Superman’s Most Powerful Enemy Gets a Major Upgrade (And Killed Another Villain)

Superman’s Most Powerful Enemy Gets a Major Upgrade (And Killed Another Villain)

As a longtime DC Comics fan who’s seen my fair share of Superman battles, I must say that the latest encounter between the Man of Steel and Doomsday in “Superman” #19 and #20 has taken the cake! The way Joshua Williamson has reimagined Doomsday as both the present-day monster and the Time Trapper is nothing short of brilliant. It’s like watching a classic Superman vs. Doomsday fight on steroids, with a twist of time travel and a dash of philosophical introspection.


The DC All-In event has significantly transformed the DC Universe, impacting Superman more profoundly than others. Lois Lane now possesses powers and teams up with her husband as Superwoman. Yet, just as she dived into the endless struggle for truth, justice, and a brighter future, Superman’s arch-nemesis, Doomsday, emerged – a formidable adversary who once defeated Superman. This lethal foe escaped from the depths of Hell and wreaked havoc in Metropolis in issue #19 of Superman, penned by Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora. This chaotic onslaught unexpectedly led to a comeback: Superman’s long-standing enemy, the Time Trapper.

In another incarnation, Superman encountered the Time Trapper while serving in the Legion of Superheroes as Superboy. Notably, the Time Trapper has seen several entities don the purple robes, leaving readers astonished, most recently an older variant of Doomsday. The 20th issue of Superman unveils the explanation for this transformation and outlines the new Time Trapper’s objectives. Both versions of Doomsday – the current-day monster who escaped from the underworld and the Time Trapper – now possess extraordinary abilities, and their rampage resulted in the death of the Parasite, a collaborator with Lex Luthor’s SuperCorp and Superman.

Doomsday Has Become Powerful Than Ever

Superman’s Most Powerful Enemy Gets a Major Upgrade (And Killed Another Villain)

In contrast to past encounters, the current Doomsday scenario is shaped by unique circumstances that set this story apart. Last we saw Doomsday was in Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1. He perished while battling Clark and Jon at the end of Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths , only to find himself in Hell. There, he ascended to become King Doomsday, almost managing an escape, but was thwarted by Supergirl, Martian Manhunter, and Bloodwynd. During his time in Hell, he acquired control over the fearsome Doomhounds, monstrous hellhounds whose armor mirrored Doomsday’s own. Since the beginning of his assault in Superman #19, he has been enveloped by a destructive energy known as Hellfire, which enabled him to burn Superman and Superwoman. SuperCorp dropped Parasite onto the beast, extinguishing the Hellfire but leading to Doomsday tearing Parasite in half. The Hellfire no longer appeared during the remainder of the fight. Superman finally subdued Doomsday, but not until after he had witnessed the villain striking his spouse, causing Superman’s anger levels to escalate alarmingly, granting him additional power.

In the comic book “Superman” #20, we encounter Doomsday, infamously known as the Time Trapper. This formidable foe has demonstrated an unusual level of intellect and a unique ability to manipulate time. At the story’s outset, he utilizes his temporal control to halt the flow of time and share his narrative with Superman.

The New Threat Of Doomsday Takes A Familiar Fight To A New Place

Superman’s Most Powerful Enemy Gets a Major Upgrade (And Killed Another Villain)

In various instances following his initial clash with Superman in “The Death of Superman”, readers have witnessed repetitive encounters – both Superman and Doomsday engaging in fierce battles, with Superman’s companions suffering defeats before he ultimately vanquishes the beast. Throughout these events, there is a recurring theme of Superman grappling with his apprehension towards Doomsday, rooted in their first conflict, and self-doubt. While each storyline offers varying qualities, they all maintain a predictable pattern that fans have grown accustomed to. However, the power of the Time Trapper disrupts this consistency entirely.

Joshua Williamson devised an innovative twist for the Time Trapper Doomsday saga, ensuring it diverges from typical Superman-Doomsday narratives. In this version, Doomsday appears as a cunning, cold, and formidable adversary who can engage in physical combat with Superman, but also boasts a novel ability to manipulate time and possesses knowledge of future events. Unlike previous encounters, Doomsday’s objective is unique: he desires death, claiming that it’s the key to unlocking his full potential. To achieve this, he threatens Superman by endangering his loved ones or warning him that everyone will perish unless he aids Doomsday.

Hey there fellow gaming enthusiasts! Mark your calendars for November 27, 2024, as I’ll be diving headfirst into the latest issue of Superman #20, penned by Joshua Williamson and featuring the artistic geniuses Dan Mora, Alejandro Sanchez, and Ariana Maher. You can grab a copy at your local comic book store or online! Can’t wait to unravel the mysteries this new chapter holds. Let’s geek out together!

Read More

2024-11-28 19:09