News

Warning: Spoilers for Superman (2023) #21 ahead!

Doomsday is back in Metropolis, and try as he might, Superman can't hold off their upcoming confrontation forever. When a new Dc Comics villain appears and demands to take Doomsday into custody, their connection to Superman's killer has shocking implications for one of the most famous comic book stories of the 1990s.

In Superman (2023) #21 – written by Joshua Williamson and with art by Dan Mora, – Superman struggles to enjoy his date night with Lois, knowing that it's only a matter of time before Doomsday breaches his containment at Supercorp. Just as Superman manages to attain some level of calm, a new villain calling themselves the Aftermath appear over Metropolis and demand Doomsday be remanded into their custody.

Although the Aftermath declare their attire to be their traditional funeral garb, lore-savvy readers will notice that they wear the exact same containment suits Doomsday wore in his debut.

No Marvel character, hero or villain, is as much of a diva as Doctor Doom. A diva can be best described as a self-important, often vain human being who is not only absorbed in themselves, but can be self-absorbed in the most theatrical of fashions. Anyone remotely familiar with Doctor Doom's stories will agree that "diva" describes Doom to a tee.

Dr. Victor Von Doom notoriously has a flair for the dramatic. He takes slights personally, and any small inconvenience to him feels like an attack on his well-being. Since debuting in 1962 in a Fantastic Four story by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Doctor Doom's entire comic book history has featured countless examples of him being the biggest diva known to grace a panel. Such examples illustrate exactly why he is a supervillain, but also what makes him one of Marvel's most entertaining - and unintentionally hilarious - characters.

The last remaining Arrowverse-adjacent DC show, "Superman & Lois," wrapped up last week with a poignant series finale that sped through decades of Clark Kent and Lois Lane's life together. The show's final season wrapped up plenty of loose ends: revealing the fate of Lex Luthor, showing us what happened to Jonathan and Jordan when they grew up, and introducing famous good boy Krypto at the eleventh hour.

The final season didn't exactly tie up all of its storylines in a neat bow, though, in part because of reported budget cuts that reduced the episode count and led to the axing of several cast members. Fortunately, Wolé Parks' engineer and soldier John Henry Irons wasn't one of the characters who had to exit early, and his antagonist-turned-hero was shown teaming up with the Super-family in the finale's future-set epilogue. Still, Irons was apparently impacted by budget cuts as well,...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Action Comics #1075!An underrated character in Superman's mythos has finally gotten the chance to do some real good for Metropolis. Clark Kent and his Kryptonian family may have actual superpowers, but the Man of Steel's old boss just got a surprising amount of political power.

Perry White had to step down from his post as The Daily Planet's Editor-in-Chief after he suffered a stroke (brought on by Lex Luthor making the world forget Superman's secret identity). While Lois Lane stepped in to keep the paper going, Perry found a high calling and began running for mayor of Metropolis. Now after a hard-fought and long-lasting campaign, Perry is embarking on a brand-new chapter of his life.

Superman's Boss Perry White Just Became Metropolis' Mayor Great Caesar's Ghost, That's a Good Role for Him

In Action Comics #1075's story "Memory Lane" by Joshua Williamson, Jon Bogdanove,...

Doomsday's most infamous moment in DC history is his killing of Superman, a groundbreaking sequence that's become a staple of the Man of Steel's history. However, that isn't Doomsday's first kill; there's another that carries just as much, if not more, thematic weight. The first murder committed by Doomsday defines his role in DC lore as an unyielding force of evil, proving that he is the moral opposite to Superman.

Superman: The Man of Steel #18 written by Louise Simonson, with art by Jon Bogdanove features the first proper appearance of Doomsday in DC canon, as he begins his destructive rampage. Before any of the human casualties, though, Doomsday partakes in a first kill that stands out from the rest. A bird flies into his outstretched hand as he looks upon the distant city, and without a second thought, Doomsday crushes the bird.

This first on-page kill from Doomsday demonstrates...

Warning: Spoilers for Power Girl #14!The "daughter of Steel" has truly been earning her stripes as a member of the Superman Family. Readers may be most familiar with the original Steel, John Henry Irons, as he's most notably (and unfortunately) recognized for being played by Shaq in the character's first disappointing live-action appearance. John Henry is far better respected in the comics - but so is his family member, Natasha Irons.

Natasha Irons' version of Steel has been making her presence known throughout the Power Girl series, most recently in Power Girl #14 by Leah Williams, Adriana Melo, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Becca Carey. In more recent years, Natasha has emerged in DC Comics as one of the newest superhero leaders defending Metropolis - three of whom are featured on the cover of Power Girl #17 by Yanick Paquette.

