WARNING: the following contains spoilers for Superman: Man of Tomorrow #7, by Dave Wielgosz, Miguel Mendonca, David Baron, Clayton Cowles and Andrew Marino, available now.
Superman is indisputably one of, if not the most, powerful hero in the DC Universe. To this end, Superman villains such as Toyman, Bruno Mannheim and even Lex Luthor are far from a physical threat to the Man of Steel. Still, rogues such as General Zod, Bizarro and Doomsday are just as, if not more, powerful than Superman. Their fights showcase this strength and typically result in major destruction to Metropolis.
In Superman: Man of Tomorrow #7, Clark Kent thus seeks out guidance to better control his powers and defend the citizens of Metropolis. This leads to the introduction of one of the most powerful New Gods ever seen, in what can be compared to a training sequence from Dragon Ball Z.
Man of Steel, World of Kleenex
The issue's "The Wrath of Wioska" story, by Dave Wielgosz and Miguel Mendonca, begins with the aftermath of an especially violent battle between Superman and Mongul. Observing the carnage, Superman decides that, as valiant as his efforts are to protect Metropolis from invaders, they aren't enough to keep unnecessary destruction at bay. Seeking aid elsewhere, he travels to the alien planet of Gatoshi, where he finds the wizened Wioska, one of the most powerful New Gods. Wioska -- who is a new character -- had previously been one of Apokolips' fiercest warriors, training generations of killers and even became feared by the likes of Granny Goodness. Leaving that world behind, she vowed for a more peaceful path, but accepted the role of training the Last Son of Krypton in the better use of his powers. She is somewhat androgynous in appearance, but later remarks that Superman is too slow for an old woman, referencing herself.
Wioska begins by psychologically shackling Superman with the Bonds of Yuga Khan, which is named after the father of Darkseid. The bonds weaken Superman to a tenth of his power, and restrain him with the fear of the power levels of villains such as Darkseid, Doomsday and Ultraman. Wioska's training begins with a race. The weakened Superman trails behind as Wioska's blitzes away. Likewise, Superman is barely able to hold back the punches of a gigantic rhino alien, one which Wioska mentions was no threat to Darkseid's son Kalibak. Her next challenge forces Superman to climb a peak of spiky edges, as he is no longer able to simply fly up the height. Despite her subsequent pummeling of him in a fist fight with her extreme power and speed, Superman gets back up to continue the challenge.
Battle of the Gods
Wioska instructs Superman in the mentality she passed on to the Female Furies, which made them view their power and training both defensively and offensively. The next day, Wioska completes Superman's training when the New God unleashes a wave of deadly energy on a crowd of innocent alien bystanders. Superman is able to absorb and deflect the energy, as Wioska mocks him for thinking only as a shield. Tapping into unknown power levels, Superman's diminished powers return as he is enveloped in red energy. He quickly speeds up beyond Wioska's reflexes, before throwing her and leaping off into the air. Fully in control of his powers and having avoided collateral damage, he unleashes the full force of his heat vision on the unsuspecting New God. Wioska congratulates him and lets him know that his power is no threat to innocents, as he has a hero's heart.
The arc is highly reminiscent of something out of Dragon Ball Z, particularly the superhuman training challenges. This is also evident in the looks of planet Gatoshi and Wioska, with the newest New God looking very much like the Supreme Kai and to some extent, Beerus. Wioska's casual throwing of energy blasts, a power uncommon to New Gods, is also similar to that franchise. Giving the casual similarities between Superman and Goku, not to mention their being matched up in out-of-continuity fights, this story is more than a bit meta.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow #7 is on sale now.