- Having grown up in a household that was dipped in what we would later discover to be 'toxic masculinity...' let me quiet the idea that need is weakness. We need. We all need. Need is one of our biological programs. Need means we're part of a society. We count on each other. My husband likes to remind people that kindness is not weakness. As it is often mistaken to be. Same with need. So, if a normal person needs as much as we know we need each other... how much does a Superman need?
Superman (Volume 5) #28 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 5) with a cover date of February, 2021. It was published on December 15, 2020.
Synopsis for "Mythological, Finale"
Superman hovers above the planet Synmar, as his powers are negatively affected by Synmar's orange sun. He is watched by the Synmar's remaining leaders on the planet's surface. They are aware that Eisno Alkor, who had proclaimed himself the Synmar Utopica, has brought Superman to Synmar, causing them to worry about what business could Superman, a figure of galactic importance, could possibly have on Synmar, even worrying that his allies from the Justice League or the United Planets may come to Synmar in order to retrieve him. Suddenly, Eisno breaks into the leaders' room and tells them that he brought Superman to Synmar so that he could inspire them. The leaders of Synmar tell Eisno that he was meant to protect Synmar, but his current actions can only be considered oppression and domination. Eisno denounces the leaders as liars and kills them.
Suddenly, the resistance of Synmar enters the battlefield and prepares to fight Eisno. One of the resistance's soldiers tells Eisno to leave Synmar and never come back and that the people of Synmar will fight him to the death if they have to. Eisno tells his brethren that Synmar was meant to be a galactic powers and that their close-minded leaders were always hold him back. The resistence is unconvinced and the battle begins.
In Synmar's orbit, Superman is met by Galana, Eisno's light partner, and the resistance of Synmar. Galana connects Superman to the light of Synmar so that they can properly communicate and she explains to him that Eisno became the Synmar Utopica so that he could protect Synmar from Superman. Unfortunately, an ideological division between the leaders of Synmar caused Eisno to lose faith in his people and, in turn, he became a conqueror and now plans to impose his will on the people of Synmar.
Galana intends to return Superman to his home, but Superman insists that he wants stay and help in any way he can. Galana outfits Superman with a Synmar battle suit that allows him to survive in Synmar and fight Eisno evenly. The battle is long and arduous, but Superman emerges victorious, just in time for the United Planets to arrive at Synmar, followed by Supergirl and Krypto. Galana admits that Synmar will need the United Planets' help for the time being, and Superman hopes that, in time, order is restored.
Meanwhile, Lana publishes an audio article in which she talks about her interview with both Clark and Lois. Lana reveals that Lois allowed her to take a look at the manuscript for her new book she was writing, called "The Man of Steel". Lana talks about what the book taught her: Superman may draw his powers from the Earth's sun, but his true power comes from the people of Earth. It is humanity what truly empowers and inspires Superman to do his best every day of his life. In the end, Superman needs humanity as much as humanity needs Superman.
With the battle of Synmar over, Superman returns home and reunites with Lois. Sometime later, Superman and Lois visit a young guitarist called Rona Kowalski and Superman talks about how much he enjoys her music and that it is her music that inspires him and helps him return home whenever things seem dark and, on Lois' request, asks Rona to play Mary Poppins. As Rona begins to play, Superman takes Lois deep into the night sky.
Appearing in "Mythological, Finale"
Featured Characters:
- Superman (Clark Kent) (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Lois Lane
- Rona Kowalski (Single appearance)
- The Synmar (Flashback and main story)
- Galana Rodoso (Flashback and main story)
- Qestwes (Dies)
- United Planets
- The United Planet Brigade (First appearance)
- Bloodstar (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- Divineq (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- Dominator QQ (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- Hawkslayer (First appearance; unnamed)
- Keen Coy (Cameo)
- Unnamed Khund (First appearance) (Cameo)
- Prince Zerep (First appearance; unnamed) (Cameo)
- The United Planet Brigade (First appearance)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- House of El
- Lana Lang (Behind the scenes)
- Elenor Lane (Mentioned only)
- George Taylor (Mentioned only)
- Justice League (Mentioned only)
- Kelex (Mentioned only)
- Kryptonians (Mentioned only)
- Thanagarians (Mentioned only)
- Mary Poppins (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth 0
- Earth
- United States of America
- New York
- Metropolis
- Daily Star (Mentioned only)
- Metropolis
- Kansas (Mentioned only)
- Smallville (Mentioned only)
- New York
- Bermuda Triangle
- Fortress of Solitude (Mentioned only)
- United States of America
- Synmar (Flashback and main story)
- Berhart Dunes (Mentioned only)
- Krypton (Mentioned only)
- Oa (Mentioned only)
- Earth
- Tamaran (Mentioned only)
Items:
Concepts:
Notes
- Final Issue of Brian Michael Bendis' run on this series.
- This is the only time the United Planets' Elite Force is called "United Planets Brigade": as of Justice League (Volume 4) #64, they are shown calling themselves "United Order".
- Reprinted in Superman: Mythological.
See Also