DC Comics · 1992

Superman: The Man of Steel

10 · Vol. Superman: The Man of Steel

Flashpoint, a flammable being from another dimension, is being tricked into committing arson--all while Superman struggles to return Professor Hamilton to Earth from Flashpoint's dimension. Maxima learns from the Overseer that Brainiac’s Headship is attacking Warworld ’s power generators . Maxima knows that this is Superman ’s doing. She instructs her unit to lash out at he ship. But Supergirl appears and asks them to stop. Maxima uses her telepathic powers to bring Kara down. Meanwhile, Superman is attacked by the mind-controlled heroes. He is overpowered quickly. All the heroes attack him simultaneously. Brainiac tells superman that he will destroy him. He also adds of his plans to destroy the others. Dubbilex and Draaga free Metron, Lightray and Orion . Dubbilex informs them of Superman’s plight. Draaga rushes away to help Superman. Dubbilex telepathically informs Kilowog and the Metal-Men of Superman’s plight and asks them to help. He proceeds to inform Captain Marvel, Infinity Man, Big Barda and Mr. Miracle about Superman. They too get together to help Superman. Maxima is holding Supergirl captive. Kara pleads her to let her help Superman. When Maxima asks for a good reason, Kara tells her that Superman can be her “ mate ” in the future. Maxima weighs her options and releases Kara. The remaining heroes come to help Superman. Metron arrives and asks for a mind-control device as a sample for him to develop a jamming device. He gets one soon and laughs maniacally before requesting Kilowog’s help. Orion knows that the laugh is not good for Brainiac. Meanwhile, on Earth, Jimmy is capturing live video footage of the war when his helicopter is hit. It falls into the ocean but Aquaman saves them. Supergirl arrives to save Superman. Draaga has developed a soft corner for her and regrets that his duel with Superman would make her hate him. He is absorbed in thoughts when he is hit from behind. Supergirl gets into the line of fire to save Draaga. Draaga knows that he must prove worthy of that honor and attacks Brainiac’s hordes with double the zeal. Brainiac knows that Metron has nearly completed constructing the telepathic nullifier . So he lets loose the Doomsday Weapon upon the heroes. The anti-matter weapon fires but misses Metron. But the blast destroys a few cities. Supergirl is furious. She is about to make a sacrifice by plugging the nozzle of the weapon. But Draaga intervenes. He tells that it is an honor to die to further a good cause. With that he gets into the line of fire to disrupt the robot’s attack and dies. Metron and Kilowog complete constructing the nullifier. Dubbilex wears it and focuses his energies to free all the heroes. Superman instructs them to blast a portion of Warworld’s surface. Then he asks Guy and Kilowog to use their rings to hurl the robot into distant space. The doomsday robot goes up with a massive explosion in deep space. Kilwog uses his ring to resurrect Draaga’s body. Supergirl is in tears and vows to fight as Draaga for the rest of the war. Maxima comes forward and asks for a chance to fight beside them. Guy is furious but Supergirl intervenes, saying that Maxima had helped her previously. Maxima vows to fight till death. Brainiac sees all of this and laughs. Warworld has already achieved orbit outside Earth . Brainiac plans to shrink Earth’s major cities. He will do this to make Earth surrender to his will. Notes: The cover is a homage to the cover of Baffling Mysteries #7 . The cover is a homage to the cover of Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 .

