WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the story "Midnighter: Future State" from Future State: Superman - Worlds of War #1 by Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Gleb Melnikov, Jordie Bellaire & Travis Lanham, on sale now
Typically, Midnighter's very specific abilities and skills make him lethal against any form of enemy. But sometimes, even he can be overwhelmed by the sheer power of an enemy, such as the one he just confronted in Future State. Making matters worse is the exact identity of the enemy -- and how personal it makes the conflict.
In a back-up in Future State: Superman - Worlds of War #1, Midnighter just found out that one of the threats to the Earth in Future State is none other than his longtime lover Apollo, who seems to have plans that result in chaos across Earth.
Midnighter and Apollo are two former members of the Authority and the most prominent WildStorm superheroes. They are also long-time romantic partners who have faught against the forces of evil while spending many years together. Midnighter even went into hell itself to save Apollo in the Midnighter & Apollo series. Their love was strong enough of a motivator to even beat back Neron. But it seems that as with many other relationships in Future State, things have radically changed for the pair.
Midnighter has continued his heroic work into this time-period, working more consistently with the Superman Family of heroes -- including Jon Kent during Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman. He's now heading to Warworld at the same Superman has found himself there fighting in gladiatorial combat. But despite his enhanced body and lethal abilities, it's clear that age is catching up to Midnighter, as his surprise mission into the mysterious base known as the Chrysalis proves. Communicating with a mysterious signal, Midnighter is sent to prevent the manufacturing of a dangerous substance known as Nirodhium. Unfortunately, the supercomputer in Midnighter's brain malfunctioning due to his close proximity to the collider at the center of the Nirodhium production.
When he finally reaches the core and takes down the guards protecting it, Midnighter is shocked to see that the man seemingly running the entire operation is none other than Apollo. It seems that Apollo has left the life of heroics behind and is behind the production of the substance for unknown purposes outside of, in his own words, to end all suffering. This sets up Apollo in opposition to the people of Earth. Midnighter's mysterious ally notes that this is just the beginning of a great deal of chaos that could spread across the entire galaxy if it isn't stopped now. It's not entirely clear what could have happened in the ensuing years from the modern-day to the events of Future State, but it's clear that Apollo has been changed in some drastic way.
Once a naturally inspiring hero and a heroic figure, it's particularly worrying to see Apollo so casually talk about how the dangerous Nirodhium will help end "all their suffering," implying he thinks creating scores of casualties is in the world's best interest. The opening page of the story even seems to hint that Midnighter won't win his fight against Apollo, setting up his possible death at the hands of the man he loves -- albeit hopefully after helping save either the world or at least Superman. It seems that Apollo is the figure writers Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad were referring to when they teased that Midnighter's challenge in Future State would pit him against an enemy that "pushes him to his limits," which is a tragic potential fate for one of DC's best superhero romances.