DC Comics Rebirth Spoilers & Review: Superman #18 / Superman Reborn Part 1 Has Clark Kent Doppelgänger Devastating Attack! The Watchmen Too?

Spoilers, Top Story

DC Comics Rebirth Spoilers and Review follow for Superman #18 with Superman Reborn Part 1.

The book opens with an escape from Mr. Oz’s prison.

More on the escape here; the escapee is not Tim Drake / Red Robin, Doomsday or Prohecy as they look on, trapped, but in glee over the escape.

And that’s it for Mr. Oz this issue. Many speculate Mr. Oz is Ozymandias of the Watchmen fame, but we’ll see if his identity is revealed in Superman Reborn.

With that, we get into the meat of the issue.

The Clark Kent doppelgänger finally strikes. It’s subtle, but devastating, crushing Superman’s family with Clark Kent, Lois Lane and their son Jon Kent.

The doppelgänger has shown about the Kents’ farm and, after remembering everything in Action Comics #974 including who he is, knows Krypto who doesn’t know him.

The double leaves a photo album behind called “The Kents” for the Superman family.

It shows the history of the Kents, including Lois Lane, plus modern day minus Jon Kent.

You may recall a 1997 mini-series, a Western, called the Kents written by John Ostrander and artist Tim Truman. Hmmm.

After the Superman family viewed the album their farm started to be erased by white flames…

…as was their son Jon Kent!

The rest of the issue chronicle several attempts by Superman to save his son. Sadly, none are successful as the son and farm vanish, are erased.

Interestingly, the photos in the photo album are also gone as Superman is ready to confront the Clark Kent doppelgänger who he blames for the disappearance of his son.

It’s unfortunate DC Comics spoiled the end of Superman #18, Superman Reborn Part 1, last night (spoilers here).

Not only will Action Comics #975 next week have a big confrontation between Superman and the Clark Kent doppelgänger, it will also reveal who this Clark Kent is among 6 choices as per the above:

  • “A” Bizarro
  • New 52 Superman
  • Mr. Mxyzptlk
  • Eradicator
  • Martian Manhunter
  • Magog

The Action Comics #975 and Superman Reborn Part 2 tease.

So…

A fun issue. Solid art. Intrigued about next week. Not happy DC spoiled the end of the issue prior to release. So, 7 out of 10.

John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page, his instagram feed and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!