# For Tomorrow (comics) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/For_Tomorrow_(comics) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/For_Tomorrow_(comics).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Tomorrow_(comics) > Source revision: 1349736679 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 2004–05 Superman comic book arc For the song, see [For Tomorrow (song)](/source/For_Tomorrow_(song)). For Tomorrow Cover of Superman: For Tomorrow Vol. 2 (2005), hardcover edition, art by Jim Lee. Publication information Publication date June 2004 – May 2005 Main character(s) Superman Father Leone Mr. Orr Wonder Woman Zod Batman Creative team Written by Brian Azzarello Penciller Jim Lee Inker Scott Williams Letterer Nick J. Napolitano Colorist Alex Sinclair Collected editions Volume 1 hardcover ISBN 1401203515 Volume 2 hardcover ISBN 1401207154 Absolute Edition ISBN 140122198X Deluxe Edition ISBN 1401295150 "**For Tomorrow**" is a 2004–2005 American [comic book](/source/Comic_book) [story arc](/source/Story_arc) published in *[Superman](/source/Superman_(vol._2))* #204–215 by the comic book publishing company [DC Comics](/source/DC_Comics). Written by [Brian Azzarello](/source/Brian_Azzarello) and penciled by [Jim Lee](/source/Jim_Lee), with inks by [Scott Williams](/source/Scott_Williams_(comics)), the story begins a year after a million people (including Superman's wife, [Lois Lane](/source/Lois_Lane)) mysteriously vanish from the face of the earth. As the Man of Steel tries to solve the puzzle while dealing with his personal loss - as well as guilt over failing to prevent the disaster - a parallel story line concerns a priest questioning his faith and serving as Superman's confessor. This eventually gives way to a plot in which a megalomaniac bent on interplanetary conquest begins his attempt to capture his targets, and fighting through a heavy heart, Superman must stop him. Coming off of the successful *[Batman](/source/Batman_(comic_book))* story arc *[Batman: Hush](/source/Batman%3A_Hush)*, [Jim Lee](/source/Jim_Lee)'s involvement as penciller on this story made it very highly anticipated.[1] Although Azzarello's story received mixed reviews, Lee and Williams' artwork was highly praised, and the series was financially lucrative enough for DC to publish an [Absolute Edition](/source/DC_Comics_Absolute_Edition) hardcover in April 2009.[2] ## Background "For Tomorrow" is told [in medias res](/source/In_medias_res), centering upon two events that took place prior to the story's start. The first is "The Vanishing", where a million people mysteriously disappeared from the planet, including [Lois Lane](/source/Lois_Lane), leaving only ghostly shadows where they had vanished. The second is Superman's creation of an alternate reality, which he meant to use as a refuge for the people of Earth to use in the event of planet-wide emergency, such as the one that befell [Krypton](/source/Krypton_(comics)). When creating this reality, Superman also built robots in the likeness of [Jor-El](/source/Jor-El), [Lara](/source/Lara_(DC_Comics)) and his civilian identity of Clark Kent to protect it. However, upon its completion, he felt that it was not his place to change the course of a planet's destiny and put the world in the [Phantom Zone](/source/Phantom_Zone), erasing his memory of creating it. ## Plot The story opens with Superman struggling with the fact that he could not save all the people that were caught in The Vanishing. He visits Father Leone, a priest suffering from cancer, in his church. Superman tells him how he was in outer space saving [Green Lantern](/source/Green_Lantern) [Kyle Rayner](/source/Kyle_Rayner) when The Vanishing occurred, outlining his feelings of guilt as he feels he abandoned Earth when it needed him most. This is a first of several 'confessionals' between Superman and Leone. At their next encounter, Superman explains how he traced the source of The Vanishing to an unnamed country in the Middle East. In the midst of a war, Superman removes from one side all of their weapons; on the other he faces General Nox, a military leader intent on taking over the country. Nox refuses to stand down and, along with his super-powered minion [Equus](/source/Equus_(character)), fights against Superman's interference. Equus is injured and, in a last-ditch attempt to escape, activates the Vanishing Device, creating a second "Vanishing", which causes himself, Nox, and 300,000 more people to vanish. This leads to Superman having to face the anger of the public and