Natasha's Steel has been one of the Superman Family's most overlooked heroes, but in Power Girl,...

As if the fierce-flowing mullet of Superman wasn't iconic enough, an electrifying upgrade almost gave him the '90s best haircut possible. A tweet recalls a blast from the past that shows several amazing potential takes on the Man of Steel's most shocking form.

While Clark Kent has had a number of alterations to his costume over the years, his split into two colorful energy-based forms remains one of his most bizarre. Inspired by the Silver Age story "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue!", Clark Kent was separated into two distinct versions of himself, after the Toyman and Cyborg-Superman lured the hero into a trap. In addition to both heroes displaying more energy-oriented powers, each version of Superman had a radically different personality and approach to fighting crime. But before his big change in '90s was cemented, several ideas were considered, one of which almost gave...

Quick Links Superman & Lois Season 4 Episodes 1 & 2 Features the Best Adaptation of The Death of Superman Superman & Lois Season 4 Episodes 1 & 2 Offer an Uninspired Version of Lex Luthor Clark Kents Death Puts the Focus on Lois, Jonathan & Jordan Superman & Lois Season 4's Overall Quality Hangs on What Happens Next

The following contains spoilers from Superman & Lois Season 4, Episodes 1 and 2, "The End & The Beginning" and "A World Without."

After introducing a unique take on Bizarro, Superman & Lois turned Superman's literal opposite into Doomsday via Lex Luthor. Freshly released from prison and blaming Lois Lane for his allegedly unjust incarceration, Luthor's entire goal is to kill both Superman and her father, General Sam Lane. Any fan familiar with the many retellings of "The Death of Superman" over the past 20 years already knew Lex would get at least one out of two.

The CW's co-owners, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, sold a majority stake of...

Since his first comic appearance, Superman has been one of the most iconic heroes in fiction. Known for his wholesome nature, immense levels of power and genre-defining origins, the Man of Steel has been written into some of the best stories in comics history. While many of his best tales come from his first half-century in the 1900s, there's no shortage of instant-classic Superman comics from the modern and post-Rebirth era.

Superman's recent history has been contentious, and always controversial, but many stories, events, and series have become almost universally loved. While not every one may rank among the greatest Superman comics of all time, they still stand out as some of the best-written tales in print. For those looking to see the best of Kal-El in the modern world, we've asssembled a list of the best modern Superman comics fans should be reading right now.

The Death of Superman: The Wake Louise Simonson,...

Since his creation at DC Comics in 1938, Superman has been the standard-bearer of the superhero genre, something that has been made clear through his best stories. While he's best-known for his solo adventures and Justice League tales, some of the hero's greatest adventures revolved around team-ups and crossovers. Ranging from encounters with gods to crossing into iconic movie universes, the Man of Steel has proven himself a noble hero every time he's needed.

Superman stands alongside superheroes like Captain America and Spider-Man for his endlessly-heroic character traits, relatable personal life and exciting adventures. With eighty years of history behind him, he has accumulated arguably the richest, most entertaining and interesting life in comics. While many readers prefer the gritty tales of Batman, these team-up and crossover comics prove the Man of Tomorrow is DC's greatest hero.

Superman vs Aliens II: God War Chuck Dixon, Jon Bogdanove and Kevin Nowlan

During the 1990s,...

Clayton Henry's cover for Action Comics #1075 expertly captures key moments in Superman's epic life, from his debut to fighting Doomsday. Superman's 1075th issue is a milestone celebration packed with action, featuring all-star talent and iconic characters. This amazing tribute to Superman showcases his rich history and legacy, highlighting the enduring impact of the Man of Steel.

As a big Superman fan, I can't tell you how much I love this cover that beautifully captures the biggest moments of the Man of Steel's life. If you're like me, you're going to appreciate the beauty of one piece of art that masterfully portrays the epic life Superman has lived.

I always love when a new batch of solicitations comes out and November had a lot of goodies in it. But no art struck me like Clayton Henry's cover for Action Comics #1075, a landmark issue in the hero's long-running title. Henry's...

Steel was intended to be a comedic "schlub" character, but his creators focused on his heroism instead. Steel, created after Superman's death, was one of the four replacements who took over afterward. Steel evolved from a blue-collar hero to a tech-savvy leader, becoming one of DC's best characters.

Steel has been a staunch ally of Superman for over 30 years, but fans may not know that he was originally intended to be a much different character. One of the four replacement Supermen that sprang up in the wake of Supermans death, Steel, has had perhaps the best arc of them all, yet one of his creators revealed that John Henry Irons almost took a decidedly different path.

