Superman Reluctantly Relies on DC’s Darkest Demon

Superman is about to strike up a deal with the DC Universe’s most devious demon.

While his allies back on Earth do everything they can to stay ahead of Amanda Waller and her superpowered army, the titular hero of Superman #17 is busy traversing some particularly difficult terrain alongside none other than Zatanna Zatara. Thanks to Zatanna, Superman might have a shot at acquiring a particularly powerful mystic item that could actually turn the tide of battle. Unfortunately, as easy as finding the Map of Mordru might be, finding something worth trading to the demon Neron in exchange for it is another matter entirely.

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON Art by JAMAL CAMPBELL Letters by ARIANA MAHER Main cover art by JAMAL CAMPBELL Variant covers by TONY S. DANIEL & TOMEU MOREY, STJEPAN ŠEJIC, CHUMA HILL, GUILLEM MARCH, JASON GEYER & ALEX SAVIUK, ELIZABETH TORQUE, MIKEL JANÍN, and CHRIS BACHALO

First seen in the pages of 1995’s Manhunter #11 by Steven Grant and Vincent Giarrano, the demon Neron is one of the many former angels who fell from Heaven only to make a home for themselves in the pits of Hell. Throughout his DC Comics career, Neron has granted numerous supervillains their powers in exchange for their immortal souls, amassing greater power for himself at every step along the way. Over the years, Neron has played a central role in multiple major storylines, although his numerous defeats have seen his status in Hell itself wane at just as many points.

In recent years, Neron has preyed upon the members of DC’s Titans, particularly Dick Grayson, better known as Nightwing. While the heroes were focused on rescuing the life and soul of the young Olivia Desmond, who had been traded to Neron against her will, the demon offered Nightwing a taste of true superpowers of his own. These newfound abilities effectively transformed Nightwing into a Superman of his very own, although they were ultimately short-lived as the hero soon enough rebuffed Neron’s temptations.

Neron is just the latest DC Comics icon to make an appearance in the sprawling events of Absolute Power, which has seen Amanda Waller wage all-out war on the heroes of the DC Universe. With her army of modified Amazo androids, collectively known as Task Force VII, Waller has stolen away the powers of some of the strongest heroes of all time, including Superman. As such, the few heroes left to defend their world are vastly outgunned, whereas the incarceration of dozens of their allies and enemies alike has left them just as severely outnumbered on any given battlefield.

Superman #17 is on sale now from DC Comics.

Source: DC Comics