Warning: contains spoilers for Action Comics #1038!
DC’s Superman has struggled to overcome the so-called “Superman Problem” for decades, but a recent villain may be the key to finally solving said problem for good. The Man of Steel is known for being incredibly. – almost impossibly – strong, and few villains in comic books can put up a decent fight against him and even hope to win. But in Action Comics #1038, Superman comes face-to-face with his new nemesis…who can both destroy and fix DC’s hero forever.
Superman wasn’t always the über-powerful hero fans are familiar with today. He debuted in 1938 with the ability to run – not fly – “faster than a speeding bullet”, and while he was quite strong and could leap great heights, he couldn’t circumnavigate the globe in seconds, nor lift mountains. This all changed in the Silver Age of Comics in the late 1950s, where Superman’s strength and speed increased exponentially to the point of absurdity. He could move planets, travel through time, and defeat villains with a minimum amount of effort. But Superman had another, more deadly weapon: his personality.
Superman was simply too pure for the world. He was always kind, gentle, would never lose his temper, and would never make a single mistake. As a result, the people of Earth adore him (in a way that the heroes of the Marvel universe would no doubt envy). Thus is the “Superman Problem” codified: Superman is too powerful to be challenged and too flawless to be relatable. Enter Mongul.
Mongul is perhaps the best Superman villain to come around in ages, as well as one of the few who can solve the Superman Problem merely by existing. Superman is incredibly strong, but the current story arc in DC Comics puts Superman on Warworld, with red solar furnaces below the surface of the planet that effectively strip Superman of his powers. Even more devastating than that are the many citizens of Warworld, who worship Mongul and pledge their allegiance to him, rather than Superman. The people whom Superman is trying to save are actively cheering for his death, and nothing can be more demoralizing to the Man of Steel than a public that realize their status as slaves and still attack Superman.
Mongul is also quite strong, but his true strength is his use of the crowd and the environment. Superman is powerless and friendless on Warworld, which could drive him to anger. The Man of Steel is broken and in Mongul’s prison as of the end of the issue, and Superman may have met his match (and the writers their saving grace).
