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For Tomorrow (comics)
For Tomorrow (comics)
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For Tomorrow
Cover of Superman: For Tomorrow Vol. 2 (2005), hardcover edition, art by Jim Lee.
Publication information
Publication dateJune 2004 – May 2005
Main character(s)Superman
Father Leone
Mr. Orr
Wonder Woman
Zod
Batman
Creative team
Written byBrian Azzarello
PencillerJim Lee
InkerScott Williams
LettererNick J. Napolitano
ColoristAlex Sinclair
Collected editions
Volume 1 hardcoverISBN 1401203515
Volume 2 hardcoverISBN 1401207154
Absolute EditionISBN 140122198X
Deluxe EditionISBN 1401295150

"For Tomorrow" is a 2004–2005 American comic book story arc published in Superman #204–215 by the comic book publishing company DC Comics. Written by Brian Azzarello and penciled by Jim Lee, with inks by Scott Williams, the story begins a year after a million people (including Superman's wife, Lois Lane) mysteriously vanish from the face of the earth. As the Man of Steel tries to solve the puzzle while dealing with his personal loss - as well as guilt over failing to prevent the disaster - a parallel story line concerns a priest questioning his faith and serving as Superman's confessor. This eventually gives way to a plot in which a megalomaniac bent on interplanetary conquest begins his attempt to capture his targets, and fighting through a heavy heart, Superman must stop him.

Coming off of the successful Batman story arc Batman: Hush, Jim Lee's involvement as penciller on this story made it very highly anticipated.[1] Although Azzarello's story received mixed reviews, Lee and Williams' artwork was highly praised, and the series was financially lucrative enough for DC to publish an Absolute Edition hardcover in April 2009.[2]

Background

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"For Tomorrow" is told in medias res, centering upon two events that took place prior to the story's start. The first is "The Vanishing", where a million people mysteriously disappeared from the planet, including Lois Lane, leaving only ghostly shadows where they had vanished. The second is Superman's creation of an alternate reality, which he meant to use as a refuge for the people of Earth to use in the event of planet-wide emergency, such as the one that befell Krypton. When creating this reality, Superman also built robots in the likeness of Jor-El, Lara and his civilian identity of Clark Kent to protect it. However, upon its completion, he felt that it was not his place to change the course of a planet's destiny and put the world in the Phantom Zone, erasing his memory of creating it.

Plot

[edit]

The story opens with Superman struggling with the fact that he could not save all the people that were caught in The Vanishing. He visits Father Leone, a priest suffering from cancer, in his church. Superman tells him how he was in outer space saving Green Lantern Kyle Rayner when The Vanishing occurred, outlining his feelings of guilt as he feels he abandoned Earth when it needed him most.

This is a first of several 'confessionals' between Superman and Leone. At their next encounter, Superman explains how he traced the source of The Vanishing to an unnamed country in the Middle East. In the midst of a war, Superman removes from one side all of their weapons; on the other he faces General Nox, a military leader intent on taking over the country. Nox refuses to stand down and, along with his super-powered minion Equus, fights against Superman's interference. Equus is injured and, in a last-ditch attempt to escape, activates the Vanishing Device, creating a second "Vanishing", which causes himself, Nox, and 300,000 more people to vanish. This leads to Superman having to face the anger of the public and the JLA.

Taking control of the Vanishing Device, Superman and Leone travel to the Fortress of Solitude, where they try to perfect the device so that Superman can vanish himself to discover where the other people were taken. Before he gets a chance to do so, he is confronted by Wonder Woman, who attempts to stop Superman from carrying out his plan. She believes Superman's efforts are likely to result in his death, amounting to a suicide mission. The Fortress of Solitude is also visited by Mr. Orr, who tracked Leone via a painkilling injection Orr administered earlier. Orr is a mercenary who is working for a mysterious group of powerful individuals described by Orr himself as having "80% of the world population working for them in one way or another". Superman fights Wonder Woman and then tells her that the Fortress is set to self-destruct. He also asks her to save Orr and Leone. Moments before the Fortress explodes, he vanishes himself, transporting him to Metropia, the paradise world he had created in the Phantom Zone.

In Metropia, Superman is reunited with Lois Lane. He also learns of General Zod's existence in Metropia. It turns out that it was this Zod who was behind The Vanishing, as he was trying to build an empire in Metropia. The robots that Superman built attack Zod, Equus, who is now working for Zod, and Zod's other followers. The robots are destroyed, which prompts Superman to attack, defeating Equus and Zod. He transports everyone back to Earth and destroys Metropia. During the last moments of the alternate world, Superman tries to help Zod by saving his life, which the latter refuses to allow.