John Henry Irons first appeared in 1993's Adventures of Superman #500.

Writing in 2023s Steel: A Celebration of 30 Years, artist Jon Bogdanove, who created John Henry Irons with Louise Simonson, recounted the characters genesis. At the time of Supermans death,...

Quick Links Who is Steel and What Is Amertek in the Dcu? How Does My Adventures with Superman Change Steel? My Adventures with Superman's John Henry Irons Could Recruit Natasha

The following contains spoilers for My Adventures with Superman Season 2, Episode 3, "Fullmetal Scientist," which debuted May 30 on Adult Swim.

What has really helped make My Adventures with Superman tick is how it leans heavily into technology, robotics and the digital age. It adds something of a grounded feel to the sci-fi and fantasy aspects of the cartoon. As a result, villains like Deathstroke, Damage and the Atomic Skull feel fresher and built for a new generation. They're powered by technology, effectively giving more of an anime feel for fans who love Gundam, Robotech and Fullmetal Alchemist.

This creative direction isn't slowing down anytime soon. Season 2 has brought two key entities into the Man of Steel's life, playing more on the...

Steel is a hidden powerhouse in the Justice League with incredible strength. John Henry Irons' character in Steel is authoritative and pivotal to the DC Universe. Irons' excellence lies in his arsenal, intellect, and alliance with the Superman Family.

The Justice League is the DC Universe's foremost superhero team, and as such, their membership includes some of the world's strongest heroes. From iconic heavy-hitters like Superman and Wonder Woman, to underrated powerhouses like Firestorm and Vixen, there are no shortage of Leaguers who can fight for justice on a global scale. But one surprising figure in the Justice League is far stronger than anyone realizes: Steel.

Jla: Act of God by Doug Moench, Dave Ross, George Freeman, Benedict Dimagmaliw, and Kurt Hathaway upends the DC Universe after a phenomenon called the Black Light robs every biologically- and mystically-powered hero of their abilities. Only technologically based heroes are left to fight on,...

This X-Men ’97 article contains spoilers.

“They shall know my Inferno!” cries the Goblin Queen early in X-Men ’97‘s third episode. Now, the Goblin Queen has had a rough day, which began with her thinking that she was the real Jean Grey and ended with the revelation that she was a clone created by evil (but fashionable) geneticist Mr. Sinister. Her heel turn came so quick that she really didn’t have time to workshop her villain monologues.

Whatever the shortcomings in her baddie banter, the Goblin Queen makes up for it with evil powers. She immediately begins transforming the X-Mansion into a Hellscape, complete with a giant head in an elevator and a vision of Xavier as a monster from the anime classic Akira. Wild as these transformations are, they have nothing on the comic book storyline that inspired it.

The Inferno crossover from 1988 and 1989 was peak weird Marvel,...

Brainiac Queen emerges as a formidable adversary in Action Comics #1066, posing a new threat to Superman and his family. Rivera's variant cover for the comic hints at a tragic showdown, echoing the iconic The Death of Superman cover imagery. DC may be preparing to elevate Brainiac's threat level to rival that of Doomsday's.

The Death of Superman cover stands as one of the most iconic comic book covers in history, depicting Superman's broken and battered body being cradled by a weeping Lois Lane following a fatal clash with Doomsday. Newly released art for an upcoming comic appears to revisit this poignant moment, offering a twist that could foreshadow future developments in the Man of Steel's ongoing storyline.

On June 18, 2024, Joshua Williamson and Rafa Sandoval's Action Comics #1066 will continue the House of Brainiac story arc, introducing the formidable Brainiac Queen, Brainiac's ultimate creation. The queen is poised to...

Doomsday is the one of the few characters in the DC Universe, who can instill fear in Superman and has pushed him to the brink, including killing the Man of Steel in the famous "Death of Superman" storyline, which introduced the villain. Different versions of Doomsday have appeared over the years, each one more dangerous than the last. Some surprising versions of Doomsday, like Jimmy Olsen and Alfred Pennyworth, have proven to be even stronger and more capable than the original.

Doomsday is one of the most terrifying antagonists in the entire DC Universe, being literally one of the few characters to install fear in Superman, even outright beating him to death. Naturally, the idea of one Doomsday is bad enough, but with things like the Multiverse, there are plenty of Doomsdays to go around, each more terrifying than the last.

Superman has fought dozens of absurdly powerful characters over...

Superboy's new nickname, "The K-Pop Kryptonian," is a seamless callback to his '90s roots, evoking a surge of nostalgia among longtime fans. The nickname highlights Superboy's popularity and flamboyant personality, solidifying his charm and relevance for the present generation. "The K-Pop Kryptonian" cleverly combines Superboy's prime in the '90s with the immense popularity of K-Pop music, making it a perfect label for the hero.

