WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Justice League Infinity #1 by JM DeMatteis, James Tucker, Ethan Beavers, Nick Filardi, and Tom Napolitano, available now.
The Superman of the DC Animated Universe who appeared in Superman: The Animated Series and multiple other shows, is one of the most popular versions of the Man of Steel ever created. This version of the iconic DC hero is seen as one of the multimedia versions of the character that most closely resembles the mainstream comic book iteration and is beloved for being optimistic and inspirational while also being a formidable protector of Earth. The character is frequently compared favorably to more controversial depictions of Superman, such as those in the Injustice or DCEU franchises, which have been subjected to criticism. However, the DCAU has also experimented with the idea of Supermen that fell from grace previously and is in the process of doing so again.
Justice League Infinity is a comic book mini-series set in the DCAU after the events of Justice League Unlimited. In the first issue, the Amazo android is traveling the universe when he encounters a surrealist environment that exacerbates his existential problems. He lashes out at his surroundings with his god-like powers and creates a crack in a wall that seems to separate dimensions, releasing a leak of unknown energy. After the crack grows and releases more and more energy it transforms Superman, who was enjoying dinner with Lois Lane. The color of his costume changes, as does the symbol on his chest, and he does not recognize Lois. He demands to know what she has done, his eyes flaring red in a way that suggests that he is prepared to use his heat vision against her.
This maddened version of Superman appears to be influenced by two other corrupted versions of the character previously featured in the DCAU. The Superman: The Animated Series episode "Brave New Metropolis" introduced an alternate timeline where Lois was killed. Led by grief, the Superman of this reality became increasingly corrupt, and he eventually teamed up with Lex Luthor to turn Metropolis into a police state. Although he redeemed himself after meeting the Lois Lane of this reality, this Superman was still a disturbing demonstration of the fact that the character wasn't incorruptible. The symbol on the costume of the new Justice League Infinity Superman is the same as the one worn by the Brave New Metropolis version.
The most popular evil DCAU Superman is the version who is a member of the Justice Lords. Introduced in the two-part Justice League episode "A Better World" the Justice Lords were the League's doppelgängers from an alternate reality in which Luthor became president and killed The Flash. The death of the heroic speedster led the Lords to become authoritarian, with their reign beginning when Superman murdered Luthor. The Lords went on to conquer the world for the sake of the greater good. Sometime after killing Lex, the Justice Lord Superman adopted a new costume, notable for its heavy use of white, including the cape. The version of the character that just debuted in Justice League Infinity uses a similar color scheme.
Given the similarity in his appearance, it seems like the new Superman is a combination of the "Brave New Metropolis" and Justice Lords versions. The one detail casting doubt on that possibility is the fact that he doesn't recognize Lois, who was important to both doppelgängers.
Ultimately, the fact that this new version of the Man of Steel does not recognize Lois suggests that he may be even more dangerous than the other iterations. Lois Lane traditionally serves as an anchor to humanity for Superman, and without her in his life, this version may prove to be the darkest take on the character yet.