Action Comics #687

The form of a man made up of red energy awakens in a facility in the Arctic having the memories of Superman and heads to Metropolis! Reports of Superman's return spread rapidly, but is this really Superman back from the dead?

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.

Notes:

• The first $1.50 issue.
• The newsstand edition was $1.50.
• The direct sales edition was $1.95.
• The direct sales cover is die-cut.
• There is an outline of the "S" shield is on the outer cover while the "S" shield belongs to Eradicator on the inner cover.
• The newsstand cover was penciled by Kerry Gammill, inked by Jackson Guice and colored by Glenn Whitmore.
• The newsstand cover has Gammill after Hannigan.
• The direct sales cover was penciled and inked by Jackson Guice and colored by Glenn Whitmore.
• "The Last Son of Krypton!" a poster of the Eradicator by Jackson Guice and Denis Rodier.
• Doomsday, Superman, Ice and Blue Beetle cameo flashback appearances.
• Swan (Street or Avenue) on page 19 panel 4 is a homage to Curt Swan.
• The Ellsworth Mountains mentioned on page 2 panel 3 is a homage to Whitney Ellsworth.
• The Simon Kirby Riverside Park on page 20 panel 2 is a homage to Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
• Series returns after a three month hiatus.
• Triangle 1993 #12.
• Chronological continuation from Adventures of Superman #500.
• Chronological continuation in Superman: The Man of Steel #22.