Warning: SPOILERS for Action Comics #1051Superman's iconic black suit from the 1990s returns in a story set in the Lane-Kent family's recent past. Action Comics #1051 features a new story set in Jon Kent's childhood, and that blast-from-the-past also includes Superman's "recovery" suit from the classic Death and Return of Superman saga.
The black suit appears in a story set "several years ago," one of two new backup stories as part of Action Comics' new three-part structure. The story, "Home Again" by Dan Jurgens, Lee Weeks, Elizabeth Breitweiser, and Rob Leigh, takes place shortly after the events of the Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special, which sees Superman's son Jon Kent learning about his father's historic death and return. In "Home Again," Jon, Clark, and Lois are moving back to their farm in California. Clark meets his wife and son there, wearing his "historically accurate" black costume.
Clark descends on the farm in an all-black jumpsuit with silver accents, including a silver S-shield and silver boots. The costume doesn't include a cape. When Jon asks for the reason behind the costume change, Clark merely replies "your mom did the packing."
Superman's Black Suit Differentiates This "Flashback" Story from the Rest of Action Comics
Superman's black costume—a true '90s relic—first appeared during his "return" after the so-called Death of Superman story. In continuity, the suit actually serves a purpose: a piece of Kryptonian technology, the black costume is actually a "recovery" suit. It's used when Superman needs extra protection as he recovers from a personally devastating event—such as his own supposed "death." As such, the suit can absorb solar energy in order to help a Kryptonian's recovery. And, as Lois points out, it doesn't hurt that the sleek costume is "très sexy".
Beyond being a token callback to one of Superman's most thrilling eras—an era which is often invoked by the team behind the current Action Comics and Superman revamp—the return of the black suit in this particular backup story serves as an essential visual cue. The black costume reminds readers that this story is set in the past—maybe not as far back as Superman's actual "death," but in a past where that event would be on the forefront of characters' minds, especially after Jon's experience with Doomsday.
It will be interesting to see how that visual cue serves the story's plot, which seems to involve Doomsday once again. In any case and at the very least, fans will be thrilled to see one of Superman's best suits back in action in this brand-new story.
Check out Action Comics #1051, available now from DC Comics!