Superman: Birthright #12

Superman: Birthright #12

by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu (Penciller), Gerry Alanguilan (Inker)

Superman takes on the Kryptonian army in a battle that decides his status in Metropolis. What role will Lex Luthor play and what will the Man of Steel have to give up that will define him for the future? Find out as the 12-issue limited series reaches its explosive finale!

Genres: Comics, Superman, Dc Comics

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2004

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition. (August 18, 2025)

The collective review for the entire Superman: Birthright storyline can be found on my review of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition.

[Devin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole star charts of it all feels just a tad improbable.

Also, I said a few issues ago that I'm finding Lex to be a little "slippery" as a character, in terms of his motivations and such. I think he's going too far for me to really buy him, in this issue. I know that Lex is iconically evil and there's sort of nothing he wouldn't do (canonically), but I'm just speaking to my preferences: I want an antagonist who is a little more grounded. We're approaching moustache-twirling territory with how he wants to escalate things.

But those last few panels really get to me. Boy. Really nicely done. Great miniseries.

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es la historieta final de esta increíble historia realizada por Mark Waid. Superman se enfrenta al ejército kryptoniano en una batalla que decide su estatus en Metrópolis. Lex Luthor jugará un papel crucial en esta batalla. El Hombre del Mañana tendrá que renunciar a algo importante, que lo definirá para el futuro.

Al final, el boyscout sale triunfante y Luthor es acusado. Las últimas viñetas son preciosas, porque se ve cómo Kal-El se despide a través de una pantalla de sus padres, los cuales pueden observar cómo su decisión de enviarlo a la Tierra fue buena, pudiendo morir en paz con Krypton, viviendo su Legado con Superman.

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

really great conclusion. Lex is defeated, Superman’s credit is restored, Clark stays at the Daily Planet, and hints to Lois that he’s Superman. Clark learns who he really is, and relays a message back to Joe-El that he made it.

[flor !! · Rating 4 out of 5]

overall rating for this series is 4.5⭐️!!!! really good and i loved the writing for every character but especially lex luthor, his background was so sad but the person he had become was this indefensible monster. ALSO THE VERY FINAL PAGE OF THE BOOK IS CRAZYYY OUGHHH

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion. I am really glad that I read this series. It really combined the ideas of Superman being an alien but also a really nice guy very well.

[James Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last two pages. Wow!

[Vijay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those final pages...yeah, I'mma cry.

[presidentpoppy]

that ending😭❤️

[Andy Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

great shit