The Saga of the Superman Dynasty in the Far Future Continues
Cover for “The Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #6” (published February 11th, 2026) written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, art by Scott Godlewksi, and colors by Alex Guimaraes and Matt Herms
Cover art by Scott Godlewksi and Alex Guimaraes
Superman’s importance to the DC Universe cannot be overstated. Regardless of the timeline or the specific reality he finds himself in, Superman will always represent something larger than himself, and that couldn’t be any more pronounced than in the maxi-series, “The Adventures of Superman: The Book of El.” I’m jumping in at issue #6 here, but I’ll endeavor to go back and give a proper review of the previous issues at another time. For now, the main thing to know is that this series is essentially a follow-up to the epic Warworld Saga, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and depicted in Action Comics, which was the highlight of the Superman family of titles and what would eventually lead us to the new golden age of Superman books we’re currently enjoying today. It also incorporates elements from the Superman-centric Future State line of titles, also written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, that DC put out a handful of years ago, which offer us a glimpse of the possible future of the DC Universe.
I’ll be breaking down the issue and giving my thoughts on it as we jump right in. As the big blue Boy Scout is prone to say, “Up, up, and away!”
The Warworld Engines
Otho and Osul, Starchild and Red Son, stand ready to defend their newfound family.
Issue #6 kicks off with a brief flashback to the events that occurred all the way back in the first issue of the series: namely, the invasion of the Kent farm in Smallville, courtesy of Warworld’s fiercest warriors, currently led by Kryl-Ux. The perspective is slightly different, however, as we are seeing things from the point of view of Otho, one of the two children Superman adopted during his time on the infamous gladiatorial pit/prison planet. A mysterious, otherworldly voice tells them that if they are to save their father, they must find the racer.
We suddenly leap forward many years, from the present day of the DC Universe to the far future, as Otho attempts to piece together what exactly happened upon being hurtled through time and space. A streak of energy crackles through space as it races towards Otho, who is crying out for Superman and Lois.
In the aftermath of a titanic battle against a Sun-Eater, Superman survives if only barely.
We cut away to jump forward three weeks ahead in the already distant future. Superman is in rough shape following a harrowing battle with a Sun-Eater, one of the most powerful entities in the known universe, made even more powerful given it was empowered by the Will of Olgrun. This is one of seven aspects of Olgrun, the God of Gods and one of the first living things ever, in addition to being the architect of the First World. As Superman struggles to maintain consciousness amidst the debris of hard light constructs left behind in the wake of his battle with the Sun-Eater, the aforementioned cosmic entity closes in for the kill. But before it can do so, it is repelled by a group of space-faring warriors hailing from the Warworld Engines. The narration informs us that, in the future, Superman’s legendary status as the liberator of Warworld has inspired generations to the point where “Truth and Justice” aren’t just ideals to live by, but rather a fierce battle cry.
The people of the Warworld Engine repel the Sun-Eater before it can kill Superman.
The Warworld Engine riders repel the Sun-Eater as it leaves a comatose Superman behind in favor of easier prey. The riders opt not to pursue the Sun-Eater, deciding to leave the Tamaraneans to sort it out. As they recover Superman’s body, the Man of Steel weakly mutters for his children, prompting the band of warriors to take him back to the Engines despite their misgivings.
Meanwhile, Kryl is soaring through space, briefly set back thanks to Superman’s efforts against the Sun-Eater, but even more determined to get the rest of the seven god-aspects. He approaches the dreaded Orchard of the Dead, home to the Madness of Olgrun, one of the god-aspects he so obsessively desires. We find out that the skeletal remains of a giant cosmic insect, which actually devoured the Madness of Olgrun, gained unique properties in death; any warrior who would be interred within would rise from the dead to fight forevermore.
Kryl-Ux obtains one more god-aspect of Olgrun, further transforming him into something monstrous.
Kryl-Ux ventures inside the remains of the great beast and takes the god-aspect itself, which appears in the form of a spiky, crystalline object no bigger than one’s hand. He grasps the god-aspect as its spikes pierce his skin and begin transforming him, forcing large spikes to jut out from his body and face, as the narration ominously points out how no mortal has ever been so foolish as to attempt to bring the god-aspects together.
Meanwhile, back at the Warworld Engines, the injured Superman is brought before Alura-El, who chastises Khan-El for leaving in the first place and bringing back a dead body. Khan explains the man he’s carrying isn’t quite dead yet, and he remarks how the man's physiology resembles that of a Phaelosian or a Kryptonian. There is an unspoken exchange of understanding as the two look at Superman, recognizing his sigil and wondering if he may indeed be the very same Superman who is a legend, and the subject of a children’s story, in this era. Regardless, they know he doesn’t have much longer to live, given his exposure to black sun radiation, and they quickly move him elsewhere within the Engines.
Otho lashes out at Khan-El, thinking him a jailor or worse.
