Warning: contains potential spoilers for Superman #13!
Superman hates very few people in the DC Universe, but now he is getting an opportunity to put a beat down on the one Justice League hero he actually does despise. In a preview for Superman #13, Brainiac has unleashed a Czarian army upon Metropolis. As the army creates destruction and chaos, Superman is headed for a showdown with the “Main Man” himself: Lobo.
Superman #13, written by Joshua Williamson and drawn by Rafa Sandoval, opens at Guy Gardner’s Warrior Bar in California. Patrons are fleeing from a disturbance inside. The source of the ruckus is Lobo, who is throwing furniture and screaming and cursing. Lobo wants his bike back, and to leave Earth, but cannot thanks to a quarantine placed on it by the United Planets. Lobo continues his rampage, until a booming voice calls him. He turns out, and is confronted by Superman.
Angered at seeing his enemy, Lobo hurls a prop Green Lantern at him.
The preview ends there, leaving fans waiting to see the two titans potentially come to blows. Superman and Lobo have had beef for over 30 years. Lobo sees Superman as a “big Boy Scout,” and cannot stand him. Likewise, Superman despises Lobo for his violent and crass nature. The two have fought several times. Thanks to his super strength and healing factor, Lobo is more than a match for Superman. While the Man of Steel emerges victorious, Lobo takes him down to the wire every time. Even Lobo’s brief affiliation with the Justice League failed to curb Superman’s dislike.
The relationship between Superman and Lobo has never been a good one, but now, thanks to the events of House of Brainiac, it has been stretched to the breaking point. Brainiac somehow created an entire army of Czarnians. Superman has had his hands full of the Czarnian clones, and now he must fight the real deal. As seen in the preview, Lobo is extremely agitated. Angered over being confined to Earth, Lobo will no doubt take his anger out on Superman in a brutal fashion. Along similar lines, Superman will be able to cut loose on Lobo.
In the DC Universe, Superman is almost universally well-loved by the rest of the heroic community, and he feels the same about them. Superman seeks the good in everyone, even if it is Lex Luthor, Metallo or Silver Banshee. In Silver Banshee’s case, Superman’s belief in her led her to the side of good. However, Superman sees no redeeming value in Lobo, and he is arguably right. Lobo is everything Superman hates, namely such power being used for crude and violent purposes. Lobo, of the Justice League, is about to get the beating of his life, courtesy of Superman.
Superman #13 is on sale April 16 from DC Comics!