- No. Not more. But not less.
- — Superman
Action Comics #1038 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 2022. It was published on December 28, 2021.
Synopsis for "The Warworld Saga, Part 3"
Superman has fallen. The Authority have been defeated and are chained in the arena, Apollo is grievously injured, the Enchantress is nowhere to be seen and Lightray is dead. Although Midnighter escaped Mongul's victory appears total.
Chaytil mocks Lightray's death and in a rage OMAC breaks free of their chains. They free Steel and the two defeat six Warzoons and attempt to attack Orphan and Darling, but Mongul knocks them down with an energy blast. Mongul declares that with Superman's defeat, he is now the rightful ruler of the United Planets and that Warworld shall conquer the universe as the spectators cheer. He announces that OMAC and Steel will become gladiators for the valour they showed and the rest of the Authority will be made slaves to his champions. Mongul orders the Warzoons to bring out Khaljo, the warrior who allowed Midnighter to escape. He hands Superman an axe and tells him that if he executes Khaljo for his failure, he will heal Apollo and restore Lightray to life; if he refuses, he will hunt down Jon and enslave him too. In response, Superman cuts Lia's body down and cradles it, telling her that her story is not over.
The Warzoons beat Superman and throw him in the arena's holding pens with the Phaelosians. They are shocked at his state and initially do not believe he is Superman, but a veteran named Kryl-Ux confirms that he is. Two sisters named Otho-Ra and Osul-Ra attempt to rob him and he wakes up. He tells the Phaelosians that he will help them escape and passes out.
That night, Midnighter sneaks into the holding pens and attempts to free Superman but he refuses to leave. He tells Midnighter that he believes that by fighting in the arena he can speak to the people of Warworld and inspire them to rebel against Mongul. Midnighter leaves, asking Superman if the Phaelosian's lives mean more to him that the Authoritym and Superman responds that they are equal to him. Otho-Ra overhears him while pretending to sleep, and in the next cell, Khaljo traces the Superman Symbol in the dirt in front of him.
Appearing in "The Warworld Saga, Part 3"
Featured Characters:
- Superman (Clark Kent) (Revealed to be alive)
Supporting Characters:
- The Authority
- Apollo (Andrew Pulaski)
- Lightray/Lia Nelson (Earth 9) (Appears only as a corpse)
- Manchester Black
- Midnighter (Revealed to be alive)
- OMAC II (Earth 9)
- Steel (Natasha Irons)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Leonath (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- Khaljo (First appearance)
- Phaelosians
- Darkseid (Mentioned only)
- Great Worms (Mentioned only)
- Jon Kent (Mentioned only)
- June Moone (Mentioned only)
- Khaljo's brothers (Mentioned only)
- Khaljo's children (Mentioned only)
- Khaljo's daughters-in-law (Mentioned only)
- Khaljo's sisters (Mentioned only)
- Lois Lane (Mentioned only)
- Mongul-Who-Was (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- Starro (Mentioned only)
- Thao-La (Mentioned only)
- United Planets (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth 0
- Sphere of the Gods
- Skyland
- Orchard of the Dead (Mentioned only)
- Skyland
Items:
- Orphan Box
- Steel's Armor
- Superman Symbol
Concepets:
Synopsis for "A Face In The Crowd, Part Two"
Appearing in "A Face In The Crowd, Part Two"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Gwendolyn Heath (Cameo)
- Metropolis Police Department
- Lt. Jack Certa (Full name revealed)
- Det. Ostrander (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- VULTURE (Behind the scenes)
- Human Flame II (First full appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Garber (Single appearance)
- Zook (Zoey) (First appearance) (Cameo)
- Human Flame (Michael Miller) (Mentioned only)
- Sarah Garber (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth
- United States of America
- New York
- Metropolis
- Garber home
- Metropolis Museum
- Metropolis
- New York
- United States of America
Items:
- Idol-Head of Diabolu (Mentioned only)
Vehicles:
Trivia
- Detective Ostrander shares his last name with John Ostrander, author of Martian Manhunter (Volume 2).
See Also