In this review of Superman #40, Prime’s battle with Manchester Black comes to a conclusion, but can Superman’s stand-in prove he’s worthy of the title?
SUPERMAN #40
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: MARK SPEARS, JAVI FERNANDEZ, EDDY BARROWS, and TIRSO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 7/22/26
This review contains spoilers
As Superman #40 begins, the fight between Superboy-Prime and Manchester Black rages on through Prime’s mind and eventually is carried into the real world, landing the pair at Asteroid Comics in Metropolis. Of course, the staff recognize CK while he’s tearing up the shop trying to stop Black and get out of his way.
The two trade massive attacks back and forth across the store before moving out onto the streets. When Prime realizes he can’t beat Black in straight combat, he uses his Continuity Vision to bombard Manchester’s mind with all of his knowledge of comic book history.
The information dump overwhelms Black, allowing Prime to win the fight. Manchester gets banished to the Phantom Zone, but Prime is chastised by Mr. Terrific for his approach, having granted the villain a vast array of superhero secrets.
Feeling defeated, Prime flies off to help rebuild the comic shop. The boss and staff accept his assistance. They tell him he can keep his job and they’ll keep his secret safe. While there, CK and Rebecca have a discussion about the greatness that comic books represent, helping to boost Prime’s spirits.
Before Superman #40 concludes, CK thanks us for coming on the adventure with him over the last few issues. He’s interrupted by Supergirl, who informs him there’s a problem in El Caldero, a lead-in for the upcoming “Kingdom of Zod” event.
Analysis
While Joshua Williamson isn’t able to top Superman #39’s level of crazy fun, the conclusion to the “Prime Time” arc and the “Reign of the Superboys” event is highly satisfying. The amount of fourth-wall breaking and meta moments is enough to fill the hearts of any fan of Superboy Prime. At one point, Williamson has Superman #40 fly off the shelves of Asteroid Comics while Prime and Black come out of it to do battle in the shop. I’ve absolutely loved all the moments like this during Prime’s journey as Superman in this storyline.
CK gets some great moments of dialog while fighting Manchester, as well as during his talk with Rebecca. In those, Prime becomes one of us and shares the real reason why Superman and comics are so special.
The character of Superman makes us want to do better for ourselves and others. Comic books allow us to escape our real-world problems for a short time, but they also help us to look within ourselves to figure out how we can be better people. At least, that’s the way I see it as a fan.
Williamson gives us a major tease toward the end when he has CK thank us for being part of the journey. He says he’ll miss us, but that we aren’t done with him yet. He starts to explain something about next year, but Supergirl interrupts him. If this isn’t Williamson’s way of telling us that Prime is getting his own series, I’m going to be mad.
I’m not sure what else to say about Dan Mora’s artwork and Alejandro Sanchez’s colors. They’ve been killing it on this title lately and I’m going to miss their work on it. As part of the mind manipulation and Continuity Vision panels, Mora was able to fit in all sorts of big Superman moments and comic covers from the past such as Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, Superman #75, and the DC All In Special #1. All of the characters and action scenes looked incredible from beginning to end.
Final Thoughts
Superman #40 wraps up one big event, leads us into another, and hints at the future for Superboy Prime. With Clark Kent set to return soon, Prime won’t be front and center, but I think he’s shown that he can be a more than average substitute for the Man of Steel. Have fun, comic lovers!