DC Comics · 1992

Superman: The Man of Steel

9 · Vol. Superman: The Man of Steel

Brainiac's spaceship attacks Metropolis. As Superman and Earth's mightiest heroes confront the invasion, they learn that Brainiac has control of Warworld, Draaga, Maxima and Supergirl. Panic In The Sky: First Strike At Cadmus Labs, Dubbilex is the first to sense of Brainiac’s presence near Earth. Kent and are having breakfast in a cafeteria, when suddenly a loud explosion shakes the city. Brainiac has sent forth his dreaded Headship to destroy the city. Superman comes out to attack the Headship, but it senses his presence and blasts him away with a particle beam. Professor Hamilton knows that Superman will need help, so he dresses up to go to S.T.A.R. Labs, and gather machinery. He meets Bibbo and Jimmy on his way. Jimmy is gearing up to sell his rare pictures to the Daily Planet and get back his job. Meanwhile, the Headship is causing massive destruction throughout the city. Superman takes his only chance to get inside the ship and disable it. He blasts a side of the ship and gets inside, but is immediately attacked by a horde of robots. He deals with them and gets into the central chamber, only to find it empty. Elsewhere, Gangbuster shows up inside a school and saves the children before they are crushed under the falling debris. But Superman is suddenly attacked with a psionic wave from Brainiac. He is almost down on his knees, but with telepathic help from Dubbilex and amplified sound from Bibbo, he is able to overcome the assault. He comes out and tosses the Headship into the ocean. He receives telepathic warning from Brainiac, who threatens to conquer Earth. Brainiac has recruited Maxima, Matrix and Draaga to stand against our heroes.

DC Comics · 1992

Action Comics

675 · Vol. Action Comics

"Panic in the Sky" Part 4! Draaga recognizes that an alliance with Brainiac might have been a big mistake so he switches camps, leading to a team-up with Superman. Warworld has just crossed the Moon’s orbit and is now waiting Earth’s atmosphere. Brainiac looks at the giant screens showing him the details of Warworld’s many sectors. He sees the many heroes following different routes and says that the time has come to divide and conquer. Brainiac’s first target is Guy Gardner. A mind-control device attacks him and Guy follows the will of Brainiac to take down Lar-Gand and Fire. Flash is the next victim. He too comes under Brainiac’s control and beats the ground unit of heroes, namely Deathstroke, Ice and others. Brainiac now tries to control the Mother Boxes he took from Orion and Lightray. But he fails. They teleport away before he can touch them. Meanwhile, Superman, Draaga and Supergirl are reeling from the disintegrating stormy environment. Superman instructs Draaga and Kara to take shelter inside the Headship. Dubbilex is sitting on the Mobius Chair when suddenly the two Mother Boxes teleport in front of him. The Mother Boxes make a report of imminent destruction of Earth, which Kara, Draaga and Superman hear as they come in. Dubbilex introduces himself to Kara and Draaga and tells her that he knows much about her from the Mother Box. Down on Earth, Metropolis has become a war zone. Warworld’s released fighters are becoming heavy on Batman’s ground unit of Superheroes. But suddenly, Lexcorp’s Team Luthor and the military jump into the fray to defend Metropolis. Aquaman too recovers and gets into the fight. Dubbilex tells the three heroes that the Mobius Chair is keeping them secure from Brainiac’s grip. On Superman’s instruction, he teleports the Headship deep within Warworld. He programs the ship to drain the power generators supplying Warworld’s teleporters. Superman and Supergirl go out to save the other heroes. Dubbliex and Draaga too teleport away. Brainiac is furious. He orders Maxima to investigate the case. Maxima does not obey him initially. Brainiac reminds her of Almerac’s conquest. Maxima is deeply offended and swears revenge on Brainiac. Elsewhere, Superman sees that the mind-controlled Kilowog has damaged the Metal-Men. He battles him briefly and frees him. Supergirl sees Big Barda throttling Mr. Miracle. She tries to stop her but is blasted by Barda’s Mega-Rod. Mr. Miracle takes his only chance to free Barda of the controlling device. Captain Marvel, Mark, Big Bear, Sherifan, Vykin and Beautiful Dreamer are fighting Brainiac’s hordes. The New Genesians use their Mother Box to combine their powers and become an even more powerful Infinity Man and help Captain Marvel. Brainiac is overcome with rage. He thinks that all of this is Dubbilex’s doing and tries to attack him telepathically. Dubbilex reels from the attack and urges Draaga to make haste. Brainiac has gained a veritable arsenal of mind-controlled superheroes and he instructs them to hunt the others down. Notes: Triangle 1992 #12. Chronological continuation from Adventures of Superman #488 . Chronological continuation in Superman: The Man of Steel #10 .