The emergence of Superboy's new nickname, "The K-Pop Kryptonian," serves as a seamless and fitting callback to his '90s roots. This homage promises to evoke a nostalgic surge among longtime fans, ensuring its establishment as a beloved and favored label for Kon-El. What's more, adding to the allure of this nickname is the fan-favorite character behind its origin.

Following Superman's demise at the hands of Doomsday, Superboy emerged as one of the four potential successors to Kal-El's legacy. He quickly emerged as the clear fan-favorite,...

Warning! Contains potential spoilers for Action Comics 2023 Annual #1!

Superman prepares to face a challenging dilemma as his adopted child, Otho-Ra, must choose between her new family and her old life. The upcoming Action Comics 2023 Annual #1 highlights the clash between the Blue Earth movement and the invasion of Earth, with Norah Stone opening a portal between worlds. This issue draws parallels to Superman's past failure to save his first child, Chris Kent, revealing the potential for redemption and a second chance for Superman to save one of his children.

Despite having more powers than any other superhero, Superman still can't save everyone. He learned this the hard way when he failed to save his first child, Chris Kent, from being sucked into the Phantom Zone. But it seems the upcoming Action Comics 2023 Annual #1 might give Superman a second chance to save one of his newly-adopted children from a similar fate.

The 1990s were a glorious era for DC Comics, and now some of the most iconic characters from that decade shine in V Ken Marion and Danny Miki’s new variant cover art for Steelworks #6, putting Steel front and center, joined by a parade of the best of '90s DC.

Solicitations for DC Comics' November and December releases showcased the cover. Steelworks #6 will be written by Michael Dorn, drawn by Sam Basri and Vicente Cifuentes, and feature a regular cover by Jon Bogdanove, who drew Superman comics in the 1990s. Nostalgia for the 90s is at an all-time high, and DC celebrates the “extreme” decade with Marion and Miki’s variant cover, featuring over half a dozen classic 1990s superheros.

The 1990s Were One of Comics Grandest Decades

Marion and Miki’s variant cover for Steelworks #6 features Steel leading a charge of the 1990s incarnations of popular DC heroes,...

Warning: Potential Spoilers for Knight Terrors: Superman #2The Girl of Steel battles a cavern of kryptonite in a new, haunting cover featuring Supergirl facing her one true weakness. DC has promised a summer of horror with the "Knight Terrors" event, and Supergirl is certainly feeling the terror.

Supergirl takes center stage in a new 1:25 ratio variant cover by Mikel Janín for Knight Terrors: Superman #2 by Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly. Though Supergirl teams up with her cousin Superman in this horror-themed two-shot, this stunning variant cover sees Supergirl face her weakness alone. Kara has never looked more determined, despite her sick green glow, as she claws her way out of a kryptonite death trap. See the cover, as well as DC's full solicit for the issue, below:

Knight Terrors: Superman #2 Written by Joshua Williamson Art by Tom Reilly Cover by Gleb Melnikov Variant covers by Jon Bogdanove and John Giang...

Steel turns 30 this year, and DC Comics is celebrating with not only an all-new miniseries, but a special hardcover collecting his greatest stories. One of the four heroes who replaced Superman after Death of Superman, John Henry Irons has since become a staunch ally of the Man of Steel. Recently, in the Superman family of titles, Steel embarked on a bold new direction and this June, he got his first title in over a decade, Steelworks - now, the publisher will also release Steel: A Celebration of 30 Years.

As reported by Aipt, Steel will star in the six-issue miniseries, written by legendary actor Michael Dorn (who voiced Steel in Superman: The Animated Series) and drawn by Sami Basri. The series, spinning out of the events of Action Comics, focuses on John Henry Irons as he tries to use his new company, Steelworks, to improve the world. DC has hinted that...

The return of a terrifying DC villain spells trouble for Supergirl. Doomsday, the monster that once killed Superman, is coming back from Hell itself, and he's heading straight for a dramatic confrontation with the Woman of Steel.

This August, DC Comics is releasing Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1, a new 48-page one-shot that's bringing the iconic Superman villain back to terrorize the DC Universe once more. Dan Watters and Eddy Barrows team up for the special, which will feature a number of variant covers from artists like Lucio Parrilo, Clayton Crain, Jon Bogdanove, Björn Barends, and Puppeteer Lee.

It is a creature beyond reason—and the only force in the universe strong enough to kill Superman. It’s Doomsday, the living embodiment of death, destruction, and evolution! In the wake of Dark Crisis and Lazarus Planet, King Doomsday now sits on a throne of skulls across a river of blood,...

