19 Years Later, This Underrated Superman Story Remains One of the Best of all Time

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2025 was a fantastic year for Superman. The new movie was a hit with audiences, boosting the popularity of Superman and other DC Comics heroes. The comics themselves have also been exceptional, offering some of the best Superman stories ever written. This modern version of Superman is particularly strong because it skillfully blends elements from his entire 87-year history. It wasn’t always this way, though. For a long time, different parts of his backstory weren’t consistently included, leaving readers with an incomplete understanding of the character. But 19 years ago, a story emerged that beautifully connected Superman’s past and present, paving the way for the character we see today.

The comic book event Infinite Crisis significantly reshaped DC’s history, bringing back many beloved aspects of its characters. In 2006, writer Geoff Johns collaborated with Superman film director Richard Donner and artist Adam Kubert on a story called “Last Son” that beautifully blended the character’s past and present. The story captured the feel of preCrisis Superman, the classic Superman: The Movie*, and the modern version of the character, all within a fantastic tale featuring General Zod. It’s a truly exceptional story that deserves more recognition.

“Last Son” Was the Superman Movie We Never Got

As a huge Superman fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the story behind Superman II. Richard Donner had a vision for a Superman versus General Zod film, but Warner Brothers ultimately didn’t let him fully realize it, largely due to budget concerns. He ended up leaving the project, and even the ‘Donner Cut’ released years later felt incomplete. That’s why I think “Last Son” is such a triumph – it truly is the Donner Superman film we were meant to get. From the story to the way Adam Kubert illustrated the characters, it perfectly captures the feel of Donner’s original vision.

The story “Last Son” begins with a young Kryptonian arriving on Earth. Superman and Lois Lane find themselves protecting him from both Lex Luthor and the government, but they soon discover a shocking truth: the boy is the son of General Zod, and his arrival has unleashed dangerous entities from the Phantom Zone. This leads to an epic battle between Superman and Zod’s forces – Zod, Ursa, and Non. The comic is beautifully illustrated by Kubert, whose artwork is truly stunning. There are many things to appreciate about this story, but the art is a standout feature. DC allowed Kubert the time he needed to create immaculate artwork, even spacing out the release of parts 4 and 5 by several months – and the result was well worth the wait.

Around 2005, Superman was experiencing a resurgence in popularity. The launch of All-Star Superman and a major push from DC Comics brought the character back into the spotlight. A key part of this effort was bringing in top talent – writer Geoff Johns to Action Comics, along with acclaimed director Richard Donner and artist Adam Kubert – which resulted in a truly exceptional story. This story, known as “Last Son,” marked the beginning of a new direction for Superman, coming at a time when DC’s overall continuity was in flux. While a smaller story, “Up and Up Away,” came first, the full impact of the changes coming with Infinite Crisis wasn’t yet known, making “Last Son” a particularly significant moment.

This Superman movie is everything fans have been hoping for. Director Donner’s involvement really elevated the story. While there are many beloved Superman tales, it’s time we recognize “Last Son” as one of the very best – it truly deserves the praise.

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2025-12-28 22:10