Summary
WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers forAction Comics #1067!
Supermanemerges as Earth’s champion in DC’s new, deadly version of the Olympics, which might be better described as DC’s take onTheHunger Games. However, the stakes aren’t just the Man of Steel’s life but the fate of the entire planet. While some fans may wonder if Superman will prevail, a more intriguing question is what happens if Clark wins, given that alien invaders aren’t exactly known for their sportsmanship.
Comic legends Gail Simone and Eddy Barrows join forces for the three-part Superman-centric story arc,Superman and the Challenge from the Stars,featured inAction Comics#1067. The story begins with Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane investigating the potential unjust demolition of a youth center in Metropolis.
However, their investigation is abruptly interrupted by an alien invasion, compelling Clark to intervene as Superman. Upon confronting the invaders, the Man of Steel soon realizes this isn’t an ordinary alien invasion but a hostile takeover camouflaged as “games,” where the winner takes all.
Superman Takes on Gallalox the Handsome in DC’s New, Deadly Olympics (Spoiler: Gallalox Is Not Handsome)
Xalt, a captive alien from a previously conquered planet, explains the dire situation to Superman: the Gorathians, invading aliens, coerce peaceful planets into brutal combat competitions they call “games.” Losing planets forfeit their homeworlds, resources, and freedom to the Gorathians. Xalt urges Superman to champion for Earth and all conquered peoples. Initially refusing to participate, Clark opts to free Xalt and the others by confronting their captor. However,the Gorathians threatenEarth’s total destruction unless Supermancomplies with the rules and participates in the games.
With no alternative, Kal-El reluctantly agrees to participate in the games as Earth’s champion. Grunhar, the Gorathian leader, offers Superman two seconds to assist him in the impending battle. Instead of allowing Clark to chooseBatman and Wonder Woman, Grunhar selects Lois and Jimmy, giving them just one minute to prepare before unleashing Gallalox the Handsome, a massive alien beast. Despite the Justice League attempting to come to Clark’s aid, they are thwarted by a forcefield.Superman ultimately triumphs over the beast, securing victory in the games, but the threat to Metropolis is far from over.
Metropolis in Peril: Superman Learns the Hard Way that Alien Invaders Are Sore Losers
Upon Superman’s triumph, the alien invaders reveal their sore loser mentality by dropping a massive warship onto Metropolis, threatening the city’s destruction and endangering Jimmy and Lois aboard the vessel. This sets the stage for the next major conflict in part two ofSuperman and theChallenge from the Stars. It will be intriguing to witness how Clark navigates saving both the city and the ship in the upcoming issue. While lifting the warship to safety seems like an obvious solution, Simone’s narrative suggests a more complex challenge awaitsSuperman, making his chosen resolution all the more compelling to anticipate.
Lois Lane Finally Steals Superman’s Spotlight in New ACTION COMICS Story by Rainbow Rowell
Best-selling and Eisner-nominated writer Rainbow Rowell makes her DC Comics debut with a story starring DC’s original leading lady, Lois Lane.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