The most R-rated healing feat in Superman's long comic history was actually against Alien's Xenomorph. Supes' healing factor was put on display in a crossover with Alien that ultimately cemented Superman as the strongest hero and the superior alien life form.

As most comic fans know, the key to Superman's powers comes from the Earth's yellow sun. These cosmic rays amplify the cells in his body to make him more powerful than any humanoid as he acquires super speed, flight, heat vision, ice breath, and more. However, one of the most interesting abilities that some comic fans have picked up on is that Superman actually has a healing factor like Wolverine. Superman may appear indestructible, but the fact he can heal from blows that are strong enough to injure him just makes him even more powerful.

This Feat Makes Superman the Perfect Organism, Not the Xenomorph

In Superman/Aliens, by Dan Jurgens,...

Warning: Spoilers for "Time" from The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special ahead!DC has confirmed that Steel, the alternate Superman, deserves a place in the DC Extended Universe. Steel was one of the four Supermen who arrived in Metropolis after the real Man of Steel’s death, helping to safeguard the city until the real Superman returned. In the years since he has been a staunch ally of the Superman family and in The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary edition, readers see Steel on the day Superman died, and his heroics prove he has a place in the Dceu.

Steel is John Henry Irons, a former weapons designer who, after seeing how destructive his handiwork was, left his employers and went off the grid. Eventually, Irons came to Metropolis, where he worked in construction. While working on a skyscraper, Irons slipped and fell, and would have died if not for the intervention of Superman.

Written by Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson | Art by Various | Published by DC Comics

It’s hard to explain now, thirty years on, just what a huge event The Death of Superman was. It grew far beyond anything DC Comics could have imagined. It all started with that same old thing in comics, falling sales on the Superman books. There was nothing wrong with the stories or creative teams, they were all very good. I should know because I have practically every issue after all. The problem was with culture. Punisher was big, Ghost Rider was big, Wolverine was big, Batman was getting darker and darker. Superman was just out of step with tastes. So, to get a bit of publicity, then Editor Mike Carlin and his creative teams decided to kill Superman (temporarily of course).

The story, though, caught the attention of the national, then international press,...

The "Death of Superman" storyline is one of the most iconic tales in DC Comics, and forever changed how death operates in superhero comics. First published between 1992 and 1993, it chronicled Superman's fatal battle with Doomsday ("Doomsday!"), the entire superhero community's response to his death ("Funeral for a Friend"), and the emergence of four characters all claiming to be Superman ("Reign of the Supermen!"). What also made the event remarkable was that it was told across four different Superman titles at DC: Superman, The Adventures of Superman, Action Comics, and Superman: The Man of Steel, in addition to issues from Green Lantern and Justice League America. As such, the creative team behind "The Death of Superman" was larger than most crossovers', featuring the talents of Dan Jurgens, Louise Simonson, Roger Stern, Jerry Ordway, Karl Kesel, Tom Grummett, Jon Bogdanove, Jackson Guice, Brett Breeding, and more.

Now, the core creative team behind...

The death of Superman continues to loom large over the DC Universe, just as the actual, legendary tale, “The Death of Superman,” looms large over popular culture. It shouldn’t be surprising that one of the most creatively abundant periods in Superman history yielded one story that continues to cast such a long shadow, and yet “The Death of Superman” has become, second only to the Man of Steel’s origin story, perhaps the best known tale in the character’s history.

It’s more than just the story itself. “The Death of Superman” was a media event at a time when comics weren’t necessarily getting mainstream attention. Radio, TV, and traditional print media seized on the opportunity, and casual fans unaware that nobody stays dead in the world of superheroes, genuinely thought DC was bringing the career of its longest-running hero to a close. Since then, the story has been adapted for animation,...

This article contains Superman & Lois episode 7 spoilers.

Superman & Lois Episode 7

It took seven episodes, but we’ve finally learned the secrets of the mysterious stranger who up until now has only been known as “Captain Luthor.” Since the first episode of Superman & Lois aired back in February, fans (and journalists) have been buzzing about the identity of the man under the armor who has been giving Superman a hard time, and lately, spending a lot of time with Lois Lane.

And while everyone just took the armor’s AI at its word that this is a “Captain Luthor” from elsewhere in the DC multiverse, Superman & Lois episode 7, “Man of Steel,” turns all of that on its head, as it turns out that almost everything we had assumed about this character is wrong.

Fans learn the truth about the Stranger at the same time that Superman and...

