To commemorate the thirtieth anniversay of Superman’s iconic demise, Doomsday will step aside to make way for Doombreaker. Many variant covers for The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 have been revealed, but the newest and last will stun fans. If Doomsday can kill Superman, will his son’s legacy with Doombreaker suffer a similar fate?
One of the biggest crossover events in comic history, The Death of Superman was released in 1992. Gaining the attention of news outlets around the world, the Man of Steel’s demise has become one of the hero’s most defining moments. Doomsday gained notoriety for his ability to end the hero’s life in a way other villains have not achieved – making him one of DC’s most dangerous threats. Recent comics have shown Kal-El’s legacy with his son, Jon Kent, taking up the mantle of Superman. The newest variant cover for the special may reveal Doomsday has a legacy of his own.
The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 will feature Doombreaker – a brand-new character who will debut in the upcoming 80-page special. “The Life of Superman” has the creative team of Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, Brad Anderson, and John Workman. It will feature Doombreaker fighting Superman and Jon Kent, as the young hero learns about his dad’s original death at Doomsday’s hands. The last variant cover – with art by Rafael Sarmento – gives fans the first look at the new larger-than-life villain. Check out the cover here:
Other variant covers feature iconic moments from the original crossover and Doomsday. This variant features Superman with his iconic cape as the focal point as he stares up at his newest foe. Doombreaker shares a silhouette that is very similar to Doomsday, albeit with two more arms. While his upper fists may share the same spikes as Doomsday, Doombreaker has a curved, larger spike on his lower arms that could prove deadly. The original villain was created by Krypton’s scientists and he has returned repeatedly to try to kill Superman – and other Kryptonians – over the years.
Now, with a similar and improved villain, it seems likely that Doombreaker could have a similar background. However, with Krypton destroyed, that could mean Doombreaker was either cloned from Doomsday and improved upon – or Doomsday was not the only ultimate weapon the Kryptonians created so many years ago. Superman’s lengthy comic history has led him to be one of the world’s most popular and recognizable heroes, but he and Jon could be up against a much deadlier foe than either has faced before. Doomsday killed the Man of Steel, making it likely for the hero’s legacy to begin unraveling at the hands of this looming threat.
Fans will meet Superman’s newest – and perhaps deadliest enemy when Doombreaker debuts in The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 on November 8.