DC Comics · 1992

Superman

65 · Vol. Superman

"Panic in the Sky" part 2. Even Superman can't stand alone against the power of Warworld. So the Man of Steel gathers the toughest group of super-heroes ever assembled, Dirty Dozen-style, but will even they be enough to stop this new threat? The cosmically astute Metron has visited Almerac. He is speechless to see the civilisation reduced to ruins by Warworld's attack. He is musing when he is suddenly attacked telepathically by Brainiac . He is captured but manages to teleport his Mobius Chair to Earth. Meanwhile, Dubbilex, Superman and Guardian are removing the debris inside Project Cadmus when the Mobius Chair appears. Dubbilex senses that something sinister has befallen Metron. While they are at this, the Gods Orion and Lightray appear in search of Metron. Superman informs them that Warworld has captured Metron. They leave for Warworld without heeding to Superman's warnings. Upon Warworld, Orion and Lightray are quickly subdued by, Supergirl, Maxima and other warriors. Superman is telepathically mocked by Brainiac. He realises that he will need the help of other heroes to win this battle. So he contacts Lex Luthor for equipment and then goes out in search of others. Superman requests Deathstroke to be his team's field leader, meets Diana and Aquaman and then broadcasts the news all over the World. Heroes assemble from all over the World to listen to Superman. Meanwhile, Aquaman is attacked underwater by Brainiac's Headship and captured. The Headship appears outside the Heroes' headquarters with him. Notes: Triangle 1992 #10. Chronological continuation from Superman: The Man of Steel #9 . Chronological continuation in Adventures of Superman #488 .

DC Comics · 1992

Adventures of Superman

488 · Vol. Adventures of Superman

"Panic in the Sky" Part 3! The battle against Brainiac continues on Warworld as Superman, aided by Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Deathstroke and others, gains the upper hand. But for how long? Previously, Superman fought Braniac’s Headship and tossed into the ocean. But it seems that it was not the end. The ship recovered and captured Aquaman , before coming to attack the assembled heroes of the DC universe. The Headship fires an energy beam at the headquarters of the heroes, disintegrating part of it. This triggers the heroes into attack mode. They have worked out a code language which Brainiac doesn’t know. By this way, they hope to conceal future plans of their attack while conversing amongst themselves. Booster Gold makes an error. He keeps his thoughts unchecked while trying to free the dangling Aquaman. The Headship, which is designed to operate on brainwaves, reads his thoughts and teleports Aquaman inside it. Guy Gardner tries a desperate move. He forms a huge energy fist and slams the Headship into the ground, temporarily disabling it. Dubbilex appears on the Mobius Chair and links his mind with Mr. Miracle to trip the emergency switches inside the ship. They enter the ship. Dubbilex instructs them to reach the core to free Aquaman. The ship has self-repaired itself from the previous battle with Superman. Guy Gardner has a bad habit of not following orders. He almost comes close to killing Aquaman while trying to generate an energy vice to open the cell door. They free Aquaman after Superman uses his heat vision to fuse the circuits. Miracle says that he will tend to Aquaman’s injuries. Superman says that it is time for them to take the battle to Warworld. Brainiac and Maxima watch the screens as they near our solar system. Brainiac says that he will carry the fight to Metropolis . He teleports several of Warworld’s fighters to earth. The fighters come down in the streets of Metropolis and are immediately attacked by the remaining heroes. An excellent plan made by Superman thus saves Metropolis from instant annihilation. Meanwhile, the other heroes are traveling inside Brainiac’s Headship. They make a jump into hyperspace . Dubbilex says that Metropolis has been attacked. After sometime, the ship jumps out of hyperspace in front of Warworld. Brainiac attacks them telepathically but Dubbilex counters him. Brainiac imprisons the ship in a tractor beam and brings it down into the arena. Superman comes out and finds Draaga waiting for him. He hesitates but surges forward. Maxima and Supergirl are teleported into the arena. The other heroes come out. The battle begins. Draaga and Supergirl do not understand the code language and fall for Superman’s ploy. The heroes divide into two groups minus Superman and enter Warworld. Brainiac is furious. He creates an artificial storm . But Superman manages to free Draaga and Supergirl from Brainiac’s influence. He enlists Draaga’s help in fighting Brainiac, with the promise of a duel after that. Notes: Triangle 1992 #11. Chronological continuation from Superman #65 . Chronological continuation in Action Comics #675 .

