Warning! Spoilers ahead for Superman #31!
In Superman #31, one of Superman's oldest enemies, the Shadowbreed, just evolved to become strong enough to take down the Man of Steel. In the issue prior, the Shadowbreed was introduced as an ancient species that Superman had encountered a long time ago. Their battle on Thakkram, the planet where Clark and Jonathan Kent visit, is a legend to its citizens. Even though they only just debuted, it's clear that they have a major role to play in Superman's history. And what happens in Superman #31 sets up Superboy for a similar occurrence as not even Superman can best the newly evolved Shadowbreed.
The issue begins where the comic last left off, Superman and Superboy realize that the Shadowbreed has returned. However, it transpires that they are back in a much bigger way than the Kents could've ever thought. It all kicks off when Superman and Superboy confront Faldr, a supposed ally, who has been taken over. Taking the form of Faldr, the Shadowbreed talk of how he will suffer for an eternity. Superman and his son fight back against the incoming infected Thakkramites. They are soon overwhelmed and encounter Qarath O Bakkis, who reveals that he might have a way of stopping the Shadowbreed. In typical Superman fashion, Clark believes his words and trusts him to deliver on the device he says he can make.
In Superman #31 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, Norm Rapmund, and Gabe Eltaeb, Superman realizes that the Shadowbreed has become way more advanced than the first time he fought them. Superman states that using heat vision against the Shadowbreed actually powers them and is useless. This is something that he seemingly knew about as he warns Jonathan to hold back on using it. The Shadowbreed become stronger if heat vision is used on them as they are able to absorb its energy. Therefore, defeating them will be extremely tough as if they get too close, they can easily possess them, just like they do to Superman at the end of this issue.
The big revelation in this issue happens during that initial battle, that the Shadowbreed has evolved to be able to jump into living hosts. Before, they could only bond to a being and feed off of them. Now, they have made the jump from scavengers to puppeteers as they have full control of their living hosts. Superman is terrified by this development as it was hard enough the first time around to defeat them, but now it will be even harder. Superboy is quite surprised at how advanced and dangerous the Shadowbreed is, as he's only been told about his father's heroic defeat of them and nothing of such a destructive nature as this.
Ultimately, Superman is taken over by the Shadowbreed, who have infected Thakkramite's entire civilization. Superboy is Superman and Thakkram's last hope. This will be the moment that the series has been building toward, as Jonathan will prove to himself that he is worthy of being Superman. Now, with an entire civilization of infected beings and Superman, Jonathan has his work cut out for him. More likely than not, Superboy will have to fight Superman, in order to save him from the Shadowbreed. Fans can get excited to see this story conclude with Superman #32, set for release early June. Superman #31 is available in comic book shops and on digital platforms now.
