Superman’s New Weakness: Facing the Ultimate Threat from Within

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Superman #20! A troubling new weakness has been uncovered within Superman, which could jeopardize the stability of the entire DC Universe. A startling twist during a fierce confrontation exposes the iconic hero to a perilous threat lurking inside him.

Superman’s recent challenges have been nothing short of overwhelming. Following the catastrophic events of the “House of Brainiac”storyline, where he narrowly saved his family, he found himself confronting Amanda Waller in the harrowing narrative of Absolute Power. To exacerbate his situation, the menacing Doomsday has resurfaced from the depths of Hell, posing an unprecedented danger and forcing Superman to push his limits.

Superman’s Repressed Anger: A Transformative Adversary

A Shocking Death Catalyzes Clark’s ‘Red Levels’

In Superman #20, crafted by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Dan Mora, Clark encounters the Time Trapper, who has transformed into a future iteration of Doomsday. This evolved entity pushes Clark toward violence, urging him to commit murder while hinting at imminent disasters. Just as the threat intensifies, the Time Trapper vanishes, leaving Superman and Superwoman to combat the ongoing havoc wreaked by the current Doomsday in downtown Metropolis, where flames engulf the city.

Doomsday has recently escaped from his imprisonment since Action Comics: Doomsday Special #1 (2023).

As Superman and Superwoman engage Doomsday and his monstrous Doomhounds, Mercy Graves endeavors to initiate a project known as ‘Project Deadbeat.’ Working alongside Lois, Clark seeks to neutralize the ongoing threat while their allies evacuate civilians from Metropolis. Hope arrives when Mercy, accompanied by armed Supercorp soldiers, introduces the formidable Parasite into the battle. However, in a heartbreaking twist, just as Parasite begins to absorb Doomsday’s tremendous energy, the monstrous villain violently tears him in half before the eyes of Superman and his teammates.

In the aftermath, Superman’s fury escalates, manifesting visibly as crimson veins pulse along his face and neck.

In a fit of rage stemming from Parasite’s death, Superman attacks Doomsday relentlessly, inflicting severe damage until his fists bleed. Lois can only watch and express her fears, pleading with him to restrain himself. Lena Luthor’s observations of Superman’s growing ‘red levels’ confirm the extent of his fury. Despite his escalating rage, Clark eventually regains control, realizing the immediate threat is neutralized, and Metropolis is safe for now.

Superman’s Long-Brewing Anger is Unveiled

The Pressure Mounting on the Man of Steel

Superman has faced considerable stress recently, testing his resolve. His precarious partnership with Lex Luthor, who professed to change his ways, has brought new threats such as Dr. Pharm and Mr. Graft into the fold. This duo of rogue scientists ventured into kryptonite synthesis, notably creating a red variant designed to incite profound anger in Superman.

Clark’s encounter with this synthetic red kryptonite occurred in Superman #11 (2024).

The outcome was disastrous—the alien hero spiraled into a violent frenzy, endangering everyone around him. Thankfully, Luthor countered the red kryptonite’s effects with a dose of green kryptonite, stabilizing Clark momentarily. Yet, internal changes lingered, intensifying as Superman faced further challenges, including Brainiac’s devastating attack which left the entire metahuman community in peril but for Clark, whose own rage was escalating once more.

Lobo, a formidable ally, has observed this shift in Clark, noting the palpable intensity of Superman’s fury. This turmoil only intensified after Clark faced Amanda Waller’s assault on metahumans during Absolute Power, especially heartbreaking was the news that Waller had transformed his son, Jon, into a living weapon.

Implications of Superman’s Elevated ‘Red Levels’ for His Future

The Danger Posed by Clark’s Anger

Angry Superman with the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad

Superman’s recent tribulations have understandably amplified his anger. The effects of Pharm’s synthetic red kryptonite have altered him, presenting risks not just to himself but to those who care for him. With Supercorp closely monitoring Superman’s physical stats, it’s clear that Clark is grappling with his anger more than ever, especially with the unresolved tensions preceding the current series.

The potential ramifications of Superman losing control are alarming. It’s not merely an emotional burden; devastating physical changes accompany his rage, as signified by glowing eyes and pulsing skin. His vocal expressions manifest visibly within the comic, sometimes rendered in red text bubbles to symbolize his fury.

The terrifying possibility remains: if Clark’s ‘red levels’ soar too high, he might unleash uncontrollable devastation upon anyone nearby. Given the unpredictable nature of red kryptonite, which can yield mutations or even death, the stakes are extraordinarily high for Superman, as each surge of anger could expose him to unforeseen transformations.

Finding Redemption from This Newly Discovered Weakness

Strategies for Maintaining Control

Unfortunately, conventional methods such as meditation and mindfulness are unlikely to shield Superman from the relentless pressures of supervillains and chaos that surrounds him. To truly combat this newfound weakness, Clark must leverage the knowledge of kryptonite specialists. While one might instinctively think to consult Lex Luthor, the complexities of his current amnesia complicate that route. Fortunately, a plethora of brilliant scientists within the DC Universe possess extensive knowledge about kryptonite and can be invaluable allies in helping Superman navigate these turbulent times before his rage spirals into something irrevocable.

Superman #20 is now available from DC Comics.

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