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Superman skips out on DC in 2026, and four Superboys are vying to take his place as its reigning Supermen (again) after DC K.O.

DC is celebrating the legacy of 1990s storyline 'Reign of Supermen' in 2026 by doing it again, with four Superboys

Published on Thu Dec 18 2025

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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: after a massive storyline, Metropolis is left without Superman to defend it, so four heroes — each wearing the S-shield — step up to try to take his place… and things only get more complicated (and dangerous) as a result. This isn’t 1993’s ‘Reign of the Supermen,’ however — this is DC Comics in 2026, and the replacement Supermen are… well, boys, really.

Beginning with Action Comics #1096 on March 11, 2026, ‘Reign of the Superboys’ will run across all four of the main Super titles at DC — that’s Action Comics, Superman, Supergirl, and Superman Unlimited — with each series featuring a different Superboy attempting to take the place of the missing Man of Steel. Amongst those Superboys are some unexpected faces, as Jon Kent and Connor Kent are joined by a time-displaced teenage Clark Kent and… Superboy Prime?!?

Here are the details for the four chapters of the story available in March accompanied by cover art:

ACTION COMICS #1096
Written by MARK WAID
Art by SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by RYAN SOOK and ETHAN YOUNG
Reign of the Superboys variant cover by ACO
Corner Box variant cover by SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Symbol variant cover
$4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 3/11/26

As Clark Kent reaches the spring of his sophomore year at Smallville High, things have changed for Superboy. Yes, he’s become Smallville’s protector, but at what cost? Buckling under the weight of his super-secret, Clark now feels more alone than ever. Could there be more out there like him? Find out as the Boy of Steel’s world is turned upside down by the truth!

SUPERGIRL #11
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by JEFF DEKAL, TERRY DODSON, and SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Reign of the Superboys variant cover by ACO
Corner Box variant cover by SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Women’s History Month variant cover by LEIRIX
Symbol variant cover
$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 3/11/26

With the bottled city on fire (literally), Kara Zor-El abandons the comfort of Midvale to save the last survivors of Krypton. The youth are in revolt after a shocking secret is revealed, and the Science Council is put on trial for its crimes against the next generation. Can Supergirl find peace between the two warring factions?

SUPERMAN UNLIMITED #11
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art by LUCAS MEYER
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by BRUNO REDONDO, RACHTA LIN, and LUCIO PARRILLO
Reign of the Superboys variant cover by ACO
Corner Box variant cover by SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Symbol variant cover
$4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 3/18/26

What’s worse than a fifth-dimensional imp? A fourth dimensional demon! Jon Kent faces off against his greatest archenemy, a terrifying time-bending foe who’s attacking him years before they’ve ever met! Witness the final moments of Jon Kent, Superman. Also in this issue: Superboy?! No. Really? Wait. What?! Yeah. You’d better not miss this one. Call your retailer now. Reserve your copy now. Don’t wait. Go. Call. Now!

SUPERMAN #36
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by JUAN FERREYRA, TAURIN CLARKE, and ROD REIS
Reign of the Superboys variant cover by ACO
Corner Box variant cover by SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Symbol variant cover
$4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 3/25/26

After the shocking events of DC K.O., Superman is missing. But one hero steps up to take his place...Superboy Prime?! Normally, Prime has only been part of massive DC events, but now he gets a real shot at showing the world he can be just as great a hero as Superman! Superstar artist Dan Mora returns to Superman for an action-packed and fun adventure that changes the face of the DC Universe!

Covers for all of the issues can be seen in the gallery below.

1 of 4

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Also, let’s just take a moment to ask… where is Superman? Looks like we’ll have to wait until March 2026 for any more details.

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Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.