Summary

• Amanda Waller sends Global Guardian, Superman's Son, and Brainiac Queen to attack the Fortress of Solitude, but they aren't the ones that ultimately destroy it.
• Superman's iconic Fortress of Solitude is destroyed in an explosive battle, raising questions about the fate of thousands of Kryptonians in the Bottle City of Kandor.
• The destruction of the Fortress of Solitude marks a landmark moment in comics, highlighting the personal sacrifices and immense emotional impact on Superman and the DC Universe.

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Power #2!Fans are officially saying goodbye to Amanda Waller led to its explosive destruction. While the loss of this legendary sanctuary is monumental, it raises a pressing question amid the wreckage: What has become of the thousands of Kryptonians in the Bottle City of Kandor?

Did Superman inadvertently cause the deaths of thousands of Kryptonians?

Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Absolute Power #2 continues the DC summer crossover event that has already reshaped the DCU by stripping its heroes of their powers through Waller’s deployment of her power-stealing Amazo robots. In an attempt to regroup and plan their next move, Earth’s remaining heroes gather at the Fortress of Solitude.

However, their refuge doesn’t stay safe for long as Waller unleashes her Martian Manhunter-inspired Amazo (Global Guardian), Brainiac Queen, and the brainwashed Jon Kent to lay siege to the fortress. The battle reaches its climax when Superman activates the Fortress of Solitude’s self-destruct protocol.

Surprise! Superman Destroys the Fortress of Solitude

Despite the heroes giving their all in the battle against Global Guardian, Brainiac Queen, and the cyborg Jon Kent, it soon becomes clear that even their combined efforts and the Justice League’s upgraded costumes are not enough to turn the tide. In a desperate bid to escape capture, Nightwing and Blue Beetle manage to set up a transportal exit for the heroes. To ensure that Jon, Queen, and the Amazo cannot follow them, Superman activates the Fortress of Solitude’s self-destruct protocol, yelling, “Identifier: Kal-El! Enact protocol Black Zero! Initiate self-destruct!” The heroes successfully escape through the portal just before the Fortress explodes.

Superman’s destruction of the Fortress of Solitude is a landmark moment in comics. Though he had compelling reasons for annihilating the sanctuary, the personal pain of being the one to destroy it is immense. While Clark pulled the trigger on the self-destruct, the fortress’s destruction was really a team effort, with Waller forcing his hand by sending Global Guardian, Jon, and Brainiac Queen to attack. The fact that Superman’s own son played a role in this devastating event only deepens the emotional impact, making this loss all the more heart-wrenching.

Did Superman Just Kill Thousands of Kryptonians by Blowing Up the Fortress of Solitude?

Before the Fortress of Solitude was destroyed, Wonder Woman and Aquaman released the thousands of Kryptonians from the Bottle City of Kandor to attack Brainiac Queen. This tactic was initially effective, as the tiny Kryptonians began dismantling the robot. However, Brainiac Queen quickly countered by emitting red solar energy, which neutralized the Kryptonians' powers. This raises a troubling question: What happened to the people of Kandor when Superman blew up the Fortress? Given their weakened state and small size, it’s unlikely they could reach the portal. With no heroes shown collecting them, it begs the question: Did Superman inadvertently cause the deaths of thousands of Kryptonians?

Absolute Power #2 is available now from DC Comics!