Superman’s death unleashed a secret power he had only just mastered

Warning! Spoilers for Superman No. 16 follow!One of the darkest moments in Superman’s Life has released a fascinating power from which he is only now benefiting. Absolute power has arrived in the DC Universe and Amanda Waller has launched her fiercest attack on the superhuman community.

Unfortunately, one of the first to come under fire is the Man of Steel, who is not only stripped of his powers but also shot through the chest. While Waller and her squad, Task Force VII, travel the world, depowering and arresting heroes by the dozen, the heroes gather at Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, where Clark discovers a surprising power that could help the heroes turn the tide against Amanda Waller.

Superman’s death helped him discover the “dark streets”

In Superman #16 by Joshua Williamson, Jamal Campbell and Ariana Maher, Clark is in critical condition, having just been shot after Amanda Waller’s “Last Son” Amazo drained his powers in the middle of a robbery. Mister Terrific and Doctor Mid-Nite operate on Superman in the Fortress of Solitudewhere they try to remove a bullet from his shoulder. While the professionals do their best to fix Clark, Zatanna is on the run from Waller’s agents. Unfortunately, like many other heroes, Zatanna’s powers have been taken away.

Fortunately, Zatanna is able to hold her own against the agents and buy time until she is rescued by Mercy Graves. Together, the two make their way to the Fortress of Solitude, where the survivors of Waller’s first attack have gathered to reassess the situation. Tensions rise among the heroes, but things calm down when Superman comes out of surgery, now wearing his black recovery suit. Superman tells his allies that they need a way to get other survivors to the fortresswhich leads Zatanna to suggest an unusual method using magic.

Zatanna tells Superman about the Dark Roads, a series of passages that allow people to travel between different points. She also points out that these are not limited to magicians, making them the perfect way for the heroes to operate in the shadows. Superman asks Zatanna why she wants to take him to the Dark Roads, and she informs him that the realm responds well to death. Given Superman’s previous death and other near-death experiences, Zatanna sees him as the best hero available to travel the Dark Roads.

Doomsday changed Superman lore by killing him

Today, comic book deaths may be considered exaggerated, but three decades ago, the world practically stood still when Superman died. He had faced many powerful villains, but none could match the brutality and fury that drove Doomsday. The highly advanced killing machine came to Earth and, except Superman, there was no living hero who could stop him, let alone slow him down. For the first time in his life, Clark was facing an opponent who did the impossible and actually killed Superman.

The death sent shockwaves through the DC Universe and had some long-lasting effects on the world. The biggest consequence of Clark’s death in battle was the debut of 4 new “replacement Superman”, all vying to take the place of the new top superhero. Some like Steel and Superboy were valiant heroes in their own right and became prominent members of the Super Family. Others like the Eradicator and Cyborg Superman proved problematic and became recurring threats to Superman when he finally came back to life.

Superman’s death was fortunately not final, but the DC Universe would feel the effects of his death for years to come. Cyborg Superman in particular was one of the worst villains “inspired” by the Man of Steel. Not only did he regularly terrorize the Superfamily, but he also became a major threat to the DC Universe as a whole. Cyborg Superman played a key role in the destruction of Coast Citywhich played a major role in Green Lantern becoming possessed by Parallax, something that stuck with Hal Jordan for years.

Superman’s death finally pays off

For the first time since Death of Superman, Clark has finally found an advantage in dying at Doomsday’s hand. While Zatanna says the Dark Ways are accessible to both mages and non-mages, they respond better to those who have died before. While Superman isn’t the only hero who fits that description, he is one of the few heroes who can help Zatanna at the moment. Superman’s connection to the Dark Roads could be a blessing for the heroes while continuing to survive Waller’s onslaught.

During Waller’s first wave of attacks, Green Arrow, now working for Waller, called the heroes and informed them that Waller had blocked off every escape point she could think of. The time stream, the multiverse, space travel, even the microverse are now out of the question. With no way to get outside help and the Amazons of Task Force VII tracking every super-powered person on Earth, the remaining heroes are faced with increasingly dire options. But Superman and Zatanna could turn things around thanks to his new “power”.

Waller believes she has the advantage at the moment because she has carefully blocked off every possible path for the heroes. But even someone as diligent as Waller has to miss something, and Zatanna has taken the best contingency plan straight to the Man of Steel. Due to his previous death Superman can maintain contact with the Dark Streets and guide heroes around in complete secrecyThis allows the remaining heroes to buy the time they need to mount a proper counterattack or even find a way to restore their strength.

Can Superman’s newfound power save the situation?

Although it’s not much, access to the Dark Roads is an advantage that Superman and his allies need. Right now, every second counts and the longer they stay off Waller’s radar, the greater the chance that their plan will not succeed. Admittedly, it’s a long shot, but at least traversing the Dark Roads will help Superman and Zatanna gain more allies and hopefully find a new way to end Waller’s reign of terror.

Superman #16 is now available from DC Comics.

Superman #16 (2024)
	Author: Joshua Williamson Artist: Jamal Campbell Colorist: Jamal Campbell Letterer: Ariana Maher Cover artist: Jamal Campbell

Superman

The icon who gave birth to the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton, escaped his dying world to crash on Earth and grow up as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, leader of the Justice League, and the most recognizable hero in the DC Comics universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton battles enemies small and cosmic in his endless quest for truth, justice, and a better future.