As this is occurring, it is shown that Orr has talked to Leone about Superman. Orr has learned of Leone's cancer and says that he can cure him. The "cure" turns out to be a biological experiment that transforms Leone into an enhanced version of Equus called Pilate. Upon his return to Earth, Superman confronts Leone, who asks Superman to kill him. Horrified at this request, Superman refuses to do so. As Leone continues to argue with him, a recovered Equus attacks, probably thinking that Leone, a construct like himself will help him in fighting Superman. Leone, in a last act of desperation, lunges at Equus, driving them both into a fiery nova, which transports them to an island where they continue to fight. Lois and all the others that disappeared in The Vanishing return to Earth.

Having restored the victims of The Vanishing, Superman has saved the day again. He proceeds to construct a new Fortress of Solitude in the midst of a 'jungle'. Reminiscing about the events, he asks himself, while he has saved countless millions of lives over the years, who will save him when the end comes. With these threads tied, the story ends, but the issues of Orr and the mysterious organization are left unresolved.[3]

Continuity

[edit]

Equus returns in Countdown to Final Crisis #36 (2007), in which he is trying to instigate a strike on metahumans. The unnamed organization mentioned by Orr is revealed in the 2008 Cyborg limited series to be Project M, which was once part of Checkmate department tasked with researching new human weapons.

Collected editions

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The series has been collected into two volumes:

There is also an Absolute Edition:

  • Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow (304 pages, hardcover, DC Comics, April 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2198-X)

There is also a trade paperback of the whole story in one single volume, released in February 2013 (ISBN 1-4012-3780-0). The volume went to a second printing in June 2013.

There is also the Superman: For Tomorrow 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, published on 4 December 2019, ISBN 978-1-40129-515-8.[8]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Superman: For Tomorrow is a twelve-issue comic book storyline published by DC Comics in Superman (vol. 2) #204–215, spanning from June 2004 to May 2005. Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Jim Lee with inks by Scott Williams, the narrative follows Superman as he grapples with the aftermath of a cataclysmic event in which millions of people, including his wife Lois Lane, vanish without a trace from Earth. This disappearance leaves Superman wracked with guilt, leading him to seek counsel from a terminally ill priest named Father Daniel Leone in a series of confessional sequences that frame the story. The plot delves into Superman's internal conflicts over his alien origins, his god-like powers, and the limits of his intervention in affairs, as he investigates whether his own actions may have triggered the vanishing. Key elements include escalating tensions with other heroes, such as a brutal confrontation with , and the emergence of antagonists like the cybernetically enhanced villain Equus, all building toward a revelation about the mastermind behind the crisis. The storyline explores profound themes of faith, responsibility, and the cost of heroism, portraying Superman as an increasingly isolated and tormented figure questioning how far he should go "for tomorrow." Originally released as individual issues, For Tomorrow was collected into two trade paperback volumes: the first compiling issues #204–209 in May 2006, and the second gathering #210–215 in August 2005. A deluxe edition commemorating the 15th anniversary was published on December 4, 2019, presenting the complete saga in a single 344-page volume with a new cover by . This arc marked a significant chapter in post- Superman continuity, influencing later explorations of the character's psychological depth.

Publication and Development

Publication History

"For Tomorrow" was serialized across twelve consecutive issues of (vol. 2), from #204 to #215, between cover dates of June 2004 and May 2005. The storyline debuted in issue #204, released on April 28, 2004, which introduced the arc's pivotal premise. Subsequent issues followed a monthly release schedule, culminating in #215, which hit stands on April 20, 2005. The arc was formatted as standard ongoing comic book issues, fully integrated into the established Superman vol. 2 series without deviation into a prestige format or standalone miniseries. This approach allowed the narrative to unfold within the continuity of the monthly title, written by Brian Azzarello. Initial excitement for the project stemmed from artist Jim Lee's high-profile return to illustrating Superman, building on the momentum from his blockbuster Batman: Hush collaboration earlier in the decade, with previews appearing in industry magazines by late 2003.

