super Son adventure

Watchmen/Rebirth References: Last page is someone watching a monitor with a big squidlike being on it. Possible link to Mr. Oz or Gentry monster (Multiversity)

Superman: #10 – 11

In the Name of the Father: World’s Smallest The Man of Tomorrow and the Boy of Steel team up with the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder in a father-son adventure you won’t want to miss! Damian Wayne has been hearing a lot about this mysterious new Superboy, but when Superman and Batman are up against the ropes, and it’s up to Superboy and Robin to save the day.

Story Arc Rating: 5/5

This arc had Superboy and Robin (Johnathan and Damian) meeting for the first time, as Damian is interested in meeting this new SuperBoy that Batman met back in the first arc. This was just a fun two-issue story which sets up the Super Sons title which just came out.

It was great to see that the two boys are just like their fathers and that Superboy is not afraid to put up with Damian, as they are forced to work together to save Superman and Batman. It was also great to see Nobody and Robin’s man-bat Goliath, both from the DCYou Robin: Son of Batman series.

Watchmen/Rebirth References: None

Superman: # 12 – 13 Super-Monster – Sinister Purpose” Frankenstein has come to Hamilton County, home of Superman, and Hell has come with him. It’s Man of Steel vs. the Monster to save the life of someone in the town with a horrifying secret. Here comes the Bride and her four arms are loaded with weapons. And on what side of those guns is Lois Lane going to be? The mystery of one of the citizens of Hamilton will be exposed with monstrous consequences.

Story Arc Rating: 3/5

This really seemed like a filler story and glad that it was only a two issue arc

I did enjoy seeing Frankenstein and Bride, as they were some of my favorite supernatural characters that I missed reading about in Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and Justice League Dark (Both New52 titles)

Watchmen/Rebirth References: None

–

Superman: #14 – 16

Multiplicity The New Super-Man of China has been taken! The Red Son Superman of Earth-30 has been beaten! And who knows what’s happened to Sunshine Superman! Someone is collecting Supermen across the Multiverse—this looks like a job for our Kal-El as he is joined by Justice Incarnate in this multi-Earth epic! Superman, New Super-Man, and Justice Incarnate make their last stand against their multiverse-spanning foe, and the Man of Steel discovers another clue to the truth of his existence. Jon and his neighbor Kathy investigate a hidden horror that seems to be growing in their town.

Story Arc Rating: 5/5

This is probably my favorite story arc so far in the Superman run.

Not only does it involve the DC Multiverse but it also connects the current DCU with the Multiversity series by Grant Morrison. There is definitely a lot to like in these issues such as an appearance by Captain Carrot, one of the seven unclassified Earths in the Multiverse is revealed (Earth-14 home of the Justice League of Assassins) and seemingly destroyed, and Superman meets the New Super-Man Kong Kenan for the first time.

Watchmen/Rebirth References:

Prophecy, the one who is capturing the Supermen of the Multiverse, claims that he is doing this to save the Multiverse from oblivion

Prophecy calls Pre-Flashpoint Superman an anomaly, and it is New Super-Man Kong Kenan who is pulled from Earth-Prime as the Superman, which is strange since the New Super-Man’s powers were created and the essence of New52 Superman gave New52 Lois Lane and Lana Lang the Superwoman powers.

Prophecy is captured by Mr. Oz who says that while he admires his persistence and sensitivity to the Multiverse, although his method was unsound

While it is mere speculation on my part I think that Prophecy is actually Superman of Earth-42. Of all the Superman issues since the Rebirth era started this one is probably the one with the most foreshadowing to the event Watchmen connection revelation.

—

Superman: #17

Dark Harvest Jon and Cathy go deep into the woods of Hamilton to find a horror that hungers for the new Superboy!

Issue Rating: 3.75/5

This one shot goes to show that Lois and Clark still have a lot to learn about parenting, as they leave Johnathan home alone, which of course means that he is going to get into some sort of trouble/adventure. Jon and Cathy (who learned of Jon’s powers back in the Son of Superman arc) go searching for Cathy’s grandpa who went out to look for his missing cow.