1997 was not a good year for the comic book movie in general, even if most of the headlines were rightfully stolen by Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin completing the franchise’s downward trajectory from brooding and atmospheric Gothic blockbusters into an exercise in selling toys to children that’s so inane it still boggles the mind that it arrived just eight years after Tim Burton’s first installment.

George Clooney may have taken most of the credit for putting the entire genre on life support, but Batman & Robin wasn’t the only terrible DC adaptation released that year. Just twelve months after Kazaam, Shaquille O’Neal proved once again that he had absolutely no future as an actor when he headlined Steel, which tanked spectacularly at the box office after bringing in a paltry $1.7 million on a $16 million budget.

The superhero film was savaged by critics, and boasts precisely zero redeeming features,...

Every reboot of Superman tries something different, striving to find a fresh approach to the material, and Superman: Man of Tomorrow is no different. This direct-to-video release, out now from Warner Home Entertainment, is intended as the opening chapter in a new continuity, a Rebirth, as it were, of the DC Animated Universe.

Other than the destruction of Krypton, baby Kal-El being raised by the Kents, and Clark (Darren Criss) arriving gin Metropolis as an adult, everything else is a modern take. Clark arrives as an intern with Lois Lane (Alexandra Daddario) just a grad student making her bones at the paper. Perry White (Piotr Michael) is there in all his bluster with Ron Troupe (Eugene Byrd) there for diversity and not a sign of Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lombard, or Cat Grant.

The story suggests Earth is aware of alien life and S.T.A.R. Labs, now owned by...

With an enormous swath of the world involved in varying degrees of social distancing, many of us suddenly find ourselves with a lot of time on our hands. Never fear! There are more options for streaming comics than ever before, and that means we have access to more of comics history, more hidden gems and epochal runs than ever before. But the variety of options to read can be daunting. That’s why we’ve put together a recommendation list of some of our favorite comics binge reads to help you through quarantine.

DC Universe rolled out in 2017 as the first full-service entertainment streaming platform – old shows, old movies, new shows, new movies, and a huge library of comics. And while a lot of the excitement over the platform has been about that original or new shows (justifiably! Harley Quinn and Doom Patrol are amazing!), it also gave us access...

The Doomsday Saga sprawled across the four monthly Superman titles for the better part of a year, clearly too long to successfully adapt as part of the DC Animated Universe series of films. When The Death of Superman was announced, everyone knew a second film would follow and sure enough, viewers were treated to The Reign of the Superman. The 1992-93 storyline was streamlined and revised to be fit into the animated continuity, so characters who weren’t around at the time, are here now.

Warner Home Entertainment has edited the two films together into a 2:46 and has released it as The Death and Return of Superman released in a variety of formats including the nifty 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition Gift Set. The 4K gift set comes with Superman: Doomsday as a bonus 4K disc.

As noted in reviews of the two films, it does a reasonable, but not perfect,...

One of the smarter moves the DC Animated Universe did was begin to build interlocking storylines, characters, and voice artists. This has allowed them to build off previous events and let the status quo consistently evolve rather than feel static. (Amazing animation can do this far more easily and effectively than the film division.)

As a result, we are now emotionally invested in this incarnation of the classic heroes and villains, which allowed the redone Death of Superman film in 2018 work so well. This also paved the way for the sequel, Reign of the Supermen, which has received quite the promotional bump.

Out on home video today from Warner Home Entertainment, the 87-minute adventure rarely lets up and is more satisfying than previous installments. While it takes the name from the 1993 storylines that followed the Man of Steel’s death, it bears little resemblance. This is wholly set in the...

Back in the early 90s Superman was on the decline. Comic sales were down and the DC writers felt the iconic hero was being taken for granted.

What came next has either been credited for revitalising the character, or dismissed as a publicity stunt. Either way, The Death of Superman was a huge moment in the history of the Man Of Steel, and proved to be such a pivotal plot point that it’s been retold in a variety of ways, most recently with last year’s animated direct-to-video release, Death Of Superman.

This year we get the sequel. While the comic book arc involved three chapters – Death of Superman, Funeral For A Friend and Reign of the Supermen – the films have condensed the story into two parts.

With Superman’s demise coming at the hands of vicious killing machine Doomsday, Metropolis is in mourning, and the world slowly recovering...

Doomsday. The unstoppable engine of destruction also appears to be the unstoppable antagonist having been a regular in the comics since 1992 and brought to the animated and live-action films. The sheer power on display is catnip and allows DC Comics’ most powerful figure to go mano y mano.

The DC Animated Universe of direct-to-video films has been uneven, usually a result of either poor writing, bad directing, or off-putting character design. That they are now linked, building a shared universe is a small pleasure as the producers mine the comics for stories to adapt and weave into their mythos.