the [JLA](/source/Justice_League). Taking control of the Vanishing Device, Superman and Leone travel to the [Fortress of Solitude](/source/Fortress_of_Solitude), where they try to perfect the device so that Superman can vanish himself to discover where the other people were taken. Before he gets a chance to do so, he is confronted by [Wonder Woman](/source/Wonder_Woman), who attempts to stop Superman from carrying out his plan. She believes Superman's efforts are likely to result in his death, amounting to a suicide mission. The Fortress of Solitude is also visited by Mr. Orr, who tracked Leone via a painkilling injection Orr administered earlier. Orr is a mercenary who is working for a mysterious group of powerful individuals described by Orr himself as having "80% of the world population working for them in one way or another". Superman fights Wonder Woman and then tells her that the Fortress is set to self-destruct. He also asks her to save Orr and Leone. Moments before the Fortress explodes, he vanishes himself, transporting him to Metropia, the paradise world he had created in the Phantom Zone. In Metropia, Superman is reunited with Lois Lane. He also learns of [General Zod's](/source/General_Zod) existence in Metropia. It turns out that it was this Zod who was behind The Vanishing, as he was trying to build an empire in Metropia. The robots that Superman built attack Zod, Equus, who is now working for Zod, and Zod's other followers. The robots are destroyed, which prompts Superman to attack, defeating Equus and Zod. He transports everyone back to Earth and destroys Metropia. During the last moments of the alternate world, Superman tries to help Zod by saving his life, which the latter refuses to allow. As this is occurring, it is shown that Orr has talked to Leone about Superman. Orr has learned of Leone's cancer and says that he can cure him. The "cure" turns out to be a biological experiment that transforms Leone into an enhanced version of Equus called Pilate. Upon his return to Earth, Superman confronts Leone, who asks Superman to kill him. Horrified at this request, Superman refuses to do so. As Leone continues to argue with him, a recovered Equus attacks, probably thinking that Leone, a construct like himself will help him in fighting Superman. Leone, in a last act of desperation, lunges at Equus, driving them both into a fiery nova, which transports them to an island where they continue to fight. Lois and all the others that disappeared in The Vanishing return to Earth. Having restored the victims of The Vanishing, Superman has saved the day again. He proceeds to construct a new Fortress of Solitude in the midst of a 'jungle'. Reminiscing about the events, he asks himself, while he has saved countless millions of lives over the years, who will save him when the end comes. With these threads tied, the story ends, but the issues of Orr and the mysterious organization are left unresolved.[3] ## Continuity Equus returns in *[Countdown to Final Crisis](/source/Countdown_to_Final_Crisis)* #36 (2007), in which he is trying to instigate a strike on [metahumans](/source/Metahuman). The unnamed organization mentioned by Orr is revealed in the 2008 *[Cyborg](/source/Cyborg_(DC_Comics))* [limited series](/source/Limited_series_(comics)) to be Project M, which was once part of [Checkmate](/source/Checkmate_(comics)) department tasked with researching new human weapons. ## Collected editions The series has been collected into two [volumes](/source/Trade_paperback_(comics)): - *Volume 1* (collects *Superman* #204-209, 160 pages, softcover, [Titan Books](/source/Titan_Books), June 2006, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84576-145-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84576-145-6), DC Comics, May 2006, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4012-0352-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4012-0352-3),[4] hardcover, Titan Books, May 2005, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84023-949-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84023-949-2), DC Comics, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4012-0351-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4012-0351-5))[5] - *Volume 2* (collects *Superman* #210-215, 160 pages, softcover, [Titan Books](/source/Titan_Books), January 2007, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84576-187-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84576-187-1), DC Comics, May 