10 Superman Deaths That Came Out Of Nowhere

Although these comic books often revolve around an optimistic protagonist, they don’t shy away from depicting gruesome deaths and tragic storylines affecting both heroes and villains alike. Notably, the death of such a prominent character had significant impact on the overall narrative.

In many instances, the major deaths in Superman comic books were unexpected, particularly when they concerned well-known characters. This was true even for some of the most formidable Superman villains who were temporarily removed from play. Similarly, both allies and enemies within the Superman family, including Superman himself, have experienced sudden, surprising deaths.

Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

The storyline known as Crisis on Infinite Earths is often considered one of the most significant in DC Comics history, and it fundamentally altered the continuity of the universe. This narrative culminated in the destruction of the multiverse at the hands of the villainous Anti-Monitor, a plot point that was widely publicized by the publisher. Unbeknownst to many readers, this epic tale also featured the deaths of several key characters, including a certain Mighty Maiden.

In the seventh instalment of Crisis on Infinite Earths, I witnessed the heart-wrenching moment when Supergirl was taken down by a devastating energy burst from the Anti-Monitor. As a devoted fan of DC’s Superman clan, this tragic turn of events came as an enormous shock, given how much we cherished this beloved heroine. It wasn’t until many years later that DC would breathe new life into the iconic character of Supergirl in a more contemporary fashion.

Superman #52 by Peter J. Tomasi and Mike Janin and Miguel Sepulveda

In the midst of DC’s shift from New 52 to Rebirth, it was time to wrap up some storylines and characters that veered off course. For instance, the Superman of New 52, a character unique in his own way compared to the post-Crisis Superman, found himself in a showdown against an individual who had miraculously acquired powers similar to the Man of Steel. In the last issue of the New 52’s Superman comic book, I, the Superman, stood ready for this power-copying adversary.

Fortunately, this incarnation of Kal-El managed to secure the location and apprehended this man before being overpowered by a Solar Flare attack. However, his days were numbered due to kryptonite poisoning, as he eventually transformed into a sand-like stone substance while in the grip of Wonder Woman from his universe. This abrupt ending seemed harsh for the character, particularly since his post-Crisis counterpart was reintroduced, suggesting that the more contentious aspects of New 52 were being phased out decisively.

Superman vol. 3 #25 by Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort

During the New 52 reboot, Superboy’s storyline underwent significant changes, much like that of most DC characters. Despite his often tumultuous connections with the Superman family, he harbored the spirit of a hero within him. This led him to make immense sacrifices, including his own life, to preserve the timeline.

In “Krypton Returns,” we find a narrative following up on “H’el On Earth.” This storyline centered around an attempt to prevent Krypton from being destroyed in its past. As Argo City was teetering due to H’el’s actions, Superboy channeled all his might to save the city and ensure Kara Zor-El made it through safely. Regrettably, this selfless act led to his demise along with Krypton. However, he was subsequently brought back to life, a complication rooted in the complex timeline of the character within the New 52, as his status as a clone son of Lois and Clark provided a means for his revival.

Action Comics #869 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

For several years, Brainiac had been a well-known Superman adversary, but it wasn’t until the late 2000s “Action Comics” storyline that he made a significant return. This particular narrative not only revived the Silver Age version of Brainiac, but also reintroduced other elements from that era, such as the city of Kandor in a bottle and the traditional portrayal of it. Additionally, a concept that was revisited from earlier comics was the demise of Jonathan Kent.

In the “Brainiac” storyline, Jonathan Kent suffered a fatal heart attack in the second to last issue, reminiscent of his original character demise. Since Geoff Johns’ interpretation of Superman largely drew inspiration from the Silver Age and 70s/80s Superman films, this development was fitting. However, the way it was handled within the narrative left many readers surprised.

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #2 by Tom Taylor and Clayton Henry

The miniseries sparked quite a bit of debate, largely due to the numerous updates made to the well-loved character, Jon Kent. It served as a continuation, in a sense, of the concept that Ultraman had abducted the young man earlier. On Earth-3, Ultraman was Superman’s evil counterpart, but his mission to torment Jon Kent took an unanticipated turn when it came to an abrupt and violent end.

In the universe of Injustice, where Superman became an antagonist, he brutally broke the neck of Ultraman, a different version of the character. This darkened Superman instantly recognized Jon Kent, but unfortunately, in this reality, Lois Lane and their son had already met with a tragic end before they could form a family. To date, there’s been no sign of Ultraman returning, making it seem unlikely that his death will be rewritten or altered.

