REVIEW: ‘Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand’ Issue 1

Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Joshua Williamson, art by Eddy Barrows, letters by Adriano Lucas, and letters by Ariana Maher.

Superman disappeared at the end of DC K.O., but he isn’t finished repairing the damage Darkseid did to the universe.

This issue is a real epilogue to both DC K.O. and Joshua Williamson’s long Superman story. From when the Time-Trapper first appeared, Williamson had been telling a tale that would ultimately spark the end and restart of the entire DC Universe. Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1 does a brilliant job of explaining most of the stories that led to this moment, when Superman wakes up in a peculiar place.

It’s almost peaceful at the start, letting the even more powerful Kryptonian get his bearings. He’s still the Omega Champion, containing the ability to control and repair time itself. And after he has been briefed about where he is, the pace and scale accelerate enormously.

He moves forwards to a future that has been visited multiple times, and every occasion has been dark, dystopian and terrifying. It was once home to an idyllic team, then occupied by Absolute evil, corrupted into soldiers. And after the chaos of DC K.O., it would have been easy to completely forget about them. But Williamson checks in on those left behind at the end of the universe, and seeks to give them a new future. Multiple futures. It’s certainly not a new paradise, however, with even more terrifying threats appearing from the rubble.

Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1 spends time highlighting just why Superman was chosen as the hero for his entire universe. The power at his disposal, even greater than what he already possesses, provides Kal-El with limitless opportunities.

But there isn’t ever a thought about returning home or enriching himself. He is devoted to healing, fixing, and helping. Even when it comes to approaching people who harmed him, others, and the entire timestream, there is a duty of care he feels towards keeping them safe and allowing them to flourish.

Superman isn’t stupid or naive. He doesn’t run into traps or fall for puppy dog eyes. But he will always be ready to give second chances. It always speaks volumes about his bravery that he speaks to immortal and celestial deities. And Williamson makes a point to ground this comic from the very beginning.

Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1 opens with Lois and Clark at home, and Lois appears multiple times throughout the issue. Because as much as Superman is this extremely powerful champion and superhero, he is also Clark Kent, and Lois is his whole universe.

The art is gorgeous, matching the aforementioned scale. It begins in a modest Metropolis apartment, with gentle touches between a loving couple. And then it launches into the far reaches of a changing universe. There are multiple montages within Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1. One is a very quick summation of DC K.O., from beginning to end. And the other is a view across timelines, showing the breadth of what Superman has been recreating and protecting.

Superman himself still presents as a glowing, omnipotent being at the start of the book, containing the remnants of the power bestowed upon him. And whilst he looks comfortable with it, there isn’t a pompous attitude on his face or body language.

When he enters that familiar future, filled with bodies and devastated cities, he disguises himself, hiding the glowing costume and donning a beard. Those left behind by Darkseid still spot the menacing costumes, but they are left scarred and broken. They are tearful afraid and destitute, with nothing left to fight for. It’s a harrowing reminder of what Darkseid did.

The colors are fantastic, showing a tremendous shift. In the first half, it celebrates the brightness of the new world. Superman and his surroundings are vibrant and literally glowing with golden power. But the darkness is still there, filled with unknowns, mysteries, and remnants of Darkseid. These landscapes are dark, burning, and murky. There is a lot of text in this annual, but it is clear and easy to digest.

Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1 wraps up the loose ends while also exposing more. Joshua Williamson had so many stories within the approach to DC K.O. that there is so much wreckage left behind, and lost souls trying to live among it. This annual is very specific to readers of the full saga who have been wondering what happened. It seeks to fix, but also open up new routes. Because, as much as it is a Superman story, it also represents a new dawn for the heroes that represent the future.

Superman 2026 Annual: Year One Thousand Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.