“Reign of the Supermen” (2019) explores the chaos following Superman’s death, as four new figures emerge to claim his mantle. The film delves into themes of legacy, identity, and the void left by heroism, questioning what truly defines a hero.
This curated collection highlights pivotal quotes that capture emotional depth, character conflicts, and the struggle to uphold Superman’s ideals in his absence.
All you hear today is, “How do we live in a world without Superman?” Well, some of us already had to. Some of us watched as everything we had, everything we loved, was lost
(Reign of the Supermen, Confrontation with Lois Lane)
Speaker: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)
Context: Reveals Henshaw’s trauma-driven vendetta against Superman, exposing his manipulation of public grief for vengeance.
Oh, give it a rest! This isn’t about your wife, and you know it! It’s about you. You let Darkseid turn you into this
(Reign of the Supermen, Lois’ Rebuke)
Speaker: Lois Lane
Context: Lois dismantles Henshaw’s false martyrdom, exposing his choice to embrace darkness over heroism.
Superman turned me into this! Darkseid only rebuilt me and taught me how to wield my hatred as a weapon
(Reign of the Supermen, Cyborg Superman’s Revelation)
Speaker: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)
Context: Henshaw deflects blame onto Superman, highlighting his descent into weaponized bitterness.
That beast was only a mindless assassin, while I was set to a singular purpose: destroy what remains of Superman. His good name
(Reign of the Supermen, Henshaw’s Monologue)
Speaker: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)
Context: Contrasts Doomsday’s mindless violence with his calculated crusade to erase Superman’s legacy.
There’s a lot of that going around. So, what’s the plan… Dad?
(Reign of the Supermen, Superboy’s Proposal)
Speaker: Superboy (Kon-El)
Context: Superboy acknowledges Superman’s vulnerability while seeking guidance, showing evolving maturity.
A guy with a spaceship
(Reign of the Supermen, Escape Plan)
Speaker: Superman (Clark Kent)
Context: Superman’s wit amid weakness underscores his resilience beyond powers.
I’m in your other ear. Reminding you to stay alert. President Dale has her eye on you
(Reign of the Supermen, Lex’s Manipulation)
Speaker: Lex Luthor
Context: Luthor puppeteers Superboy for political gain, revealing his opportunistic cunning.
By all means, go to town, Superboy
(Reign of the Supermen, Steel’s Permission)
Speaker: Steel (John Henry Irons)
Context: Steel mentors Superboy in combat, balancing trust with tactical oversight.
It’s Super man
(Reign of the Supermen, Identity Assertion)
Speaker: Superboy (Kon-El)
Context: Superboy demands legitimacy, reflecting his struggle to forge an identity beyond cloning.
Lex Luthor. As I live and breathe
(Reign of the Supermen, Superman’s Return)
Speaker: Superman (Clark Kent)
Context: Superman’s dry greeting to Luthor underscores their timeless rivalry and his resurgence.
Robo people? Come on! How long were we gone?
(Reign of the Supermen, Green Lantern’s Reaction)
Speaker: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Context: Lantern’s quip highlights disorientation in a changed world, emphasizing chaos post-Superman.
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
(Reign of the Supermen, Henshaw’s Struggle)
Speaker: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)
Context: Henshaw battles Darkseid’s mental control, showing his internal conflict between rage and autonomy.
I shall enjoy killing the Man of Steel all over again, this time with my bare hands!
(Reign of the Supermen, Darkseid’s Threat)
Speaker: Darkseid
Context: Darkseid’s arrogance fuels the climax, raising stakes for Superman’s survival.
Superman’s mine to destroy!
(Reign of the Supermen, Henshaw’s Obsession)
Speaker: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)
Context: Henshaw’s fixation on personal vengeance over Darkseid’s orders reveals his fractured psyche.
I’m just glad he finally fessed up. It was such a big secret to keep from you
(Reign of the Supermen, Martha’s Relief)
Speaker: Martha Kent
Context: Martha’s warmth to Lois underscores shared grief and the burden of Superman’s dual identity.
Oh, honey… He knew
(Reign of the Supermen, Martha’s Comfort)
Speaker: Martha Kent
Context: Martha reassures Lois about Clark’s love, humanizing loss beyond hero worship.
I just… I can’t believe he’s gone
(Reign of the Supermen, Lois’ Grief)
Speaker: Lois Lane
Context: Raw vulnerability shows Lois’ struggle between journalist objectivity and personal pain.
He might not be if you watch that damn Grant woman
(Reign of the Supermen, Jonathan’s Deflection)
Speaker: Jonathan Kent
Context: Jonathan’s gruff humor lightens grief while deflecting emotional weight.
I want angles! Sullivan?
(Reign of the Supermen, Perry’s Deadline)
Speaker: Perry White
Context: Perry’s newsroom urgency satirizes media sensationalism around the Supermen crisis.
Change ‘Law enforcement’ to ‘Millennials’ and ‘Crime stats’ to ‘Re-tweets.’
(Reign of the Supermen, Perry’s Adaptation)
Speaker: Perry White
Context: Perry’s pitch critiques modern media’s shift from substance to viral trends.
Coming up on Rodeo
(Reign of the Supermen, Batman’s Directive)
Speaker: Batman
Context: Batman’s tactical brevity contrasts with Henshaw’s verbosity, highlighting leadership styles.
I think they say ‘Ro-day-o’
(Reign of the Supermen, Henshaw’s Correction)
Speaker: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)
Context: Henshaw’s petty correction exposes his need for control in minor interactions.
Yeah, I say ‘Ro-day-o’
(Reign of the Supermen, Lantern’s Agreement)
Speaker: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Context: Lantern’s casual reply defuses tension, showcasing his adaptable camaraderie.
Have you seen the newspapers?
(Reign of the Supermen, Lex’s Test)
Speaker: Lex Luthor
Context: Luthor probes Superboy’s awareness, revealing his manipulative mentorship.
Yeah, I’ve seen them all over the place
(Reign of the Supermen, Superboy’s Naivety)
Speaker: Superboy (Kon-El)
Context: Superboy’s literal reply highlights his inexperience with media subtext.
These quotes collectively trace the film’s exploration of legacy, grief, and the corrosive nature of vengeance. From Henshaw’s tragic villainy to Superboy’s earnest growth, each line reinforces the core question: Can hope endure without its symbol? The emotional spectrum—from Lois’ sorrow to Steel’s quiet resolve—cements the story’s enduring relevance about heroism redefined.
