The House of Brainiac is fallen. The Man of Steel is returned to Earth with his friends and family and all seems right with the world. However, the final page of Superman #15 by Joshua Williamson and Rafa Sandoval teases the return of a major DC villain. It also teases another event in the Superman comics in fall 2024.
Superman #15 is largely concerned with resolving the House of Brainiac storyline. However, it also paves the way for the future. It sets up the rise of the Brainiac Queen, who will be part of the upcoming Absolute Power event. It also hints at a classic Man of Steel villain returning in a big way.
Doomsday is coming back
The final page of Superman #15 shows an unseen figure attempting to punch their way out of a molten prison. The figure has grey skin, with jagged bone spikes visible. There are no words, but the appearance and circumstances will be familiar to any who read The Death of Superman. The figure appears to be Doomsday and they seem to be escaping their current containment. The comic concludes with a text notice, “To Be Continued This Fall!”
Doomsday has been a continuing presence in the Superman comics since his introduction in 1993. He was reintroduced in the Rebirth era in Action Comics: Rebirth #1. However, this incarnation of Doomsday appeared to be more intelligent than the original. It showed signs of strategy, endangering civilians so as to distract the heroes who gathered to fight him. He also seemed to be less as powerful than when he first fought Superman. This was perplexing, as Doomsday was a genetically engineered being built around the axiom “that which does not kill you makes you stronger,” who had grown stronger with every battle.
This Doomsday was last seen in Detective Comics #966. It was here that the Tim Drake Robin encountered the Rebirth Doomsday in a prison run by the villain called Mr. Oz. Drake was able to return the monster to its cell, after releasing it as part of his escape. It remains to be seen, however, if the Doomsday pictured in Superman #15 is the same one or a variant. In any case, it seems the Man of Steel will have quite a fight on his hands this fall.
Superman #15 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
