There was an event at the end of 1992 that changed comic books forever. Superman died. The issue was Superman #75 (1992), it sold out everywhere six million copies, the comic stores were empty. News coverage was dominated by coverage of the event, no comic book has really entered mainstream news since that time. A special edition came in a black polybag with a black memorial armband, Superman stamps, a poster by Dan Jurgens, and Roger Stern wrote his obituary in the Daily Planet. (I have not opened my copy!) The complete story was written by Stern, The Death and Life of Superman: A Novel (1993), highly recommended for anyone interested in comics in novel form. There were two animated adaptations; Superman: Doomsday (2007) and The Death of Superman (2018). Clark Kent faced Doomsday in season eight of Smallville. In 2016, Superman faced Doomsday in Beavis.
The cover of Superman #75 by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding has the two dark buildings enclosing the scene which has shadowy figures in the background with the shredded Superman cape held by a stick and rubble in the foreground. The first pages are “Life After The Death of Superman”, a roundtable interview with some of the original creators; Mike Carlin, Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson, and Roger Stern. “Doomsday!” is by Dan Jurgens, writer and penciller, with Brett Bredding providing the finished art. The first full appearance of the Doomsday character was in Superman: The Man of Steel #18 (1992) by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove. He was a creature bound by a containment suit with only one arm freed, he tore through the DC world, and defeated Justice League America. He made his way to Metropolis broken free of the suit and raging towards a final battle with Superman. Doomsday’s origin was in three issue limited series, Superman Doomsday: Hunter/Prey by Jurgens and Breeding.
The conflict is all told in splash panels which gives the story an epic scope until the finish. The story still has all of the excitement of the final battle and emotional power now as it did in 1992. Superman and Doomsday are locked together as beams fall from the sky. Superman is bleeding in several rips of his costume, Doomsday has crystal spikes on his fists, elbows, shoulder armor, and spikes on his face like a beard. The beams come from shock cannons worn by flying Project Cadmus personnel. A Daily Planet and Galaxy Communication helicopters fly above thm. Then, we have Doomsday lift up the battered body of Superman! He tossed into the Daily Planet helicopter and it is ruined. The Galaxy Communications helicopter pilot reports that they have to evacuate to Cat Grant. Superman flies the Daily Planet helicopter with Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane away from the battle. Doomsday rampages as Superman tells Lois he has to face him alone. Lois kisses Clark with the smoke covering them. Then, Superman flies into his final battle, this is an awesome Superman just set to sacrifice himself.
Superman collides his entire body into Doomsday! He is tossed through the struts of a building and into a bus as above them, Cat Grant wants the pilot to catch the final battle. The Project Cadmus soldiers are at a loss because the fight has turned to super speed. Then we get Doomsday driving Superman’s body into the ground and his cape drifts away! In the ruins in front of the Daily Planet building, Lois is going towards Superman to help warned by Jimmy. We see Doomsday’s legs as he closes in on them when Superman’s fist smashes from the ruins! This is parallel to Doomsday’s entrance. Superman strikes Doomsday’s back while Lois is stunned. Superman uses his full heat vision blast on Doomsday and Lois says he can’t kill the brute. Closeup, Doomsday brings up his spiked knee cutting Superman’s chin. Doomsday slashes Superman with his spiked knuckle drawing blood! Superman catches hold of Doomsday and smashes the spikes on his knee! Then, we have the epic fist to fist brawl that shatters every window in the Daily Planet! It is the final blows of these two powerhouses that finishes them both. There is a double page spread that opens to three pages as we get the last moment for Superman. This 30th anniversary issue of Superman #75 still has all of the bloody, pounding fist fight, the sacrifice of Superman, and a very human effect to the people who knew him including the readers.
Five+ Superman capes out of Five!
#Superman, #TheDeathOfSuperman, #Doomsday, #DanJurgens, #BrettBreeding, #LoisLane, #JimmyOlsen, #CatGrant
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