Superman: Leviathan Rising Special # 1 2019 VF/NM

Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1 (July 2019) is an 80-page, prestige-format landmark anthology one-shot published by DC Comics. Masterminded by architect Brian Michael Bendis, this oversized issue serves as the critical prelude laying the groundwork for DC's massive summer crossover event, Event Leviathan.

The Core Plot: Targeting Clark Kent

• The Proposition: Leone, the clandestine leader of Metropolis's "Invisible Mafia," meets with a mysterious, face-changing operative representing the threat organization known as Leviathan. To take down the Man of Steel, Leone advises Leviathan to ignore the dangerous mistake of attacking Lois Lane and to target a seemingly weaker link instead: his mild-mannered civilian identity.
• The Abduction: Armed tactical soldiers infiltrate Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment. Instead of instantly fighting back and blowing his secret identity, Clark intentionally acts helpless and allows himself to be kidnapped to investigate the enemy from the inside.
• The Trap: Leviathan restrains Clark in a high-tech facility using a dangerous Kryptonite vest. To make matters more complicated, Clark encounters Talia al Ghul, who reveals that she has suffered a hostile takeover and is no longer the supreme ruler of Leviathan.
• The Rescue Network: Believing her husband is in legitimate mortal peril, Lois Lane mobilizes. Operating from the Daily Planet newsroom, she utilizes her massive intelligence network to call in favors from the DC hero community—including Batman and Wonder Woman—to track down the rogue shadow agency.

Ongoing Series Spin-Offs

In addition to the main thriller narrative, this giant-size anthology features several prominent backup stories designed by DC to serve as back-door pilots launching critical new ongoing titles:

• Lois Lane: Written by Greg Rucka with moody, film-noir illustration by Mike Perkins. This gritty crime investigation spins directly into the standalone Lois Lane (2019) series.
• Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen: A hilarious, wacky comedy-adventure backup written by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber. It details Jimmy accidentally getting married in Gorilla City, teeing up his hit maxi-series.
• Supergirl: Written by Marc Andreyko, tracking Kara Zor-El as she investigates the sudden destruction of the Danvers home.

Creative Team

• Writers: Brian Michael Bendis, Greg Rucka, Matt Fraction, and Marc Andreyko.
• Artists: Yanick Paquette, Mike Perkins, Steve Lieber, and Eduardo Pansica.