Otho, combative as ever, lashes out at her captors-turned-protectors as Khan-El returns to her, explaining that she has been kept there due to the unpredictable nature of the five suns that orbit their home. These suns offer protection, to be sure, but can also be incredibly lethal to those unable to navigate their gravity and flares. Moreover, Khan-El also informs her that while they initially wrote off her claims of being the daughter of Superman, given the state of the stranger they recovered and his familiar bearing and sigil, they are now more inclined to believe her. As Superman is laid up on a counter and being tended to, an emotional Otho literally tackles him into a wall with an embrace, elated that she found her family, at least partly. A weakened Superman comes to long enough to tell her that they need to find her brother, before suddenly crying out in pain as his body is enveloped with crackling energy.
The Sun-Eater’s black fire is consuming Superman from the inside out, and should he die, the seed of a black sun will be born in flesh. But a stranger reveals to Otho that there may be a chance to save Superman yet. The stranger reveals themselves to be Byla-Thool, a different aspect of Byla-Esh, a friend of the denizens of Warworld and storyteller alike. They explain how they, too, watch over a god-aspect of Olgrun, and more than that, they are actually in one.
One of the more terrifying personifications of Death in the DCU, the Black Racer is headed directly for Superman…
Our story comes to a close as Byla explains how they are currently in a star cluster that was, at one time, Olgrun himself and is now haunted by a god of death, no larger than a man and too fast for mortals to see. Said god is revealed to be none other than the Black Racer, drawn by Superman’s imminent death and, no doubt, seeking his soul. But should Otho do the impossible and race the Black Racer and win, she may just save Superman’s life and become a god in the bargain.
The Legacy of Superman Endures!
Superman confronts his former War World ally turned enemy in the form of an empowered Kryl-Ux.
Issue #6 of Adventures of Superman: The Book of El thickens the plot, as Superman continues his search for his time-displaced family, while Kryl-Ux continues his own search for more god-aspects to further empower himself and gain the power he needs in order to bring back his family, regardless of the cost. The parallels between the two are intentional, as everything that is motivating them both is due to their family, but whereas Clark won’t trade lives and will gladly risk his own to save everyone he possibly can, Kryl is more than willing to sacrifice others, including himself in the form of his humanity, sanity, and likely his very soul to achieve his ends.
Superman himself is out of commission for the majority of the issue, having only a handful of spoken words as he’s left reeling from the Sun-Eater from the previous issue. This gives the book plenty to work with in terms of character development and advancing the plot; however, it is a narrative decision that only benefits the issue and the series as a whole. Phillip Kennedy Johnson expertly makes Superman the most important character in this whole story, and he is able to really impress upon us just how much of a legend the already legendary Man of Steel is in the far future. The fact that he’s able to do so without really having Superman do much of anything, except unfortunately suffer from black sun radiation, is a testament to not just his writing abilities, but just how powerful the mythos of Superman is in-universe.
Starchild is all too happy to see her father again.
But while Superman might be the most important figure in the issue, the spotlight is firmly on Otho, recounting how Starchild found herself transported to this distant time period and foreshadowing a potential, monumental change going forward. A common trope in superhero storytelling is how the child of a hero may actually, someday, surpass their parent. We’ve seen this lampshaded before with Jon Kent, Superman’s biological son, and here in this series, with both Otho and Osul featured prominently, we may see Superman’s adopted children from Warworld become godlike in every sense of the word, especially with Otho’s path firmly set in front of the young girl: a race against the Black Racer!
Sun-Eaters are among some of the most powerful entities in the DC Universe, capable of single handily fighting off the Justice League or even the entire Green Lantern Corps.
The art here is superb. Scott Godlewski provides the line work, as Alex Guimarães and Matt Herms provide color, and it’s a real visual treat from start to finish. Everything about the scope and scale of the story is done justice with the art, as we’re witnessing a truly cosmic odyssey that blends Superman’s own dynamic legacy and ties it in neatly with both Old and New God lore, throwbacks to Future State, and, of course, the highly well-received Warworld Saga. As such, each panel and every page evokes a sense of awe and wonder that you’d expect to see in a massive blockbuster crossover event, and given the stakes, it certainly feels like one.
There’s a lot to love here, from the revealed Sun-Eater to the majesty of the Black Racer; it’s basically like a buffet for the eyes. All the special effects, ranging from heat vision to the Phaelosians' various energy blasts and the Kirby Krackles (!), really sell this book as something far more majestic than a run-of-the-mill Superman story, especially an Earthbound one.
Black sun radiation is slowly killing Superman.
Final Thoughts and Review
A dark mirror to Kal-El, Kryl-Ux will stop at nothing to restore his family to life.
As Kryl-Ux’s quest deepens to find the seven god-aspects of Olgrun, we reach a fateful crossroads where Superman’s life hangs in the balance, with only his adopted daughter, Starchild, being the one capable of saving him. With a race against death itself looming, this issue manages to kick things into overdrive and not let up. My only real complaint is that I felt the issue was over too quickly, which is a testament to how fast it hooked me, even before going back and reading the previous issues.
Final Review: 8/10
The almost prophetic words inform Otho of what she must do.
The future of Superman’s entire dynasty hangs in the balance - as does his very life - in issue #6 of Adventures of Superman: The Book of El. Continuing the time-spanning cosmic adventure that builds off both the Future State timeline as well as the epic Warworld Saga, a tight and concise, almost mythological story, paired with breathtaking art, spells certain success for fans of the Man of Steel.