DC Comics · 1992

Action Comics

674 · Vol. Action Comics

Supergirl returns as Matrix and is attacked by Draaga in deep space. But the battle remains unsettled as both are captured by the deadly Warworld. Upon a distant planet, Kletus-4, a stranger dressed like Superman (but with different colors) appears in a pub and gets into a fight with a local resident while trying to protect a woman. Then a cellkeeper comes and takes the supposed Superman away for a chat. Draaga, who was previously defeated by Superman in Warworld, but spared his life, listens to the whole story and decides that he must find out Superman to settle old scores. He is greeted by Lady Maxima, who also wants to find Superman for her own ends. In Suicide Slum, Jimmy is working with Bibbo, when he is handed some rare photos earlier taken by him. Superman breaks into a lead-lined warehouse occupied by Intergang and takes care of them. Meanwhile the cellkeeper and the supposed Superman are reviving memories, when Draaga descends from an Almeracian ship and attacks Superman. A brief battle ensues, with Draaga hurtling a boulder at Superman and defeating him. He is about to kill Superman when he finds that "Superman" has become "Supergirl". To his surprise, Draaga and Supergirl are summoned into Warworld by a hooded figure. It is here that Supergirl introduces herself as Matrix and bests Draaga. The hooded figure reveals himself as Brainiac. Notes: Klerik and Eradicator cameo flashback appearances. Triangle 1992 #8. Chronological continuation from Adventures of Superman #487 . Chronological continuation in Superman: The Man of Steel #9 .

DC Comics · 1992

Superman" Panic in the Sky!

Story arc · 9 issues

"Panic In The Sky!" is an eight part crossover story that was published in four Superman titles. The title is borrowed from a 1950s television episode in the "Adventures of Superman" series starring George Reeves. Brainiac takes control over Warworld and attempts to take over Earth.

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

28 · Vol. The Sandman

The ''Season of Mist'' finale circles back around to what kick-started the acclaimed story in the first place: Morpheus's lost love, whom he vanquished to Hell long ago. As the rest of the players slink back to their roles in the universe, all remain changed--but none more so than Hell's new rulers. "In which we bid farewell to absent friends, lost loves, old gods and the season of mists; and in which we give the devil his due." This is the epilogue to Season of Mists, also known as 'Season of Mists 7' and 'Season of Mists" Now that the Key to Hell issue has been resolved, we see how that result has affected a number of beings, in outcomes which may lead to future stories. Remiel and Duma are now Lords of Hell. Duma has stopped speaking entirely, and Remiel has vowed to make Hell a place of punishment for redemption rather than mindless torture. Dream apologizes to Nada for imprisoning her in Hell, and grants her rebirth on Earth. Dream makes a deal with Loki not to return him to torment beneath the Earth in exchange for a future favor. Cluracan forces Nuala to remain in The Dreaming. And Lucifer, Lucifer is just enjoying sitting on the beach.

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

27 · Vol. The Sandman

In this penultimate issue of the ''Season of Mist'' storyline, the decision concerning Hell's new ownership falls to an unlikely heir while Morpheus attends to an unruly guest in his realm. As "morning" breaks in The Dreaming, an assortment of deities and supernatural beings gathers in the Dream King's Great Hall. But before he can announce his decision, Lord Morpheus is visited by Duma and Remiel, who have a message from the Creator. A message that will affect the future of all assembled!

