DC Retcons Controversial Superman Storyline Thanks to Powerful New Villain

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It’s a common trope in superhero stories for villains to ultimately cause their own defeat, and Superman Unlimited #11 exemplifies this. However, the way this new villain is defeated is also significant because it changes a key part of a previously debated Superman storyline.

Superman Unlimited #11, written by Dan Slott and illustrated by Lucas Meyer, introduces the new villain Master Txyz. The story builds on previous issues where Mister Mxyzptlk hinted to Jon Kent (Superman) that a time-bending enemy was on their way. Despite the warning, Superman was caught off guard by the trouble caused by this ‘Time Demon’.

Mister Txyz revealed he’d approached Jon Kent knowing Jon was meant to defeat him. But destroying Jon would also harm his own time, so instead, Mister Txyz decided to torture him by showing Jon a future where he could never escape being compared to Superman.

Instead of intimidating Jon Kent, the news actually made him more determined. He explained that he was happy to continue Superman’s work, but wasn’t interested in fame. Right then and there, he invented a new hero persona and costume, calling himself Tomorrow Man. Ironically, this was the exact identity Master Txyz was trying to prevent Jon from becoming.

What controversial Superman storyline did DC retcon?

When his plan failed, Master Txyz created a new time portal and vanished, explaining it was a traditional gesture in battles with beings from other dimensions. As someone tried to come through the portal, Tomorrow Man rushed to help, only to discover it was his younger self – when he was known as Superboy. This created a significant paradox, because freeing his younger self changed a key moment in his own past.

This plot point occurred during the 2018 Superman storyline called The Infinity Saga. Written by Brian Michael Bendis, the story significantly altered classic Superman lore. Key changes included a new villain, Rogol Zaar, being responsible for Krypton’s destruction, and the survival of Jor-El. But the most debated change involved what happened to Superboy, Jon Kent.

Jon was exploring space with his grandfather when they got stuck on Earth-3, a bizarre alternate universe. There, he was held captive by Ultraman, the evil version of Superman, for seven long years. When Jon finally managed to escape and return home to Earth-Prime, he’d aged to almost 18, even though only three weeks had passed for his father.

Initial announcements about the ‘Reign of the Superboys’ story arc indicated that Jon Kent, as Superboy, would be back. However, it’s still unclear if this return will be a lasting change. Many fans enjoyed seeing the younger version of Jon – a 10-year-old – working with Damian Wayne as Robin, and they’re eager to see which version of Jon Kent will be featured after this storyline concludes.

Superman Unlimited #11 is now available at comic shops everywhere.

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2026-03-19 00:07