Thirty years ago, Krypton faced destruction. To save their son, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van sent infant Kal-El to Earth, where Kansas farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent raised him as Clark Kent. Gaining incredible powers under Earth’s yellow sun, Clark was inspired to become Superman by a damaged farewell message from his parents. For three years, he’s protected humanity while working at the Daily Planet in Metropolis with Lois Lane—his partner, who knows his secret—and photographer Jimmy Olsen.
Three weeks ago, Superman stopped an invasion of Jarhanpur by Boravia. Lex Luthor, billionaire industrialist, assures the U.S. government he can neutralize Superman if needed. Superman battles Boravia’s champion, the Hammer—secretly Ultraman, a mindless clone controlled by Luthor’s drones—and is badly wounded. His dog Krypto rescues him to the Fortress of Solitude, but Luthor and Ultraman break in, steal the full farewell message, decode it, and kidnap Krypto.
While Superman and the Justice Gang—Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl—fight Luthor’s giant kaiju distraction, Luthor broadcasts the complete message worldwide. To Superman’s horror, the second half orders Kal-El to conquer Earth and rebuild Krypton. Suspicion grows; Superman surrenders and is turned over to Luthor, who imprisons him in a pocket dimension with Krypto and Metamorpho, forcing them to make Kryptonite.
Luthor’s lover Eve Teschmacher, smitten with Jimmy, exposes Luthor’s true plot: backing Boravia for territory. Metamorpho switches sides, freeing Superman, who escapes with the Justice Gang’s help. Luthor opens a black hole to trap him, but Superman defeats Ultraman and the Engineer, then stops the reactor with Mister Terrific, closing the black hole. Lois and Jimmy expose Luthor, clearing Superman’s name.
Luthor is arrested. As Metropolis recovers, Superman heals at the Fortress, comforted by memories of Jonathan and Martha, while cousin Kara swings by, tipsy, to collect Krypto.