Superman #19 by Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez, and Ariana Maher marks the long-awaited comeback of Doomsday in Superman canon. The monster initially appears in his usual form, a giant-sized monster wreaking havoc. Superman and the freshly debuted Superwoman prepare to face off against the rampaging beast, but then time freezes and Time Trapper appears. The situation takes a dramatic turn when Time Trapper lowers his cloak, revealing that he's secretly been Doomsday all along.

With this bewildering plot twist, Doomsday evolves beyond his primitive state and becomes an intellectual equal to Superman. Moreover, this Time Trapper redesign for Doomsday gives the two a deep connection that redefines Superman's deadliest rivalry - one that will endure until the end of time itself.

Doomsday Makes His Groundbreaking Return – As The Most Unexpected Classic DC Villain Possible

Superman #19 – Written By Joshua Williamson; Art By Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez, & Ariana Maher

Doomsday's return comes as quite a shock after all this time. The monster from Superman's past has come back plenty of times before to engage in combat the Man of Steel. However, he was thwarted and sent to Hell in Doomsday has broken out of Hell. Furthermore, his newfound identity as Time Trapper marks a staggering departure from his usual appearances.

First appearing in 1992's Superman: The Man of Steel #17, Doomsday is a horrific creature who's since been given a backstory that involves Kryptonian experimentation. One of his more noticeable traits, aside from his demonic body, is his lack of intelligent speech. Rather than engaging in discussions with Superman, Doomsday prefers to settle their differences in battle. Their first iconic clash ended with the infamous Doomsday has unlocked various powerful forms. Here, his latest redesign as the enigmatic Time Trapper might be the most shocking form he's ever taken in Superman history.

Who Is Time Trapper? Doomsday's Alter Ego, Explained

How The Doomsday Reveal Changes The Character's History

Time Trapper has been a villain in the DC Universe for some time prior to this reveal, though he's not as intrinsically linked to Superman as Doomsay. Time Trapper debuted in Adventure Comics #317 – written by Edmond Hamilton, with art by John Forte, and Milt Snapinn – as an adversary to the Legion of Super-Heroes. His identity has technically been a mystery since his conception, with a cloak always obscuring his face, but that doesn't mean there haven't been attempts to expose his identity before. To list a few, Time Trapper has been revealed as Rokk Krinn, Superboy-Prime, and now Doomsday.

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While Superman #19 definitively shows that Time Trapper's true face is that of Doomsday, it remains to be seen whether this identity will last. It's even been speculated that Time Trapper may not have a single consistent identity. Brainiac-5 previously proposed the explanation that Time Trapper is a timeline that's gained sentience and rebels against the main DC Universe timeline, which would explain the fluctuation of his true name and appearance. Regardless of this twist's long-term trajectory, Time Trapper has taken the form of Doomsday, and this will impact the trajectory of his dynamic with Superman in unforeseen ways.

Superman And "Time Trapper," AKA Doomsday, Are Fated For The Ultimate Final Battle

Superman #19 Is Available Now From DC Comics

Prior DC stories have explored Superman's immortality, teasing the idea that he will outlive everything he knows and loves. This issue adds that Superman won't be entirely alone, and that one entity will be there with him when all else has been lost to time: Doomsday, in the form of Time Trapper. Due to their shared immortality, Doomsday knows the truth about Superman's lifespan, despite Clark hiding it from the people he cares about. This understanding they share gives them an eerie bond unlike any dynamic Superman has had with Doomsday before, making this Time Trapper variant all the more compelling.

The Time Trapper version of Doomsday has traveled back to recruit Superman's help, and readers get a glimpse of where he comes from at the story's start. Superman is depicted standing with Doomsday at what's referred to as "The End", and only they remain when all else is gone. With this epic moment, Superman and Doomsday are officially destined for a confrontation at the end of time. The subject of their debate is left unknown for now, though all will be made clear soon now that Doomsday has returned to Superman lore as the mysterious Time Trapper.

Superman #19 is available now from DC Comics.

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Superman (2023)

Writer

Joshua Williamson

Penciler

Jamal Campbell

Colorist

Jamal Campbell

Letterer

Ariana Maher

IT’S THE DAWN OF DC! Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test

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Superman

Alias

Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent

Created By

Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel

Franchise

D.C.

Race

Kryptonian

First Appearance

Action Comics

Alliance

Justice League, Superman Family

The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.

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