- I'm dying.
- — Superman
Superman (Volume 3) #51 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 3) with a cover date of June, 2016. It was published on April 6, 2016.
Synopsis for "The Final Days of Superman, Part 1: This Mortal Coil"
Superman has come to the grim realization that he is dying. His exposure to the fire pits of Apokolips, the A.R.G.U.S. Kryptonite vault and Rao's energies have all caused irreparable damage to his cellular structure. Angry he will not be able to protect the world, on his own or with the League, Superman comes to see the statues of Jonathan and Martha he placed alongside those of Jor-El and Lara.
Meanwhile in China, scientist Dr. Omen has breached the Fortress' digital defenses and is in the process of extracting data from its archives. Superman is quick to detect and seal the breach, but is unable to identify the intruder. In the meantime, Superman goes out to do what he does best: save the world. Afterwards, he visits Lana at her house in Smallville.
After playing in her swing and reminiscing of their youth, Clark and Lana visit the Smallville cemetery, where he breaks the news to her. Brought to tears, Lana urges Clark to find a cure, but Clark merely says there is nothing that can be done. Instead, he asks her to bury him next to his parents. Then, he hugs Lana as a sign of comfort.
Back in China, Dr. Omen enters a special chamber containing a mysterious subject, intending to release him.
At a gas station in Minnesota, an ex-con is interrogated by a cop for missing his check-in after being released on parole. The ex-con attempts to flee on a truck but is then intercepted by a mysterious light that causes his truck to fall into the river. A passerby couple goes to check if he is okay. The stranger begins shining with solar energy, declaring himself to be Superman.
Later at night, Superman goes to Metropolis and visits Lois at her apartment. Both missed each other's company and value their friendship. He then takes her up for a flight and asks her to tell the world about the life of Clark Kent and Superman.
Appearing in "The Final Days of Superman, Part 1: This Mortal Coil"
Featured Characters:
- Superman/"The God of Apokolips" (Clark Kent) (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Doctor Omen (First appearance)
- Electric Mother A.I. (First appearance)
- Super-Man Zero (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- Parademons (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- "Rao" (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- "Superman" (First appearance)
- Unknown Robot (Single appearance) (Unnamed) (Cameo)
Other Characters:
- Jonathan Kent (Statue only)
- Jor-El (Statue only)
- Lara Lor-Van (Statue only)
- Lex Luthor (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Martha Kent (Statue only)
- North Branch Police Department (Single appearance)
- A.R.G.U.S. (Mentioned only)
- Justice League (Mentioned only)
- Stormwatch (Mentioned only)
- Vandal Savage (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth 0
- Earth
- Arctic Circle
- China
- United States of America
- Kansas
- Smallville (Flashback and main story)
- Lang House
- Smallville Cemetery
- Smallville (Flashback and main story)
- New York
- Metropolis
- Lois Lane's Apartment
- Metropolis
- Minnesota
- North Branch
- Minnesota State Penitentiary (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- North Branch
- Kansas
- Eye of the Storm (Hologram) (Cameo)
- Justice League Watchtower (Hologram) (Cameo)
- Earth
- Sphere of the Gods
Items:
- Green Kryptonite (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Lex Luthor's Warsuit (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Super-Computer
Concepts:
- Darkseid War (Flashback only)
Notes
- This is the first part of the "The Final Days of Superman" storyline. The story continues in Batman/Superman #31.
- This issue is reprinted in Superman: The Final Days of Superman.