Creative Process

The creative process for For Tomorrow began when artist approached writer to collaborate on a year-long storyline in the Superman series, despite Azzarello's initial hesitation about tackling the character. Azzarello focused the narrative on Superman's internal struggles, portraying him as a figure burdened by perfection and the consequences of his rare mistakes, which created a somber tone emphasizing personal doubt over external triumphs. This approach stemmed from Azzarello's view of Superman as an enigmatic ideal, harder to humanize than flawed anti-heroes like Batman, leading to a story that delved into themes of isolation and self-recrimination following a global catastrophe. Production faced challenges inherent to Jim Lee's intricate penciling style, which demanded extensive time for rendering detailed panels and dynamic compositions, contributing to the meticulous pace of the 12-issue arc serialized from 2004 to 2005. The series maintained a consistent monthly schedule without fill-in artists, allowing Lee's vision to unify the visual storytelling throughout. Following its serialization, For Tomorrow was compiled into several collected editions to make the complete arc accessible. The first hardcover volume, covering issues #204–209, was released in April 2005 (ISBN 1401203515), followed by the second volume for issues #210–215 in August 2005 (ISBN 1401207154). An oversized Absolute Edition, featuring the full story with additional sketches and bonus material, appeared in April 2009 (ISBN 140122198X). A trade paperback reprint of the complete was published in February 2013 (ISBN 1401237800), and a 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, with enhanced formatting and new afterword content, followed in December 2019 (ISBN 1401295150). No direct adaptations of For Tomorrow into film, animation, or other media have been produced.

Creative Team

Brian Azzarello

Brian Azzarello is an acclaimed comic book writer renowned for his gritty, noir-infused narratives, most notably the Vertigo series 100 Bullets (1999–2009), which he co-created with artist Eduardo Risso and which garnered multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards for its intricate plotting and morally complex characters. His style, characterized by terse dialogue, psychological depth, and explorations of power and corruption, had previously been featured in DC works like Batman: Broken City (2003–2004), but Azzarello's experience with Superman prior to For Tomorrow was minimal, positioning the 2004–2005 arc as a significant milestone in his transition to mainstream superhero storytelling. In For Tomorrow, Azzarello's script delves into Superman's profound crisis of faith in the wake of a mysterious event that displaces millions, framing the Man of Steel's internal turmoil through confessional sessions with Father Leone, a cancer-stricken who serves as both spiritual guide and foil. These encounters facilitate philosophical dialogues on themes of , guilt, and the burdens of omnipotence, humanizing while underscoring his alienation from humanity. Azzarello structured the 12-issue storyline to methodically unpack Superman's god-like isolation, interweaving global threats with personal reflection to emphasize the hero's existential dilemmas. He collaborated with artist on the project.

Jim Lee and Art Team

served as the penciller for For Tomorrow, marking a significant project for the artist following his prominent role in the 1990s era, where he co-founded the publisher and contributed to high-profile titles like WildC.A.T.s and Deathblow. His involvement brought a return to DC's flagship character , showcasing Lee's signature dynamic and highly detailed style, particularly in intense action sequences such as the climactic confrontation between Superman and in the Phantom Zone. This approach emphasized fluid motion, muscular anatomy, and dramatic perspectives, enhancing the epic scale of the battles while maintaining emotional depth in character expressions. The art team supporting Lee included longtime collaborator Scott Williams on inks, who provided tight, clean linework that preserved the precision of Lee's pencils and amplified the aesthetic across the 12-issue arc. Colors were handled by Alex Sinclair, whose vibrant palette added atmospheric depth, from the stark desolation of vanished urban landscapes to the ethereal glow of otherworldly environments. Lee also created the cover artwork, featuring symbolic imagery like crowds dissolving into nothingness, which captured the story's central mystery of the "Vanishing" and drew readers in with bold compositions and Superman's imposing yet introspective figure. Lee's visuals excelled in rendering Metropia, Superman's constructed utopian alternate reality, as a pristine, gleaming metropolis with soaring architecture and harmonious societal elements that contrasted sharply with Earth's chaos, underscoring themes of creation and hubris through meticulous environmental details. The integration of the Phantom Zone was another highlight, depicted as a haunting, ghostly dimension with swirling voids and spectral figures, where Lee's use of and subtle shading heightened the disorienting, prison-like isolation. Character designs stood out for antagonists like Mr. Orr, portrayed as a shadowy, enigmatic corporate figure with sleek, modern attire evoking corporate menace, and Equus, a hulking, cybernetically enhanced brute whose grotesque, armored form conveyed raw power and instability through exaggerated proportions and mechanical textures. Azzarello's script influenced Lee's panel layouts, allowing for expansive spreads that balanced dense dialogue with visual storytelling. Due to production delays inherent in Lee's intricate style, he personally handled the majority of the penciling for issues #204–215, with minor assists from additional inkers like , Sandra Hope, Matt Banning, Eric Basaldua, and Danny Miki to ensure timely release. This collaborative effort maintained consistency in the series' polished look.

