Summary

• Superman's iconic black suit returns, serving as a vital lifeline for the Man of Steel in his weakened state post Amazo attack.
• The black suit symbolizes death in a chilling twist, connecting Clark's near-death experiences to its ominous presence.
• Superman faces his toughest challenges yet, embarking on a dangerous mission with Zatanna while dealing with personal crises.

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Superman #16!For months, DC has teased the return of Superman's black suit through cover art. Now, this iconic costume has finally made its in-narrative debut, playing a pivotal role that transcends mere fashion as it is one of the few things that may help the Man of Steel regain his strength. While unquestionably a life-saver, the suit has now officially been cemented as a chilling symbol of death, reshaping fans' perception of its significance.

Superman is about to enter one of his most physically and emotionally grueling chapters yet.

Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell’s Superman #16 ties into DC’s blockbuster summer event, Absolute Power, where Amanda Waller uses power-stealing Amazo robots to drain the abilities of Earth’s metahumans, including Superman.

In Absolute Power #1, Clark loses his powers to the Superman-inspired Amazo known as the Last Son, resulting in him being shot out of the air by a petty thief and crashing to the ground. Superman #16 picks up directly after this incident, with Clark fighting for his life as Mister Terrific and Doctor Mid-Nite perform life-saving surgery. Although Superman survives, he no longer has his healing abilities, leaving him in a relatively fragile state.

Superman’s Iconic Black Suit Returns for Absolute Power, But Will It Be Enough to Heal the Man of Steel?

Cover D John Timms Connecting Card Stock Variant for Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1

With his powers gone, Clark is like any other human recovering from bullet wounds to the chest and shoulder, needing rest and time to heal. However, in true Superman fashion, Clark refuses to stay down, especially during a crisis. He re-enters the scene by asking to be briefed on the situation by the other heroes gathering at the Fortress of Solitude, now serving as a safe haven and meeting point for Earth's defenders. As he greets the others, Superman noticeably wears his iconic black recovery suit, a costume chosen for him by Mister Terrific and Doctor Mid-Nite to aid in his recovery from his grievous wounds.

Long-time fans of Superman know the black suit is iconic, as it’s the same one Clark wore to recuperate after his deadly battle with Doomsday, allowing him to absorb more solar energy and heal faster. However, with his powers completely drained, it remains to be seen if Superman will be able to regain them, especially since Absolute Power #1 made it clear that the power drains inflicted by the Amazos are permanent. Green Arrow explicitly stated, “Your powers are never coming back.” Consequently, it is unlikely that the suit will do much for Superman, but with limited options, it remains his best hope at the moment.

Superman’s Black Suit is the Ultimate Symbol of Death in the DCU (& Zatanna Confirms It)

Main Cover by Jamal Campbell for Superman #17

Despite just coming out of surgery, Zatanna Zatara immediately enlists Superman for a mission to locate the "Dark Roads," nearly invisible ages that will allow the heroes to operate in the shadows and remain hidden from Waller. When Clark asks why she needs him specifically, Zatanna explains, “The Dark Roads respond to certain things. Death is a big one. And seeing as how you died once before and were knocking on death’s door not long ago…” This reference to Superman’s fight with Doomsday and his recent near-death experience in Absolute Power, both of which involved him donning the black suit, intricately and undeniably connects the black Superman suit to death.

With talk of death and the return of the black suit, DC seems to hint that Clark is about to embark on one of his darkest storylines yet. This is further suggested by his imminent journey on the "really dangerous" Dark Roads with Zatanna. The exact dangers they will face are unknown, but they will likely include both physical and mental threats. This mission also diverts Superman from searching for and rescuing Superboy Conner Kent and his son Jon Kent. Unbeknownst to Clark, Jon is being experimented on and turned into a cyborg monstrosity by Waller. Hence, Superman is about to enter one of his most physically and emotionally grueling chapters yet.

Superman #16 is available now from DC Comics!