WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for SUPERMAN #30 (2025)!

After twenty years of chaos and destruction, DC’s darkest and most volatile Superman variant has finally rewritten his legacy. In a stunning turn of events, the former villain doesn’t just confront his past misdeeds; he delivers Earth’s heroes their only chance to survive and take on the ultimate cosmic threat: an all-powerful Darkseid.

For those following Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora’s Superman series, issue #28 saw Superman and Superboy-Prime team up to travel into the future to aid the Legion of Super-Heroes and save Booster Gold. But upon reaching the 31st century in issue #29, they discover a devastated future and a depleted Legion.

When Darkseid’s Legion strikes, Superboy-Prime seemingly betrays Superman and the Legion, switching sides. Yet in issue #30, Superboy-Prime finally claims his true redemption, earning his long-desired “Superman moment” and even receiving a physical token of the Man of Steel’s approval.

How Superboy-Prime Claims His TRUE Redemption & Superman’s Legion Ring

Comic Panel Comes From Joshua Williamson’s Superman #28 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora

In Superman #30, Superboy-Prime aids in helping Darkseid’s Legion defeat Superman, with Saturn Girl reading his thoughts to confirm the shift in loyalty. At the forefront, she detects his defining self-interest and lingering hatred for the Legion of Super-Heroes. Yet, Prime’s exceptional ability to compartmentalize allows him to mask his true intentions from both Darkseid’s forces and Superman.

As a final loyalty test, Saturn Girl orders Prime to kill Booster Gold. Instead, with most of Darkseid’s Legion concentrated in one spot, Prime redirects his attack against them and rescues both Booster Gold and Superman. In recognition of this heroic act, Superman tosses Prime his Legion Ring, a physical token acknowledging the villain’s redemption.

When it’s time to return to the present, Superman urges Prime to follow him through the portal. In an altruistic twist, Prime insists on staying behind to hold off the remaining Darkseid forces so Superman can prepare for the New God. Despite Clark’s refusal, Prime makes a final heroic choice, punching Superman through the portal so that he can save the future of the DC Universe.

Superboy-Prime Just Saved the ENTIRE DC Universe (Seriously)

Main Cover by Dan Mora for Superman #30 (2025)

What some may not realize is that Superboy-Prime didn’t just save Superman and Booster Gold in this moment: He saved the entire DC Universe. By ensuring the two heroes survive, he gives them the chance they need to face the looming threat of Darkseid, whose power has reached unprecedented levels after absorbing massive amounts of Omega Energy following the creation of the Absolute Universe.

By guaranteeing Superman and Booster’s escape, the Justice League now has critical intelligence for the upcoming battle against Darkseid, set during DC’s K.O. event. In this massive showdown, heroes and villains alike clash to generate enough Omega Energy to confront King Omega Darkseid. In this light, Superboy-Prime’s actions have more than redeemed him, cementing his pivotal role in DC history.

SUPERMAN #30 is available now from DC Comics!