Summary
- Superman’s long-contested vulnerability to magic is not a weakness, but rather something that puts him on an even playing field with others.
- Even without his powers in
Superman
#17, Superman defeats Kid Warlock with physical force, proving magic isn’t a sure victory against him. - Superman’s determination to defeat his enemies, even those who use magic, shows that nothing can hold him back.
Warning: Contains spoilers for Superman #17!!Superman’s supposed weakness to magic has long been a point of contention ofr DC Comics fans, but now the Man of Steel has given his defenders some concrete evidence to back up their arguments. In truth, his “weakness” puts him at the same level of vulnerability as everyone else, and he has finally revealed how he still faces magic users head-on.
Superman #17 – written by by Josh Williamson, with art by Jamal Campbell – picks up as the world is in the middle of Amanda Waller’s takeover, rendering many superheroes powerless and others out of the picture altogether, leaving Clark and Zatanna to navigate the Dark Roads and look for reinforcements. Their first stop is the Oblivion Bar, which is filled with magic users, who Superman confronts for sitting out the fight.
A battle with Kid Warlock ensues, during which Superman reveals that he isn’t “afraid of magic” and takes Kid Warlock down with pure physical force, even without his powers.
Superman Just Proved He Isn’t Defenseles Against Magic
Superman #17– Written By Josh Williamson; Art By Jamal Campbell & Ariana Maher
As Superman points out, he’s never been weak to magic. Instead, he’s as vulnerable as everyone else. He’s not at a disadvantage, he’s on an even playing field.
Clark Kent’s relationship with magic has always been complicated, and he’s spent some of his Absolute Power arc reliving many of his most defining moments with magic. From an attempted living room magic show as a child, to his first encounter with Kid Warlock, it’s been a running theme in his life. With a character as seemingly untouchable as Superman, anything that can affect him ends up taking a place of importance. Yet, as Superman points out, he’s never been weak to magic. Instead, he’s as vulnerable as everyone else. He’s not at a disadvantage, he’s on an even playing field.
For Superman, being on equal footing as his fellow superheroes (or even the average person) doesn’t intimidate him. He’s not afraid of magic, and he doesn’t get caught up in the idea that a magic user can hurt him more easily than most combatants. Kid Warlock counted on an easy victory, and he’s not the only one who expects Superman to be felled by magic, but Clark’s victory in the Oblivion Bar finally proves that it’s not that simple. Magic isn’t a failsafe victory against Superman – it signals to him that he’ll need to fight smarter and harder.
Superman isn’t immune to magic, but it doesn’t hold any special power over him, and he won’t let it slow him down.
Superman Confirms Once More That Nothing Can Hold Him Back
Not Even Magic
Not only has Clark learned not to fear magic, he’s particularly motivated to do whatever is necessary to defeat Amanda Waller. Magic won’t stand in his way after she used his own son against him. Clark’s family, friends, and the whole world are in danger. If he’s willing to face an entire room of magic users, even without his usual powers to aid him, then it clearly doesn’t have the type of advantage over him that many assume. Superman isn’t immune to magic, but it doesn’t hold any special power over him, and he won’t let it slow him down.
Superman
#17
is available now from DC Comics.
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SUPERMAN #17 (2023) |
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Superman (2023)
IT’S THE DAWN OF DC! Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test
