Warning: major spoilers ahead for Superman #31!
Superman has been taken over by DC's version of symbiotes. The Man of Steel is in grave danger and it is all because of a group of alien parasites featured in Superman #31. The Shadowbreed are not a foe to be taken lightly.
DC has many alien species and races in its universe, including some that are similar in some ways to other known aliens — such as Marvel's symbiotes, also known as the Klyntar. These symbiotes, like Venom and Carnage, have proven to be difficult foes to face. The Klyntar are known to possess and amplify characteristics of their hosts. DC's version — the Shadowbreed — are a hive mind that also possess hosts, though their effects on them manifest differently so far.
Superman #31 — created by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, Norm Rapmund, Gabe Eltaeb, and Dave Sharpe — has Superman and his son, Jon Kent taking on the Shadowbreed. While on a distant planet called Thrakkam populated by the Thrakkamite people, the two heroes investigate an evil force that seems to be affecting the planet's citizens. They discover that some of the Thrakkamites have been taken over by DC's alien parasite. This causes Superman to rush off and try to warn the others, only to find that the Shadowbreed have taken over.
As if it wasn't bad enough that Thrakkam has been overrun with alien parasites, Superman is tricked into a trap. The Shadowbreed control their hosts, forcing them to run themselves off a cliff. Naturally, Superman charges in to save the innocent aliens, causing himself to be captured by the Shadowbreed and taken over. This new parasitic group may be having its comic debut, but it is said to be an ancient foe, making their knowledge of the galaxy vast as they’ve accumulated new alien races to their collective. They also claim that they predate Krypton. Thus far, the Shadowbreed have been seen possessing only Thrakkamites, causing them to be more aggressive as they follow the orders of the broader collective to attain its goals. Now, the Shadowbreed have a Kryptonian host and this could prove to be very dangerous for every inhabitant of the galaxy.
Marvel's symbiotes have been increasingly popular lately, particularly with the King in Black event that recently wrapped up. This event is leading into a new one this summer: Extreme Carnage. Alien parasites are nothing new in comics and hero possession has been interesting. King in Black showed some of Marvel's greatest heroes being possessed by the Klyntar, such as Daredevil, Johnny Storm, the Thing, and many others. Now, DC is doing its own version and the hero they picked to get possessed could be one of the most dangerous beings the galaxy has seen. Superman is a beacon of hope and now his abilities can be used to capture more people for the Shadowbreed's collective or for destructive purposes. The fate of Superman rests in the hands of Jon Kent, as the grip of DC's symbiotes doesn't appear to be loosening very soon.