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in: Issues Rated T, Marie Javins/Executive Editor, Dan Jurgens/Cover Artist,
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The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special Vol 1 1

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"Legacy": The Cyborg Superman, somehow escaped from the Phantom Zone, attacks S.T.A.R. Labs. Lois Lane and Ron Troupe run down there to report from the scene. Steel, Superboy and the hologram of the Eradicator also arrive to stop Henshaw. They put up a valiant fight, but Henshaw is able to defea

Quote1 Had things gotten out of hand, I would've returned. Quote2
— Superman (Clark Kent)

The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 is a one-shot with a cover date of December, 2023. It was published on October 31, 2023.

Synopsis for "Legacy"

The Cyborg Superman, somehow escaped from the Phantom Zone, attacks S.T.A.R. Labs. Lois Lane and Ron Troupe run down there to report from the scene. Steel, Superboy and the hologram of the Eradicator also arrive to stop Henshaw. They put up a valiant fight, but Henshaw is able to defeat them and break into S.T.A.R. He interfaces with one of the computers and starts downloading genetic records of the other Excalibur crew members, planning to use it to clone them and return them to life. The others follow him in and stop him, but he once again seemingly overpowers them and knocks them unconscious. Henshaw leaves S.T.A.R. and plans to destroy the city by detonating a gas main, but the Eradicator flies in with the Phantom Zone Projector and banishes him back to the Zone.

With Henshaw defeated Superman arrives on the scene, revealing that he was watching them from afar but chose not to intervene as he knew that the others could handle it. He congratulates the three on their victory. Later that day, Lois reads him a passage from Perry White's old diary where Perry says how grateful he is for Superman's heroism.

Appearing in "Legacy"

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Synopsis for "Speed!"

Shortly after the death of Superman, Steel foils a drive-by shooting in Ron Troupe's neighborhood. Ron asks him if he is Superman back from the dead and Steel says that he isn't, but he is trying to live up to Superman's example as thanks for him saving his life.

Appearing in "Speed!"

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Supporting Characters:

  • Gramma Bess (Single appearance)
  • Jamal (Single appearance)
  • Perry White (Cameo)

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  • Gangbangers (Single appearance)
    • Jimbo (Single appearance)

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Synopsis for "...He Had Me Thinking He Was Superman..."

Since the four "Supermen" appeared Perry White has been listening to an old police scanner in the hopes of being able to see one in action. He hears that "Superman" has taken a hostage in Bakerline and rushes down there. He finds the Eradicator has captured a member of Intergang and has been torturing him for information. The Eradicator is in a standoff with Maggie Sawyer and the SCU, who are ordering him to let the man go. Perry is able to tap into Intergang's communications using a walkie-talkie, as they are communicating on an old analog frequency. He tells Sawyer, but the Eradicator swoops down and demands that Perry tell him what he knows. Perry says he will if the Eradicator promises not to kill anyone, and he agrees.

The Eradicator tracks the signal to an underground garage and smashes through the ground into it. True to his word he does not kill the Intergang goons, but does viciously beat them and destroy all their equipment, before flying off again. Perry thinks that he does not act like the Superman he knew, but it is possible that he is the real Superman, changed by a traumatic near-death experience.

Appearing in "...He Had Me Thinking He Was Superman..."

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  • Intergang Armors

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  • Perry White's Car (Destroyed)

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Synopsis for "The Metropolis Kid"

Shortly after debuting; Superboy, who at this point is insisting on being called "Superman", swoops into Metropolis to help fight an apartment fire. He rescues a girl dressed only in a towel, all of which is livestreamed by a journalist called Tana Moon who he hangs out with. Tana works for GBS and their positive coverage, along with Superboy's viral popularity, makes him the preferred Superman successor among younger people. Perry White notices that a number of recent social media posts about Superboy all come from a nearby skate park and goes down there to try and catch him. He finds Superboy skateboarding with other kids and enjoys seeing his youthful energy and confidence.

