Superman’s New Era Kicks Off in Two Months, But Only After One Final Battle

Superman’s current era is coming to a close, and fans will see the final battle in just two months. The large Absolute Superman #25 arrives on November 4, 2026, and it promises to end the series’ first major story arc with a fight against Brainiac. The issue is set to change the narrative direction of the series dramatically.

This issue closes a two-year story arc that has tested Kal-El’s resolve. The current Superman lost both birth parents and witnessed Krypton’s destruction in real-time, followed by a menace determined to shatter the spirit of a novice Superman by laying waste to rural Kansas. Brainiac is the mastermind behind much of what this run’s family has endured’s darkest deeds, including the massacre of Lex Luthor’.

Brainiac’s Crimes Set Up the Final Fight

Brainiac’s defeat will not merely be a victory over a villain; lives have been upended by his actions, with some broken beyond repair. Christopher Smith, the new Metallo, has committed crimes against humanity that cannot be forgiven.

The issue’s preview teases a shocking conclusion, with the narrative direction of Absolute Superman changing from this point forward. Fans will hopefully finally see this universe’s Brainiac get his just deserts, ideally before the villain reveals another inhuman act following the Lex Luthor incident.

Steel and Allies Prepare for Battle

The issue Absolute Superman #24 gives John Henry Irons, Steel, a new armor upgrade and puts him in the lead. The gatefold triptych variant cover points toward a possible team-up involving the reformed Metallo and Hawkman joining Steel, alongside maybe other figures from the run so far.

That cover gathers many of the people who were won over by Superman in this universe. The closing pages of the preview hint at a surprising ending for the first major arc of the series.

Black Adam and Talia al Ghul’s Loose Ends

A number of open questions carry over into issue #25, including the fate of Black Adam’s defeat resulted in him being banished to a faraway planet inhabited seemingly entirely by Doomsdays, vowing to return as Superman’ and the lingering consequences of the death of Talia al Ghul’s father, whose tragic end occurred in the same arc.

Luthor is the main concern here. He was tied up and made to witness Brainiac cut down his family. The ordeal ended with him hearing cold words from Brainiac before it was over.

“What happens next will be up to you. I do hope you won’t squander the work we’ve done here today. Seize this opportunity, Lex Luthor, I beg of you. Make yourself interesting.”

In the future, Luthor found himself staring helplessly at the man who had killed his family’s scattered remains, with the ominous pledge of another meeting with his family’, while all Brainiac desired was a partner to accompany him on his ominous “Superman” project.

Luthor’s Path Toward a Dark Future

Other stories establish Luthor’s well-known fear of outsiders, which makes sense given his origin in Absolute Superman, where a cruel alien destroys his family. Instead of a confident businessman, though, Luthor’s story points toward a man whose motives push him toward endorsing a scorched earth policy.

What Comes After the Final Battle

Much of the actual details for Absolute Superman‘s future in issue #25’s ending and beyond remain under wraps.

Several loose ends remain unresolved, and the fallout of Brainiac’s actions will likely shape the new era of the series. The issue’s planned release date will be one to watch out for. Defeating the ultimate menace is teased to set up a shocking conclusion, with the series’ direction changing from this point forward.

Source: screenrant.com

Absolute Superman · Brainiac · DC Comics · Lex Luthor · Steel