Death of Superman
Death of Superman is a comic book story arc that first appeared in Superman: The Man of Steel #18
Superman finally meets his match. Superman is killed by Doomsday. Then 4 new Supermen emerge, Coast City is wiped off the planet, driving Hal Jordan insane, before Superman finally returns.
The Death of Superman
Another normal day for Superman, fighting the Underworlders, while elsewhere a green-clothed fist beats its way out of an underground chamber. Once the monster is above ground, he instantly starts to destroy, crushing a bird in his hand, and snapping the neck of a deer.
As it continues crushing, maiming, and destroying, it wanders into a department store, where he hears a TV commercial in which he hears the word "Metropolis" and moves on. News spreads quickly about this monster, and the Justice League Of America prepares to attack it.
As they move towards it, they see the monster's path of destruction, Booster Gold dubs the creature Doomsday. The JLA fight the monster. Guy Gardner is hit in the face just once, and his eyes are swollen shut. Ice is knocked unconscious. Blue Beetle is also knocked unconscious and beaten bloody. Booster Gold takes a hit from Doomsday, which causes his shield to malfunction.
Superman arrives. He and Bloodwynd, Fire, and Guy Gardner shoot Doomsday with their respective energy weapons. It does nothing. Doomsday punches Superman, who stands unharmed, but when Doomsday kicks him in the stomach, Superman gets knocked into the air.
Doomsday makes his way to Metropolis, and Superman realizes he must stop him. They fight a huge battle, shattering windows with their blows, and finally ending with one hit from each. Doomsday was seemingly dead. But so was Superman.
Funeral For a Friend/World Without a Superman
A huge funeral is held for Superman that the entire Justice League of America, the people of Metropolis, and all the world leaders attend. A plaque is laid in front of the Daily Planet that reads "IN MEMORY OF SUPERMAN DIED ON THIS SPOT DEFENDING METROPOLIS". Superman was laid to rest in Centennial Park where a memorial statue is erected in to serve as his tomb. Lex Luther JR. took care of everthing saying "If I could kill him then I will bury him." Without Superman, crime skyrockets, and to help quell this, Supergirl and Gangbuster take a more prominent role in crimefighting, but it hardly helps.
Reign of the Supermen/Return of Superman
Four new Supermen emerge, two of which actually claim to be superman.
One, John Henry Irons, or the Man of Steel, inspired to make his life worth more by Superman.
Kon-El, later to be known as Conner Kent, first appeared claiming to be Superman, eventually settled into the title Superboy.
The Eradicator, a kryptonian program that took over the body of a man named Doctor David Conners and reverted it into a human/kryptonian hybrid.
And the Cyborg Superman, who eventually turned evil and tried to kill the real Superman when he returned.
Associated Issues
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The official prologue to BLACKEST NIGHT starts here as the first Black Lantern is born! Black Hand has been an enemy of Hal Jordan since Hal's early days as a Green Lantern. But even Black Hand is unaware of the true power he holds that will connect him to the Blackest Night! Discover this villain's connection to death and the Black Lantern Corps!
Despite the title Doomsday does very little in this issue. He does however break out of his underground tomb and kills a little yellow bird. Later he breaks down an overpass. and at the end of the issue he flips over a semi truck.
The main story is about underworld monsters who try and take over Metropolis. Lois has an informant named Charlie who lets her in on whats going on. In typical fashion the monsters capture her. Lucky for Lois a little orphan boy named Keith sees the monsters take her away. He uses glow in the dark paint to signal Superman who saves the day and rescues Lois.
SUPERMAN is here to save the day, But will he. As Superman comes to aid the Justice League he has his first confrontation with the destructive DOOMSDAY. Will Superman and the Justice league defeat this monster?! Will they be defeated and leave the world to the devestating Doomsday?! Read this issue to find Out!!!!
Issue Tagline: Doomsday!
The Justice league are cleaning up the streets. Suddenly the get a urgent call for help, but what they find is more than danger it's DOOMSDAY.
Superman #75 is the famous issue where Superman is killed by Doomsday.
Funeral for a Friend Part 2 : Re-Actions.
Note the cover is a homage to Action Comics #1, except it is Supergirl lifting the car.
Superman does not appear in this issue.
Issue Tagline: In Memoriam Superman Killed On This Spot While Defending The City
" Life After Death!" " First Sighting..."
The regular cover is die-cut, both versions feature a poster of the Eradicator.
A being of pure energy is created in the Fortress of Solitude in Antarctica by Superman's robots. The being emerges confused and shocked and one of the robots explains that he was discorporated and that his essence was collected by a mobile field effect. The being watches the news archives of Superman's battle with Doomsday and the funeral then flies off to Metropolis to find Superman's body. The being enters Superman's tomb and opens the casket. He enters the corpse of Superman and puts on the cape. Trying to emerge from the tomb, he is blinded by the light and reflects that he must return to the Fortress so no one will see him.
Meanwhile Bibbo, despondent still at Superman's death, puts on his Superman sweater and shorts and pledges to serve Metropolis as its new Superman.
Back at the Fortress, the Eradicator is impressed by his powers but bemoans that he is now sensitive to light and can no longer absorb energy from the sun. He sees news of rioting in Metropolis and dons Superman's cape and shield. He flies to his city and takes down some thugs.
Lex Luthor is monitoring the news reports about the return of Superman in his office and mentions something about recovering the body from the Cadmus Project to Dr. Happersen. Supergirl busts in through security to talk to Lex about the Supermen returning.
An airplane flies out of control in the direction of a large crowd of people and the Eradicator flies and lands the plane safely, earning the admiration of the onlooking crowd, which includes Lois Lane. Eradicator picks up Lois and they fly away and have a private conversation. He can't remember anything other than she was affected by his death and that she's a reporter. She tries to kiss him and he rejects her saying that Clark Kent is gone and only Superman remains.
Issue Tagline: The Metropolis Kid is Back!
Issue Tagline: Don't Send a Boy to Do a Man's Job!
"Reign of the Supermen!"
"Shattered Steel!"
"There's No Escape From Engine City!"
"1993 28"--Triangle in upper left hand corner.
Issue Tagline: Doomsday for GL!
Part of the Reign of the Supermen storyline. Its Mongul and the Cyborg Superman against Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, Steel, the Eradicator, and Hal Jordan in what remains of Coast City.
Clark Kent is found alive! Superman rescues Clark Kent?!
| Story Arc: | Death of Superman |
| 1st Appearance: | Superman: The Man of Steel #18 |
| Appears in: | 8 issues |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