They find themselves in Dead Man’s Swamp, first seen In the Name of the Father arc, which appears to have some supernatural connection.

Watchmen/Rebirth References: The cliffhanger for this issue teases the beginning of the Reborn Story arc as “Clark Kent” can be seen watching the Kent farm.

—

Superman: Annual #1

“EARTH TO EARTH, ASHES TO ASHES”! Mr. Oz told Superman he was not what he thought. Now, Swamp Thing comes hunting for the Man of Steel to discover what strange connection this new Superman has to the planet. But their contact is something neither is prepared for, leading to Kal-El battling the Earth elemental who wants to bury him

Issue Rating: 4.5/5

Annuals are usually a chance to do throwaway stories that have nothing to do with an ongoing story… not so much here. I am sure they could have done this as a one-shot issue within the regular series, but the annual allowed for an extended story.

Clark is trying to figure out why the farm is so dry and the plants are dying. As he is examining the ground he is attacked by Swamp Thing, who tells him that his presence on Earth is disrupting The Green as he is absorbing more solar energy than New52 Superman did. Swamp Thing also mentions that he (Superman) is a vibrational abnormality and the Earth is trying to rid itself of the Superman the way the human body would a disease since Clark’s is holding onto his past from an Earth that no longer exists.

Swamp Thing is able to help Superman adjust his vibrational attunement to the New52/Rebirth Earth and restore a balance to his connection to the Earth.

Watchmen/Rebirth References: The Annual is the first tease into the explanation of Pre-Flashpoint Superman and how he fits in the Rebirth era. While not much was revealed, it does enforce that Superman and his family are not from the New52 Universe and begins to explain how their presence is affecting the DCU since they are from a different Earth (or timeline).

—

Superwoman

Superwoman stars New52 Lois Lane and Superman’s childhood friend Lana Lang. The two were exposed to the Kryptonian energy from New52 Superman died as the New52/Rebirth era came to an end and received some of Superman’s abilities in the process.

New52 Lois Lane (see above):

As one-half of Superwoman, Lois demonstrates Superman’s traditional powers such as super strength, x-ray vision, and freeze breath



Lana Lang:

Lana is the childhood friend of Clark and has been privy to Clark’s unusual abilities from an early age. They also shared mutual romantic feelings for each other during their youth and would have gone to the Senior Prom together if that had not been the night that Clark’s parents died.

In the present day continuity, Lana is an electrical engineer on various projects around the world. She is introduced in Superman: Rebirth (see above) before it is revealed that she is one-half of Superwoman who is able to able to absorb and generate multiple forms of energy.

John Henry Irons aka Steel:

In New52 continuity, John Henry Irons first appears in Grant Morrison’s Action Comics as a young scientist working on the government’s “Steel Soldier” program. who later retaliates after seeing the mistreatment of Superman by Lex Luthor.

John and Lana are engaged

Lena Luthor

Growing up, Lex and Lena were brilliant kids with an aptitude for science and inventing, however, their alcoholic dad was abusive and didn’t care much for the kids’ scientific interests. When Lena was stricken with the illness that robbed her of the use of her legs, an impatient Lex tried to put together a cure on his own which doesn’t work which consigned her to a wheelchair for life. Lex later moves away, and started LexCorp as a tribute to his sister, who he told others was dead and that he had been too afraid to fail in an attempt to save her.

When Lex’s parents died, Lena went to live with an aunt who eventually sent her to college. Lena came into her own as a scientist and eventually, brought her on board by Lex. Unfortunately, he kept her behind the scenes, in his personal, secret lab at LexCorp, making subsequent attempts to cure her, his last attempt, using the Super-Man (see below) tech Luthor tried to cure his sister, left Lena’s body useless but unleashed the power of her brain caused her intelligence to grow. She was also enraged saying he expected her to be his loyal little shadow, which sends her Lena over the edge.

