For generations of fans, ‘Superman’ has not only been characterized by his powers, but by his origin. There was a small Kansas town, before the cape, before Metropolis, before the world heard about the Man of Steel, that made him the hero he was to be.
That historical artifact is now possibly undergoing a horrifying destiny.
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An advertisement for Superman Unlimited #11 indicates that one of the most cherished places in Superman history may be ruined. The novel revolves around the life of Jon Kent, Superman’s son, who has to deal with a new, unknown villain who can bend time itself. And the fight might cost the world of Superman much more than anybody thought.
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The next issue presents the readers with a new frightening threat, a fourth-dimensional demon called Master Txyz, who states that Jon Kent will eventually overcome him in a last battle at the center of the universe. Instead of letting that happen, the villain chooses to alter the course of time completely.
Master Txyz attacked years before that fateful meeting ever took place with his weird powers. He has a very simple but terrifying plan: to kill Jon Kent before the future battle can take place. However, in the process, the villain also tells us something much more disturbing about the world of Superman.
When Jon confronts him in the preview pages, the fight takes place in a devastated version of Smallville. The once peaceful town is shown in ruins, transformed into an apocalyptic landscape. What is more chilling is the villain’s explanation. This destruction, according to him, does not necessarily have to occur at this moment; it is just the future of Smallville.
Why Smallville Matters So Much To Superman
The possible loss of Smallville is more devastating than nearly any other alteration in Superman mythology. The town has been the core of the hero’s story for over eight decades. The name Smallville was first used in Superboy #2, and it soon became one of the most familiar aspects of the Superman world.
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It is the place where Clark Kent was taught humility, compassion, and the moral compass that would help him become the best defender of the Earth. Superman’s story is not complete without Smallville. Naturally, comic book time is seldom fixed. Superhero narratives often use time travel, alternate futures, and reality shifts.
That means this grim vision of Smallville’s destruction may not be the final word on the town’s fate. Nevertheless, the mere thought of it is enough to rattle old fans. Having been the emotional backbone of the Superman story for over 80 years, even the thought of losing Smallville makes readers aware of how delicate comic book legacies can be, even for the Man of Steel.
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