Warning: potential spoilers for Action Comics #1035!
In Action Comics #1035, the Justice League will force Superman to leave the team. For the longest time, Superman has been a stalwart member of the Justice League. He is the world's greatest hero, nearly unmatched both in power and dedication. In fact, some heroes believe the League needs Superman to remain a relevant force for good. But it's his level-headed nature that makes him a valuable leader, especially since this is something a lot of their other members lack (a fact Superman has observed himself.) Being without Superman could have serious implications for the Justice League, showing just how serious his behavior must become for them to reject him.
For a while, Superman's retirement has been heavily hinted at. His recent comic stories have been centered around his son, Jonathan Kent, getting ready to take over his mantle. Now, it looks like the time has come for Superman to take off his super suit. Timing-wise, everything has perfectly matched up as right when the League's doubts begin, Jonathan is ready to become Superman, and due to the events of Future State, fans know that Kal-El may soon be forced to spend a significant amount of time off-planet.
In Action Comics #1035, Superman's decision-making comes under fire from the rest of the team after he takes ownership of an abandoned Warworld weapon. This occurs after Superman prevents an all-out war between the US and Atlantis. Presumably, the way that Superman halts the fighting is by intercepting the alien weapon, keeping it from either group. Being the superhero that he is, Superman does what's right, taking Warworld's extremely powerful tech out of the hands of those who wish to misuse its power. But in taking such direct action between two nations, it seems Superman may overstep his bounds, as DC's solicit information and cover for Action Comics #1035 hint at major consequences, with a newspaper on the Kent doorstep reading, "Superman Out of J.L."
- ACTION COMICS #1035
- Writers: PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON and SEAN LEWIS
- Artists: DANIEL SAMPERE and SAMI BASRI
- Cover: DANIEL SAMPERE
- Variant Cover: JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
- $4.99 | 40 pages | $5.99 US Variant (Card Stock)
- ON SALE 9/28/21
- Superman keeps the abandoned Warworld weapon out of the hands of anyone who might misuse it. But now the Justice League questions his judgment. It’s time for Clark Kent to put up or shut up. In “Tales of Metropolis,” the Guardian comes to the city. Is this another step toward Future State?
The cover art for the issue teases Superman's leave from the Justice League, with the issue summary hinting at the reasons Kal-El may come into conflict with his teammates. Superboy and his mom, Lois Lane, are seen with sad expressions on their faces, as Superman ominously flies away from his family. Since visiting the future, Superboy has become paranoid that his father's death is approaching. Future State suggested that Superman will instead be kidnapped and forced to fight on Warworld, and the ties being cut in Action Comics #1035 seem to be readying the hero for a tragic new era.
Some members of the Justice League are notoriously cynical in nature, and Batman has been historically fearful of the Man of Steel's potential to effectively become a superpowered dictator. With Aquaman's sovereignty challenged by Kal-El's actions, it's easy to see how the Justice League could come to disapprove of Superman's choices regarding the advanced weaponry. However, knowing Clark's nature, he will give up his role as leader without hesitation if it's what's best for the team. Action Comics #1035 releases on September 28, separating Superman from the Justice League in a historic moment for DC's premier superhero.