In this review of Superman Unlimited #6, Superman puts himself at risk to save Lois and Castilho gains access to Kryptonian tech.
SUPERMAN UNLIMITED #6
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art and Main Cover: RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Variant Covers: MARK SPEARS, GUILLEM MARCH, TIAGO DA SILVA, DENYS COWAN
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 10/15/25
This review contains spoilers
When we last left Superman in Superman Unlimited #5, things were looking rough. His special suit to protect him from the kryptonite in Emerald City’s mines was cracked, exposing him to the deadly effects of the green crystal. Lois had discovered Castilho’s evil ways and was about to be attacked by him for it.
Superman Unlimited #6 finds Superman in a weakened state as the head of Kobra, Naga, tells his minions to attack the Man of Steel. While Clark deals with that threat, Lois takes matters into her own hands, calling the Supermobile to rocket into the mines and rescue her. It arrives just as Castilho is about to strike. She’s able to hop in and snatch the Sunstone crystal, flying out of the mines.
Superman uses his new golden powers to take out the Kobra assassins. After making quick work of them, he turns his sights to Castilho, but has to leave him for later because the Krypto Knights are attacking Lois in the Supermobile. In the struggle, Superman’s golden powers run out and the Sunstone gets knocked to the ground below. It buries itself into the ground, immediately going to work at building a green kryptonite fortress in the middle of the city. Despite not having superpowers, Superman is able to save a child from being crushed by toppling buildings caused by the rapidly growing fortress.
After the good people of El Caldero dig Superman and the child out from the rubble, Castilho shows his true colors once again, asking a powerless Superman to escort Lois and the Daily Planet crew out of the city, threatening her and the crew with imprisonment if he doesn’t. As they leave the city, Castilho takes a seat in the throne of the green fortress. He now has full access to Kryptonian technology and begins armor preparations for Superman’s return.
Superman Unlimited #6 closes out with Lana Lang and John Henry Irons welcoming Superboy to the new Steelworks Campus, where Superboy will be helping with some kryptonite trials in the near future.
Analysis
Superman Unlimited #6 is part two of two of the King’s Ransom arc. It’s another good issue in which we get to see Superman’s new powers and the consequences of their use. I like that he can become immune to kryptonite for 199 seconds, but it comes at the cost of leaving him completely vulnerable. It’s a new twist that keeps him from being overpowered. We get to see him rescue a child, not worrying about being powerless and at risk of being killed. It’s that selflessness that truly makes him super, not his powers, and I like to see that side of the character explored here.
Superman Unlimited #6 is driven by the fact that Lois had to tag along in secret, a questionable decision that causes everything else to happen. Dan Slott is riding a fine line here, though. It still feels like the choice to include her in this way is a little forced, but without her being in peril, Superman using his golden powers makes things too quick and easy.
The character of Castilho is written as a coward who will do anything for power and he is written effectively. Now that he has it in the form of his own fortress and Kryptonian tech, he will present a challenge for Superman in future issues. He’s not a criminal mastermind on the levels of Lex Luthor, but his motives are similar. The way he acts has me looking forward to Superman handling him.
The beautiful cover art by Rafael Albuquerque and Marcelo Maiolo has golden Superman front and center. The interior art duties in this issue are shared by Albuquerque and Mike Norton. They continue to do great work. The few panels in which we see Superman using his golden powers are some of the best, as Maiolo does well with bringing that lens flare effect to highlight Superman’s radiance.
Final Thoughts
I’ll put this one on par with the previous issue. It does well with continuing the story and has plenty of action throughout. Through six issues, Superman Unlimited has been a fun read, making the Man of Steel vulnerable, but still super, thanks to his strong character. Have fun, comic lovers!