Story and Themes

Plot Overview

The storyline of Superman: For Tomorrow opens with Superman confessing to Father Daniel Leone, a terminally ill serving as his spiritual guide, about his failure to prevent "The Vanishing"—a mysterious global event in which one million people, including his wife , suddenly disappear without explanation. Haunted by guilt and personal loss, Superman embarks on an investigation, allying with and Batman to uncover the truth behind the catastrophe. Their probe leads them to confront General Nox, a militaristic leader wielding advanced weaponry, his enhanced enforcer Equus, and the enigmatic Mr. Orr, a manipulative heading a shadowy organization with unclear motives tied to the disappearances. As the narrative progresses, Superman discovers a shocking : in a desperate bid to safeguard humanity from potential akin to Krypton's fate, he had secretly created Metropia, an idyllic alternate reality within the Phantom Zone populated by holographic simulations and robots mimicking his parents and Lara Lor-Van, intended as a refuge for the vanished. This admission coincides with a second wave of vanishings affecting 300,000 more individuals, escalating the crisis and forcing Superman to question his own god-like interventions in human affairs. The climax unfolds in the Phantom Zone, where Superman battles General Zod, who has emerged as a key figure exploiting Metropia and the vanishings for his own conquest ambitions. With Wonder Woman's aid and the activation of a reality-altering device within the , Superman restores the vanished individuals to Earth, unraveling much of the mystery but leaving Mr. Orr's ultimate role and shadowy network as an unresolved enigma.

Themes and Symbolism

The central theme of For Tomorrow revolves around and , particularly through Superman's introspective to Father Leone, which mirrors a profound religious as he grapples with his perceived failures and questions his identity as a messianic protector of humanity. This dialogue underscores the intermingling of fear and , with admitting feelings of selfishness and inadequacy despite his immense power, highlighting how even a near-divine being can experience spiritual turmoil. The narrative uses this to examine Superman's reliance on amid uncertainty, as he declares, "I have ," in the face of overwhelming odds and personal loss. The storyline further delves into themes of godhood and isolation, portraying Superman as a detached savior whose alien origins amplify his emotional , especially when contrasted with the frailties exposed by the Vanishing's random selection of victims, including and loved ones like . This isolation manifests in his god-like acts, such as creating a , which evoke biblical creators but also emphasize his otherness—he rejects his alias "" in favor of "Kal-El," symbolizing a drift from earthly connections toward divine detachment. The Vanishing serves as a stark reminder of vulnerability, forcing Superman to confront how his power cannot shield everyone from arbitrary fate, thus humanizing the of the invincible hero. Symbolism permeates the narrative, with Metropia depicted as a constructed in the Phantom Zone that represents Superman's in attempting to engineer paradise and atone for his heritage, ultimately revealing the dangers of imposing divine order on flawed humanity. The Phantom Zone functions as a purgatorial , a where Superman exiles threats and rebuilds society, echoing themes of judgment and exile akin to biblical . Orr's symbolizes unchecked human ambition, as its scientific pursuits rival Superman's , blending with messianic overreach to critique the perils of playing god without restraint. Recurring motifs reinforce these ideas, including biblical allusions such as the exodus-like Vanishing, which parallels the and tests collective faith, and the tension between and , exemplified by robotic recreations of Superman's parents that blur artificial salvation with genuine redemption. Redemption emerges through sacrifice, as Superman's willingness to bear the world's s—admitting, "My sin? Was to save the world"—culminates in acts that reaffirm his messianic role while acknowledging its isolating cost.

Reception

Critical Response

The critical reception to Superman: For Tomorrow was mixed, with reviewers praising its ambitious exploration of and stunning artwork while critiquing its narrative structure and accessibility. Aggregated critic scores averaged 7.5 out of 10, reflecting a consensus on its visual strengths and conceptual depth offset by execution flaws. Critics lauded Brian Azzarello's dialogue for its introspective quality, which delved into 's existential doubts and moral complexities, providing a fresh, philosophical take on the character often likened to religious allegory. Jim Lee's artwork, particularly in action sequences, was highlighted for its dynamic energy and detailed rendering, elevating even routine fights into visually compelling spectacles; Lee's contributions earned him a nomination for the 2005 Eagle Award for Favourite Comics Artist. The storyline's thematic focus on , loss, and heroism was seen as a bold departure from standard fare, with one reviewer noting its "noble and interesting failure" in attempting profound commentary on as a god-like figure. However, the series faced for pacing issues and unresolved subplots, which left some threads feeling abrupt or dangling, contributing to a sense of narrative disjointedness. The plot's complexity, involving nonlinear storytelling and cryptic elements, was said to alienate casual readers, prioritizing intellectual ambiguity over clear resolution. Villains like Equus were often described as underdeveloped, serving more as symbolic obstacles than fully realized threats, which undermined the story's emotional stakes in reviews from the era. Contemporary previews in generated initial buzz for the high-profile creative team, positioning the arc as a prestige event in Superman's post-Crisis continuity. Retrospective analyses tied to the 2019 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition reaffirmed the mixed legacy, with renewed appreciation for its artwork amid ongoing debates about its thematic ambition versus structural unevenness.

