Superman #28
Scheduled to arrive in stores: July 23, 2025
Cover date: September 2025
“Legion of Darkseid” – Part One
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: Nathan Szerdy, Guillem March, Salvador Larroca & Pasquale Ferrara, Tula Lotay
Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
Unbeknownst to the Man of steel, an unseen group watch Superman in action from afar. They note his routine and how his heroic presence is a source of inspiration to the world. Whoever they are, they also know he is Clark Kent…
Superman flies to the Kent Farm and, feeling nostalgic, browses through some of his treasured keepsakes. Amongst them, his Legionnaire ring.
Ma Kent greets her son and reminisces with him about that time. Clark reveals what happened at Lana and John’s wedding has been weighing on his mind (Summer Of Superman Special #1) the strange appearance of Validus has him worried about his friends, the future and the uncertainty… though he leaves out Time Trapper’s threats.
Martha calms him and a more relaxed Clark leaves to find the Legion’s secret meet up place in the forest nearby. He smiles as he finds the old tree with the Legion’s ‘L’.
Clark is shocked to find Imra, Saturn Girl, but quickly discovers she isn’t the friend he remembers. While Imra distracts Clark, his other ‘friends’, Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lad arrive outside the Watchtower and, using the mastery of magnetism, completely crush it killing every Justice League member inside. In a rage Superman soars into space to confront Cosmic Boy and realizes too late that it was all a trap so Lightning Lad could get to the Kent Farm and kill Martha.
It takes a moment or two but Superman’s training with mental blocks starts to make him realize Imra was trying to influence him. She realizes she can’t manipulate his thoughts any more but can explore his mind. She explains to Superman that she, Garth and Rokk have learned that Superman is Darkseid’s polar opposite. Through time, they know ultimately Superman will fail.
Time Trapper, having escaped Darkseid’s Legion (last issue) arrives and steals Superman away leaving Saturn Girl to face punishment for disobeying Darkseid.
In the time stream, Superman demands that he be taken back to save his mother but Time Trapper tells Superman that their only option is to save the future, if they can’t nothing will matter.
Time Trapper reveals that since they last met he has rallied allies ready to help. They reside in a hidden pocket universe, a protected space that they now travel to, to meet… Superboy Prime?!
To Be Continued…
Story – 5: As Superboy Prime would call me, I’m an ‘old fart’ like Superman. This the story and its embracing of Clark’s Legionnaire history was a joy. I also really enjoyed that Martha had some interaction with Clark. I often feel like she doesn’t get much parental bonding time with Clark so it was very sweet for them to chat about the past.
The lengthy lead in to this plot has built anticipation and I truly have no idea where it’s going! I like the fact that the ending hasn’t been telegraphed (even with some news outlets doing some heavy guess work). I must say that this storyline seems very well paced… bring it on!Art – 5: The art is at pace with the events and there are so many Easter Eggs in the background this issue that you’re not going to spot them all in one viewing. It’s rare to have so many knowing nods, but whether it’s viewing the book as a movie fan or as a long time reader you’re going to notice something! If I were to critique one part of the book it’s the deaths of the Justice Leaguers, it was so fast I felt it lacked the impact it was meant to.
Cover Art – 4: A bold energetic cover that perhaps works best as a splash page. All the elements are there but the impact of the Watchtower’s destruction seems to have been blunted. It might be me but killing the Justice League seems like it would have been more impactful over four former friends almost fighting.Variant Cover (Nathan Szerdy) – 5: A suitably menacing cover showing this dark variant of Saturn Girl. This bloody and horrifying reflection of Imra definitely looks like she is relishing her sinister path. I really like the medium used here, perfectly matches the character in the story.Variant Cover (Guillem March) – 4: A fun Clark Kent in Smallville cover evoking memories of the new movie. I like the theming but it would have been even more fun if Krypto was a little closer. I’m going to quote DC here… go ‘All in!’
Variant Cover (Salvador Larroca and Pasquale Ferrara) – 3: I like the sinister scene. It feels like a horror plot with the Kryptonite IV drip is pretty scary, especially with Lex watching over him. I’m not sure why, but it feels a little too dark for a Superman book, perhaps because it doesn’t flow with the interior story.Variant Cover (Tula Lotay) – 5: Lois looks stunning here and I’ll be honest, I prefer this alternate version of the Superwoman suit to the main design. I know I’m fresh from seeing “Superman” in the cinema but is it just me or could this Lois fit right into the Justice Gang?
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