Lena uses the Mother Box tech to transform herself into Ultrawoman and becomes the villain for the first arc of the Superwoman title.

Superwoman #1 – 7

Who Killed Superwoman Powered up with the abilities of Superman, Lois pledges to carry on the super-legacy as Superwoman! There’s only one problem: Lois’ new powers are killing her, and neither she nor her friend and confidant Lana Lang knows what to do about it. Will Lois even survive long enough to learn the deadly secret of Ultra Woman.

Story Arc Rating: 3/5

The Superwoman title started off very slow even after the cliffhanger at the end of the first issue, where New52 Lois, who has adopted the role of Superwoman dies.

The series starts New52 Lois has been using the powers she acquired to fill the void left by New52 Superman. Lana, on the other hand, is a bit more reluctant to step into the other half of Superwoman, finally powering up to help New52 Lois who is trying to save the city from Super-Lex’s mobile floating fortress after it is highjacked.

The powers the two received from New52 Superman are slowly killing them when they use them which worries Lana but doesn’t seem to stop Lois, who is having nose bleeds when she uses her powers. Meanwhile, Lex is kidnapped by his sister who has been able to use the Mother Box tech (that Lex uses to power his suit) to not only walk again but transform herself into UltraWoman.

The first arc of this story suffers from a lot of exposition, a lot of information and the large cast of characters such as:

The mystery of New52 Lois’s death at the end of the first issue (which is similar to that of New52 Superman’s)

Lana Lang dealing with being Superwoman and the powers also killing her.

The Lex and Lena storyline

Atomic Skull who claims to have been used by Lex Luther’s company to power Metropolis while in prison.

John Henry and his niece Natasha working to save not only Lana but help deal with the Ultrawoman threat

Ultrawoman (Lena) trying to destroy Metropolis as revenge against Lex and trying gain the energy/power of Superwoman to become more powerful

Ultrawoman’s Bizzaro clones made from the DNA of the Crime Syndicate’s Superwoman.

If there is one thing that seems to detract from the Superwoman title it is the large cast and multiple subplots which require multiple reveals that integral to the story and characters, it seems like they could have been disseminated throughout the story arc more efficiently than dumping it all in the last issue of the story. What works is that the title does add to the mystery in

What works is that the title does add to the mystery in Superman Reborn (see discussion below).

Where the title goes given the outcome of issue 8 which ties into Superman Reborn, it should be interesting.

—

Of the Superman family titles, Supergirl and The New-Superman take place in their own corner of the Superman family universe in the beginning.

Supergirl

The New52 Supergirl series was a somewhat different direction for the character.

Prior to the New52 relaunch, Kara was just coming into her own only to receive a total reset in the New52.

The New52 series began once again with Kara arriving on Earth, only to find Kal had grown up, and back to being an emo teenager. During her New52 series she attacked Superboy (who she believed to be a mindless killing machine), was tricked by the villain H’el who promised to save Krypton while claiming that Earth would not suffer, only to find out that H’el actually planned to destroy Earth to bring Krypton back, became a Red Lantern, fought New52 Cyborg Superman (who is actually her father), joined the Justice League Unlimited team only to have her powers leeched by Vandal Savage shortly before her cousin’s secret identity was revealed during the “Truth” storyline.

During the Final Days of Superman storyline, she was approached by Director Cameron Chase, who offered to help her get her powers back if Kara joined the D.E.O.. Kara agreed, leaving New York City and the Justice League with no explanation and moving to National City.

When Superman sought out Supergirl to reveal he was dying, he tells her his Fortress belonged to her now and ask her to consider protecting Earth after he was gone, which she Kara accepted.

Later, while she was undergoing treatment to restore her powers, Kara heard her cousin was in danger. She joined the battle against the Energy Superman and learned from the existence of the Pre-Flashpoint Superman, but she was unable to save her cousin.

Before his death, she vowed to carry on the family name and make him proud.

