The enemies of Superman include some of DC Comics‘ most powerful and cunning villains. It take considerable ability and finesse to counter the Man of Steel. One such villain was recently reborn in a new form, after dying in a way that forever changed the DC Universe. They have also returned with a new power and an intention to challenge Superboy Prime.
Written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Dan Mora, Superman #36 centers around Superboy Prime. This variant Clark Kent was an ordinary comic-loving fanboy, who developed into the sole superhero of his Earth. He went mad with power, and became one of the multiverse’s most feared villains.
However, he sought redemption for his crimes, and helped to save Earth-Prime during the DC K.O. event. With Superman vanished, Superboy Prime offers to guard his world until his return. It is an offer the Justice League and Lois Lane reluctantly accept.
Most of the issue focuses on Superboy Prime’s difficulties in building a new life. He refuses a job at The Daily Planet, reasoning they would probably notice a younger version of their Clark Kent working in the mail room. Instead, he takes a job at a comic book store, so he can study the comics of a whole new universe.
As he goes about this business, he is observed by a ghostly figure. This figure also speaks to the reader in the same fashion as Superboy Prime, as if aware he’s in a work of fiction. The final page reveals this figure to be the Superman villain Manchester Black.
Who is Superman’s enemy Manchester Black?
First appearing in 2001’s Action Comics #775, Manchester Black was a British superhero and leader of a team called The Elite. He was originally designed as a parody of Jenny Sparks, as The Elite parodied The Authority. However, he quickly became more than a joke.
A powerful telepath, Manchester Black was a cynical sort and skeptical of paragons of virtue like Superman. His team challenged Superman to a fight, and were shamed when he single-handedly stopped them without using lethal force. This storyline, “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?” was later adapted into the movie Superman vs. The Elite.
In the current timeline, Manchester Black developed a similarly antagonistic relationship with Superman. For this reason, he sought an alliance with Lex Luthor. However, Luthor saw no reason to bargain fairly and used Black to power the technology behind Project Blackout. This erased all memory of Clark Kent being Superman from all but his closest family, shortly after Superman revealed his secret identity to the world. Manchester Black seemingly died in the process and the Man of Steel arrested Lex Luthor for his murder.
However, the end of Superman #36 reveals that Manchester Black’s mind survived independent of his body. More, he has apparently developed the same ability to see beyond the Fourth Wall as Superboy Prime. This could make him a dangerous foe for the Manchild of Steel.
Superman #36 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
