Superman Just Created the Gold Standard for Retcons, and Showed Us How They Should Always Be

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It’s common for comic books to change established details – a practice called ‘retconning’ – and while it’s often criticized, it’s actually necessary for long-running series. The problem is, poorly handled retcons can seriously damage stories and characters, like what happened with Wonder Woman’s origin or the controversial ‘One More Day’ Spider-Man storyline. However, when done well, retcons can actually improve a story, adding new depth and meaning to what came before.

Effective retcons don’t ruin past stories; instead, they offer fresh perspectives on characters and events, making you appreciate them even more. The best ones feel like exciting plot twists, enriching both the current story and how you view everything that came before. While there are many good examples, the recent revelation in Superman (2023) #31 – confirming Doomsday’s origins and connection to Krypton – is a perfect example of how a retcon should be done, setting a new standard for the technique.

The Alpha to King Omega

Superman #31 connects to the larger DC K.O. event, showing the Justice League preparing to evacuate Earth for an upcoming tournament. When Lois Lane learned that Time Trapper – who is also Doomsday – was behind this plan, she became suspicious. She wanted to know if the villain who once killed Superman had truly changed. Lois traveled to the Fortress of Solitude and questioned Jor-El, the AI, hoping to uncover Doomsday’s past and learn about King Omega. Jor-El claimed the information was restricted, but after Lois pressed him, Lara took over as the AI and revealed the truth about Doomsday’s origins.

Long ago, when Krypton roamed the universe, they discovered a common prophecy across many worlds. It foretold the arrival of King Omega, a being destined to destroy all life and become the ultimate god. Determined to prevent this, Krypton’s leading scientists created Doomsday – a uniquely adaptable weapon designed to oppose Darkseid. While Darkseid, known as Omega, symbolized destruction, Doomsday, the ‘Alpha,’ was meant to represent creation and life. This core principle fuels Doomsday’s incredible ability to evolve, overcome any challenge, and even return from death, making him Krypton’s best hope against Darkseid’s power. Currently, only Lois Lane is aware of this crucial plan.

The Perfect Revelation for the Right Reasons

What makes this retcon work so well is how carefully it’s done. It doesn’t contradict anything that’s been established before. Doomsday was always a genetically engineered weapon, and his new backstory—being created through Kryptonian experiments—simply adds another layer to his origins. In fact, it strengthens his connection to both Superman and Darkseid, making their previous encounters feel even more significant. This new information actively improves the current storyline without diminishing any important parts of the past, ultimately enhancing enjoyment of all the related stories and honoring the comics that came before.

Beyond its cleverness, this story change is admirable because of the clear purpose behind it. It wasn’t a random or attention-grabbing decision; it was carefully considered and thoughtfully implemented. Importantly, it builds upon existing story elements and characters instead of undermining them. The creators clearly respect what came before, acknowledging established strengths and information. This feels like a change made out of genuine appreciation for the story and its potential, and it keeps the narrative focused and on track.

This change to established story details works so well because it builds on what we already know and opens up exciting possibilities for future storylines – that’s exactly what a good revision should do. It adds to the story, instead of taking away from it. I think it’s a fantastic example of how to handle a retcon, but I’m curious to hear your opinion: does this feel like a success, or would it have been better to leave Doomsday’s original backstory as is?

Superman #31 is available now!

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2025-10-22 21:19