WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Superman #14 by Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair and Wes Abbott, on sale now.
For over a year now, DC's Superman comics have told the epic tale of the Unity Saga. This story saw the genocidal monster Rogol Zaar step out of the shadows and admit his role in the demise of Krypton. It also included an investigation into the conspiracy surrounding those who were complicit in the destruction of a planet, as well as a universe on the brink of all-out war.
What may have been even harder for fans to watch was a Superman Family on the verge of change. The Man of Steel could never trust Jor-El, he became distant with Lois Lane, he was separated from Supergirl and his relationship with Superboy was changed forever. But the end is finally here, and with the defeat of Rogol Zaar comes a now-united House of El.
Unfortunately for Superman, change is constant. Now at the end of this so-called Unity Saga, we finally come to understand what the whole story has been leading to -- the unification of the future. Superman and his family stand triumphant, but it will be a bittersweet victory before everything is said and done.
Unity Saga of the United Planets
Long before the announcement of a Legion of Super-Heroes reboot, Brian Michael Bendis promised the Unity Saga would establish the foundations of the 31st Century. He was, of course, referring to the founding of the United Planets, the governing body of worlds that would go on to create the Legion in the far-flung future.
During the course of Rogol Zaar's fight with Superman and the discovery of the Circle, the universe was flung into chaos. The revelation that there was a group of world leaders making decisions in secret that would affect countless worlds and destroy untold lives was too much for anyone to handle. Alliances were broken and the DC Universe's most prominent alien races all went to war with each other.
Despite Jor-El and Jon Kent's attempts to intercede in the growing conflict, nothing could be done to stop the bloodshed. Those in power were still free to decide the fate of any world they chose. Not even the death of Lord Gandelo and the defeat of Rogol Zaar was enough to stop the war that had long outgrown any means to control it.
Clearly sensing a need to establish a permanent and meaningful ceasefire, and also solve the issue of accountability in the universe, the House of El found a solution. At the suggestion of a teenage Jon Kent, these factions would come together in a galactic version of the United Nations -- they would be the United Planets.
The Heroes of the Future are Here Today
With a governing body now in place to keep law and order in the universe, final victory was achieved. The war was over, lives were saved, and -- most important -- legacy was assured. Not moments after the formation of the United Planets was agreed upon did the Legion of Super-Heroes appear to pay respects to this momentous occasion, known to them as Unity Day.
Although the team will be properly returning in the pages of Millennium and a new Legion of Super-Heroes title, everyone made it here for the special day. The leaders of the team -- Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lad -- lead the way, but there are over two dozen faces in the crowd to see. If you have the book in front of you, take a moment to soak it all in.
Old favorites like Brainiac 5, Bouncing Boy, Dawnstar, Wildfire, Mon-El, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Ultra Boy, Timber Wolf and Shadow Lass are in the scene. New interpretations of Triplicate Girl, Matter-Eater Lad, Dream Girl, Star Boy, Sun Boy and White Witch are also present. That still doesn't even include the several other members who aren't so easily identifiable just yet.
If you're a longtime fan of the Legion who has missed the super team from the future these last few years, Superman #14 offers the most satisfying ending in a long time. The scene isn't just a celebration of the victory happening in the present, but also the success that has been taken into the future for a better tomorrow. There's no greater way to honor the legacy of Superman and his family.
Back to the Future of the Legion
In celebration of Unity Day, the Legion of Super-Heroes traveled back to the 21st Century to make a very special offer. As thanks, they want to bring the founder of the United Planets into the future to see what the work done in the present leads to. Much to Superman's surprise, that offer is not made to him, but to his son instead!
Jon Kent now has the opportunity to see what the future has in store for the universe, and he only has to say yes. We know Superboy will be heading to the future because DC Comics has revealed this information before, but to see it all play out in the comics is a special thing. To watch a character grow so much in such a small amount of time is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Since his introduction, Jon has wanted nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of his father, but that path may be coming sooner than Superman ever expected. He's already been artificially aged into a teenager and spent time away with his grandfather off in space. Superman just got his son back, and now he will have to say goodbye to him all over again.
However, as bittersweet as this victory will be, time is constantly moving -- almost faster than we want it to -- and a heroic destiny waits for no one. Superboy will follow in the footsteps of his father, just not in the way, or in the time period, he expected. His future lies in the 31st century, and this could be the start of something really super.