2006, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4012-0448-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4012-0448-1),[6] hardcover, Titan Books, September 2005, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84576-184-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84576-184-7), DC Comics, August 2005, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4012-0715-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4012-0715-4))[7] There is also an [Absolute Edition](/source/DC_Comics_Absolute_Edition): - *Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow* (304 pages, hardcover, DC Comics, April 2009, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4012-2198-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4012-2198-X)) There is also a trade paperback of the whole story in one single volume, released in February 2013 ([ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4012-3780-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4012-3780-0)). The volume went to a second printing in June 2013. There is also the *Superman: For Tomorrow 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition*, published on 4 December 2019, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-40129-515-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-40129-515-8).[8] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Jim Lee to Draw Superman at Mania.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121008130123/http://www.mania.com/jim-lee-to-draw-superman_article_39260.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.mania.com/jim-lee-to-draw-superman_article_39260.html) on October 8, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [DC Comics February 2009 Solicitations at Newsarama](https://web.archive.org/web/20081119171111/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/081115-dc-solicitations-mar-09.html) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Azzarello, Brian](/source/Brian_Azzarello) ([w](/source/Script_(comics))). *[Superman](/source/Superman_(vol._2))*, vol. 2, no. 204-215 (June 2004-May 2005). DC Comics. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*For Tomorrow Volume 1* softcover details at DC](http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=5075) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*For Tomorrow Volume 1* hardcover details at DC](http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=2713) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*For Tomorrow Volume 2* softcover details at DC](http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=6240) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*For Tomorrow Volume 2* hardcover details at DC](http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=3842) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Superman: For Tomorrow 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition"](https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/superman-for-tomorrow-15th-anniversary-deluxe-edition). 16 March 2021. ## External links - [For Tomorrow](https://web.archive.org/web/2018010101/http://comicbookdb.com/storyarc.php?ID=3064) at the Comic Book DB (archived from [the original](http://comicbookdb.com/storyarc.php?ID=3064)) v t e Superman publications and storylines History Current series Absolute Superman Action Comics Batman/Superman: World's Finest Supergirl Superman Former series Adventure Comics DC Comics Presents Power Girl Superboy Superboy and the Ravers Superman (vol. 2) Superman (vol. 3) Superman/Batman Superman Confidential The Superman Family Superman: The Man of Steel Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Superman: Son of Kal-El Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen Superman/Wonder Woman Trinity World's Finest Comics Worlds' Finest Limited series and one-shots Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity (2003) Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame (2000) The Kents (1997–1998) Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (2005) The Man of Steel (1986) The Phantom Zone (1982) Superman: Where Is Thy Sting? (2001) Superman: The Kansas Sighting (2003) Birthright (2003–2004) Superman and Wonder Woman: The Hidden Killer (1993) Superman for All Seasons (1998) Superman/Shazam: First Thunder (2006) Superman Unchained (2013–2014) Superman vs. Muhammad Ali (1978) Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton (2010) Superman: Secret Origin (2009–2010) Superman: World of New Krypton (2009–2010) Superman: The Wedding Album (1996) Superman: War of the Supermen (2010) Superman: Lois and Clark (2015–2016) World of Krypton (1979) Smashes the Klan (2019-2020) Outside continuity All-Star Superman (2005–2008) "The K-Metal from Krypton" (unpublished) "The Death of Superman" (1961) "Superman, 2001" (1976) Son of Superman (1999) Superboy: The Comic Book (1989–1992) Superboy's Legion (2001) Superman Adventures (1996–2002) Superman: At Earth's End (1995) Superman: Earth One (Vol 1. 