Spoilers for Action Comics #1048 by DC ComicsWhile Superman's most intense mission on Warworld might have just ended, upon returning to Earth he's being immediately tested by Darkseid's son Orion, who has arrived to question what the Man of Steel has done on the planet. In Action Comics #1048, an encounter with Orion and Darkseid's minions leads to a fight between god-tier-powered forces in the DC Universe, as the supervillain's son wants Superman to answer for potentially waking up a deadly Old God.
Darkseid has a handful of children in the DC Universe, with the mighty New God helping create many minions and fighters that help his evil cause on Apokolips. Darkseid's children include the god-killing Grail, the warrior Kalibak, and Orion, his only offspring not to be raised on the Hellfire planet he ruled. Instead, Orion grew up in the paradise of New Genesis, where he was traded for Mister Miracle in a peace treaty between Darkseid and Highfather. Despite being raised away from Darkseid, Orion has kept his father's monstrous appearance, keeping it hidden with Motherbox technology. With Darkseid's recent disappearance, Orion became the ruler of Apokolips and just faced off against Superman in a fight between the god-tier powers.
In Action Comics #1048 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Mike Perkins, Lee Loughridge, and Dave Sharpe from DC Comics, Orion, Desaad, and Kalibak use a Boom Tube to teleport Earth, with Superman arriving to stop their attack. The all-powerful New God Metron also touches down on the planet, warning Superman that by freeing Warworld that he's endangered all of creation. Darkseid's son calls out Superman for awakening the Old God Olgrun and points out he made a mistake using the Fire of Olgrun to bring Osul-Ra back to life. Wanting to take the boy to learn more about Olgrun, Orin is subsequently hit by Superman, who fights the ruler of Apokolips in a battle between god-tier-powered characters.
Darkseid's Son Doesn't Want An Old God To Awaken
While Orion's approach to stopping Olgrun from reawakening is aggressive, Darkseid's son is just trying to ensure the universe's safety by not allowing the ancient Old God to come back. Olgrun's madness and powers returning could destroy the DC Universe as readers know it. However, trying to take Osul-Ra, who has the Fires of Olgrun inside of him, after he was just freed on Warworld doesn't sit right with Superman, leading him to fight the New God to protect the youngster.
The issue ends with Superman taking on Orion and Kalibak as Metron watches from the sidelines. While Orion is the new ruler of the still deadly planet, Apokolips, Superman may be wise to devise a compromise and allow Osul-Ra to venture back with him since the Old God powers inside the former Warworld inhabitant might be too dangerous for Earth to contain. However, with Darkseid's son not taking no for an answer and the possibility that he will hurt or take Osul-Ra down a dark path, Superman is prepared will fight for his ensured safety. Action Comics #1048 by DC Comics is in comic book stores now.