The Death of Superman story has been adapted repeatedly but the latest attempt, now available digitally from Warner Bros Home Entertainment, but this may be the most satisfying version. A large part of the credit has to go to writer Peter J. Tomasi, who brings a tremendous amount of humanity to...

He ushered in a new Halloween tradition by taking us to Haddonfield and introducing us to The Shape, and now John Carpenter has teamed up with a talented team of artists and writers to bring us more seasonal scares with Tales for a HalloweeNight Volume 3, the latest entry in the graphic novel anthology series from Storm King Productions. Ahead of the third volume's release in early October, we've been provided with preview pages that tease fun and frightening times in a haunted house filled with familiar faces from horror genre history.

Below, you can read our preview pages from John Carpenter's Tales for a HalloweeNight Volume 3 (which is currently in development as a TV series for Syfy), and keep an eye out for the third volume when it's released on October 4th. You can also check out the new graphic novel at Storm King Productions' booth #2304 at New York Comic Con,...

In this round-up, we have more tasty pre-Halloween treats from your friends at Daily Dead. Preview pages from John Carpenter's Tales for a HalloweeNight, release details for Submerged and Little Dead Rotting Hood, a poster for The Hollow, Afraid of Everything cover art, as well as part one of Spooky Sights.

Tales for a HalloweeNight: "From the man who brought you the movie, “Halloween” and all the scares beyond, here comes the ultimate graphic novel anthology of tales to warm your toes by on a dark and stormy night in October. Carpenter brings together storytellers from the world of movies, novels, and comics and in these pages lie tales of graveyards, sunken ships, creepy crawlers and ghosts to haunt your dreams at night.

Writers: John Carpenter, Steven Hoveke, Sandy King, Steve Niles, James Ninness, Trent Olsen, David Schow, and Duane Swierczynski.

Artists: including…Tim Bradstreet, Jon Bogdanove, Federico DeLuca,...

On Halloween weekend, Nosferatu won't evoke terror or bring plagues upon unsuspecting townsfolk, but rather inspire a night of beautiful music. Also: an update on the Telluride Horror Show, Vampirella #1 and Syfy's Ominous release details, as well as Storm King Productions at New York Comic Con.

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror: Press Release: "Over Halloween weekend, on Friday, October 30, at 8 p.m., the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart, in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, will bring the classic 1922 silent horror film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror to the Symphony Hall stage, with an entirely new full symphonic score composed by Berklee’s finest student film composers. Nosferatu on Halloween is a groundbreaking, unprecedented collaborative project in which eight of Berklee’s finest student film composers will write a full-length symphonic score, under the direction of Professor of Film Scoring Sheldon Mirowitz, for what is widely considered...

DC and Dynamite Comics takes us back in time with a reunion of two dynamic duos that many will say is long overdue. Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet sees the two pair of heroes and their sidekicks, Robin and Kato, joining forces to battle evil for a third time. Since all the actors from the television show have either aged far beyond being able to don their respectable costumes or passed on, it’s a dream pairing that could only be made possible in the pages of a comic book.

What could force Batman, the Green Hornet, Robin, and Kato to join forces again? How about the return of General Gumm and his sticky-fingered minions in Gotham City? This time the gooey crime lord has a cohort in villainy. The Joker has joined in on the dastardly depravity!

Filmmaker Kevin Smith works against stereotype by providing a clean and wholesomely...

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis didn’t just introduce the world to the New 52 version of Aquaman. It also gave us the first appearance of Superman’s Hammer of Justice, Steel. If you got up to use the restroom or checked your cell phone at the wrong time, you might have missed what could become a defining moment in the new DC Animated Universe.

In what amounted to under a minute of screen time, John Henry Irons wields a large hammer on what appears to be a construction site. Wearing a yellow hardhat, he defends his co-workers from an army of Atlantian attackers. Just as he is about to be overcome by his assailants, Superman swoops down and saves him. We are witnesses to the defining moment when the seeds of a new super hero are planted – Steel.

According to the DC Comics Database, the most widely known Steel is...

According to reports, 21st Century Fox, a portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents, may develop a major motion picture that will combine two of Marvel Comics greatest superhero teams:

various reports indicate that Fox is planning to "...combine the 'Fantastic Four' and the 'X-Men' for an 'Avengers'-style movie."

Fox creative consultant Mark Millar previously confirmed that the "Ff" and "X-Men" existed in the same movie universe, but for the time being both properties will remain as stand-alone film franchises.

Marvel Comics' "Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men", published in 1987, written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Jon Bogdanove/Terry Austin, followed the quest to find an effective medical treatment for dying "X-Men" member 'Kitty Pryde'.

