Superman by Phillip Kennedy Johnson Omnibus Vol. 1

Superman by Phillip Kennedy Johnson Omnibus

by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan

Superstar writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson takes Superman to an enslaved world with mysterious ties to Krypton! With a goal of liberating the brutal and appropriately named Warworld, Superman will face foes both new and familiar.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson takes the Man of Steel to new brutal and unforgiving worlds governed by ancient enemies in his iconic run-on Superman. The Man of Tomorrow teams up with the Authority to leave earth with their sights set on an enslaved planet tucked deep in the cosmos. Their goal: liberation. Not everything goes as planned when Superman is captured and taken deep into the lower catacombs of Warworld and is trained to be a gladiator in battles to the death. Can Superman forge an uneasy alliance with the other prospective gladiators and overthrow Mogul’s bloodthirsty capital. Phillip Kennedy Johnson builds on the foundation of Superman while ushering in a perspective in this massive omnibus.

Collects: Action Comics #1029-1049; Superman #29-32; Infinite Frontier #0; Superman and the Authority #1-4; Superman: Son of Kal-El #16-18; Action Comics 2022 Annual #1; Batman/Superman: Authority Special #1; Superman: Warworld Apocalypse #1

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels

1080 pages, Hardcover

First published July 29, 2025

About the author

Phillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.

Reviews

[Matt Quann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a bit of a strange lead-in that brings us, eventually, to the much touted Warworld Saga. I’m talking at least half of the omnibus being set up and lore-building prior to getting to the real meat of the story. Fortunately, Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s pen is sharp and well suited to Superman.

Rather than just a depowered Supe, we get a phenomenally powerful character who makes choices to protect others at all cost. The tone here, in my mind, is pitch perfect for Superman stories. While the art in the first half of the book is varied, you mostly get photo-realistic style art for the main saga. It’s epic and metal throughout.

Anyhow, loved this one and am seriously looking forward to volume 2 when it drops.

[Lukáš Kudela · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s truly rare that we come across a story we’ve heard nothing but praise about—where our expectations are already sky-high—yet what we actually get turns out to be even better. This is exactly one of those cases. Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Warworld Saga is not only one of the greatest Superman stories ever told, it’s easily the best Superman arc in many years.

The premise is simple: a group of “refugees” from Mongul’s Warworld arrive on Earth. And even though Superman suspects they’re being used as bait to lure him into a trap, it doesn’t change the fact that out there, in the far reaches of space, beings are living under brutal conditions on the harsh planet of Warworld—oppressed, tortured, and forced to fight for their lives. Superman simply can’t stand by and do nothing. What follows is an epic tale of oppression, hope, and the fight for freedom.

The culture of Warworld is incredibly rich, and I loved learning more and more about it as the story unfolded. One of the most brilliant ideas is that warriors are chained at the wrists, and for every arena victory, a new flaming link is added to their chains—turning their burden into a symbol of honor. This is just one of many amazing touches you’ll find in the story.

This omnibus is the best modern comic I’ve read all year—an absolute must-read for fans of the Man of Steel and for anyone who loves epic adventures that blend space opera with the sword & sorcery genre. The incredible artwork only elevates the whole experience. Honestly, I’m hyped from reading this comic and can’t praise it enough.

If you ever enjoyed Planet Hulk, this is several levels deeper—more complex, more thrilling, more emotional… and overall just way better. Plus, the omnibus also includes the Superman and The Authority miniseries by the legendary Grant Morrison, which serves as a prequel to the Warworld Saga, giving you the complete experience in perfect reading order.

Wait, are you still reading this review? What are you waiting for?! Go grab this omnibus and dive in—you won’t regret it. As for me, I’m now eagerly awaiting Volume 2 and hoping that Phillip Kennedy Johnson gets even more space to bring us more amazing stories. I’d love to see more Superman from him, of course… but honestly, I’d be thrilled to see him take on any hero.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

To have such a great run after so many years is insane. This reunion is definitely up there with the all greats for Superman