After 63 years, DC is permanently destroying an iconic part of Superman lore

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After 63 years, DC is permanently destroying an iconic part of Superman lore

Notice! Spoilers for Action Comics #1076!With the Fortress of Solitude and Krypton now destroyed, it looks like DC is finally moving towards destruction Superman third important location, the Phantom Zone. As Aethyr takes control of the Phantom Zone, it is finally falling apart and Superman is about to miss the last major milestone in his story.

The surprising the destruction of the Phantom Zone is glimpsed and provoked in Action comics #1076 by Mark Waid and Clayton Henry. The Phantom Zone was taken over by Aethyr, a being who wanted to make the Phantom Zone a better place. Unfortunately, the Phantom Zone is full of violent criminals, and Aethyr quickly realizes the error of her attempt to save these people.


Comic Page: Superman floats as the Phantom Zone explodes around him.

Furious that the Phantom Zone’s prisoners rejected his salvation, Aethyr begins turning the Zone into an even worse hell. The Phantom Zone is finally reaching its limit when Superman discovers it is being destroyed, completely collapsing around him, while he can do nothing but watch one of the most important parts of his history destroyed.

The Phantom Zone has been an important part of Superman’s legacy – but now it may be gone forever

Action comics #1076 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, Matt Herms and Dave Sharpe.


Comic book cover: Superman's father working on a kryptonite-powered machine.

Despite the destruction of Krypton, Superman managed to keep plenty of Kryptonian technology, and one of the most dangerous has always been the Phantom Zone Projector. Originally created by Jor-El, the exact use of the Phantom Zone Projector has changed over the years. In some stories, it was created specifically for prisoners; in other stories, it was created as a means for Kryptonians to survive Krypton’s upcoming implosion. It has always been one of Superman’s most powerful tools – perhaps too powerful, since the destruction of the Phantom Zone fixes some narrative problems with Superman tradition.

One of the biggest problems with Superman having such a powerful weapon was the question of why Superman never uses it against his most dangerous villains. It makes perfect sense why Superman can’t use the Phantom Zone Projector in Doomsday, since during the New 52, ​​Doomsday developed the ability to teleport to and from the Zone at will. But it was never really addressed why doesn’t Superman remove other major villains like the Joker using the Phantom Zone. If Batman refuses to kill the Joker, the Phantom Zone seems like a great solution, but it’s never mentioned.

The last of Superman’s legendary landmarks has finally disappeared

Could the Phantom Zone really survive?

With the Phantom Zone being destroyed, questions about why Superman doesn’t use the Phantom Zone Projector on his most dangerous villains are finally answered. Tons of problems would be solved if Superman was more liberal with the Phantom Zone Projector. He could have slowed down Imperiex, sealed Darkseid, or taken care of lesser villains like the Joker with ease. But now that the Phantom Zone appears to be on the brink of collapse, Superman will have to find another way to deal with its most dangerous villains.

Action comics #1076 is now available from DC Comics!

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