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Supergirl: Rebirth Supergirl turns to the shadowy organization known as the D.E.O. (Department of Extranormal Operations) to restore her lost powers once and for all! But as a fateful experiment sends Kara Zor-El rocketing toward the sun, disaster strikes at home in the form of the lost Kryptonian werewolf Lar-On!

Issue rating: 4 /5

The Rebirth issue does a great job of establishing the new status quo for Supergirl moving forward with her working for the D.E.O., having the Kara Davers, high school student, identity established and her adoptive parents/D.E.O. handlers Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers introduced.

Among the improvements to the characters is the more classic looking Supergirl costume as opposed to The New52 version of the costume which didn’t really fit the character and is perhaps the most obvious property that shows DC is trying to bring their characters in the comics and live-action formats closer together.

If I had to nitpick one thing about the Supergirl Rebirth issue it would be this panel:

I find the timeline of her arriving on Earth, the events of her New52 series, and the Final Days of Superman storyline taking place in “a few months” to be hard to reconcile (even given the nature of comic book time not passing the same as the normal time). If nothing else, I just ended up chalking it up to the fact that time has been manipulated anyway and this is just one of those things.

Supergirl #1 – 6 “Reign of the Cyborg Supermen” Supergirl moves to National City! As Kara Danvers, high school student, Supergirl must balance her life as a superhero with her new life on Earth. But some demons from her Kryptonian past are coming back to haunt her, and Kara will find herself face to face with her father, the sinister Cyborg Superman!

Story Arc Rating: 4 /5

The ongoing Supergirl series takes its cues from the New52 series, where it was revealed that Kara’s father, Zor-El, who was believed to be dead, was really Cyborg Superman thanks to Brainiac. Supergirl does not learn this during her New52 encounter, only when she goes to the Fortress of Solitude, which the deceased New52 Superman bequeathed to Kara, does Cyborg-Superman appear waiting for her and in a Darth Vader type fashion tell her the “news”

The rest of the story arc is Supergirl fighting to stop her father from using the people of Earth to resurrect the people from Argo City making them Cyborg-Kryptonians like he is.

It was an okay storyline but the pacing of the story seemed slow, which could be due to the fact that the title ships on a monthly basis, not bi-weekly like the Superman and Action Comics.

What I really enjoy and have high hopes for is seeing more familiar faces besides Cameron Chase working for the D.E.O. (Department of Extranormal Operations). So far there has been an off panel appearance of Director Bones, who runs the D.E.O. and Cameron Chase reports to from the National City office. I expect and hope that eventually, Kate Spenser, who was Manhunter, in Pre-Flashpoint continuity eventually makes an appearance.

New Super-Man

New Super-Man is writer Gene Luen Yang’s (Superman: Truth) Rebirth era story that follows the Chinese Super-Man Kong Kenan. During the Final Days of Superman storyline, the Chinese government began creating their own Superman using the residual energy from New52 Superman’s Solar Flare power, and eventually selects Kenan to be the one to receive the powers of the American Superman.

New Super-Man #1 – 6

“MADE IN CHINA” An impulsive act of heroism thrusts an arrogant young man into the limelight of Shanghai as China begins to form its own Justice League of powerful heroes. Rising from the ashes of The Final Days of Superman, meet Kong Kenan—the New Super-Man! When the world needed a new hero, China made him! The New Super-Man must face off against the Justice League of China? When Kenan Kong was imbued with the powers of Superman, he didn’t waste any time using them! Now it’s up to the New Bat-Man and New Wonder-Woman of his home country to bring our hero back down to earth—just in time to stop the attack of the deadly Sunbeam! The Justice League of China must also face the Chinese Freedom Fighters!

Story Arc Rating: 4 / 5

There is a lot to like about the Chinese Super-Man concept.

Kenan isn’t exactly the type of person you would expect to exhibit the qualities that are associated with a Superman character. When introduced, Kenan is a bully who is lashing out due to the death of his mother and is more into being famous than being a superhero.

