DC Unveils New Superman Replacement

Superman remains one of the central figures in comics, serving as the benchmark superhero across pop culture. The character has appeared in nearly a dozen live-action films, numerous animated projects, and countless comic storylines. Over the decades, DC has introduced many alternate takes on the Last Son of Krypton, including Superman Blue, Ultraman, Kal-L, and the veteran hero from Kingdom Come. A fresh iteration of the Man of Steel introduces one of his most disturbing forms yet.

DC’s latest Superman replacement is outright horrific

The new clone appears in Next Level: One Shot #1, created by writer Gerry Duggan, artist Fernando Blanco, and letterer Buddy Beaudoin. The story follows Deadshot, real name Floyd Lawton, as he uncovers a conspiracy involving cloned duplicates of the most formidable heroes in the DC Universe.

Deadshot encounters copies of Batman and Wonder Woman, but the imitation Superman presents the most immediate threat. As the clone explains, his creators removed his eyes because “previous iterations of me with complete bodies were too dangerous.”

The issue reveals another grotesque detail shortly after. The Superman clone houses a living Starro within his body. The creature can deploy the alien parasite onto a target to harvest biological data for future cloning. Furthermore, these synthetic versions of the Trinity are only three weeks old.

Clark Kent’s upbringing in Smallville alongside Ma and Pa Kent gives him the moral foundation to wield his powers responsibly. Stripping away that humanity leaves an immensely powerful entity without any conscience or empathy to restrain its strength.

Evil variations of Superman have appeared throughout his nearly 90-year history, yet the premise established by Duggan and Blanco takes a darker, more body-horror approach. Next Level: One Shot #1 is currently available at local comic book shops.

Source: Polygon