(Image Source: DC / Sebastian Fiumara)
Superman has had a number of sidekicks and helpers over the years. However, many of them have sunk into obscurity or been declared non-canon. This was the case with Krypto the Superdog until relatively recently. However, DC Comics just brought one sidekick introduced in the Golden Age back into canon as part of the DC K.O. event.
Written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Eddy Barrows, Superman #32 is split between two stories. The Man of Steel does battle with Lex Luthor in the subplot tied into the DC K.O. event. The other storyline centers around Lois Lane and Superboy Prime, as they defend the Fortress of Solitude.
(Image Source: DC / Eddy Barrows)
This attack is initiated by the Omega Legion, who chased Superboy Prime across time. This corrupted version of the Legion of Super-Heroes was born of a timeline where Darkseid, not Superman, inspired the metahumans of the 31st century. Thankfully, Superboy Prime was able to summon an unexpected ally who turned the tide of the battle.
What Superman helper is canon again?
At first, it seemed that Superman himself had somehow joined the fight. After the battle was over, however, Lois Lane realized that part of her husband’s face had been melted off to reveal a robotic skeleton. At first she was fearful it was the Cyborg Superman. However, Superboy Prime quickly explained that it was a decommissioned Superman robot.
(Image Source: DC / Eddy Barrows)
First appearing in 1949’s World’s Finest #42, the Superman robot was a loyal servant to the Man of Steel. Programmed to impersonate both the Man of Tomorrow and Clark Kent, the robot was mostly used when Clark and his alter ego needed to appear somewhere simultaneously.
The Superman robots differ significantly from other Fortress of Solitude robots, like Kelex or Gary/Number Four in the DCU. Beyond being programmed to act like the Man of Steel, they can replicate all his powers. Clark retired all but one of them after they began to malfunction due to Earth’s higher level of pollution. He did keep one inside the Fortress of Solitude, however, to act as security and to care for Krypto in his absence.
Superman #32 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
