Thank the gods for Orion!!

Darkseid manipulates Superman to believe he is his son. Granny trains Superman to be their weapon but due to his amnesia he is not at full strength.

Meanwhile Orion and Lightray travel from their New Genesis and head toward Apokolips. Darkseid's sentry warns him of their arrival and in response sends Superman to squash them. With a glance Darkseid activates Superman's powers to almost 100% with the added illusion of being his son. This illusion Darkseid enforces is to prevent Superman from truly waking up because to use his powers 100% would break him out of the amnesia.

Superman and Orion fight around Apokolips atmosphere, Lightray is almost tempted by Grace (Temptress) but blinds her before she can seduce him.

Orion realizing he can't beat Supes, tries to show shake him by revealing his face to Superman as the true son of Darkseid and the dark agony and burden that comes with it. He also then uses the motherbox as well.

Superman comes back suit and all and enraged screams out for Darkseid. Darkseid unhappy that his game is over, tries to annihilate Supes with his Omega rays but Superman maneuvers it back at Darkseid. Realizing he lost this one Darkseid sends Supes back to Earth before he could try to fight him more.

Orion and his father Darkseid speak briefly about fighting now or in the future with the normal conflict between New Genesis and Apokolips. Orion leaves, with Lightray asking him if Superman remembered the massacre he helped Darkseid do. Orion tells him how he restored everything but the massacre so Superman would never remember the atrocity he was a part of. Lightray perturbed and slightly annoyed says why not, Orion has many horrors he went through and retains.

Beautifully Orion says how that is because he is a warrior, Superman however is more than a warrior. He is a Champion and must never have that evil infect his psyche.

Another brilliant piece by Byrne and Giardano. Orion stands out and I love how it takes Darkseid's son to correct his father's evils.

This little story arc at the very least should be adapted into an animated film, it combined all the elements that make Superman and his supporting world so captivating to begin with. more