Warning: This article contains spoilers for Superman & Lois season 4, episode 1 & 2.One of the darkest Superman stories of all time was adapted excruciatingly well inSuperman & Lois.The Death of Supermanis an iconic Superman comic storyline from the early 1990s that pits the Man of Steel against the nearly unstoppable creature known as Doomsday. In a destructive brawl, Superman and Doomsday perished, shocking readers - even if Superman’s death would, ultimately, be short-lived. Despite Superman’s resurrection, the story remains one of his most famous storylines, with significant ramifications for the DC Universe itself.The Death of Supermanset up theReign of the Supermenarc andGreen Lantern: Emerald Twilight.
Unsurprisingly, given its cultural significance and resonance among Superman readers and viewers,The Death of Supermanhas been adapted by numerous properties, including multiple animated movies, a video game, and even a partial adaptation in the DC Extended Universe. Portions ofBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceand both iterations ofJustice Leaguetake inspiration fromThe Death of SupermanandReign of the Supermen, but the Arrowverse has also brought these iconic story arcs into the realm of live-action.The Death of Supermanwas referenced in theCrisis on Infinite Earthsstoryline and directlyadapted bySuperman & Lois.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Makes The Death Of Superman Story So Much Sadder
TheSuperman & Loisseason 3 endingsees Lex Luthor experimenting on the show’s version of Bizarro, who comes from The Inverse World (the show’s iteration of Bizarro World from DC’s comics). Luthor discovers that each time Bizarro dies, he comes back to life even stronger, leading him to kill him repeatedly until he no longer resembles an alternate version of Superman but instead a monstrous creature. Tasked by Luthor with killing Superman and retrieving his heart, this new version ofDoomsday battles Superman in the opening episode of season 4, brutally killing the Man of Steel.
Superman & Loismakes the already-agonizing death of Kal-El even harsher by including flashbacksto his early years with Lois, fatherhood, and early conflicts with Lex Luthor, referencing the long history of its iteration of both Clark Kent and Lois Lane. In addition to giving Doomsday a new origin,Superman & Loisalso has him survive his battle with Superman, leaving a major threat alive with no Superman to stop him now. The episode ends with Lois and her sons mourning Clark while Doomsday delivers his heart to Lex Luthor.
Why Superman & Lois Was Destined To Have The Saddest Adaptation Of The Death Of Superman
Superman & Lois’sadaptation ofThe Death of Supermanwas always going to be sadder than other iterations for several reasons. One is thatthe series has had three seasons to endear viewers to its iteration of Superman before depicting his death. Although Henry Cavill’s iteration of Superman quickly and deservedly became a favorite among viewers, he had only one film appearance before his death inDawn of Justice. This was also the case for the 2007 animated filmSuperman: Doomsday, which was the first installment of its respective universe.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 1 & 2 Recap And Ending Explained
Superman & Lois' two-episode long season 4 premiere begins the final chapter of the DC show with some of the biggest events in its entire run.
The animated filmsThe Death of SupermanandReign of the Supermenwere part of the well-established DC Animated Movie universe, so they lacked this issue, but there is another factor.Clark and Lois’s family is a major focus ofSuperman & Lois, so having Clark die was always going to be especially devastating, given the time the show puts into developing his relationships with his wife and sons. Naturally, the devastating fallout of Superman’s death is the focus of season 4’s second episode, with Lois, Jordan, and Jonathan searching for ways to resurrect Clark.
Superman & Lois' Devastating Adaptation Of Superman’s Death Can Make His Revival Even Better
Considering that Superman returned from the dead less than a year after his battle with Doomsday in the comics, it is unsurprising that nearly every adaptation ofThe Death of Supermanalso includes his resurrection. The various iterations differ, with the comics having Superman revealed to have been in a regenerative coma and the DCEU having the Justice League use a Mother Box to resurrect Clark.Superman & Loishas Clark die in the opening episode of season 4, sohe will likely be resurrected before the season concludes.
Superman & Loisseason 4 will be the show’s final season.
Superman & Loishas given viewers perhaps the saddest adaptation ofThe Death of Supermanthus far, and for this,his revival may be the most gratifyingbecause of this. Season 4 has opened with Superman dead, his resurrection seemingly irreversible, and Lex Luthor and Doomsday still at large. However Lois and her sons manage to bring him back,Superman & Loiswill likely make the return of Superman as heartwarming as his demise was devastating.
Superman & Lois
Based on the characters from DC Comics, Superman & Lois follows Clark Kent and Lois Lane, attempting to live a quiet life in Smallville with their twin sons Jonathan and Jordan. Unfortunately for the couple, their lives continue to be effected by Clark’s superhero identity and powers. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch star as Clark and Lois, with Jordan Elsass and Alex Garfin portraying the couple’s sons.
