Dec 29, 2025
When I read this ish a couple of years ago through the Deluxe Hardcover I was simply amazed at the Shakespearean tragic themes and betrayal throughout. Wondering to myself was this comic at the time of March 1987 controversial to fans and readers?
Darkseid has achieved complete corruption and decimation of the Man of Steel's symbol of hope. Continuing from last ish, Superman is recovered from the fire pits of Apokolips that only Orion himself has survived. Suffering from amnesia, Supes is swept up by the revolutionary leader Amazing Grace, the woman from before who Superman saved from execution.
Using the amnesia as an opportunity Grace molds Superman as the Revolution's savior against the tyranny of Darkseid. While this comic is no
t too beefy and long, the narration describing what Clark goes through in this short period is truly epic and dark. Before his final initiation, Grace seduces him quite easily in the hot tub, remember he has amnesia, plus he is not married to Lois or in any relationship yet back in Metropolis as of this point.
From there Grace and her revolutionaries create a new Spartucus like armor for Superman to wear and wave his House of El Symbol on a flag during battle. Leading battle after battle against Darkseid's legions of Parademons trained by Granny, slowly the armies of revolution are whittled down. Despite this fact, Superman gives them hope against all the odds of Darkseid's might.
The twist that blew my mind on the first read was how Grace was really working for Darkseid, and Superman due to his amnesia, willingly does the bidding of his greatest enemy. The revolutionaries have a mass celebration one night for their fighting, only to be trapped and slaughtered by Parademons, Superman allowing it as well. Superman, the Superman, stood and watched the massacre of those he fought with and gave hope to a better future. It was this moment in this 39 year old comic that gave me a whole new level of respect for Darkseid being one of the most evil villains. Tyranny personified perfectly. Props to Jack Kirby of course!
Perverting the innocence, compassion and love that Superman always stands for while he was suffering amnesia shows there are no bounds no limit to Darkseid's imaginative strategy and chess playing, any means necessary to retain his power.
This really makes you feel horrified for Superman and how he will handle this once he learns of the horror he helped commit.
It was truly epic how they depicted Superman's willing betrayal on the last couple pages. "You've had the hope of freedom burn within you long enough."
"Indeed it has sustained you through the terrible miseries you suffer each day."
"That hope for a savior is what has driven you against the rule of Darkseid."
"And now it is time for the great change. Let that last great hope... Be ended!"
The Parademons fly in and massacre the crowd.
Superman stands watching the horror with grace in complacent happiness with her around his arms. "The Revolution is over Grace. We have won."
Grace pleased by her bloody work responds, "you served us well Savior."
"If you don't mind Grace I'd as soon hear that from my true Master."
Darkseid smiles, proudly places his hand on Superman's shoulder, "You have led them along the path they so desired, and at the end they found only pain and suffering. The survivors-- if survivors there be-- will tell the rest of the hunger dogs."
"The Flame of Hope will flicker and grow cold again -- You have indeed served me well, my son..."
This was really awesome, making me think of Biblical concepts such as Revelations, the Anti-Christ, False Prophets, or False Savior's Christ warns us about. Darkseid being the DC Universe form of the Beast, Superman the False Messiah presented to the masses by the Beast. Leading the people to their deaths rather than their salvation or freedom.
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/426.jpg "Adventures of Superman #426")
