Clark Kent received a warning from the mysterious Mr. Oz that he, his family and the fallen Superman are not who they think they are. Superman visits his younger self’s memorial at Metropolis, where he meets Lana Lang. Both are grieving the younger Superman’s death, but Superman tells her about his own death and resurrection, so perhaps they can bring him back using the Regeneration Matrix. Superman takes Lana and his alternate self’s body to the Fortress of Solitude, but unfortunately, the Regeneration Matrix does not exist in Prime Earth, meaning the younger Superman cannot be resurrected. Accepting the younger Clark is gone, Superman brings his alternate self’s remains to Smallville so Lana can bury them next to his parents and makes the decision to be the Prime Earth’s new Superman.
Superman makes his first public appearance confronting Lex Luthor, who had assumed the “Superman” identity as his own way to honor the fallen hero. Their fight doesn’t last long until Doomsday shows up in Metropolis, forcing Superman and Luthor to work together in taking the beast down. During that time, Superman encounters a completely human Clark Kent, who claims to be real Clark Kent and the younger Superman merely assumed his identity in an attempt to protect him from assailants. As the human Clark proved harmless, Superman decides to leave him to his own devices.
Things take a turn for the worse, however, when the human Clark professes his love for Lois, who rejects him. Angry, the human Clark burns down the Smith Farm, kidnaps Jon and reveals his real identity: Mr. Mxyzptlk. All this time, Mxyzptlk had brainwashed himself into thinking he was Clark Kent to escape from Mr. Oz and now wants revenge because Superman didn't even try to save him. Mxyzptlk also reveals that both the New Earth and Prime Earth Supermen are actually two halves of the true, complete Superman; who was split into two separate people during the Flashpoint incident. The two Supermen save Jon and become a single, complete version of Superman; fixing their conflicting histories and bringing the world back to normal. Afterwards, Clark feels the need to investigate the changes to his past and reach his cousin out to warn her about his unknown enemy and ask her help to fight him.
Current Version:
Superman
Former Versions:
Superman (Prime Earth)
Superman (New Earth)
