Summary

• Superman's iconic Fortress of Solitude is set to be destroyed in Absolute Power, dealing a major blow to the Man of Steel and all DC heroes.
• The destruction of the Fortress has far-reaching consequences beyond Superman losing his sanctuary, threatening rare species and dangerous weapons.
• Fans can expect emotional impact as they witness the end of an iconic piece of Superman lore in the Absolute Power #3, releasing on September 4, 2024.

Forget the death of Superman; DC has officially teased the destruction of an iconic piece of Superman lore that will undoubtedly break the hearts of many die-hard fans. What is this iconic piece of lore, you ask? It's none other than THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE. Its destruction marks not only a major blow to the Man of Steel but also to all DC heroes.

Waller is turning Jon into an unprecedentedly powerful weapon that she can wield at her command, which likely includes using him to destroy the FoS.

Set for release on September 4, 2024, the third installment of Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Absolute Power crisis event witnesses the destruction of Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. As per the solicitation for Absolute Power #2, the Fortress had served as a rallying point for DC’s heroes after Amanda Waller’s total victory, which had stripped metahumans of their powers.

However, the synopsis for this issue also hints that not even Kal-El’s arctic sanctuary was safe from “Waller’s blitzkrieg.” While somewhat vague, the solicitation for issue #3 has confirmed that the Fortress of Solitude has fallen, marking the end of an iconic piece of Superman lore.

Superman’s Fortress of Solitude is Destroyed Ahead of 'Absolute Power'

The synopsis for Absolute Power #3 explicitly describes Superman’s headquarters suffering a “devastating attack” and being left in “ruins.” Therefore, although fans haven’t witnessed its destruction unfold yet, they now know for certain that the Fortress of Solitude is no more. Adding to this poignant revelation, a stunning yet tragic variant cover by John Timms depicts Superman watching his beloved sanctuary burn, further confirming the end of this iconic piece of lore. This variant cover captures a disheartening scene that foreshadows even greater emotional impact in the narrative. Thanks to this sneak peek, fans can begin mourning its loss in advance.

The Fortress of Solitude–distinct from the Secret Sanctuary or Secret Citadel–as fans know it today first appeared in Action Comics #241 in The Super-Key to Fort Superman (1958). Like its modern interpretation, it was Arctic-based and served as the Man of Steel’s sanctuary. With over 66 years of history, its destruction in Absolute Power is absolutely devastating. This raises the question of whether Superman will rebuild it once the events of Absolute Power conclude. There is also the possibility that the Man of Steel may create an entirely new fortress separate from the FoS or opt to forgo a headquarters altogether.

When Kal-El’s Fortress is Destroyed, How Much of Krypton Dies With It?

The destruction of the Fortress of Solitude has consequences far beyond the DC heroes losing a headquarters in their war against Waller. It also jeopardizes the survival of various species, as the FoS contained Kal-El’s elaborate game preserve with interplanetary animals, some of which were extremely rare or even the last of their kind. Additionally, the Fortress housed dangerous weapons that could easily be seized by those with nefarious intentions. Thus, the destruction of this iconic piece of Superman lore has far-reaching implications.

In addition to these far-reaching impacts, Clark will endure a profound personal loss. The Fortress of Solitude is the one place where the Man of Steel can truly rest, escaping the dual demands of being Superman, Earth’s protector, and Clark Kent, Daily Planet reporter. Furthermore, the Fortress represents one of the last remnants of Krypton that Kal-El possesses. Its destruction means the loss of the Sunstone simulator, the virtual embodiment of all Kryptonian culture and knowledge. This will be a devastating blow for Superman and the Super-Family as a whole.

Superman’s Cyborg Son Will Be the One to Destroy the Fortress of Solitude

Considering Amanda Waller is calling the shots in Absolute Power, it is all but guaranteed she will orchestrate the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude. However, one important question remains: Who or what will be her weapon? Dan Mora’s main cover for Absolute Power #2 may provide the answer. The artwork depicts a brutal scene in which Superman is seemingly unconscious as he gets pummeled by a cyborg monstrosity. Given the ice-blue crystals on the cover, fans can conclude this beatdown takes place at the Fortress of Solitude, suggesting this cyborg is at least partially responsible for its destruction.

However, the identity of this cyborg creature makes the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude even more devastating—Jon Kent. While there is no official confirmation that the cyborg on Mora’s cover is Superman’s son, the evidence is compelling. The covers for Absolute Power: Super Son #1 show Jon being turned into a robot hybrid, and the last two pages of Absolute Power #1 depict his cyborg transformation in the narrative at Waller's behest. Hence, Waller is turning Jon into an unprecedentedly powerful weapon that she can wield at her command, which likely includes using him to destroy the FoS to further weaken the heroes' resistance.

The Fall of The Fortress of Solitude Is Only a Precursor to a Greater Superman Defeat

While the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude will undoubtedly be a monumental event in Absolute Power, it is likely just a precursor to the true devastation yet to come, especially for Superman. Ben Oliver's and Tyler Kirkham’s variant covers for Absolute Power #2 depict Clark battling the Last Son, one of six power-stealing Amazo robots in Amanda Waller’s Task Force VII. Modeled after Superman and infused with upgraded Amazo technology and one of a battle even bigger than Doomsday.

Therefore, Jon won’t be the only robotic threat Superman faces in Absolute Power. What sets the Last Son apart from past threats Clark has faced is its combination of brawn and brains. Typically, Superman confronts adversaries who excel in either strength or intellect from his iconic rogue gallery; for instance, Lex Luthor and Brainiac represent the brains, while Doomsday epitomizes raw power. Therefore, this battle with Last Son already sures Clark’s legendary fight with Doomsday, considering DC is once again teasing a possible Death of Superman storyline with the added complexity of a more sophisticated villain.

Absolute Power #3 will be released on September 4, 2024, from DC Comics!