2010, Vol 2. 2012, Vol. 3 2015) Superman: The Last Family of Krypton (2010) Superman: The Feral Man of Steel (1994) Superman: Last Son of Earth (2000) Superman: Last Stand on Krypton (2003) Superman: Peace on Earth (1998) Kingdom Come (1996) The Superman Monster (1999) Superman: Red Son (2003) Superman: Secret Identity (2004) Superman: Speeding Bullets (1993) Superman: A Tale of Five Cities (1990) Superman: The Dark Side (1998) Superman: True Brit (2004) Superman: War of the Worlds (1998) Superman & Batman: Generations (1999, 2001 and 2004) Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (1986) Whom Gods Destroy (1996) Dark Knights of Steel (2021–2023) Intercompany crossovers Superman/Aliens (1995 and 2002) Superman & Bugs Bunny (2000) Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator (2007) Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man (1976) Superman and Spider-Man (1981) Superman vs. Predator (2000) Superman vs. The Terminator: Death to the Future (1999–2000) Storylines 1930-40s "Superman, Champion of the Opressed" "Man or Superman?" "When Titans Clash" "The Origin of Superboy" 1950s "The Mightiest Team in the World" "The Super-Dog from Krypton" "The Super-Key to Fort Superman" "The Super-Duel in Space" "The Boy of Steel vs. the Thing of Steel" "The Menace of Metallo" "The Supergirl from Krypton" "The Battle with Bizarro" 1960s "How Luthor Met Superboy" "The World of Bizarros" "Superman's Return to Krypton" "The Phantom Superboy" "Superboy's Big Brother" "The Giant Turtle Man" "The Red Kryptonite Menace" "The World's Greatest Heroine" "The Last Days of Superman" "Superman in Kandor" "Superman Under the Red Sun" "The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent" "The Lexor Saga" "Superman, King of Earth" "Power of the Parasite" "Superman's Race with the Flash" "The Leper from Krypton" 1970s "Kryptonite Nevermore" "Must There Be a Superman?" "The Man Who Murdered the Earth" "Who Was that Dog I saw you with Last Night?" "The Luthor Nobody Knows" "Who Took the Super out of Superman?" "The Great Phantom Peril" "Superman Takes a Wife" "Krypton Dies Again" "Mxyzptlk Spelled Backward is T-R-O-U-B-L-E" "Let My People Grow" "The Life Story of Superman" 1980s "The Last Days of Lois and Lana" "Luthor Unleashed" "Brainiac: Rebirth" "I Flew with Superman" "If Superman Didn't Exist..." "The Living Legends of Superman" "For the Man Who Has Everything" "The Einstein Connection" "Crisis on Infinite Earths" "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes" "Exile" 1990s "The Death of Superman" "Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey" "Worlds Collide" "The Trial of Superman!" "Superman Red/Superman Blue" 2000s "Y2K" "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" "For Tomorrow" "Infinite Crisis" "Up, Up and Away!" "Last Son" "Kryptonite" "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes" "The Third Kryptonian" "The Coming of Atlas" "Escape from Bizarro World" "Brainiac" "New Krypton" "World of New Krypton" "World Without Superman" 2010s "War of the Supermen" "Grounded" "Reign of Doomsday" "Superman and the Men of Steel" "H'El on Earth" "At the End of Days" "Doomed" "Convergence" "Reborn" "Super Sons of Tomorrow" 2020s "Warworld Saga" "House of Brainiac" Other Superman (comic strip) Superman: The Complete Comic Strips 1939-1966 Action Comics #1 Action Comics #1000 v t e Jim Lee Wildstorm Productions / Image Comics Darker Image Deathblow Deathmate Divine Right: The Adventures of Max Faraday Gen13 Helspont Hellstrike Kindred Mr. Majestic Stormwatch Wildcats Grifter Void Voodoo Warblade Zealot Wildstorm Rising DC Comics Batman All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder Black and White Hush Hush Rise of Sin Tzu David Graves Equus Outsider Scooby Apocalypse Superman For Tomorrow Superman Unchained Marvel Comics Bella Donna Damage David North Gambit Omega Red Sniper Trevor Fitzroy X-Men: Legacy --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [For Tomorrow (comics)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Tomorrow_(comics)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Tomorrow_(comics)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.