Synopsis
Superman and Charlie Kweskill are transmuted to liquid in Aethyr’s universe, then restored with Charlie in Superman’s costume and with his old Kryptonian powers, and Superman in Quex-Ul’s Kryptonian outfit. To save Superman, Quex-Ul flies into Aethyr’s face and is killed, Superman’s costume drifting back empty. Superman puts on his uniform again and, filled with rage, flies through Aethyr, who is unable to raise despair in his spirit and thus cannot harm him. Superman finally breaks through the last barrier and returns to Earth.
The Phantom Zone villains have constructed the giant Zone cannon and are using it on the Earth, but Superman and Supergirl arrive in time to smash the projector, knock out the villains, and restore Green Lantern’s power battery to him.
Az-Rel, irked by Faora Hu-Ul, badly burns her face and hair just before Supergirl lands and knocks her out. Jer-Em, committing suicide with a chunk of Kryptonite, takes Nadira “home to Rao” with him by exposing her as well. In her dying moments, she uses her convulsion-power on Az-Rel, whose pyrotic power causes him to burn himself to ashes and die.
Finally, Green Lantern creates a Phantom Zone projector which Superman uses to send the remaining villains back to the Zone. He then flies off to rescue the Justice League satellite, not telling his friends what happened in the Phantom Zone.