The Resurrection
Last month we learned the Last Son of Krypton was really the Eradicator returned in human, this month we learn the Cyborg Superman is another figure from Superman's past. And just when it seems things can't get any worse, the real Man of Steel comes back to life.
Today it seems nearly every 25th issue is celebrated as a milestone, probably because so few books make it that far anymore. But back in the 90's, that wasn't the case and Man of Steel #25 doesn't have an enhanced cover or extra pages or anything. Nevertheless, big things happen in this issue.
Still imprisoned in Engine City, Superboy wonders how he can really be a clone of Superman when he lacks the strength to break free of his restraints. But as he struggles, he unexpectedly breaks free, not with super strength, but with a new telekinetic power that we briefly saw last month when he battled the Cyborg. Superboy flies back to Metropolis, but he's nowhere near as fast as Superman and the trip literally takes him all night.
In Metropolis, Lois Lane and John Henry are just about to fly back to Coast City together when Supergirl shows up to confront a giant Kryptonian battle robot emerging from the sea. But out of the robot falls another Superman dressed in all black--with long hair!
This new Superman tries to convince the others that he's the real one, but they're rightfully skeptical. While the imposters have displayed new powers, this one doesn't even have any. He takes Lois aside and although she's been through this ordeal several times before, he gains her trust by disclosing Clark's favorite movie, To Kill a Mockingbird. Superman kisses her goodbye and promises he'll always love her, then borrowing some of Team Luthor's rocket boots he takes off with Superboy and John Henry back to Coast City to save the world.
Meanwhile in Coast City, one of Mongul's Warworld minions tells another alien the story of how a former astronaut named Hank Henshaw (last seem in Adventures of Superman #468) came to possess Superman's genetic code and Kryptonian technology, becoming the Cyborg Superman. The other alien still doesn't understand, so we get a conveniently simple origin splash page.
None of these three Supermen are faster than a speeding bullet so it takes them four hours to cross the country again. Kal El wonders how long it will take him to store enough solar energy to get his powers back. Cyborg Superman fires on them as they approach Engine City, and while battling the forces of Engine City Kal's flight boots are broken. To compensate, he picks up some guns and ammo from the fallen enemies and assumes a more 90's Punisher look with straps and pouches on his thighs and ankles. Engine City launches a giant missile to destroy Metropolis and build a second engine so Earth can be mobile like Warworld. While Kal El and Steel take cover from the rocket blast, Superboy rides the missile. Lex Luthor told Supergirl to stay in Metropolis, but when he calls for her to save the city she's nowhere to be found. Superboy successfully deflects the missile right before it hits the Daily Planet, it detonates over the harbor presumably destroying Superboy too. Covering the story, Tana Moon loses composure and collapses with grief while the cameraman comments that the ratings will go through the roof.
In the depths of Engine City, Superman and Steel are swarmed by Cyborg's foot soldiers. Though previously powerless, Kal El now displays occasional flight or super strength; he also seems to be whispering to himself. Superman then reveals to Steel that he asked Supergirl to accompany them, and while making herself invisible she's been assisting him and giving him the illusion of powers. Unfortunately, Cyborg Superman can see everything that happens inside Engine City and he uses deadfall doors to separate Supergirl from the others.
Back in Metropolis, Superboy falls to Earth injured but alive. He tries to get up to fly back to Coast City, but he collapses unconscious on the ground. Meanwhile in the Arctic, the Eradicator emerges from the nutrient bath not fully recharged yet ready to rejoin the fight.
As their plans unravel, Mongul starts to think the Cyborg has los all reason and decides to make his move now. All along, he's been planning to double cross the Cyborg and rule Earth as another Warworld. He starts the city's engine, knowing that Earth will probably be torn apart without the balancing engine they had planned to install in Metropolis. One activated, we see engine's power source: a giant rock of Kryptonite!
Though there's little doubt that the real Man of Steel is back, we'll get a more official welcome back next month when the Reign of the Supermen finally comes to a close. Though he's on all four of this month's covers, it's interesting that none of these covers show Superman's new haircut. Superman would make his cover debut with his glorious mullet next month, a look that would become synonymous with Superman in the 90's even though it would really only last less than 3 years.
Superman: The Man of Steel #25
Still imprisoned in Engine City, Superboy wonders how he can really be a clone of Superman when he lacks the strength to break free of his restraints. But as he struggles, he unexpectedly breaks free, not with super strength, but with a new telekinetic power that we briefly saw last month when he battled the Cyborg. Superboy flies back to Metropolis, but he's nowhere near as fast as Superman and the trip literally takes him all night.
In Metropolis, Lois Lane and John Henry are just about to fly back to Coast City together when Supergirl shows up to confront a giant Kryptonian battle robot emerging from the sea. But out of the robot falls another Superman dressed in all black--with long hair!
Superman #81
Meanwhile in Coast City, one of Mongul's Warworld minions tells another alien the story of how a former astronaut named Hank Henshaw (last seem in Adventures of Superman #468) came to possess Superman's genetic code and Kryptonian technology, becoming the Cyborg Superman. The other alien still doesn't understand, so we get a conveniently simple origin splash page.
Adventures of Superman #504
Action Comics #691
Back in Metropolis, Superboy falls to Earth injured but alive. He tries to get up to fly back to Coast City, but he collapses unconscious on the ground. Meanwhile in the Arctic, the Eradicator emerges from the nutrient bath not fully recharged yet ready to rejoin the fight.
As their plans unravel, Mongul starts to think the Cyborg has los all reason and decides to make his move now. All along, he's been planning to double cross the Cyborg and rule Earth as another Warworld. He starts the city's engine, knowing that Earth will probably be torn apart without the balancing engine they had planned to install in Metropolis. One activated, we see engine's power source: a giant rock of Kryptonite!
Though there's little doubt that the real Man of Steel is back, we'll get a more official welcome back next month when the Reign of the Supermen finally comes to a close. Though he's on all four of this month's covers, it's interesting that none of these covers show Superman's new haircut. Superman would make his cover debut with his glorious mullet next month, a look that would become synonymous with Superman in the 90's even though it would really only last less than 3 years.
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