Like his best friend, Batman, Superman, the Man of Steel has some of the deadliest enemies in all of DC Comics. Now, the latest issue of Superman by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, and Gabe Eltaeb introduces a dark new threat to the DC Universe.
SPOILER WARNING FOR SUPERMAN #30
Superman #30 shows the Man of Steel responding to a distress call from a faraway planet alongside his son Jon: the Superman of the future according to DC Comics’ Future State event. Having saved this planet called Thakkram before, he’s welcomed by old alien allies upon arrival.
During a funeral ceremony for a fallen friend, these allies describe how Superman helped save their world from great darkness. This darkness, the Shadowbreed, was a hive-mind parasite that absorbs heat and light as if they were a black hole. It nearly extinguished their world until Superman, and its native warriors beat them back.
While everything at first seems safe on the surface, the issue makes it clear that the Shadowbreed has returned. Now, this threat presents new dangers for Superman and the whole DC Universe. At the start of the issue, Clark is bleeding and struggling against them.
Superman is a living solar battery. It’s highly possible that their ability to absorb light could dramatically impact his powers. Not only could they threaten the Man of Steel, but they could also threaten the DC’s other cosmic protectors: the Green Lantern Corps. If they could disrupt Clark’s abilities, there’s no telling what they could do with the light-based powers of the Lanterns.
Fans will have to wait and see what to make of this threat, but it’s clear that dark times are ahead for the DCU.
