Eisner Award-nominated Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Action Comics, Alien) tweeted an image of Superman from Future State: Worlds of War. Johnson credits McFarlane Toys and artist Mikel Janin for the toy’s design, which looks like it was ripped straight from the pages of Action Comics. In the picture, Superman wields an ax in one hand, and a shield emblazoned with his logo in the other. Chains cover the Man of Steel while holding his logo in place across his chest, as well. The figure appears to have full articulation with hinged joints, allowing for different poses. Johnson goes on to announce the conclusion of his Warworld Saga and the beginning of Kal-El Returns.
I won’t lie, this is pretty exciting:@mcfarlanetoys is producing a Warworld #Superman figure, as conceived by legendary @DCComics artist @mikeljanin.
The #WarworldSaga wraps up this Aug/Sep, leading into KAL-EL RETURNS through the rest of the year. Keep reading! 🔥🦾🔥 pic.twitter.com/IR5bwBoNRG
— Phillip Kennedy Johnson (@PhillipKJohnson) July 7, 2022
Warworld Superman? Who Or What Is That?
Leaving his son Jon with the Superman mantle on Earth, Clark Kent became a gladiator slave for the alien Mongul on a distant planet. Kal-El lacked his usual powers while fighting for Mongul’s entertainment, but he didn’t allow that to inhibit his morals and convictions.
The Warworld Saga concludes in August with the one-shot Superman: Warworld Apocalypse. Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues his writing duties on the one-shot. Brandon Peterson and Will Conrad illustrate. This will conclude a story that’s been told since early 2021.
Kal-El Returns, a six-issue crossover event, immediately follows the events of Warworld Apocalypse in September. This crossover occurs in the two main Superman titles: Action Comics and Superman. Specifically, it will take place in Action Comics #1047-1049 and Superman: Son of Kal-El #16-18.
Johnson made a statement and said this about Kal-El Returns:
“What we did for Mongul with the Warworld Saga, we’re doing for Metallo in Kal-El Returns. Metallo might be my favorite Superman villain, and I think he’s often overlooked in lieu of the more god-like characters like Mongul or Darkseid. There’s a really scary, complex, interesting version of him I’ve been wanting to show readers for a long time. His origins, his motivations, and his power set are all overdue for a deep-dive refresh, and we’re ready to give readers a Metallo worthy of Superman. Stay tuned for the strongest and scariest Metallo you’ve ever seen.”
Superman: Warworld Apocalypse #1 hits shelves on August 30th, 2022. One month later, Kal-El Returns begins on September 27th.