The world of adoring Superman fans wilI need to be sitting down when getting their first look at the Man of Steel’s new uniform. Not only is the new uniform a shocking design change, but a dark new chapter in the hero’s life that may forever change the way people view Superman’s American legacy.
Acclaimed writer Mark Waid has returned to Action Comics to rewrite the earliest days of Clark Kent’s career as Superboy, before graduating into Superman. When the United States Army first detected a superhuman living in Kansas, suspicion was understandable. But nobody expected them to recruit Clark Kent to lead troops into combat:
Yet according to Superman’s newly-revealed uniform on the cover of Action Comics #1094, that’s exactly what is about to unfold. Trading his first homemade Superman costume for blue camouflage and black tactical body armor, this new role will apparently see a teenage Superman act as a soldier in the US Army.
Superman’s New Uniform Confirms He’s Joining The US Army
As Revealed in Variant Cover Art by Ryan Sook for Action Comics #1094 (Jan 2026)
If the bold decision to embed the iconic Superman “S” as insignia on a bulletproof(?) vest wasn’t enough to send fans reeling, the official synopsis for the issue adds more detail. Arriving in comic book store in January 2026, the plot description looks to forever redefine Clark’s relationship with General Sam Lane, father to Lois Lane:
As Superboy is called for his first mission for General Lane, Clark wonders if he made the right decision. As the tension builds, the U.S. government prepares a contingency plan that could put our hero down for good.
With Superboy popping up onto General Sam Lane’s radar as a potential extraterrestrial threat prior to this twist, it seemed Clark Kent would be forced into hiding. But with new teases of the Kent Farm being put on the line, and Clark forced to learn “what to do when superpowers can’t solve your problems,” it seems we have the answer.
Fans will now need to mark their calendars, and prepare themselves for a shocking new chapter in Superman’s origin story. With previous comparisons to Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel painting this as a more optimistic tale, it will be curious to see how this notably dark turn is received, as well.
Action Comics #1094 will be available January 14, from DC Comics.
- Created By
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Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- First Appearance
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Action Comics
- Alias
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Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent
- Alliance
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Justice League, Superman Family
- Race
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Kryptonian
- Franchise
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D.C.