DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

DC Comics, a comic book giant alongside Marvel Comics in the United States, was founded in 1934.

In June 1938, the company created the world's first superhero, Superman, debuting in the inaugural issue of Action Comics, rewriting the history of American comic books.

In May 1939, the company introduced the world's first non-superpowered superhero, Batman, in Detective Comics #27.

Since then, Superman and Batman, as DC's flagship characters, have each had their own long-running series and formed a lasting partnership, often referred to as "the World's Finest."

In 1967, the company officially adopted the name DC Comics, which remains in use today. DC was acquired by the Time Warner Group in 1969 and is currently a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Entertainment.

DC's intellectual properties include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Cyborg, Shazam, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Firestorm, Atom, Black Lightning, Blue Beetle, Doctor Fate, John Constantine, and Zatanna, as well as superhero teams like the Justice League, Green Lantern Corps, Justice Society of America, Teen Titans, Justice League Dark, Suicide Squad, and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

In this Origin Universe, there is no doubt that DC Comics far surpasses Marvel—if only because of the appearance of Superboy-Prime, which proves the authenticity of the DC multiverse. That fact alone is shocking and deeply unsettling.

When the heroes and villains of DC Comics possess real world-ending power, it is like gods towering over humanity, inducing awe and fear alike.

"That's impossible!"

Wright, the head of the DC Comics Department, half-bald with a massive beer belly, broke into a cold sweat.

He stood from his comfortable desk, face filled with horror, hands trembling as they supported his heavy frame.

Wright had been head of the DC Comics Department since the Cold War era in the 1980s. He had witnessed the Watchmen Hugo Award win, the ideological battle between the U.S. and the USSR, and the hope DC's heroes brought to the world. Under his oversight, countless milestone events had taken place:

Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985–1986)

Legends (1986–1987)

Millennium (1988)

Invasion! (1988–1989)

Eclipso: The Darkness Within (1992)

Zero Hour (1994)

...and many more major events, discussed and decided alongside numerous editors-in-chief and veteran creatives.

At the end of Infinite Crisis, when Superman reached the Origin Universe, Wright—then director—realized they had unintentionally created a multiverse that now existed independently from them.

And now, Superboy-Prime had told him that the multiverse had grown beyond even their editorial control. A terrifying tyrant had been born, one who could eventually find the Origin Universe and destroy the very source of it all.

Wright sat back down in a daze, disbelief washing over him like a nightmare.

"How... how is this even possible?"

Superboy-Prime, dressed in his superhuman uniform, stood before him like a living monument, his muscular frame solid and immense. His expression was grim, like marble carved with tension.

"I've transmitted all of this directly to your mind through messaging."

"You have no choice but to believe. Gather all your editors and artists. While there's still time, draw the most powerful Superman ever, enough to expel Barmulodi from the multiverse."

His heart was heavy. Even he doubted it could be done.

Not long after, Wright recovered from the shock. Simultaneously, the U.S. military moved into DC Comics Headquarters to assess the threat's severity.

Superboy-Prime had already established contact with the U.S. government upon arriving in the Origin Universe. He now held a special official status.

DC Comics urgently convened all editors to discuss how to create the most powerful Superman in history to stand against Barmulodi.

Conference Room.

Over 120 editors filled the meeting space, and a storm of opinions broke out.

"This isn't possible. Didn't Superboy-Prime say the Speed Force Wall prevents any One God from entering the multiverse?"

"Barmulodi was born inside the multiverse."

"That's even more impossible. The multiverse doesn't have the energy or framework to birth a unique god."

"He wasn't even written in any of our DC comics. How could such a character appear out of nowhere?"

Famous editors—those responsible for key arcs in Batman, Superman, the Justice League, Teen Titans, and more—slammed their hands on the table in disbelief.

Ever since they learned of Superboy-Prime's existence, they had taken pride in having created an actual multiverse. But along with the pride came fear—fear that the power they helped bring into existence could now destroy them.

They had created something that could destroy its own creators.

"Barmulodi wasn't created by us."

Director Wright's tone was solemn.

"He must be from another story. A secondary creator. A fan-made character that accidentally entered our multiverse—coming from reality into fiction—and became its tyrant."

"You're saying..." Superboy-Prime raised his eyebrows. Something foreign had been inserted into the DC Multiverse?

A U.S. general in full uniform with rows of service ribbons—General Patton—stood up and said firmly:

"If we find the creator and stop them from continuing, can we halt Barmulodi's power?"

Wright shook his head.

"No. Barmulodi has already taken form within the DC multiverse. But halting the creator might at least stop him from growing stronger. We must rally all superhuman forces to push him out of the multiverse."

"He may not even be in our Origin Universe."

Superboy-Prime's voice held concern.

"Regardless, we'll investigate. We'll scan every corner of Earth's network and find Barmulodi's creator. Your editorial team will immediately begin producing the comic needed to depict the most powerful Superman ever—fast enough to stop Barmulodi."

General Patton issued the order.

Superboy-Prime worked hand in hand with the U.S. government and eventually the entire world. Every human aware of the situation began searching for the creator.

The DC Comics Department suspended all existing event plans. Using the data provided by Superboy-Prime, Wright began drafting the history of Barmulodi—based on Bardi's arc. It included events from his escape from Krypton, experimentation in underground labs, exposure to solar radiation, destruction of facilities, and more. It was a powerful, flourishing history.

Despite many discrepancies, it was a 90 percent match to Bardi's current state.

Then, in a hidden corner of the multiverse, with the combined efforts of Golden Superman and Superboy-Prime, the most powerful Superman in history was born.

(To be continued.)