Doomsday’s New Moniker Earns Him Galactus-Level Recognition and Respect

WARNING! Spoilers for Superman #22 The fearsome character Doomsday has recently been rebranded with a name that accurately reflects his immense capacity for destruction. This new title categorizes him as a threat on the same level as Galactus, highlighting him as a natural force that poses the potential to obliterate entire planets. The ongoing narrative in the Superman comic series offers fans an intriguing new perspective on this iconic villain, known for his crucial role in the death of the Man of Steel.

In Superman #22, crafted by creators Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora, the plot unfolds as Superman and Superwoman make their way to Metropolis. There, they witness a menacing alien fleet, referred to as the “Aftermath,”emerging in the skies and demanding the release of Doomsday into their custody.

An image depicting Superman and Superwoman against the Aftermath.

Illustration of the Aftermath alien fleet.

Insights from the issue reveal that the commander of the Aftermath is a survivor from Calaton, the very world that faced destruction at the hands of Doomsday in the earlier comic series, Superman / Doomsday: Hunter / Prey, penned by Dan Jurgens. This survivor aptly names Doomsday the “Killer of Worlds,” having witnessed the monster’s fierce brutality personally.

Doomsday Becomes the “Killer of Worlds” in the New Superman Narrative

Superman #22 Crafted by Williamson, Mora, Sánchez, and Maher

Comic book cover featuring Doomsday and Superman.

The historical comic, Superman / Doomsday: Hunter / Prey, originally released in 1994, marks Doomsday’s return following his infamous clash with the Man of Steel during the Death of Superman saga. This pivotal story also divulges Doomsday’s origin, tracing him back to the gruesome experiments of the scientist Bertron in Krypton’s distant past. Bertron’s sadistic endeavors involved placing a human infant into Krypton’s harsh environment, extracting DNA, and creating a monstrous clone designed to survive the merciless landscape. After years of torment, the experiment culminated in the birth of Doomsday, the ultimate engine of destruction.

He ultimately turned on his creators and left Krypton, rampaging through the cosmos. Upon arriving at Calaton, Doomsday wreaked havoc for over three years, leading the remaining Calatonians to combine their life forces to create a formidable entity named the Radiant. In an epic showdown, the Radiant defeated Doomsday, causing significant destruction to Calaton itself. The remaining survivors then imprisoned Doomsday’s lifeless body, sending it hurtling into space, which eventually led to its calamitous arrival on Earth and the commencement of the original Death of Superman storyline.

Will Superman Surrender Doomsday to the Aftermath?

Superman #22 Variant Cover by Mico Suayan and Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Variant cover focusing on Doomsday's fierce expression.

Superman and Doomsday have faced each other multiple times over the years, but their latest clash presents unprecedented dynamics. The current storyline introduces the latest iteration of the Time Trapper, now revealed to be Doomsday’s ultimate evolution from the bleak future. The Time Trapper urges Superman to eliminate him in the past to avert disaster, yet Superman opts to confine the recently liberated Doomsday using assistance from Supercorp. With the Aftermath’s emergence and their insistence on taking Doomsday, it appears Superman’s current dilemma may find resolution, but complications are likely to arise.

Superman #22 will hit the shelves on January 22nd, 2025, courtesy of DC Comics.

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