This article contains spoilers for Superman #24.
Superman just got a major magical power-up. Superman has always been considered the most powerful superhero in comics. His basic powerset is both impressive and ever-expanding; let’s face it, with the Man of Steel in Metropolis, only a fool would try their hand at bank robbery, because he’d be sure to deal with everyday criminals with ease.
Of course, the problem with such a powerful hero is a simple one; how can writers possibly tell stories in which the Man of Steel feels threatened and challenged? In general, writers have taken two approaches. The first has been to create threats who are even more powerful, meaning Superman’s rogues’ gallery includes planet-busting enemies who would curb-stomp Batman. The second has been to introduce weaknesses that make Superman vulnerable. Superman’s most famous weaknesses are Kryptonite – of various hues – and magic. Because Superman’s powers are science-based, magic is anathema to him. The weakest magician can give Superman a run for his money.
This week’s Superman #24, by writer Brian Bendis and artists Kevin Maguire and John Timms, sees the Man of Steel confront his most dangerous magical foe yet. Xanadoth is perhaps the mightiest of the Lords of Chaos, hailing from the dawn of time itself. He was chaos unto chaos, and as a consequence of his presence the mortal world was unlivable. The creature was so powerful that the Lords of Chaos and Order were forced to unite to banish him – but he has returned. And in order to delay him, Doctor Fate decides to give him a magical power-up; he gives Superman the Helmet of Fate.
The Helmet of Fate is one of the most powerful magical artifacts in the DC universe. Of course, Superman doesn’t have the experience and training of Doctor Fate, which means the magic he performs is necessarily basic. But the combination of superhuman abilities and raw magical power means Superman is now the most powerful hero Earth has ever seen. There’s just one catch; even this isn’t enough to defeat Xanadoth, who was only beaten before by the combined might of the Lords of Chaos and Order.
But Superman’s role is to serve as a distraction, because Doctor Fate’s own team – the Justice League Dark – are close at hand. The real Doctor Fate knew he needed to keep Xanadoth busy long enough for them to break into the mystical realm where the battle was taking place, so the demon could be driven back once again. It was a desperate strategy – but fortunately it worked.
About The Author
