Superman’s Iconic Black Suit Makes an Ominous Return in New Justice League Art

Summary Waller's alliance with Failsafe & Brainiac Queen poses danger to all DC metahumans, including Superman.

Superman's iconic Recovery Suit returns to help him combat Waller's nefarious plan to strip heroes of powers.

Recovery Suit's history of aiding Superman's power restoration may give him the edge to defeat Task Force VII.

A grim blast from the past comes back at a terrifying time in Superman's life. Absolute Power is on the horizon and every hero in the DC Universe, including the Man of Steel, is in danger of the threat Amanda Waller poses.

Teaming up with Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen, Waller is set to rob DC's metahumans of their powers, finally seizing control on the world. Even the Man of Steel isn't able to stop her and is able to be felled by something as simple as a bullet. But could one of Superman's suits give him the edge he needs to defeat Waller and her powerful new flunkies?

Superman's Recovery Suit Returns in DC's Absolute Power

Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 (2024) Release Date: July 3rd, 2024 Writers: Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, Nicole Maines, and Chip Zdarsky Artists: Gleb Melnikov, Skylar Patridge, and V Ken Marion Cover Artist: Dan Mora Variant Covers: Gleb Melnikov, Mikel Janin, John Timms, and Dan Mora THE DOMINOS FALL! As the DC Universe braces for the “Absolute Power” blitzkrieg, the key to capturing metahuman powers on planet Earth will at last be unlocked! Bridging the events of Batman, Superman: House of Brainiac, and Suicide Squad: Dream Team, this special oversize GROUND ZERO issue brings Waller’s total dominance to the doorsteps of the world’s finest heroes…using the combined might of FAILSAFE, BRAINIAC QUEEN, and the SUICIDE SQUAD to do it! Witness years of storytelling culminate, brought to you by Absolute Power series architect MARK WAID and the masterminds behind the trinity of evil, CHIP ZDARSKY, NICOLE MAINES, and JOSHUA WILLIAMSON!

Utilizing the powers of both the Brainiac Queen and Failsafe, Amanda Waller has plundered the powers of the DC Universe’s mightiest heroes and villains. Every member of the Justice League’s powers have been stolen and their powers have been used to create Task Force VII, an all-Amazo unit of fighters led by the powerful Failsafe to hunt down any hero or villain that resists the Trinity of Evil’s new order. Unfortunately, even Superman has been affected by Waller’s new reign of terror.

Superman appears on John Timms’ connecting variant for Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1, this time wearing a familiar all-black bodysuit.

DC Comics has given fans an idea of just how dangerous this situation is for DC’s metahumans of the foil wraparound cover for Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition #1. The haunting image shows Superman, who has just seemingly been robbed of his powers. From way up in the air, Clark is falling down to the ground, bleeding heavily from bullet holes in his chest. Even Superman is confused as to what’s happening as his body speeds helplessly to the ground.

Thankfully, Superman isn’t out of the game just yet. Superman appears on John Timms’ connecting variant for Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1, this time wearing a familiar all-black bodysuit. Superman is back in his Recovery Suit, the same clothing he wore to recuperate after his deadly battle with Doomsday. Clark’s ‘new’ costume is also seen on Dan Mora’s Resistance variant for Absolute Power #1, along with his pals in the Justice League, almost all of whom are wearing new costumes to take on Task Force VII.

The History of Superman's Life-Saving Suit

Close

There isn’t a Superman fan alive who doesn’t remember the tragedy of Doomsday coming to the DC Universe for the first time. The rampaging monster tore through the galaxy before landing on Earth, easily beating up any hero that stood in Doomsday’s way. The only person who had a shot at beating the monster was Superman, but it was no easy task for the Man of Steel. Clark gave it his all and while he managed to fell Doomsday, it came at the cost of Superman’s life.

But that wasn’t it for Superman, whose body was taken by the Eradicator and placed inside the regeneration matrix. A combination of Kryptonian tech and the solar energy stored in Clark’s cells enabled the matrix to heal Clark, albeit in a weakened form. To offset the difference in his powers, Superman donned a black suit, one that allowed a greater amount of solar energy to transfer into Clark. Thanks to this new outfit, Superman had the strength he needed to save the day from Mongul and Cyborg Superman.

Superman's Recovery Suit officially debuted in Action Comics #689 (1993)!

The Recovery Suit’s finest hour was helping Clark come back to full strength after his defeat at Doomsday’s hands, but it wouldn’t be the last time that costume was seen. After losing his ability to process solar energy properly, Superman temporarily brought the black suit back before trading it out for his ‘Electric Blue’ phase. While it’s not something the Man of Tomorrow needs regularly, it’s an outfit that has served him well when his powers aren’t acting like they ordinarily should (however rare that may be).

Superman's Old Costume is Back When He Needs It Most

It remains to be seen just how Amanda Waller’s bargain with the Brainiac Queen and Failsafe manages to strip DC’s metahumans of their powers. But it’s something that’s going to happen and unfortunately, Superman’s going to be one of the first to find out. But Clark has fared worse and he’s obviously going to survive this harrowing experience, either with the assistance of a friend or some other convenient help. However, just as his friends will find ways to deal with this change, Superman is prepared for this upheaval.

While the outfit doesn’t make for good armor, it does a fantastic job of helping Superman process solar radiation faster than he normally could.

There’s no telling how far-reaching the extent of Waller’s power-stealing plans are but one thing is for certain: Waller can’t stop Clark from being a Kryptonian. Even if she manages to successfully take his powers, it’s nothing that enough time and solar radiation can’t fix. Of course, the big problem is that all of Clark’s powers are going to be channeled into one of Waller’s Task Force VII Amazos (namely the one known as Last Son). Superman unfortunately doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for his powers to return while his Amazo copycat hunts down other heroes.

Thankfully, that’s where the Recovery suit can come in. While the outfit doesn’t make for good armor, it does a fantastic job of helping Superman process solar radiation faster than he normally could. Clark wore the suit briefly during the “Reign of the Supermen” arc, and in the short time he had it on, it got the Man of Tomorrow back on his feet and fighting just like he did before his clash with Doomsday. It’s not an ideal situation, but the Recovery Suit could prove to be Superman’s greatest tool during Absolute Power.

Superman Has a Chance of Getting His Powers Back First

It’s unknown if the other metahumans will easily regain their powers, but at least this suit has a history of helping Superman get his abilities back. If Clark wears it long enough, he just might have enough juice to stop Task Force VII and the Trinity of Evil. Of course, the hitch is Clark is going to have to survive long enough without his powers. But if he’s smart about his moves, Superman’s black suit will help him get his powers back just in time to save the day.

Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 is available on July 3rd from DC Comics.