After 81 Years, DC Is Officially Destroying an Iconic Piece of Superman Lore

When it comes to Superman, few characters in pop culture have lore as iconic or recognizable. Even casual fans know the essentials, from Kryptonite to the Fortress of Solitude to the Man of Steel’s hometown of Smallville, Kansas. Now, after 81 years, DC is officially destroying one of those defining pieces of Superman mythology.

DC has officially dropped the preview for Dan Slott, Lucas Meyer, and Giuliano Peratelli’s upcoming March 18 release of Superman Unlimited #11. This issue is set to see Jon Kent face off against his most powerful archenemy, a terrifying time-bending fourth-dimensional demon named Master Txyz.

The kicker? This foe attacks Jon years before they ever meet, with the synopsis teasing that readers will “witness the final moments of Jon Kent, Superman.” However, it’s not just Jon’s life on the line, as Smallville is also set to be destroyed.

After 81 Years, DC Is Officially Destroying Smallville, Kansas

Comic Pages Come from Dan Slott’s Superman Unlimited #11 (2026) – Art by Lucas Meyer & Giuliano Peratelli’

The five-page preview for Superman Unlimited #11 introduces readers to Master Txyz, who claims that there will eventually be a final battle “in the heart of singularity at the center of the universe,” where Jon Kent will destroy him. However, this fourth-dimensional demon decides to divert that fate by destroying Jon before they ever meet.

Obviously, there are time-traveling shenanigans involved to make this possible. The last page of the preview shows Master Txyz confronting Jon in an apocalyptic Smallville that has been utterly ravaged and destroyed. Jon demands that the demon fix whatever he has done to his home. The demon’s reply? “Kid, this is Smallville. In a few hundred years.”

The preview cuts off there, but at the moment we have confirmation of Smallville’s final fate: Superman’s hometown is destroyed. Given the demon’s time-traveling powers, this fate may also arrive sooner than a few hundred years, especially with his confrontation with Jon happening far earlier than it was originally supposed to.

When Did Smallville First Appear in the Superman Comics?

Main Cover by Dan Mora for Superman Unlimited #11 (2026)

The fact that DC is gearing up to say goodbye to Smallville is a huge blow to Superman lore, as Smallville has been one of the constants in the Man of Steel’s narrative. Smallville was first identified by name in Superboy #2 (1949), making it as recognizable as Krypton, the Fortress of Solitude, and other iconic elements of Superman lore.

However, if you want to get even more technical about Smallville’s narrative impact on Superman’s legacy, the town technically appeared earlier in an unnamed capacity in More Fun Comics #101 (1945). That means Superman is losing an essential piece of his lore after 81 years of helping define his stories.

What’s worse than a fifth-dimensional imp? A fourth dimensional demon! Jon Kent faces off against his greatest archenemy, a terrifying time-bending foe who’s attacking him years before they’ve ever met! Witness the final moments of Jon Kent, Superman. Also in this issue: Superboy?! No. Really? Wait. What?! Yeah. You’d better not miss this one. Call your retailer now. Reserve your copy now. Don’t wait. Go. Call. Now!

Superman Unlimited #11 from DC Comics is available March 18, 2026!