9 Vol. 1

This book is the opening of DC's Superman series during the New 52 era, created by writer Scott Snyder and artist Jim Lee, and one of the commemorative works for Superman's 75th anniversary. The story opens in the skies over Metropolis and stretches to corners of the globe: long before the Last Son of Krypton became Earth's guardian, another powerful being descended from the sky, and the role he played in war later became a dark secret America deliberately buried. Years later, that secret resurfaces, and this "super-soldier" appears in the world once more. Meanwhile, Superman must also contend with Lex Luthor, the Son of Steel's archenemy; reporter Lois Lane; and Lois's cold-hearted father, General Sam Lane; a high-tech terrorist organization called Ascension with countless ties to the past, an alien "wraith" more powerful than Superman, and a mysterious Earth stone are all drawn into the same intricate puzzle. The whole work interweaves memory, conspiracy, and direct conflict, featuring both scenes of Superman fighting alongside Batman and the everyday life between Clark and Lois. When a being of equal or greater power appears, the two men's views, methods, and ultimate choices form a sharp contrast. After the smoke clears, only a Superman who truly understands the meaning of "unbound" can break free. This volume is Vol. 1 of the series.