Warning! Spoilers ahead for Superman #30
In Superman #30, the Shadowbreed, one of Superman's most dangerous enemies from his past, just returned in a surprise twist. In the issue, Clark Kent hears the voice of a long-lost ally who desperately beckons for his help. This sets off his and Jonathan Kent's journey into the outer depths of space, although what's called him and why remains unclear. However, based on Clark's past experiences with this anonymous and distressed voice, he is willing to drop everything to fly off and investigate.
DC Comics has extensive comic book lore which spans endless storylines with an enormous amount of heroes and villains. Now, they have just introduced a new villain who turns out to be a very important part of his past. The planet Thakkram is where Superman and Superboy go, the place where the distant voice came from. On their arrival they are attacked by the planet's locals, thinking they are alien invaders. However, this is halted as a familiar face steps in and clears things up.
In Superman #30 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, and Gabe Eltaeb, the Man of Steel discovers that one of Superman's greatest foes has returned, seemingly from the dead! Referred to by the locals as "The One Who Fell," the Shadowbreed was once defeated by Superman and the Thakkramites. When Superman left all those many years ago, he left a device in the hands of his desperate ally, known as Qarath O Daanim aka the King of Thakkram, who promised to not use it unless necessary.
On arrival, Kal-El is told that O Daanim had died. Instead of his old friend, he's greeted by Faldr, the new leader of Thakkram. This raises his suspicions as he's sure that the voice he heard was his. Superman and his son investigate the King's wrecked ship, only to find some tech that Superman recognizes. It's the same tech that Faldr had used to take down the Shadowbreed before. This revelation makes Superman realize exactly what's going on, and that he's misinterpreted everything. In the final page of the issue, Faldr has the Shadowbreed within him!
Although the Shadowbreed hasn't been a Superman villain in the comics before this issue, it's clear that in Infinite Frontier's Superman mythos, the Shadowbreed is one of Superman's oldest and most powerful enemies. Now, with them back and Superman heading towards Faldr, a fight potentially even bigger will ensue. It seems the creature has been enhanced and has gained intelligence, which proves they are a bigger threat than before. Superman has been lured to Thakkram, but what the Shadowbreed didn't anticipate was Superboy. This may be the big event that thrusts proves that Jonathan Kent is worthy of the Superman mantle in DC Comics. Superman #30 is available in comic book shops and on digital platforms now.
