Warning! Contains spoilers gor Superman #13!

Summary

• Superman learns from Lobo that it's okay to express anger healthily.
• Lobo helps Superman deal with his suppressed anger in "House of Brainiac."
• Superman #13 features an emotional journey for Superman and his family, with Lobo as a surprising ally.

While Lobo. Anger can often make people lash out with destructive results, and this is especially true when someone has the powers that Superman has. But Lobo knows the importance of letting it all out.

In Superman #13 by Joshua Williamson and Rafa Sandoval, after Superman gives Lobo a brutal beatdown, the two actually team up to hunt down Brainiac. While "on the road" on their slick new bikes, Superman and Lobo actually stop to talk about their feelings.

While having a heart-to-heart with the Main Man isn't a situation anyone would expect, Lobo surprisingly has some very insightful thoughts on anger. As Superman explains, he feels that raising one's voice in anger doesn't accomplish anything, as people will only the anger and not the message. But Lobo counters that if someone doesn't express their anger, they'll eventually explode.

Superman #13 is part of a major Superman Family crossover event, "House of Brainiac," which also includes issues from Action Comics and tie-ins with Power Girl and Green Lantern. "House of Brainiac" follows up on a year's worth of Superman storytelling by Williamson and other DC creators and continues in the 2024 blockbuster event, Absolute Power.

Lobo Teaches Superman an Essential Lesson about Feeling Angry

Superman's Anger Could Have Dangerous Consequences

It's better to express anger healthily than bottle it up until it explodes, especially when the person bottling it up can level a skyscraper with a single punch.

The idea of someone with Superman's strength being angry is a terrifying thought. It's why Superman has done his absolute best to wear a happy face and be kind to everyone he meets. That's not to imply his kindness is an act. Superman really is that kind and happy — most of the time. But just like anyone else, he experiences a variety of emotions, but he does his best to suppress his anger for these reasons. After Superman brutally defeats Lobo, the Main Man points out that Superman shouldn't keep his anger inside, because it might just explode.

Superman has had huge anger issues from suppressing his darker emotions, but this latest moment might finally teach Superman that it's okay to be angry sometimes. This current story is an intensely emotionally heavy moment, with Superman's family being kidnapped by Brainiac. Superman will do anything to get them back, and Lobo reassures him that this intensity is okay. It's better to express anger healthily than bottle it up until it explodes, especially when the person bottling it up can level a skyscraper with a single punch.

Lobo Is an Essential Character in This Superman Story

Why Is Lobo Superman's Perfect "House of Brainiac" Teammate?

This story will almost certainly focus on how Superman comes to with his anger — mostly likely with the unexpected help of the Main Man. At a recent Superman and "House of Brainiac" roundtable attended by Screen Rant, writer Williamson expanded on Lobo's role in the crossover:

"This story could potentially be heavy in places. There are some emotional beats to it, and there are some big moments. But also, once you throw Lobo into the situation, it adds a different element of lightness to it, in a way. There is a kind of humor to it after that."

It's important for everyone to be emotionally stable and healthy, but it's especially important for the most powerful man on Earth to be these things. Superman has never really had a way to express or even vent his anger, due to the sheer strength that he has, which has led Superman to simply try to suppress it. As Lobo points out, this avoidance is a remarkably dangerous and unhealthy habit due to the risk of Superman simply exploding one day, as he nearly did when he used his heat vision on Lobo. That's why, as surprising as it might sound, Superman is starting to learn to control his fury from DC's very own Wolverine, Lobo.

Superman #13 is available now from DC Comics!