Superman Is Immortal In DC Comics Now

Is Superman immortal?

It's a question that has followed the comic book character for decades. The last survivor of Krypton, Kal-El gains his strength and invulnerability from the Earth's yellow sun. He's in peak physical condition, and ages at a far slower rate than the rest of humanity. But does that translate to immortality?

DC Comics finally answers that question. And fittingly, it's answered in the 1,000th issue of the comic book where Superman was first introduced: Action Comics.

Action Comics celebrates its 1,000th issue with an anthology anniversary edition that features the work of all-star DC Comics writers and artists Tom King, Clay Mann, Jordie Bellaire, John Workman, Dan Jurgens, Peter J. Tomasi, Pat Gleason, Marv Wolfman, and Brian Michael Bendis.

But most importantly, it features the answer to the age-old question of Superman's immortality.

In a Tom King, Clay Mann, Jordie Bellaire, and John Workman short story (via ScreenRant) "Of Tomorrow," Superman is depicted living billions of years in Earth's future. And he will live (literally) until the end of the Earth.

So yes, he is immortal.

King published five pages from the story on his Twitter, which shows Superman visiting the graves of Jonathan and Martha Kent, recounting his long life with Lois Lane and their son Jonathan.

Lois also lives to a ripe old age and continues working as an intergalactic reporter, thanks to the "Eternity Formula." Though Superman notes dryly that Lois is "sick of the Eternity Formula. It tastes like grape... she's tired of grape."

As the story ends, Earth begins cracking and exploding around him. When it does, Superman says his final words of farewell to his parents, and continues to live on, protecting the galaxy for billions more years.

The story is described by DC Comics as a "a poignant and touching story about Superman's final conversation and tribute to the loving Kansas couple that rescued him and raised him as their own so many years ago."

DC Comics confirmed in the wake of this story that Superman is immortal — should no villain kill him, and the yellow sun continues to exist.

Action Comics #1000 will be available on bookshelves on April 18, 2018.