The Man of Steel #6

The Man of Steel #6 was published in 1986 as part of the pivotal six-issue limited series written and illustrated by John Byrne. This series served as a comprehensive reboot of the Superman mythos following DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths, tasking Byrne with modernizing Clark Kent for a contemporary audience. In this specific installment, the narrative explores the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor, reimagining Luthor not as a mad scientist, but as a wealthy, corrupt industrialist and billionaire who resents Superman's presence in Metropolis.

Byrne’s aesthetic for the series focused on a cleaner, more grounded visual style that moved away from the Silver Age sensibilities of the past. The design choices aimed to emphasize Superman as an alien perspective while reinforcing the humanity of his Clark Kent persona. Upon its release, the series was met with significant critical and commercial success, effectively establishing the definitive status quo for the character that would persist throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.