Suddenly they are attacked by Bloodsport, armed with an array of LexCorp-manufactured guns. Bloodsport tries to shoot Superboy with Kryptonite bullets but they are deflected by his tactile telekinetic force field, making it appear as if they are simply bouncing off him. Superboy destroys Bloodsport's armour and turns him over to the police, all caught on camera by Tana. Perry approaches Superboy, who is immediately defensive, assuming Perry will compare him unfavourably to Superman, but Perry says he won't judge Superboy until all the facts are in. Later Perry reflects that Superboy's optimistic attitude reminds him of Metropolis itself and privately dubs him "the Metropolis Kid".

Appearing in "The Metropolis Kid"

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  • Lois Lane (Cameo)
  • Tana Moon
  • Tommy (Single appearance)

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Synopsis for "Betrayal"

Everyone, including the current and all former Presidents, are convinced that the Cyborg Superman is the original Superman back from the dead, but Perry White is still sceptical and refuses to publish Ron Troupe's article declaring him the "true" Superman. However, that evening his train derails and he is saved by the Cyborg Superman. Seeing the Cyborg up close, he seems to act and sound exactly like Superman, and Perry is convinced. The next day the Daily Planet runs Ron's article, but mere hours later they are proven wrong when Henshaw destroys Coast City. Henshaw and Mongul build "Engine City" on the ruins of Coast, and the other successor Supermen and Supergirl are seemingly powerless to stop him. The true Superman returns; and with his help Superboy, Supergirl, Steel and Green Lantern are able to defeat the two villains. A few days later, Superman meets Perry White on the roof of the Daily Planet and Perry apologises for running the article, but Superman tells him it was an honest mistake and thanks him for always being objective when reporting on his exploits.

Appearing in "Betrayal"

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Synopsis for "Pinups"


Appearing in "Pinups"

Notes

Trivia

  • This issue marks the first appearance of the Post-Flashpoint version of Supergirl/Matrix.
  • In all the stories which take place just after the Death of Superman, characters are shown possessing modern smartphones and multiple references are made to social media; yet a child is shown playing with a Gameboy Color, fashions resemble those worn in the 1990's and the President appears to be Bill Clinton.


See Also


Links and References
Superman Man of Steel Vol 1 18
DC Rebirth Logo

The Death and Return of Superman

The events from this issue or series are related to The Death and Return of Superman, a retroactively named trilogy in which Superman is killed by the monster Doomsday. Later, four superheroes debut in Metropolis who claim or are assumed to be reincarnations of him—the Last Son of Krypton, the Man of Steel, the Man of Tomorrow, and the Metropolis Kid. Meanwhile, Superman is brought back to life.

This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Death and Return of Superman Crossovers category.

Doomsday!
Superman: The Man of Steel #18: 1992/45 • Justice League America #69 • Superman (Volume 2) #74: 1992/46 • Adventures of Superman #497: 1992/47 • Action Comics #684: 1992/48 • Superman: The Man of Steel #19: 1993/1 • Superman (Volume 2) #75: 1993/2
Funeral for a Friend
Adventures of Superman #498: 1993/3 • Justice League America #70 • Action Comics #685: 1993/4 • Superman: The Man of Steel #20: 1993/5 • Superman (Volume 2) #76: 1993/6 • Adventures of Superman #499: 1993/7 • Action Comics #686: 1993/8 • Superman: The Man of Steel #21: 1993/9 • Superman (Volume 2) #77: 1993/10 • Adventures of Superman #500: 1993/11 • Superman (Volume 2) #83: 1993/34
Reign of the Supermen!
Action Comics #687: 1993/12 • Superman: The Man of Steel #22: 1993/13 • Superman (Volume 2) #78: 1993/14 • Adventures of Superman #501: 1993/15 • Action Comics #688: 1993/16 • Superman: The Man of Steel #23: 1993/17 • Superman (Volume 2) #79: 1993/18 • Adventures of Superman #502: 1993/19 • Action Comics #689: 1993/20 • Superman: The Man of Steel #24: 1993/21 • Superman (Volume 2) #80: 1993/22 • Adventures of Superman #503: 1993/23 • Action Comics #690: 1993/24 • Superman: The Man of Steel #25: 1993/25 • Superman (Volume 2) #81: 1993/26 • Adventures of Superman #504: 1993/27 • Action Comics #691: 1993/28 • Superman: The Man of Steel #26: 1993/29 • Green Lantern (Volume 3) #46 • Superman (Volume 2) #82: 1993/30 • Adventures of Superman #505: 1993/31
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