Warning! Spoilers ahead for Superman #1!It seems that Superman's most outlandish costume from the '90s has made its triumphant return to DC's continuity. A new effort from Clark's nemesis has brought back an outfit of the Man of Steel that positively screams 'Dark Age'.
Superman may be known for the iconic red, blue and yellow outfit he's worn since the late '30s, but the hero has worn a number of variations on his costume over the years. He's tried ditching the trunks more than once, he's tried working in the civilian duds of a t-shirt and jeans, and he's even had a black costume phase like many other heroes. But no matter what, Clark's costume is just too iconic for him to ever replace permanently. That said, he's not a stranger to occasionally trying on a new outfit for a one-off battle or a war when the time approaches.
Superman's '90s Hunter/Prey Costume is Back
In fact, a blast from the past has recently shown up in Superman's newest comic, and it's a fantastic reminder that one of Clark's most over-the-top looks is still one hundred percent canon. In Superman #1 by Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell, the titular hero notices some strange things are going on at Lex Luthor's building when a giant Superman shield is added to the building. Superman investigates and discovers from Mercy Graves that Luthor has signed over his building and LexCorp to the Man of Steel in order to assist him in protecting Metropolis. Mercy gives Clark a tour of the newly fashioned 'SuperCorp', and takes him to the building's nerve center to see what Lex has provided Clark. Not only is it staffed with people wearing Superman's emblem, the headquarters is stocked with armors for Superman, one of which on display is Clark's costume from Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey.
The Hunter/Prey outfit was fashioned by a Mother Box that Clark came into contact with while on Apokolips during Doomsday's reign there. Sensing Superman's fear at the prospect of facing an even more powerful Doomsday, it altered Clark's costume and gave him everything he'd need to be successful in a rematch. With boosters to enhance Superman's strength and powerful protective plating, it helped Clark defeat Doomsday in a one-on-one match. While it's fun to see the outfit again, it's a wonder what it's doing in the newly established SuperCorp.
Is Superman's Outfit the Real Thing or a Luthor Trick?
As always, Clark has his doubts that anything that has to do with Luthor could be helpful. But Lex insists he wants to help Superman. Lex even reminded Superman of a weapon specifically designed to defeat Parasite was at SuperCorp, so it’s likely that even if the Hunter/Prey outfit isn’t the same one, it may be meant to serve the same purpose. It wouldn’t hurt to have a Doomsday contingency lying around, but that’s assuming Clark can actually trust that Lex isn’t trying to pull the wool over his eyes. Fans can see the return of Superman’s extreme ‘90s outfit in Superman #1, on sale now.