Superman is subjected to his own father’s projections of how his life would’ve panned out if he hadn’t been raised by the Kent Family on Earth. But who’s really behind this plot and can the Justice League of America track Superman down before it’s too late?
Crossover: This storyline is a standard four-part crossover.
Spoilers: The issue descriptions contain spoilers, so be warned!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the chronological reading order without story descriptions, or spoilers:
- Superman #147
- Adventures of Superman #570
- Action Comics #757
- Superman: The Man of Steel #92
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Superman #147 Martian Manhunter becomes convinced Superman is missing and selects a handful of Justice League members to help locate him. Someone has taken Superman prisoner in space and witnesses Jor-El’s projections of what Kal-El would have been like if he’d been raised as a Green Lantern by the Guardians of the Universe. The emotionless Kal-El teams up with Hal Jordan to defeat Sinestro. |
| Adventures of Superman #570 The mysterious Cogito has captured Superman and is searching his brain while implanting new histories into his mind based on Jor-El’s projections. This time, Superman mentally experiences a life growing up on Rann. A much more self-righteous and angry Kal-El is betrayed by his betrothed Alanna who chooses to save the Earthman Adam Strange. Impressed by Strange, Kal-El permanently changes places with him and makes Earth his home. With his personality being subjugated, Martian Manhunter struggles to telepathically locate Superman… |
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Action Comics #757 Having grown up on Thanagar, the naive Kryptonian named Seer is able to hear all conversations and see through walls. The Thanagarian police use him to learn citizens’ secrets and arrest anyone for even talking about committing crimes. Katar Hol reveals the truth to Seer and removes the device that dampens his other powers. In the real world, the Justice League think they’re searching for Superman, but are also prisoners of Cogito… |
| Superman: The Man of Steel #92 Superman’s mind starts crashing when Cogito uploads a lifetime in which Kal-El grew up on Mars as K’all L’ell. Meanwhile, the JLA are experiencing their search for Superman on a loop. Martian Manhunter breaks through to Superman’s delusion and restores his true self. Combining their consciousness, they overpower Cogito’s device. Cogito reveals his plan to convince Superman he’d been born on his world, X’vyv’x, and repel the invasion by the Sole Jurisdiction. Superman saves X’vyv’x, regardless, because it’s the right thing to do. |
| Must Reads | Issue(s) & Fallout |
| Superman #148 (1999) Superman next appears. |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2025
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