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

26 · Vol. The Sandman

Morpheus meets with the visitors who have come to claim the key to Hell. Some threaten his existence, some offer trade, and others hope to bribe the Dream King with items and info he's been chasing for untold time. But who can bear the responsibility? Still more guests arrive in the dreaming (a contingent from Faerie). A banquet is held, followed by entertainment. Dream says that he will hear formal pleadings regarding Hell, and announce his decision in the Great Hall the following day. That night he is visited by the various contingents, each offering, requesting, demanding or threatening him in one way or another.

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

25 · Vol. The Sandman

With Hell now closed for business, the dead are rising all over the world, and this stand-alone issue focuses on one boy’s lone fight against a boarding school full of evil spirits. Features art by fan-favorite illustrator Matt Wagner (Grendel)! Dream isn't the only one suffering the consequences of Lucifer having closed and locked Hell. Back on earth, the dead with no place else to go are coming back. This isn't great news for young Charles Rowland. With his father taken hostage in Kuwait, he spends one agonizing week alone at boys school with the school's dead. But, with the help of a ghost from the dormitory attic, Charles might just make it.

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

24 · Vol. The Sandman

Returning home to his realm of The Dreaming with the Key to Hell in his possession, Morpheus finds himself approached by gods, deities and entities from across the whole of existence, all of whom hope to lay their hands on the former realm of the damned for one purpose or another… Odin travels receives word from his ravens that Lucifer has abdicated his throne and that Hell lies empty. He travels to the Cavern Beneath the World to recruit Loki to aid him in his plan to avoid Ragnarok by moving the Aesir to Hell. Meanwhile, Morpheus has returned to his own realm with the Key to Hell and broods over what to do with it. But the Asgardians aren't the only ones interested in Hell, deities from many different pantheons have interest in the place, not the least of which are the demons that were forced out by Lucifer. And they all show up on Morpheus' doorstep simultaneously.

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

23 · Vol. The Sandman

The last thing Morpheus expects upon his return to Hell is an open gate and a vacant kingdom. And yet, that’s exactly what he finds as Lucifer explains he’s decided to give up the kingdom of the damned and hands over the keys to the Dream King. But is this a gift—or a curse? Lord Morpheus, dreading his impending confrontation with Lord Lucifer, travels to Hell to free his former lover, Queen Nada. When he gets to Hell, though, he finds the gates wide open, and the realm vacant. Morpheus calls out to Lucifer, who appears to him and promises to do him no harm within the bounds of Hell. Lucifer, it seems has decided to abandon Hell after 10 billion years and he asks Morpheus to accompany him as he makes final preparations for his departure. But what is Lucifer really up to?

DC Comics · 1991

The Sandman

22 · Vol. The Sandman

Two years ago, Morpheus embarrassed Lucifer in front of the Morningstar’s subjects and he swore vengeance on the Dream King. Now, in chapter 1 of the acclaimed “Season of Mists,” Morpheus prepares for his return to Hell…on a mission to free a former lover he vanquished there thousands of years ago. Lord Dream summons all the residents of The Dreaming to an assembly where he reveals that he plans to journey to Hell; a journey he might not return from given that Lucifer has vowed to destroy him for the embarrassment Morpheus caused him in The Sandman issue #4. Morpheus chooses to send Cain to herald his arrival in Hell. Thereafter, both Morpheus and Lucifer make preparations for their first meeting in two years...

DC Comics · 1990

The Sandman

21 · Vol. The Sandman

In this prologue issue to the acclaimed “Season of Mists” storyline, Destiny learns of drastic changes on the horizon within existence and calls a meeting of his family, the Endless. But the gathering turns ugly, setting the stage for a tumultuous road ahead for the eternal family. 'Season of the Mists: Episode 0', AKA 'Season of the Mists: Prologue' opens with Destiny walking through his garden. There he encounters the Grey Ladies who tell him, "A king will forsake his kingdom", "Life and death will clash and fray", "The oldest battle begins once more", "And all these things have genesis here in your garden". Consulting his book, he realizes he must call a family meeting of The Endless. The siblings' dinner conversation is less than pleasant, and sets into motion a number of events.