Adventures of Superman #470 by Dan Jurgens

After the Crisis, the narrative shifted significantly towards exploring the complex father-son dynamic between Perry White and his son, Jerry White. Despite their strained bond, Jerry was once involved with a number of criminal elements. Tragically, Jerry’s demise followed a tumultuous period in his life, deepening an emotional rift that had already been present.

In one tale, Superman found himself unwillingly drawn towards Hell, orchestrated by the malevolent schemes of Lady Blaze, the offspring of the potent sorcerer Shazam. To prevent a similar fate befalling Jimmy Olsen, Jerry White makes the ultimate sacrifice and surrenders his soul when Blaze assaults them both. Later, Superman shares this heart-wrenching news with Perry, who had been devastated by the discovery that years earlier, his wife Alice had an affair with Lex Luthor. As a result, the child he was now grieving wasn’t genetically his.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen Special #1 by James Robinson, Jesús Merino, Leno Carvalho and Steve Scott

In the 1990s, Dubbilex played a significant role in the Superman lore. As he was born from Project Cadmus, it wasn’t surprising that he had frequent encounters with Superboy. He served as one of many mentors for the “Metropolis Kid” and held a prominent position within the franchise for quite some time. However, by the late 2000s, this changed, making his death an unexpected and shocking turn of events.

In the early stages of “New Krypton”, a character named Codename: Assassin ended up taking the life of Dubbilex. This individual also had Superman in their sights. Jimmy Olsen discovered Dubbilex’s lifeless body, grieving deeply for the lost cloned alien and refusing to view him as just a scientific experiment. Regrettably, Dubbilex’s demise has since been largely forgotten.

Action Comics #670 by Roger Stern and Bob McLeod

Lex Luthor is a legendary DC Comics antagonist, famous for his long-standing rivalry with Superman. After the events of Crisis, Luthor’s character evolved into a corrupt business tycoon, similar to Marvel Comics’ Kingpin/Wilson Fisk. During the “Triangle Era” of the comic book franchise, there was a period when it appeared that Luthor had been killed off.

After being fatally stricken with cancer caused by Kryptonite exposure, Lex Luthor tragically perished in a plane crash, a turn of events that left even Superman stunned. Shortly after, Lex Luthor’s previously unacknowledged son, going by the name Lex Luthor II, emerged as the villain. However, things were not as they seemed. In reality, Luthor II was a clone of the original Lex Luthor, with his consciousness transferred into this new body just before the staged “death” that sent shockwaves through Superman’s fanbase.

Infinite Crisis #7 by Geoff Johns and Phil Jimenez

Kal-L, often referred to as Earth-Two Superman, was the first Superman who emerged in comic books during the Golden Age in 1938. In the storyline known as “Infinite Crisis,” it was disclosed that he resided in a separate dimension with his spouse, Superboy-Prime and Alexander Luthor Jr. Their departure from this dimension stemmed primarily from their dissatisfaction with the heroics displayed by the heroes on Prime Earth. Upon recognizing that his world wasn’t the only one worthy of existence, Kal-L eventually reconciled with the contemporary version of the Man of Steel.

Working alongside Earth’s Prime Superman, Kal-L engaged in battle against Superboy-Prime, who personified a particularly aggressive form of nostalgia. Regrettably, before Superboy-Prime was vanquished, he took the life of the elderly Golden Age Superman. On that world under a red sun, all three Supermen were powerless. This tragic death resonated deeply with many fans and marked the end of the “classic” DC era.

Adventures of Superman Annual #3 by Louise Simonson and Bryan Hitch

In several storylines, Superman often gets married to Lois Lane and even has children with her, although following the events of “Infinite Crisis”, Kryptonians and humans were unable to produce offspring together. Before that, a more somber depiction of their marital life was portrayed in a possible future linked to the “Armageddon” crossover event.

In issue #3 of the “Adventures of Superman Annual,” Waverider glimpses a distressing future where Superman is involved. In this alternate reality, Lois Lane tragically passes away during pregnancy due to her unborn child, powered by a yellow sun, accidentally striking her while kicking in the womb. This grim demise served as a stark reminder of potential consequences if Superman were to marry Maxima. Fortunately, it appears that this bleak future was averted, considering it involved the unfortunate death of the woman who holds a special place in Superman’s heart.

2025-06-01 06:55