The original Superman Revenge Squad – appearing in stories before and even during CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS (1985-1986) – was made up of alien criminals from across the galaxy, intent on… well… having their revenge on Superman. No surprise there! Now, the first post-Crisis Superman Revenge Squad make their move…
Things are going well for Clark Kent following his eventful wedding with Lois Lane. He’s also become acting Editor in Chief of the Daily Planet in Perry White’s absence. And with Lex Luthor under house arrest since THE FINAL NIGHT (1996), Superman’s like is looking up…
Crossover: This is a standard three-part crossover, taking pace over three of Superman’s monthly titles, with an optional extra prelude story.
Must-Reads: The essential chapters are included in bold in the Core List and include a ✔ in the Full Reading Order
Spoilers: The issue descriptions and fallout section contain spoilers, so be warned!
Previous events that directly impact this story:
- THE FINAL NIGHT (1996) – Lex Luthor helps save the world
- THE EVENT OF THE CENTURY (1996) – Lois & Clark’s wedding
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the chronological reading order without story descriptions, or spoilers:
- Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #7 (tie-in)
- Adventures of Superman #543
- Action Comics #730
- Superman: The Man of Steel #65
| Must-Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #7 (tie-in) Lex Luthor orders his lawyer to undo his house arrest. He’s desperate to know the whereabouts of Contessa Erica Alexandra del Portenza, the woman who’s carrying his child. Maxima returns to Earth, intent on claiming Superman as her mate. She endangers people on a rollercoaster to get the Man of Steel’s attention. Superman ends her aggressive attempt to win him over and convinces her to apologise to everyone at the amusement park! | |
| ✔ | Adventures of Superman #543 Someone snatches the self-duplicating thief Riot before Superman can catch him for stealing from STAR Labs. Misa and Anomaly flee the CADMUS Project. Maxima breaks Barrage out of Stryker’s Island Prison. A shadowed figure recruits these villains with the purpose of killing the Man of Steel… 1st appearance: Superman Revenge Squad |
| Must-Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Action Comics #730 Anomaly lures Superman into an ambush as he finds himself facing a semi-coordinated attack from all five villains. But Anomaly and Barrage are distracted by a crashed money truck and the arrival of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit (SCU). Maxima turns against Misa. Their employer uses a psi-booster helmet to inspire them to regroup. Their renewed sense of purpose adjusts their focus, leaving Superman on the ropes… |
| ✔ | Superman: The Man of Steel #65 The squad start fighting over who should be the one to kill Superman or if they’re meant to take him to their employer. While they fight, Superman recovers and fights back alongside Maggie Sawyer’s SCU. Barrage takes Sawyer prisoner and Maxima thrashes Superman. Riot sabotages the psi-booster helmet so their employer reveals his true intentions to Maxima, who psi-blasts back and departs. Misa also escapes, while Barrage, Riot & Anomaly are apprehended. The squad denounce Lex Luthor, believing him to be their benefactor. But their employer isn’t Luthor and wants Lex to take the fall… 1st appearance: Ty Jones |
| Must- Reads | Issue(s) & Fallout | Event / Crossover |
| Superman #124 (1997) Perry White returns to his role as Editor in Chief of the Daily Planet. | SUPERMAN REBORN! | |
| ✔ | Action Comics #736 (1997) Superman: Man of Steel #71 (1997) Superman #127 (1997) The mystery benefactor gathers a new Superman Revenge Squad – with returning member Barrage, plus new recruits Baud, Parasite & Rock – and uses them in another attempt to frame Lex Luthor; Morgan Edge is revealed to be the man behind it all. | MISSION: REVENGE! |
| ✔ | Adventures of Superman #550 (1997) Lex Luthor stands trial; Anomaly returns to Intergang. | |
| ✔ | Adventures of Superman #550 (1997) Misa is revealed to have returned to the Hairies. | ENERGY CRISIS! |
| Superman #131 (1998) Contessa del Portenza gives birth to a girl, Lena Luthor. | ||
| ✔ | Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #10 (1998) Maxima returns to try and claim Superman and clashes with another female foe, Obsession, who also wants Superman’s affection. | |
| ✔ | Adventures of Superman #569 (1999) Riot returns and proves to be a significant threat on his own. | POWER |
| President Luthor: Secret Files & Origins #1 (2001) Lex Luthor has Contessa del Portenza killed. | PRESIDENT LEX | |
| Superman: The Man of Steel #115 (2001) Despite Maxima’s best efforts to find a worthy mate to help protect her planet, Almerac is destroyed by Imperiex. Superman: The Man of Steel #117 (2001) Maxima dies a heroic death, saving the universe from Brainiac. | OUR WORLDS AT WAR | |
| ✔ | Action Comics #851 (2007) A new Superman Revenge Squad – made up of Lex Luthor, Bizarro, Metallo and the Parasite – opposes Superman. |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2026
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