One of DC’s Most Dangerous Characters Is Back (But He Might Be a Good Guy?)

by

Originally, the Legion of Super-Heroes stood as one of Superman’s closest allies, playing a crucial role in helping him embrace his identity and understand the impact of his actions, even millennia down the line. However, the Legion has undergone a significant transformation. The emergence of Darkseid’s Absolute Universe brought about drastic changes, including altering the future, causing the Legion to become a team of villains who now propagate Darkseid’s message. Recently, this malevolent Legion has made its introduction to Superman, and despite his immense strength, he finds himself overwhelmed by these former allies alone. Fortunately, aid came in the form of Time Trapper, who facilitated Superman’s reunion with a person he believes can help them vanquish Darkseid’s Legion. Regrettably, this individual is one of Superman’s most treacherous foes: Superboy-Prime.

Who Is Superboy-Prime?

In another universe, instead of sending baby Superman off in a spaceship, Jor-El employed a transporter device to move him to a secure dimension. He landed on Earth-Prime, a planet resembling ours, where superheroes are merely fictional characters from comic books. He was adopted and given the name Clark Kent, living an ordinary life for the initial fifteen years until Haley’s Comet appeared overhead, activating his powers and transforming him into Superboy. At the conclusion of the “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” Superboy-Prime was transported to the Paradise Dimension together with others such as Kal-L and Alexander Luthor; however, Luthor and Prime chose to become villains in order to reshape their respective worlds according to their desires.

Originally, Superboy-Prime transformed into an unfeeling, pessimistic, malevolent counterpart to his namesake. He understood that he was confined within the pages of a comic book, loathing every moment of it and aiming to destroy everything in an effort to recreate his original universe. His power far surpasses Superman’s, as demonstrated by his ability to alter reality through his powerful Retcon Punch. He is among the most formidable enemies anyone has ever encountered, frequently requiring the combined efforts of the Justice League, Green Lantern Corps, and the entire Flash Family to temporarily imprison him. During the conflict against Perpetua in Dark Knights: Death Metal, Superboy-Prime encountered Krypto, who remained loyal despite his actions. Realizing that he cannot change the essence of fiction, Prime joined forces with good to save the multiverse. In the end, he was transported to a renewed Earth-Prime and warmly welcomed by his family and loved ones. Now, Superboy-Prime has returned, and there’s a chance he might truly be a hero moving forward.

Darkseid’s Legion

In an attempt to safeguard the Legion following the sighting of their arch-enemy, Validus, Superman sought help from his future allies. However, instead of the expected League, a different group responded. It was Saturn Girl who appeared, declaring loyalty to Darkseid, eager to witness his most formidable foe firsthand. Using her psychic abilities, she invaded Superman’s mind, trapping him in a horrifying vision of his friends being killed by her teammates, followed by the image of his mother’s demise. Despite Superman’s unyielding resistance, Saturn Girl escalated her attack until the Time Trapper, Doomsday from the end of time, intervened to disrupt her and drag Clark into the timestream. Before Saturn Girl could continue, Darkseid’s voice boomed, chastising her for defying his orders by engaging Superman. He commanded her to rally the Legion and protect the one individual crucial for his scheme, pulling her back to Earth.

Superman needed to return to protect his mother, but Time Trapper suggested they act immediately to save everything instead. His comrades were stationed at the Watchtower, while Time Trapper would distract Darkseid’s army. Superman, however, couldn’t go alone, so Time Trapper transported him to a universe he created earlier, containing someone significant from Superman’s past. To his surprise, it was an old version of Smallville, and standing before him was Superboy-Prime. Giving us a knowing wink, Prime hinted that something big was about to happen.

In simpler terms, Superboy-Prime has reappeared in our primary timeline, and it seems that he and Superman must team up to shield the future from Darkseid’s control. Fingers crossed they can pull it off, and let’s hope Prime stays a hero for all time zones they traverse. This alliance might be risky, but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how it unfolds!

Superman #28 is on sale now!

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/5-best-superman-batman-team-ups/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-23 18:43