WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for SUPERMAN #18!For decades, fans have speculated about Superman's immortality. Although DC has explored the subject, they've been somewhat inconsistent about whether Clark Kent will truly live forever. However, in a recent Absolute Power tie-in issue, a surprising yet authoritative supervillain finally confirmed that Superman is, in fact, immortal.
Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell’s Superman #18 continues Clark and Zatanna’s quest to find and explore the Dark Roads, a crucial step in helping the recently depowered heroes of the DC Universe gain an advantage against Amanda Waller in the ongoing war for the future of metahumans.
Before they can begin their journey, however, they need a map that’s in the hands of the demon Neron. This sets the stage for a negotiation, during which Neron reveals two intriguing truths about Superman: he possesses the purest soul in the DCU and is destined to live forever.
“You’re Never Going to Die”: DC Supervillain Confirms Superman Is Immortal
Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell Confirm Clark Kent is Immortal in Superman #18
The topic of Superman’s soul arises during the duo’s negotiation with Neron for the Map of Mordu, which will help Zatanna and Clark find and navigate the elusive Dark Roads—mystical pathways hidden in shadows that will allow DC's heroes to travel undetected by Waller. Neron clarifies there will be a price for the map, but when he hints at a steep cost, Superman swiftly rejects the idea of trading their souls. However, the demon reassures Clark that it’s not his soul he’s after, as that would be a deal Neron likely couldn’t collect on since Superman is “never going to die.”
Clark reminds Neron that he has, in fact, died—referring to his fatal battle with Doomsday. But Neron counters, “And yet here you sit. Alive and well,” making a valid point. As the ruler of Hell since Lucifer’s departure and a collector of souls, Neron holds one of the highest levels of authority on matters of life and death, giving weight to his assertion about Superman’s immortality. His remark about Clark being “alive and well” despite dying also carries an implied subtext: even if Superman is killed, the universe won’t let him stay dead. His existence is a universal constant, a necessity.
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Hence, this scene with Neron not only confirms that Superman is physically immortal but also hints at the possibility of a greater force in the DC Universe ensuring the Man of Steel’s survival. The exchange may even be a subtle, meta-commentary from DC, hinting that Superman will always live on—both in the universe and in the hearts of fans. While this is speculative, it’s intriguing to explore the layers of Williamson’s writing and consider the deeper subtext beyond the simple confirmation of Superman’s immortality.
Superman's Immortality Was Also Alluded to in Action Comics #1000 (2018)
Tom King's Of Tomorrow Short Story Explores Clark Kent's Last Day on Earth
Superman #18 isn’t the only recent comic to suggest the Man of Steel's immortality. In Tom King and Clay Mann’s short story from Action Comics #1000 (2018), the duo explores Superman’s last day on Earth, where the Kryptonian, after visiting the planet for five billion years, returns home one final time for Earth's natural destruction. Clark, being five billion years old in this story, strongly implies his immortality. However, the confirmation in Superman #18 holds more weight due to its direct connection to a major ongoing narrative in the main continuity and its more recent placement in the timeline.
The Demon Neron Confirms Superman Has One of the “Purest” Souls In the DC Universe
“Your Soul Is One of the Purest I’ve Ever Seen, Superman.” - Neron in Superman #18 (2024)
In Superman #18, Neron confirms Clark’s immortality and reveals that the Man of Steel has the purest soul he has ever encountered. Given that Neron is an ancient being, this serves as a strong indication that Superman possesses the purest soul in the entire DC Universe. While it’s no surprise that Superman’s heart is as pure as his ideals, it may come as a shock that he outranks even Nightwing, who is often depicted as incorruptible. After all, Superman has been shown to be vulnerable to corruption in numerous Elseworlds stories.
As most DC fans know, Earth-Prime, the main continuity, is part of a vast multiverse consisting of alternate versions of Earth. These variations are often explored in DC’s Elseworlds imprint, where many alternate Earths feature evil versions of Superman. Examples include DC vs. Vampires (Earth-43), Justice Lords (Earth-50), Red Son (Earth-30), and Injustice (Earth-49), among others. These stories show that Superman can indeed be corrupted under certain circumstances, which makes it somewhat surprising that he is deemed to have the purest heart in the DCU. However, since this is main continuity, many fans will agree that Clark Kent more than deserves this title.
Superman Risks Losing His 'Purest Soul' Title After Striking a Deal With the Devil
Neron Names His Price: Superman Must Betray His Greatest Ideal
In the same breath that Neron declares Superman has the purest soul, the demon subtly hints at his intention to corrupt it. His price for the Map of Mordu? He wants Superman to lie. Neron explains that Clark embodies everything good in the world, virtually truth incarnate. By asking Superman to betray himself and his ideals with a lie, Neron seeks to taint his soul. The preview from DC cuts off here, leaving fans to wonder what exactly Neron wants Clark to lie about.
Though the specifics remain unclear, this interaction raises numerous red flags. Neron’s primary goal seems to be corrupting Superman’s soul. His motives are still a mystery—perhaps it’s pure narcissism, a desire to claim bragging rights, or part of a more sinister scheme. Normally, fans wouldn’t worry about Superman making a deal with a demon, but the stakes in Absolute Power are so high that he might have no choice. This moment could mark the beginning of the corruption of main continuity’s Man of Steel.
A Corrupted, IMMORTAL Superman Is a Terrifying Prospect
Could DC’s Mainstream Continuity Be Getting an Evil Version of the Man of Steel?
The possibility of Superman being corrupted, combined with the confirmation of his immortality, presents a terrifying prospect: Clark could become an unstoppable, unending force of evil. As one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, an evil Superman would represent a nearly undefeatable threat. This is particularly unsettling because it would impact the mainstream continuity, making it a significant concern for DC as a whole, unlike the isolated evil versions of Superman seen in Elseworlds.
While this scenario is both terrifying and intriguing, it’s unlikely that DC will fully embrace an evil Superman in main continuity, especially with the ALL IN initiative, which will introduce the Absolute Universe alongside the main DC Universe. It wouldn’t make sense for Superman to turn fully evil when fans know that next month DC will launch a new chapter featuring Clark leading the new Justice League in a brand-new title. Given this, it seems improbable that Man of Steel will be completely corrupted by Neron. Nevertheless, fans are left wondering what will become of Superman following his deal with the demon.
Superman #18 is available September 18, 2024, from DC Comics!
Superman (2023)
- Writer
- Joshua Williamson
- Penciler
- Jamal Campbell
- Colorist
- Jamal Campbell
- Letterer
- Ariana Maher
IT’S THE DAWN OF DC! Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test
- Alias
- Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent
- Created By
- Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- Franchise
- D.C.
- Race
- Kryptonian
- First Appearance
- Action Comics
- Alliance
- Justice League, Superman Family
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