Commercial Success

The "For Tomorrow" storyline achieved notable commercial success upon its initial serialization in Superman #204–215 from 2004 to 2005, with the debut issue #204 recording 231,424 copies in retailer orders, making it the top-selling comic of 2004 according to data. This high initial demand was largely attributed to the involvement of , whose popularity helped drive preorders exceeding 200,000 units for the launch. Subsequent issues sustained strong market interest, consistently ranking in the top 10 of monthly sales charts through 2004 and into 2005, contributing to an average performance that bolstered DC's flagship title during a period of industry growth. Collected editions of the arc further demonstrated enduring appeal. The 2009 Absolute Edition, a prestige hardcover collecting the full 12-issue saga, sold well within the high-end market, capitalizing on Lee's artwork to attract collectors and fans. Reprints in subsequent formats, including the 2013 , recorded 2,315 units sold to comic shops in its debut month of February 2013. The 2019 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition achieved 428 units in December 2019, ranking #148 on ICv2's top 500 chart for that month based on sales to specialty retailers. Overall, "For Tomorrow" played a key role in the Superman line's commercial resurgence during the 2000s, aligning with a broader post-9/11 boom in that emphasized themes of heroism and global threats. The arc's sales momentum extended to crossovers and tie-ins with Justice League titles, enhancing DC's market position without detailed public royalty disclosures. Critical acclaim for the visual storytelling indirectly supported these figures by increasing visibility among readers.

Continuity and Legacy

In-Universe Continuity

For Tomorrow is situated within the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity of the , specifically in the New Earth timeline following the events of Superman: Birthright (2003–2004), which re-established 's origin, and preceding (2005–2006). The storyline unfolds in a post-9/11 context, with the mysterious disappearance of millions of people from around the world, including many from the area, serving as a central catalyst that echoes contemporary anxieties about unexplained losses and . This placement integrates the narrative into the broader Superman mythos during a period of heightened global uncertainty, positioning Superman's personal crisis as a response to events that challenge his protective role. The story builds upon established Phantom Zone lore originating from pre-Crisis comics, where the Zone functions as an interdimensional prison dimension created by to house criminals without execution. In For Tomorrow, ventures into the to investigate the vanishings, encountering a variant of from an alternate reality within it, thereby extending the Zone's conceptual framework while maintaining its punitive and otherworldly nature. Lois Lane's portrayal remains consistent with her post-Crisis characterization as Clark Kent's wife, whose unexplained disappearance drives 's emotional turmoil and quest for answers. The creation of Metropia—an artificial utopia in the Phantom Zone intended as a haven for the vanished—was ultimately disrupted within the story, with erasing its existence from his memory to avoid broader implications. No significant retcons arose from the arc, preserving its alignment with ongoing narratives. 's arc of doubt and self-questioning regarding his efficacy as a hero finds partial resolution here, informing his moral dilemmas and resolute demeanor in subsequent stories such as Superman: Sacrifice (2005).

Later Developments

Following the events of For Tomorrow, the cyborg villain Equus resurfaced in Countdown to Final Crisis #36 (September 2007), where he served as muscle for a shadowy overseer monitoring young heroes, attacking intruders including and Una in an effort to suppress threats amid escalating multiverse crises leading into the event. Mr. Orr, the enigmatic financier from For Tomorrow, returned as the central antagonist in the 2008 miniseries DC Special: Cyborg #1-6, in which his unnamed organization was explicitly identified as —a clandestine initiative repurposed to siphon military funds for developing cybernetically enhanced super-soldiers based on Vic Stone's () technology, thereby tying into broader and espionage conspiracies within the . The storyline's exploration of , , and Superman's messianic role influenced in later works, and extended into arcs like those in , where shadowy governmental cabals reminiscent of Orr's network manipulated supernatural threats.

References

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