The Death and Return of Superman

The Death and Return of Superman

Year: 2019

Runtime: 166 mins

Language: English

Directors: Sam Liu, Jake Castorena

ActionAnimationAdventure

This animated feature combines "The Death of Superman" and "Reign of the Supermen" into a seamless story. It depicts the intense conflict between the Justice League and the devastating alien force, Doomsday. Superman must confront this powerful adversary in a battle that reshapes Metropolis and leaves a lasting impact on the DC Universe.

Tense
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Fast pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Death and Return of Superman yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Death and Return of Superman (2019)

Trace every key event in The Death and Return of Superman (2019) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

DC decides Superman must die to stay relevant

DC Comics executives concluded that for Superman to be relevant again, he had to die. This bold decision was meant to rejuvenate interest in the character and set the stage for a major comic-event.

early 1990s
2

Birth of Doomsday and setup for the battles

Landis describes the birth of Doomsday and the events that would lead to his clashes with Superman. This setup paves the way for the relentless confrontations that define the arc.

3

The Death of Superman

Doomsday's attack proves fatal for Superman; both combatants die. Their deaths mark a watershed moment in comic-book history.

4

Massive first-day sales of Superman #75

DC shipped three million copies worldwide, and nearly all sold out on day one. The overwhelming demand underscored the cultural impact of the event.

1992
5

Superman's funeral

A funeral for Superman is held, signaling the mourning of a hero who seemed irreplaceable. Fans and colleagues attend, marking a public turning point after his apparent death.

6

Reign of the Supermen! introduces four pretenders

DC launched the Reign of the Supermen! arc, introducing four characters who claim to be Superman: Hank Henshaw, Steel, Superboy, and the Eradicator. Each contender seeks to carry the mantle while the real Superman remains absent.

7

Henshaw takes control and Coast City is destroyed

Hank Henshaw defeats the other three pretenders and asserts control, initiating a new era of tyranny. His actions include destroying Coast City, pushing Hal Jordan toward Parallax and the loss of much of the Green Lantern Corps.

Coast City
8

The real Superman returns and defeats Henshaw

The true Superman returns and confronts Hank Henshaw, ending his reign of terror. The showdown resolves the pretender saga and restores the rightful hero.

9

Superman's healing coma and temporary death

Superman's revival occurs from a healing coma that mirrors death but is temporary. This resurrection underscores the ongoing blurring of life and death in the DC universe.

10

Fan outrage and ongoing sales decline after resurrection

The resurrected Superman's reception sparks outrage among fans who feel betrayed. Consequently, sales for his comics decline and never fully recover.

11

Landis's vampire lesson and meta-commentary

Landis recalls his father John Landis's lesson about how to kill vampires, illustrating that writers can kill vampires any way because they do not exist. This meta-notion frames the Death of Superman as a turning point for death in comics.

12

Conclusion: death becomes irrelevant in comics

The Death of Superman arc did not kill the character; instead it made death largely irrelevant by showcasing multiple later deaths and resurrections. The enduring pattern of resurrections reshaped storytelling for decades.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:04

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The Death and Return of Superman Summary

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The Death and Return of Superman Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Death and Return of Superman

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