Superman (Volume 4) #18 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 4) with a cover date of May, 2017. It was published on March 1, 2017.
Synopsis for "Superman: Reborn, Part 1"
Mr. Oz observes a ray of blue energy streaking across space and ponders about the mysteries of the universe. His thoughts are interrupted by a sudden realization: someone has escaped from his base of operations. Oz runs across the hallways of his base, ignoring the mocking laughs of his other prisoners, makes his way to the escapee's abandoned cell, a giant stone structure. He searches the cell and sees drawings of Superman and words expressing hope about Superman coming to save the prisoner.
Meanwhile at Hamilton County, the Smiths prepare to celebrate Clark and Lois' wedding anniversary. Jon provides his parents with presents; a journal for Lois and a farming book for Clark. The Smiths blow the candles on the cake celebrating the occasion until the doorbell rings. Jon and Krypto go to greet the visitor, only to find a book lying on the entrance and the human Clark walking off into the distance.
Clark hears Krypto's barking and realizes his duplicate has found them. He puts on his Superman uniform and goes to confront the other Clark, only to find no one in the vicinity. The Smiths peruse the book left by the other Clark, a book that says "The Kents" on the cover. The book contains pictures of the history Clark and Lois had together. Suddenly, the kitchen curtain catches fire, a strange blue fire that expands throughout the entire house. The flames do not burn the house and leave no smoke; instead, they erase everything on their path. Jon is caught by the flames and his parents attempt to put the flames out, but Jon suddenly vanishes without a trace. A few moments later, he reappears in a different room within the house. Superman covers Jon with his cape and the family makes their way outside.
The flames consume not only the Smith household but Jon as well, leaving no trace of their existence behind. Even the photos in the new Kent album are completely blank. Superman and Lois realize that Jon has been taken by the other Clark and decide to get their son back.
Appearing in "Superman: Reborn, Part 1"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Kent Family (Pre-Flashpoint)
- Jonathan Kent (In a photograph only)
- Jon Kent (Apparent Death)
- Lois Lane-Kent
- Martha Kent (In a photograph only)
- Nathaniel Kent (In a photograph only)
- Sam Kent (In a photograph only)
- Sam Kent's wife (Unnamed) (In a photograph only)
- Krypto
- Ranger (Cameo)
Antagonists:
- "Clark Kent" (Impersonates Clark Kent)
Other Characters:
- Cat Grant (Pre-Flashpoint) (In a photograph only)
- Doomsday (Pre-Flashpoint) (Cameo)
- Jimmy Olsen (Pre-Flashpoint) (In a photograph only)
- Lana Lang (Pre-Flashpoint) (In a photograph only)
- Metallo/John Corben (Pre-Flashpoint) (In a photograph only)
- Mister Oz
- Perry White (Pre-Flashpoint) (In a photograph only)
- Prophecy (Cameo)
- Red Robin (Titans Tomorrow) (Cameo)
- Steven Lombard (Pre-Flashpoint) (In a photograph only)
- The Eradicator II (Mentioned only)
- Union Army (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth 0/Prime Earth
- Earth
- Hamilton County
- Earth
- Mister Oz's Lair
- Negative Space Prison (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- New Earth (In a photograph only)
- Earth (In a photograph only)
- Kansas
- Smallville (In a photograph only)
- New York
- Metropolis
- Daily Planet (In a photograph only)
- Metropolis
- Kansas
- Rao (In a photograph only)
- Earth (In a photograph only)
Items:
- Green Kryptonite (In a photograph only)
- "The Kents" (First appearance)
- Mister Oz's Staff
Vehicles:
- Kryptonian Rocket (In a photograph only)
Concepts:
- American War of Independence (Mentioned only)
- Magic
Notes
- This is the first part of the "Superman: Reborn" storyline.
- The story continues in Action Comics #975.
See Also