In the ever-evolving landscape of comics, there are simply some things that should not have happened. In Retcon This, we examine some of the more questionable aspects of our beloved characters’ sordid histories.

The Case

For most of the 1990s, the Superman books were filled with nothing but gimmick after gimmick. There was always some type of “event” going on to keep readers interested. Now, this worked AMAZINGLY well the first time around thanks to the “The Death of Superman” storyline (which completed my transformation from casual comic book reader to hardcore comic book reader). The problem was that the following events became a lesson in diminishing returns and quality.

By 1997, DC had already done death to death (for Superman and Clark Kent), gave Supes a very 90s mullet, and finally had him wed Lois. What was left to do? Well, how ‘bout a costume change that came with a change in powers as well?

The Evidence

You want evidence? Okay, take a look at the guy in the nifty blue track suit above and tell yourself it’s Superman. Superman! You know who he is! He came from Krypton. Single bound, locomotive, speeding bullet, yadda yadda yadda. Where was the part that said he could evolve like a Pokémon and could go bolt for bolt with Pikachu? I mean, really, what more do you need then that picture? It’s ridiculous. It’s like… It’s like if Batman became a New God or something. Just crazy.

As I mentioned, this was somewhat of an “evolution” of Superman’s powers. He became an energy-based entity which actually necessitated the change in costume, as it was a containment suit that kept Superman’s molecules from scattering. The story really isn’t as important as the change in look & powers. You don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t take it away from him either.

The Fix

Well, hold up a second, I don’t wanna kill the very theme of this feature, but things are not as bad as they could be. At least Superman isn’t still flying around in this outfit singing “It’s Electric”. Thankfully, in a matter of months, Superman returned to his original form and would don the red & blue once again and we haven’t seen mention of this fiasco since.

“The fix” though, should have occurred the moment this idea was brought up and would have included only one word: NO. To elaborate: NO – we don’t need to change Superman’s costume in another lame attempt to modernize him, NO – there is nothing wrong with Superman’s original set of powers. Superman is iconic for a reason. The Golden & Silver Ages did so many things right with this character, it’s a shame it took DC until the early 2000s to finally see and embrace that.

No one wants to see Superman shooting lightning bolts from his fingers and having energy crackling around him. They want Luthor, they want Brainiac, and they want big knockdown drag out the-whole-city-got-destroyed brawls. And yes, it’s even okay to toss in a new villain every now and then. You can change the surroundings, you can change the supporting players, but you should never change the Man of Steel himself.

Oh wait, did I forget to mention the Superman Red/Superman Blue story? Well, maybe that’s best saved for a future installment…