Character retcons are fairly common in superhero comics, though certain factors remain constant. Batman, for instance, is always a costumed crime-fighter who depends on fear to strike terror into his enemies. He might be depicted as either a grim loner or patriarch of a family of vigilantes, yet both interpretations are valid. Contrastingly, more obscure characters can easily have their character development or history retconned for the sake of a single story. This seems to have occurred in Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All #1, which retcons the recent history of a reformed villain turned Justice League member.
Written by Dan Jurgens with art by Bruno Redondo, Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All #1 centers around an alien invasion of Earth. Superman is swiftly sidelined and subjected to falsified images of his past meant to brainwash him. This keeps him subdued as the rest of the Justice League tries to stop the invaders.
The invasion is ultimately exposed as the work of the once-reformed villain Maxima. Warrior queen of the intergalactic empire of Almerac, Maxima sought a worthy man to serve as her king. This was because of the Almeracian obsession with creating the greatest warriors by interbreeding with other species.
Upon hearing stories of Superman’s liberation of Warworld, Maxima became determined to win his heart, despite his complete disinterest in her. She later joined the Justice League in an effort to impress the Man of Steel and prove her worthiness. Instead, she learned the mercy and compassion that were seen as weakness on Almerac. She apparently sacrificed herself to save Earth in 2001’s Superman: Our Worlds At War event, although her body was never found.
What was changed about the Superman villain Maxima?
Maxima was reintroduced into the New 52 timeline in 2015’s Supergirl #36. Like Kara Zor-El, this Maxima was a student at Crucible Academy, an intergalactic school for young beings of immense power. However, this Maxima was reluctant to embrace the ways of her people. This entailed seeking out a worthy male for reproductive purposes.
By the end of her introductory storyline, Maxima admitted to having a crush on Kara. She also expressed a general disinterest in the men of her world. However, unlike the original Maxima, the new one respected that Supergirl was not interested in her romantically.
Another new Maxima was introduced in 2017’s Superwoman #14 following the DC Rebirth revamp. This one was reportedly a soldier in the service of the new Maxima’s mother. She went AWOL, determined to “take back” the Maxima title.
This Maxima, referring to herself as “the real Maxima,” also sought to destroy Supergirl. In appearance and personality, she resembled the classic Maxima. However, she had no apparent interest in Superman.
New Maxima is a throwback to the original Maxima
The Maxima depicted in Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All #1 is explicitly identified as the same character as the original Maxima. This is made clear when Lois Lane recognizes her voice before she reveals herself to the world. Batman also makes reference to Maxima’s time in the Justice League.
This version of Maxima is easily the best known thanks to her appearance in the Death of Superman. This Maxima was also adapted into Superman: The Animated Series and Smallville. Nevertheless, it seems odd to bring back the original Maxima who lusted after Superman two decades after her noble sacrifice.
Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
