The Ending Battle is an event that ran through all four Superman titles at the end of 2002, highlighting a major battle between Superman and Manchester Black. Black used his vast mind control abilities to convince, coerce, or control an entire legion of supervillains to attack people close to Superman.
Synopsis
It began when people who had ever come in contact with Clark Kent were attacked, from close relatives to his eye doctor. Superman decided to round up everyone whom he believed might be in danger at the Steelworks and left Metropolis to Steel's protection in order to confront Luthor, whom he believed to be responsible. Although Lex Luthor was aware of Superman's secret identity, it became clear he wasn't responsible. As the Elite had tried to kill him, confirming that Manchester Black was behind all of this. An angry Superman began his manhunt.
After going through essentially every super-villain he had ever faced, Superman found himself against Manchester Black, who tricked him into thinking he had killed Lois Lane. Manchester wanted to push Superman to his limits, aiming for Superman to kill him. However, as he realized Superman wouldn't do it even after such a tragedy, Manchester revealed the illusion and left. Manchester realized that the reason he hated Superman was that he gave him hope, something he had lost for a long time. As a final act, Manchester wiped out from Lex Luthor's memory the knowledge of Superman's secret identity, and he seemingly killed himself in an explosion.
Issues
- Superman (Volume 2) #186
- Adventures of Superman #608
- Superman: The Man of Steel #130
- Action Comics #795
- Superman (Volume 2) #187
- Adventures of Superman #609
- Superman: The Man of Steel #131
- Action Comics #796
Recommended Reading
Links and References
  This event or storyline is specifically related to Superman, or to members of the Superman Family. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Superman Storylines category. |