WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman #28, from Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis and Clayton Cowles, now available digitally.
When Superman gets a new suit or upgrades it's usually a big deal, especially if it's permanent. Apart from the various Elseworlds stories where he fights Batman, or alternate reality cartoons such as the Batman Beyond Universe, we've seen him change his look recently in the New 52. There are also some tweaks to come in the upcoming Future State.
The Man of Steel just donned a new costume in Superman #28, and this time it's given to him by his deadliest enemy in the Synmar collective.
Kal-El ends up in the Synmar solar system after a scrap in the Phantom Zone. He's been brought there as a tribute and an inspiration by the general known as Eisno Alkor, who beat him up badly. But Eisno runs into problems with his seniors who don't believe this is the way to motivate their clan, and that bringing a weakened Superman here has endangered the species, leading to a civil war breaking out.
As this happens, Superman negotiates with Eisno's mate, his "light partner," who confirmed the warrior lost his mind after their civil war and wanted to strike first against Kal-El as he thought the Kryptonian would one day come to conquer their world. Superman promises he won't ever do such a thing, but as the council bickers with Eisno to send Kal-El back home, Superman can tell there'll be lives lost if he doesn't step in.
Superman wants to stop Eisno, not just because it'll allow him to go home, but to stop unnecessary bloodshed and ignorance from claiming lives. And so, he asks for military fittings, which results in him getting gauntlets, boots and a chest plate reminiscent of Superboy-Prime when he broke bad. It's gold, which gives Kal-El a regal, elegant look. When he flies down with Synmar's army it's all business. The orange sun in this solar system depleted him, but now Kal's powers are strengthened more than before and the Kryptonian comes in swinging. He begs Eisno to stop his stupid crusade, but ultimately, it comes to whoever survives the blows being thrown. Superman ends up standing tall over his opponent after a flurry of punches.
There's a lot of collateral damage, but luckily, no innocents are killed in the melee, reminding us of when he battles the likes of Doomsday, Zod or Rogol Zarr. In this case, Kal's energy levels, even with his military add-ons being damaged in the process, are enough to incapacitate Eisnor. Superman eventually leaves him with the lesson that it's always better to converse first before fighting. After the United Planet Brigade arrives to patch things up, Kal heads home to protect Earth once more. He doesn't like that he had to pummel Eisnor but he's relieved Synmar's people are now getting the help and the leadership they need and deserve.