DC Comics · 1990

The Sandman" Season of Mists

Story arc · 14 issues

DC Comics · 1990

The Sandman

16 · Vol. The Sandman

Rose faces Morpheus and discovers her delicate place in the cosmos. If she wakes, she could destroy everything. But if she remains in the dream realm, she'll cease to exist. Don't miss this dramatic ending to "A Doll's House." In The Dreaming, human Rose Walker has just discovered that she is a "dream vortex" and because of that, the Lord of the Dream Realm intends to kill her for the safety of all mankind. Gilbert AKA Fiddler's Green tries to intervene on her behalf, offering his life in her place, but to no avail. Then, Rose's sleeping grandmother Unity appears on the scene, and she's much more aware of the situation than even Morpheus himself!

DC Comics · 1990

The Sandman

15 · Vol. The Sandman

Explore the vibrant dreams of Rose Walker's peculiar roommates in this mind-bending issue that explains exactly why Rose has been intertwined with the Dream King's newest adventure. In this story we see Rose Walker has returned from the hotel which featured in the collectors and has returned to in the Inn which is owned by Hal the crossdresser. We are informed that her brother has been checked into the hospital and is in a bad way, despite his young age he is suffering from a concussion and is extremely dehydrated. Rose speaks breifly with the other lodgers before turning in to bed but despite her overwhealming tiredness she cannot sleep. The pannels take is downstairs and we see Hal is dreaming, he dreams of Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland, they have a secret to tell him. he hears them whisper as he wakes briefly and loses what they said, again he see Judy Garland, but this time she removes her own face. Again we see Rose tossing and turning in bed, as a voice speaks, telling her to forget and to sleep. We see Gilbert as he approaches Jed's hospital bed. Meanwhile stood high above a dream vortex that is Rose Walker stands Dream and Matthew, Dream tells Matthew to visit the hospital, and explains there is something about Rose he does not understand. Next we are drawn into Kens dream, his dream is filled with dirty sex, even the s' are dollar signs. Below we see Barbies dream, she is in her own world, she is taking a mystical journey, she speaks to a dream creature Martin Tenbones, and she speaks of the Cuckoo and the porpentine. Now we are inside Chantal's dream, confused, mixed up words about stories float around, Zelda speaks and begins to tell a tale. Hal is dreaming again, he dreams of Robert a lover, his song is playing as they kiss. As everyone dreams, Rose watches them somehow, lucid, aware that she is dreaming, yet it somehow seems real. Above them all she can feel them, aware of their dream worlds and their places in them. Cantal dreams to block out her own memories, Barbie dreams of a rich world full of life, Ken still seeks money, sex and most of all power, and she see's Hal, seeking identity and love. Now we see everyone is awake, they all react as if it was simultaneous. Hal moves up the stairs torch in hand to check on Rose, she is gone, and somehow he is not surprised. We see Roses mother stood over unity in her weakening moments, she asks her daughter if Rose would like the doll house. Roses mother cries to herself. We are now with Rose again, she is flying with Dream high above a canyon he sets her down on a rock as they talk. Meanwhile Matthew has reached the hospital, there he finds Gilbert as they are introduced to one another. Matthew reveals he was once a man and Gilbert reveals that he was once a dream. Matthew also tells Gilbert that Rose is a vortex, Gilbert knows the only way Dream ever dealt with a vortex was to terminate its existence. Again we see Ken's dream of Money, and Barbie has reached "The porpentine" with Martin Tenbones. Chantal has fallen in love with a sentence, but cannot read it. Zelda is in a graveyard, she speaks of her childhood, Chantal is there, they converse and Chantal lifts up her veil to reveal a spiders head, Zleda is somewhat relieved. Now all dreams are on, the vortex swirls in the middle and they all see Rose as she dreams in the center of the swirling mass. Dream says enough, he wakes her. He tells her of the damage she has done, though he can repair it, and finally that it is time for them to talk.