Comic Title: Superman:The Man of Steel Vol. 1 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2020
On Sale Date: August 25, 2020 Direct Market Date August 26, 2020
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Direct Market Date July 22, 2020
Source: DC Previews, #19, 24

Direct Market Date July 22, 2020
Source: Previews, #379

Cover Price: $49.99
Page Count: 480
Editor: Erika Rothberg

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Mirror, Crack'd..."
Pages: 23

Feature(s):
Superman (Post-Crisis)

Writer/Penciller: John L. Byrne
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko

Reprinted From:
Man of Steel #5 (1986)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Man of Steel #4; next appearance in World of Smallville #4)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Man of Steel #4; next appearance in Superman #1)
• Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in Superman #12; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #424)
• Lucy Lane (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in World of Metropolis #2; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #424)

Villain(s)

• Lex Luthor (last appearance in Man of Steel #4; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #425)
• Bizarro (an unnamed artificial Superman duplicate; destroyed in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Doctor Teng (a Lexcorp scientist; no further appearances)

Comments:
Though the artificial duplicate of Superman resembles the pre-Crisis Bizarro, he is never referred to by that name in this story.

Lois claims to have been wanting to kiss Superman for 5 years in this story. However, based on the timeline established in this series, Superman's first public appearance could only have happened 3 years earlier. Therefore, Lois must be exaggerating the timeframe.

Synopsis:
Lexcorp scientist Doctor Teng has created a duplicate of Superman using data collected by sensors withing Luthor's office. His data shows that Superman is not human or a mutant and must be an alien. A revelation he shares with his employer. Because Superman's cells are alien, the duplication process fails and the creature created takes on a "bizarre" appearance.

After Luthor orders the creature removed from his sight, it begins assuming Superman's duties. It possesses his power and memories, but doesn't appear capable of speech. The creature stops a suicide attempt by Lucy Lane, who is now blind after an accident caused her to lose her sight.

When the creature shows up at the Daily Planet in Clark Kent's clothes, the real Superman rushes to meet the creature before his identity is exposed. Superman and the creature then fight it out on the streets of Metropolis. The creature eventually sacrifices itself when it realizes that a chemical byproduct of its creation is responsible for restoring Lucy's sight. When the creature is destroyed, the fallout of its body's particles complete the process, restoring Lucy's vision.