Superman’s Unexpected Reunion with Magic and Old Foe
A Villain Returns: Superman Faces His Magical Past
Spoiler Alert for Superman #17! Clark Kent, famously known as Superman, is forced to confront a villain from his past who first exploited his vulnerability to magic. In these trying times, Superman’s reunion with this adversary is one he hoped to avoid, but necessity compels him to face old challenges anew.
Currently, like many heroes in the DC Universe, Clark finds himself powerless. He’s desperately seeking a means to counter Amanda Waller’s oppressive campaign. Partnering with Zatanna, they embark on a quest for a map that could potentially be their salvation. This journey leads them into the mystical realm, where Superman must contend with a loathed figure from his history.
Kid Warlock: The Catalyst of Superman’s Magic Vulnerability
In Superman #17, created by Joshua Williamson, Jamal Campbell, and Ariana Maher, a flashback transports readers to Smallville during Clark’s teenage years as Superboy. This peaceful day is shattered when a new antagonist, Kid Warlock, emerges. Embracing a grunge aesthetic, Kid Warlock revels in his discovery that Clark is susceptible to magic, casting a spell that catches the young hero off guard, showcasing Superman’s distaste for the arcane.
Fast forward to the present, Superman and Zatanna navigate through Justice League Dark’s headquarters following Waller’s assault on the Fortress of Solitude. Despite frustration over Waller’s manipulation of his son Jon, Clark, alongside Zatanna, continues his search for the Map of Mordru. During their quest, they witness Waller’s agents ravaging Swamp Thing’s sanctuary. Nearly captured, Zatanna cleverly uses a magical book to whisk them away to Oblivion Bar, a haven for magical beings.
At Oblivion Bar, Superman confronts numerous magic users, chastising them for hiding while comrades are pursued. Among them, Kid Warlock, now an adult yet retaining his youthful moniker for brand purposes, stands against Superman. Despite losing his powers, Clark holds his ground, overcoming his old foe once more.
The Struggle Against Amanda Waller’s Absolute Power
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
Amanda Waller’s strategic assault on metahumans in the DC Universe has left heroes reeling. Her dissemination of AI-manipulated media depicting chaotic heroes forces them into the public eye, only for her to unleash Task Force VII, equipped with an all-Amazo army, to strip them of their powers, including Superman.
This tumultuous era begins with Absolute Power #1 (2024), where during a thwarted robbery, Superman loses his powers, taking bullets to the chest. Rushed to the Fortress of Solitude, his life is saved by Mister Terrific and Doctor Mid-Nite, albeit barely. Clad in his black Recovery Suit, Clark witnesses his fellow heroes fall victim to Waller’s scheme, detained in her Gamorra Island facility.
With options dwindling, Zatanna presents a daring plan to Superman. She introduces him to the Dark Roads, hidden mystical paths that could aid the heroes in reversing Waller’s dominance. To navigate these paths, they need the Map of Mordru. Despite his notorious aversion to magic, Zatanna insists on Superman’s involvement, believing his past encounters with death make him uniquely suited for the task.
Superman’s Reluctant Embrace of Magic
While kryptonite and red solar rays traditionally weaken Superman, magic has always been his bane. Kid Warlock’s early revelation of this vulnerability left a lasting impression on Clark’s perception of magic. Though Kid Warlock appears briefly, his antagonistic nature as both a teenager and adult underscores Superman’s disdain for the magical arts.
Yet, this predicament presents an intriguing twist. Magic, a force beyond Waller’s control (despite her Amazos’ formidable capabilities), could be pivotal in reclaiming victory for the heroes. For Superman, embracing magic means overcoming his long-standing aversion, as it might be his only hope against Waller’s machinations.
Turning the Tide: Superman’s Potential in Magic
Superman, historically opposed to magic, now finds himself at a crossroads where it could be his greatest ally. Oblivion Bar teems with magic, presenting an opportunity for Superman to harness its potential in the fight against Amanda Waller. Despite its complexities, Superman’s resolve and courage might allow him to wield magic effectively. As long as Kid Warlock remains out of the picture, Clark may soon recognize the benefits of embracing the arcane.
Superman #17 is now available from DC Comics.