Superman vs. Lobo #3 is an issue of the series Superman vs. Lobo (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 2022. It was published on March 8, 2022.
Synopsis for the 1st Story
Dr. Flik has taken Superman and Lobo to the Womb, an extradimensional space removed from the normal universe that Numen is using as refuge. The Numen Revenge Squad wants to kill Numen by destroying the Cardiax, an object that functions as both Numen’s heart and a vessel for the cosmic power he uses to reshape the universe. According to Flik, Numen’s species reproduces by absorbing energy from the different universes its members visit. While this ensures the survival of the species, it also inadvertently causes those universes to die, leaving only few survivors.
Lobo has only agreed to protect Numen because Flik has paid him with everything she has and, naturally, Superman is disgusted that Lobo would only protect a defenseless creature like Numen because he has something to gain from it. Lobo attempts to demoralize Superman by claiming that the people of Earth hate the ideals Superman preaches and accepted Lobo because he gave them the chance to be their true selves, but Superman replies that Lobo only believes that because Lobo thinks everyone is as cruel and selfish as he is.
The Numen Revenge Squad breaches into the Womb but they are intercepted by Superman, who attempts to reason with them, and Lobo, who is only in the mood for a fight. As Superman and Labo fight to protect Numen, Flik explains Numen her reasons for becoming a scientist. Back when she was a child, a spaceship crashed into her homeworld, Tereese. The ship carried a genetically engineered virus that started killing the people of Tereese. Flik’s parents tried to find a cure but died in the attempt and Flik decided to become a scientist and travel across the universe in honor of her parents’ memory. She believes that, despite Numen’s mistakes, he can still make the attempt to make amends.
Zealot sneaks away from the battle and fatally stabs Numen while Lobo seizes the Cardiax and kills Flik. Enraged by Lobo’s cruelty, Superman attempts to stop Lobo, who uses the Cardiax to rewrite the history of the universe as he sees fit. In this new universe, Lobo is the superhero "Main-Man" and a member of the League of Last Sons. He also keeps a secret identity as "Joe Wolf", a reporter for the Daily Planet
According to Lois, Superman used to be a symbol of hope and inspiration for the entire world until Lex Luthor killed his best friend, Jimmy Olsen, who was trying to expose Lex's corruption. Horrified by humanity's cruelty, Superman decided that humanity didn't need a savior, but rather, a conqueror. Now, his biggest obstacle to control humanity is Main-Man.
Meanwhile, Lois takes Joe to her apartment, where she tells him about her suspicions that the world they live in isn't actually real. This world is dark, cynical, full of horrors and shocking things. It feels like a bad story. Joe reveals that he brought cameras to her and has baited Superman's robot soldiers into her apartment, for no reason other than to turn Lois into a damsel in distress and to make himself be the hero.
Lois is brought before Superman and attempts to reason with him, explaining that this evil, tyrant self is not who he really is. Suddenly, the League of Last Sons attacks Superman but he easily defeats them and only Main-Man is left standing. While Superman and Main-Man are distracted, Batman saves Lois and stabs Superman with a Kryptonite spear. Much like Superman and Lobo, Batman lost his world when his parents died, and if this is final battle, he can at least end Superman's tyranny.
Angry that Batman stole his chance to be a hero, Main-Man throws Batman off Superman's tower but the Cardiax starts rejecting the changes Lobo imposed on reality, allowing the true Superman to break free from Lobo's illusions. After saving Batman, Superman convinces Lobo to undo the changes he imposed upon the universe and Lobo, feeling a rare moment of remorse for killing Flik, agrees to return the universe to normal.
Although the universe is restored to its natural state and Flik has been resurrected, Numen remains dead and Lobo escapes. Superman decides to let Lobo alone for now and takes Numen's body to Earth, where scientists hope to harness its cosmic energy to continue research on interstellar travel. Meanwhile, Lobo has decided to create his TV show and be his own star.
Finally, Flik returns home and concludes her research by stating that her experiences with Superman and Lobo have given her a deeper understanding about good guys and bad guys.
Appearing in the 1st Story
Featured Characters:
- Superman
- Lobo/Main Man
Supporting Characters:
- League of Last Sons (First appearance)
- Martian Manhunter
- Jemm, Son of Saturn
- Zealot (Joins team)
- Terra-Man
- Lois Lane
- Semedea Flik
Antagonists:
- Numan Revenge Squad
- Union
- Maul
- Helspont
- Mr. Majestic
- Amazo
Other Characters:
- Toyman
- Jimmy Olsen (Flashback only)
- Lex Luthor (Flashback only)
- Wonder Woman (Flashback only)
- Aquaman (Flashback only)
- Batman
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also
Links and References