 Along the way, the 'Fantastic Four' and the 'X-Men' come into conflict with each other, as a sinister secret regarding 'Fantastic Four' origins come to light.

Click the images to enlarge.

2013 is nearly done, but not without a couple more comic book movie rumors kicking around under the good ol' gossip tree. And it seems one of them has already been debunked... First up, financial site The Motley Fool reported on Boxing Day that Fox was working on an X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover movie that will be based on the 1987 comic run, "Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men." What is that run all about? Here's the Wikipedia synopsis:  Written by longtime Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont, pencilled by Jon Bogdanove, and inked by Terry Austin, the series revolves around the quest to find an effective medical treatment for the dying X-Man, Kitty Pryde. Along the way, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men come into conflict with each other, and what appears to be a sinister secret regarding the Fantastic Four's origin comes to light.  Okay, cool concept and it seemingly fits into Fox's plans,...

…Created By White Guys and Louise Simonson

My sincere thanks to Grace Randolph

10. Black Lightning.

Created by Tony Isabella

What can I say about Black Lightning except for the fake Afro wig (decades before Steve Harvey’s Btw… wait… y’all didn’t know that was a wig? Oops, sorry Steve, my bad) but like I was saying-except for the wig I loved this character the moment I saw him. Yeah, there were some stereotypical thing to him like his real first name, Jefferson but his last name was Pierce and Jefferson Pierce sounded so cool I can give Jefferson a pass.

9. Spawn.

Created By Todd McFarlane

Little know story: when I was the CEO of Motown Animation & Filmworks I started a comic book imprint called Machineworks. We were all set to do a publishing deal with Marvel Comics which would have given Marvel its very own Milestone like imprint.

My last two columns generated a certain amount of off-topic political discussion, which is 1) exciting and 2) frightening. The fright stems from the fact that political discussions got us kicked off this site four years ago.

The excitement comes from proving something I have always believed. Feminists claim the personal is political. I think the arts are political, too. You may have a different opinion. It depends in your definition of art. I think art is something created by an artist that makes you see the world in a new way.

Forty years ago I had surgery, and was lying on my parents’ couch zonked on major pain killers. I was reading Dune, watching the Olympics and the political conventions. I couldn’t tell which was which. Maybe that’s because Dune is a mind-blowing book. The sequels never moved me as much. Perhaps it was the drugs, or maybe they...

A lot to go over, including a whole lot of second issues and a hardcover collection of all of last month’s #1 issues. So let’s get to it!

Justice League #2

Written by Geoff Johns

Art and cover by Jim Lee and Scott Williams

1:25 Variant cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

1:200 B&W variant cover by Jim Lee

On sale October 19 • 40 pg, Fc, $3.99 Us • Rated T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 Us

Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.

What happens when the World’s Greatest Detective takes on the world’s most powerful alien? You’ll find out when Batman and Superman throw down. Batman will need all his intellect, cunning and physical prowess to take on The Man of Steel.

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.

We’ve received all the covers for DC Comics August solicitations, and Flashpoint promises that worlds will live, worlds will die, and the DC Universe will never be the sa– oh, sorry, that was the tagline for Crisis On Infinite Earths, back when I worked at Flashpoint. I’m so confused…

My favorite item for the month is pictured above, the Sergio Aragones version of Batman from Batman: Black & White. But there are some absolute art gems here, including Darwyn Cooke’s Jsa cover, and Frank Quitely’s redoing of Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson’s cover for Green Lantern #52.

As for the rest of the books, take a look… as usual, spoilers ahead:

War Of The Green Lanterns Aftermath #2

Written by Tony Bedard

Art by Miguel Sepulveda

Cover by Tom Fleming

1:10 Variant cover by Miguel Sepulveda

The blockbuster “War of the Green Lanterns” event has rocked the...

Clark Kent and Lois Lane could be getting a new boss on "Smallville."

Kryptonsite is reporting that Blu Mankuma will appear in an episode later this year as Franklin Stern — the owner and publisher of the Daily Planet in the DC Universe. Stern was created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove in 1993 during the "Superman: The Man of Steel" series.

James Earl Jones portrayed Stern on a single episode of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" during the first season of that show. Given the history of the character — and the upcoming return of Michael McKean as Perry White — it seems likely that Stern will assume ownership of the paper from Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman).

Mankuma — who recently appeared in the film "2012" — has an extensive resume of genre TV series, including "The X-Files," "The Outer Limits," "Forever Knight," "Robocop: The Series" and "Stargate Sg-1."

Mankuma's character will appear alongside...