Since his debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman has stood for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow. The "S" etched on his chest, and the crimson cape that rests on his shoulders, have been a source of comfort to many, both in the real and fictional world. Because of this, when a character as morally righteous as Superman succumbs to evil tendencies, it's supposed to shock those who revere him as a hero. His presence in the video game sphere is inconsistent, to say the least, with many developers trying, and failing, to create a Superman game that stands toe-to-toe with the quality of Batman: Arkham Asylum or Insomniac's Spider-Man.
Superman is returning to games with Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, but not in a way that many fans of the character would expect. As Rocksteady venture into a superhero ensemble story with Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, the heroes become the villains, with DC mastermind Brainiac asserting his influence over Superman, Green Lantern, and The Flash, among others. This would, in normal circumstances, be an exciting change of pace for the good guys, but as Superman's presence in video games in recent years has been as a criminal, and dictator, it's a well-trodden path that the Last Son of Krypton simply doesn't deserve.
It's Not A Bird, Or A Plane, It's Brainiac's Puppet
Superman's last outing in a AAA game was in 2017's Injustice 2, a continuation of the story that has him assume control over Earth, following a sinister Joker plot that results in the death of Lois Lane. Forming the One Earth Regime, Superman serves as the planet's ultimate dictator, which cements his place as the series' overarching nemesis. Though the narrative presented in both Injustice: Gods Among Us, and Injustice 2 are superb throughout, Superman's absence on the good guys' team is glaringly obvious, and sorely missed.
From the marketing of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Brainiac is perhaps the more obvious main villain, but having his clutches in Superman makes one of the most iconic fictional characters feel like a puppet in a much larger plan. In the decades that Brainiac has featured in DC Comics storylines, Superman has always been the most significant thorn in his side, so having Superman fall to the former so early, relying on Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang (of all people) to bring him to his senses feels like a far-fetched proposition. Superman's natural place is opposing the threats to Earth, not doing their dirty work.
Superman Is More Than His Powers
It's easy to presume that Superman's seemingly-endless abilities and perfect physical traits make him a boring character, and an easy way to inject a sense of surprise is to turn him to villainy, but this doesn't have to be the case. His physical prowess doesn't negate his humanity (despite being Kryptonian), and the flaws that come with it. However, crafting an experience that offers the right level of difficulty can be tough when the protagonist is faster than a speeding bullet, and more powerful than a locomotive. However, the complexity of Superman's character, not his powers, means he is ripe for his own AAA video game outing.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League looks likely to focus not on Superman's personality or moral compass, but his skill-set, which is where many games, comics, and films go wrong. By having him possessed by an external force, a character that has thrived for 84 years specifically because of the man that he is, not what he can do, becomes nothing more than a hulking barrier for the game's unlikely heroes to overcome. The titular Suicide Squad will undoubtedly be the focal point of the 2023 Rocksteady game, but the inclusion of a brainwashed Superman runs the risk of traveling down an overly-familiar road that NetherRealm Studios blazed some 10 years prior with Injustice: Gods Among Us.
The Man Of Steel Deserves Better
The games in which Superman is the morally-righteous, boy scout that comic fans are familiar with are few and far between, and more often than not underwhelming. Rocksteady's quick dismissal that it was working on a dedicated Superman game was disappointing to those who hold Superman in such a high regard. The excitement when it announced Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League was balanced by disappointment that Superman was, yet again, shrouded in villainy. Superman is not a bad guy, but the video game space in recent years would have players think otherwise, and he doesn't deserve it.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.