In this review of Superman #30, the search for Booster Gold and the fight against the Legion of Darkseid continues.
SUPERMAN #30
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and Main Cover by DAN MORA
Variant Covers DAVID AJA, ARIEL OLIVETTI, CLAUDIO CASTELLINI, SAOWEE, TOM REILLY
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 9/24/25
This review contains spoilers
Superman #30 is part three of the Legion of Darkseid story which finds Superman teaming up with Superboy Prime to rescue Booster Gold from the 31st century and Legionnaires who are in league with Darkseid (or at least what remains of him). The story opens with some backstory of how this timeline’s Saturn Girl came to be involved with the Legion of Darkseid. Her mind-reading abilities were invaded by a voice and mental images that drove her to search worlds across the universe for other beings who have heard this call.
At the end of Superman #29, in a bit of a twist after coming along to help, Superboy Prime suddenly turns on Superman and joins the evil Legion. Picking up where that issue left off, Prime now subdues Superman, but members of the Legion still don’t trust him. Saturn Girl senses that his intentions are true and calls off the Legion. She shares the Legion’s plan with Prime, describing how Booster Gold’s Omega Energy prevents Darkseid from fully returning. This means that Booster has to die. Meanwhile, Superman is being beaten to a pulp by the evil Legionnaires, so he’s not able to protect Booster while Saturn Girl shares the plan.
We get a quick three-page interlude showing Lex Luthor meditating in a snowy castle just before being attacked by a follower of Darkseid. Lex quickly dispatches the sole attacker and heads out into the blizzard.
The story cuts back to the ruins of the 31st century with Booster Gold strapped to a machine that will collect his blood. Once his blood powers the machine, Omega Energy will be sent out into time and space to aid in Darkseid’s return. Superman implores Saturn Girl to stop, but she ignores his requests and asks Superboy Prime to prove his allegiance to the Darkseid by killing Booster Gold.
Just when you think the Prime has fully reverted to his wicked ways, a reverse of the previous issue’s twist happens. Instead of killing Booster, Prime turns his heat vision up to 1000 and blasts a large portion of the evil Legionnaires. Superman breaks free from his chains and, together with Prime, proceeds to return the beatdown he received.
With Darkseid’s evil Legion knocked back for a moment, Prime tosses Booster Gold into a portal created earlier by evil Element Lad and tells Superman to take him home. Superman gives Prime his Legion Ring and wants to stay to help, but Prime lets Supes know the only way to stop Darkseid is by returning to save the past. He knocks Superman into the portal, puts on the Legion Ring, and joins up with the remaining good Legionnaires of the 31st century to fight the evil ones.
Back at the Justice League Watchtower, Flash and Time Trapper are in the middle of an argument when a Priority Omega Alert comes through signaling the portal that’s opening up on Earth. Booster and Superman, both in rough shape, step out with Superman calling everyone to the Watchtower immediately. The issue ends on that note, bringing us one step closer to Darkseid’s return.
Joshua Williamson has been putting together an enjoyable Superman story for a while now and Superman #30 is no exception. The twists and turns with Superboy Prime drive this three-parter and it’s good to see that Superman has a new ally. Dan Mora and Alejandro Sanchez’s art and coloring are excellent. The level of detail and consistency in the character drawings is perfect. Strong action and emotions come through in each panel.
A final thought – one thing that Superboy Prime tells Superman right before knocking him into the portal is that the only way to stop Darkseid is to not hold back. We know that Superman can and will give it his all, but will that be enough this time? It seems like Kal-El is going to need some help with this one.
Final Thoughts
Superman #30 is an all-around good conclusion to the three-part Legion of Darkseid story leading up to the events of DC K.O. The action is nonstop from beginning to end, the art is top notch, and there’s plenty of excitement leading into the next issue. If you’re behind on this title, issues 28, 29, and 30 are a good chance to catch up and have fun for the next major event.
