(Image Source: DC Comics)
Many great superhero stories have seen the villain become the instrument of their own downfall. Superman Unlimited #11 is one such story. However, the new villain’s defeat is also notable for introducing a retcon into one of the most controversial Superman stories in recent memory.
Written by Dan Slott, with art by Lucas Meyer, Superman Unlimited #11 centers around the first appearance of Master Txyz. The arrival of Master Txyz had been teased for several issues, with Mister Mxyzptlk warning Jon Kent that a time-manipulating villain was coming for him. However, even with this friendly warning, the younger Superman was not prepared for the mischief the Time Demon caused.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Lucas Meyer)
Mister Txyz happily explained that he sought out Jon Kent because the son of Superman was destined to destroy him. However, try as he might, Mister Tyxz could not destroy his hated enemy without risking damage to his own timeline. With that in mind, he opted to torment Jon Kent, showing him his future and how he would never escape the shadow of his father.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Lucas Meyer)
Rather than cowing Jon Kent, this revelation emboldened him. He said that while he was proud to uphold the Superman legacy, he did not care about glory. To that end, he created a new identity and costume on the spot, dubbing himself Tomorrow Man. Ironically, this was the very heroic identity Master Txyz hoped to push Jon away from assuming.
What controversial Superman storyline did DC retcon?
With his plan thwarted, Master Txyz opened another time portal before disappearing. He said this was a gift, which was customary in a duel with Fourth Dimensional beings. As a figure struggled to squeeze through the portal from the other side, Tomorrow Man moved to aid them. To his surprise, the figure was his younger self, back when he was Superboy. This represented a notable paradox, as freeing his younger self retconned a major event in Jon Kent’s life.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Lucas Meyer)
The event in question came during the 2018 Superman storyline dubbed The Infinity Saga. Written by Brian Michael Bendis, The Infinity Saga made a number of changes to the classic Superman story. Chief among these were Krypton’s destruction being arranged by a new villain, Rogol Zaar, and Jor-El surviving the disaster. However, the most controversial change concerned the fate of Superboy Jon Kent.
While exploring space with his grandfather, Jon became stranded in the twisted universe of Earth-3. He spent seven years there, imprisoned by the evil Superman of that world, Ultraman. By the time he escaped and returned to Earth-Prime, Jon was almost 18, despite only three weeks having passed since his father last saw him.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Clayton Henry)
The early press for the Reign of the Superboys storyline revealed that the Jon Kent Superboy would be returning as part of the event. However, it has yet to be confirmed that this change will be permanent. There are a large number of Super Sons fans who miss the 10-year-old Jon teaming with the equally young Damian Wayne Robin. Time will tell which Jon Kent will remain once Reign of the Superboys is over.
Superman Unlimited #11 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