Kenan doesn’t have complete control over his powers as they tend to come and go

There is a Justice League of China with a Wonder-Woman and Bat-Man, both of who take their roles much more seriously than Kenan

The “villains” of the first arc are the Chinese Freedom Fighters (the Chinese version of Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters)

New Super-Man #7-8

“TRAINING DAY”

To uncover the truth behind his mother’s murder, the New Super-Man must reawaken his full power under the tutelage of the mysterious I-Ching! But as training begins, Kong Kenan’s ego isn’t the only thing taking a beating! Plus, Bai xi’s return to his alma mater, the Academy of the Bat, has turned from triumphant to deadly! What shocking betrayal lurks in the shadows of the school that trained the New Bat-Man of China?

Story Arc Rating: 3.5 /5

The second arc of The New Super-Man finds Kenan trying to find a way to control and access his powers which lead him to seek out I-Ching, who tell him that his powers are organized around the Bagua–eight trigrams used in Taoism to represent the fundamental principles of reality.

Having Kenan’s powers take this form gives it a feeling similar to how the Iron Fist powers work in the Marvel Universe, as he must focus his chi to activate them.

This arc gives more information on The Bat-Man of China, which is a title that must be won and defended when challenged by those who attend the Chinese Academy of the Bat.

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There seems to be a lot to be explored with the New Super-Man title. The next arc deals with Kenan meeting Lex Luthor (Super-Lex) and eventually coming face to face with the original New Super-Man that Doctor Omen was working on during The Final Days of Superman story arc.

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Superman: Reborn

The first event of the Rebirth Era for Superman was Superman: Reborn which took place in the Superman and Action Comics titles.

This event promised to answer such questions as to the identity of “Clark Kent” and change the course of Superman’s life moving forward.

Superman #18 (Superman Reborn: Part 1)

Issue Rating: 4.5 / 5

The Superman Reborn storyline begins with the mysterious Mr. Oz discovering that one of his prisoners has escaped.

The story then moves to Hamilton County where the Kents are celebrating Jon’s birthday and “Clark Kent” leaving a photo book of Superman and his family before they came to Hamilton.

As they are looking at the photos their house and Jonathan disappear is a white flame, which Superman says that “Clark Kent” is the person behind it and they must find him to get Jon back.

Action Comics #975 (Superman Reborn: Part 2)

Issue Rating: 3.5/5

Superman and Lois fly to Metropolis to the apartment building that Lois discovered that “Clark Kent” lives. It is here that they discover just who “Clark Kent” is … Mr. Mxyzplk

It turns out that Mr. Oz captured Mxy and imprisoned him because he was a threat to his overall plans for Superman and the DCU, but Mxy was able to escape and mind-washed himself to believe he was Clark Kent so that he could hide from Mr. Oz trying to recapture him.

While a prisoner of Mr. Oz, Mxyzplk is under the impression that Superman will notice something is wrong when he doesn’t appear for his “regular visit,” and come rescue him. When this doesn’t happen and he escapes on his own he assumes that Supes forgot about him, and the only way to get back at the Man of Steel is to take Superman’s family away from him.

Superman #19 (Superman Reborn: Part 3)

Issue Rating: 4 / 5

Mr. Mxyzplk tells Superman that he can have his family back if he plays the game where he gets to keep his family if he wins. In order to win Superman must get to the top of the Daily Planet building that Mxy has constructed and has Jon.

As Superman and Lois play Mxy’s game, Jon is in limbo finds two red energy orbs who he believes are his parents but are really the energies of the New52 Superman and Lois Lane from issue #8 of Superwoman.

Superwoman #8 (Superman Reborn Tie-in)

By A Thread The super-family rallies around Superwoman as the reason her powers are killing her is revealed, as are her connections to New 52 Superman!

This tie-in takes place after the “Mild Mannered” storyline in Action Comics (see above) after Lana is put in Superman’s Kryptonian Battle armor which is supposed to help the wearer recover from the most grievous wounds. While in this suspended state, she reunites with the New52 Superman and Lois, who tell her that she need to give up the red energy that makes her Superwoman so they can be whole again, which she does.

