True believers in the Man of Steel can rest easy, now that DC has confirmed which of his descendants will claim the role of Superman almost 1,000 years into Earth’s future. Unfortunately, the historic moment brings a dark secret along with it. And it’s one that fans of the Superman Family will need to be sitting down for.

The Last Superman is Officially Kal-El’s Descendant, Ronan Kent

Starting with the good news, Superman’s unwanted trip a millennium into the future seems to have finally turned in his favor. First came the nasty surprise that this new far-off future no longer resembled the one glimpsed in DC’s Future State: House of El, in which Kal-El’s descendants worked together to protect the Earth. A story which concluded with the young Ronan Kent stepping up to claim the “Superman” name for himself.

By contrast, the new Ronan Kent is not only not fighting back the forces of evil, but no longer wearing the iconic “S” symbol openly. Of course, a team-up with Kal-El himself can change the course of history in drastic ways, and Adventures of Superman: The Book of El is no exception. But even as Ronan embraces his role as Superman, along with his family sigil and duty, the story drops a bombshell on Superman fans everywhere.

Ronan Kent is Destined To Be The Last Member of The House of El

A Universe Without A Superman Was Never Thought Possible

Brainiac Reveals Ronan Kent is The Last Superman Descendant in Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #3

The combined Els succeed in defeating the villainous forces of Brainiac, with Ronan having his clothing burned off in the process. But as Ronan proudly displays the sigil of the House of El, having turned from a guerrilla fighter to a Superman-level symbol himself, the defeated Brainiaci spills the dark truth:

“Ronan… Kent. You have no future… that I have not seen. In every one.. you are doomed… to fail. Every House of El in the Multiverse… ends with you.“

The titular “Book of El” had previously chronicled the fates of the El line, confirming Ronan was the last of the family bloodline to remain behind on Earth. A decision that, according to Brainiac, is destined to make him “the end” of the House of El.

Ronan Kent is The Last Superman of The Year 3000

While Kal-El may not seem too bothered by Brainiac’s dark revelation (or even aware of it), Ronan obviously pushes for more information, but no answers. So even if the creative team of Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, and Alex Guimarães are keeping this massive twist to themselves for now, readers will begin to spin their own theories immediately.

What does this dark prophecy mean for Ronan’s sister Rowan? What of the other El family members featured in Future State? If the line and legacy of the House of El had to end eventually, is it better to end in glory, or darkness? Only time will tell.

Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #3 is available now from DC Comics.