Action Comics #976 (Superman Reborn #4)

Issue Rating: 4.5 / 5

The conclusion to the Superman Reborn storyline begins with the New52 Superman and Lois questioning where they are, who Jon is and why he thinks they are his parents. While New52 Superman deals with Mxy, Jonathan notices two blue orbs of energy which he recognizes as parents. Jonathan is able to join the blue energy beings with the New52 versions of his parents and in doing so joins the New52 and Pre-Flashpoint Superman into one.

–

There is a lot to mention in this story arc which has been building to since the Rebirth began:

First I want to mention that DC editorial spoiled the reveal of “Clark Kent” in the News page at the end of Issue #18:

Given these choices, it is fairly clear which one is the doppelganger, given the hints laid out in the build up, especially with the opening splash page of the issue of the empty prison cell of Mr. Oz’s. Martian Manhunter, Bizzaro, and Magog were probably the easiest to eliminate leaving Eradicator (who they had banished back in the first Superman arc) and New52 Superman as not-so-red herrings.

Many theories on the internet thought that ‘Clark Kent’ was either Superboy-Prime or Conner (the Pre New52 Superboy) which seemed a real stretch for me.

I am not disappointed with the final reveal, in fact, I think the writers did a great job building the mystery of “Clark Kent.”

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Red & Blue, Blue & Red:

Going back through all the Superman titles in more detail it is clear that the idea of the Blue and Red energies were in play, not only in the main titles but also in Superwoman.

In Superwoman when Lena Luthor is shown with the Mother Box it is glowing RED whereas for Lex it was glowing BLUE

I doubt this was merely a coincidence.

The Red Energy references:

The Red energy that powered the New52 Superman, Lana Lang’s Superwoman powers are also the power that the Chinese were able to replicate for the New Super-Man.

This leads me to believe that the New52 Superman was something that was created and is why those who are powered by it are either unable to contain it ( New52 Superman, Lois, and Lana) which ends up killing the host or difficult to activate like the Chinese Super-Man Kong Kenan.

This would also add to the argument that Mr. Oz / Geneticron played a role in somehow ‘creating’ the New52 Superman who was a Superman without the “soul” of Superman

In Superwoman, the Red Energy manifests itself as New52 Superman and Lois before leaving to

Jonathan mistakes the Red Energy (New52 Superman and Lois) as is parents and uses the red energy to escape the Daily Planet globe where Mxy is holding him

The Blue Energy references:

The Blue energy was only associated with the Pre-Flashpoint Kents (Clark, Lois, and Jon) who time and time again, is told or referred to as not being of the New52 universe

–

During their confrontation the following exchange takes place:

This lead many to reference the 90s event were Superman was split into blue and red energy beings, I however, didn’t think this the case as I explained in the weekly post before the final installment was released in Action Comics #976.

Mxy never answers this question, leaving it open with what was already known…that there were at one point there were two Supermen in the New52 Universe.

Before his death, New52 Superman and Pre-Flashpoint Superman briefly meet, so there was little interaction or chance for Pre-Flashpoint Superman to explain between the two, and I think that it would take a lot of retconning to come up with a plausible explanation for this to have happened.

The Superman: Reborn storyline does, however resolve the Blue/Red Energy as Jonathan is able to convince the Red Energy (New52) Superman and Lois, to allow the Blue Energy to “make them whole…which it seems that New52 Supes and Lois are reluctant to do it even though they tell Lana that they are leaving to go be made whole again.

After the Red and Blue energies unite the only appearance of Mr. Oz, other than when he discovered Mxy had escaped, offers the closing commentary for the storyline:

,

These pages only create more questions than answers but the key ones are:

Superman and his family are able to fix their personal corner of the DC Universe that was broken.

Mr. Oz alluding to a “him” and the last panel with the planet Mars, obviously alluding to Doctor Manhattan

Oz mentions “twin realities” becoming one which means that Superman has a somewhat new origin:

Superman’s origin looks for the most part to be that of the Post-Crisis / Pre-Flashpoint Superman with new events which account for the birth of Jonathan:

Jor-El and Lara on Krypton, Kal -El in the rocket ship – More the Pre-Flashpoint/Post-Crisis versions Krypton exploding as the rocket with Kal-El escapes (the rocket is more Pre-Flashpoint/Post Crisis than the New52 version) The Kent’s finding Clark Clark, Lana, and Lex Luthor in Smallville – also very Post-Crisis (can’t remember if it was ever mentioned if they all went to school together in New52 Universe Clark joining Daily Planet – again Post-Crisis version of events Clark reveals identity to Lois – Definite Post-Crisis timeline Death of Superman – Post-Crisis timeline Clark and Lois wed- Post-Crisis timeline Lois & Clark telling Perry about pregnancy – New event to Superman origin Lois giving birth to Jonathan – New event in Superman origin Jonathan being introduced to Perry and Jimmy Olsen – New event in Superman origin

This ‘new’ united origin of Superman is heavily based on the Post-Crisis / Pre-Flashpoint Superman. There is no reference to the New52 t-shirt/cape days like the New52 wore before getting the Kryptonian armor-like suit.

Events that seem to have been “erased” from continuity include the relationship with Wonder Woman, the revealing of his identity, and depowering which happened during the DCYou “Truth” storyline. The events of Convergence, such as the birth of Jonathan have also changed. Whereas Lois was pregnant during the year Superman was depowered while trapped in Brainiac’s dome and gave birth to Jon in the Flashpoint Batman’s Batcave, it now appears that the pregnancy was known and the Jon was born in the Fortress of Solitude.

The Villians:

Doomsday Bizzaro Vandal Savage??? Metallo Imperiex Darkseid Toy Man Lex Luthor Brainiac Silver Banshee ???? Ulysses Eradicator Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw) Parasite Blanque Mongol Mister Mxyzptlk

It also appears that the Superman villains, for the most part, are the Pre-Flashpoint versions also with a few exceptions.

The additions to Superman’s rogue’s gallery include Ulysses (from Johns’ New52 Superman run) and Blanque who Pre-Flashpoint Superman met during the DCYou.

The big question mark is the appearance of the Hank Henshaw Cyborg Superman, no only since Pre-Flashpoint Superman saved the New52 Hank Henshaw but the New52 Cyborg-Superman is Zor-El, Kara’s father. Are there now two Cyborg Supermen? Will there be a Cyborg-Superman: Reborn story (I doubt it).

Mr. Oz mentions is that “Everything has solidified and is locked in so it all fits.” I wonder if this is a reference to Metron’s explanation leading up to the Darkseid War (Justice League #40) that the latest version of the DCU has “yet to solidify” and it’s all been one universe (or multiverse), breathing in and out, exploding, imploding, and renewing. I think we can add manipulated to the list with New52

I hope that if the DC Universe is going to start ‘solidifying” and the Superman: Reborn storyline is the what begins the process. This also raises the question about what events are now canon. One would expect that the Pre-Crisis universe and Crisis on Infinite Earths happened, supposedly the one where Pre-Flashpoint Superman,

This also raises the question about what events are now canon. One would expect that the Pre-Crisis universe and Crisis on Infinite Earths happened, supposedly the one where Pre-Flashpoint Superman, Parallax, and the Pre-Crisis Flash And Supergirl, went back at the end of Convergence and saved the Multiverse, what remains to be seen is if the events that were the result of the destruction of the multiverse in the original Crisis, such as Infinite Crisis or Zero Hour.

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Overall I think DC has done an excellent job with the Superman family titles.

I like how they interconnect to tell one big story but can still focus on the variety of characters that make up the Superman universe. Moving forward I have big expectations for this “New” Superman and look forward to reading these adventures when they are released.

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Next in this series will be Batman and The Flash as The Button storyline begins later this month.