History WesternAnimation / ReignOfTheSupermen

* AdaptationalHeroism: The Eradicator is still a lethal enforcer kind of guy, [[spoiler:but while in the original comic he honestly believed himself to be Kal-El of Krypton, and his use of the Fortress of Solitude to recharge slowed the ''real'' Superman's recovery as the Eradicator was siphoning energy from him, in this film the Eradicator is following its directive to protect Kryptonian life, acting as a guardian for Kal-El and ''giving'' energy to him to aid in his recovery. Why the Eradicator decided to go out and incinerate criminals is left unexplored.]]

* CastAsAMask: [[spoiler:Until he drops the act after Lois tells him she knows he's Henshaw, Creator/JerryOConnell voices Cyborg-Superman with Henshaw's talks with Darkseid and the scenes after he drops the act being voiced by Patrick Fabian.]]

''Reign of the Supermen'' is a 2019 film in the ''WesternAnimation/DCUniverseAnimatedOriginalMovies'' line and the second part of the story that started with ''WesternAnimation/TheDeathOfSuperman'', set in the WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedMovieUniverse. In addition to the returning voice actors including Creator/JerryOConnell as Cyborg-Superman, Creator/CressWilliams as ComicBook/{{Steel}}, Creator/RebeccaRomijn as ComicBook/LoisLane, Creator/RainnWilson as ComicBook/LexLuthor, Creator/JasonOMara as Franchise/{{Batman}}, Creator/RosarioDawson as Franchise/WonderWoman, Creator/ChristopherGorham as Franchise/TheFlash, Creator/NathanFillion as Franchise/GreenLantern, Creator/ShemarMoore as ComicBook/{{Cyborg}}, Nyambi Nyambi as the ComicBook/MartianManhunter, Charles Halford (''Series/{{Constantine}}'') as the Eradicator and Bibbo Bibbowski, Creator/PaulEiding as Jonathan Kent, and Creator/JenniferHale as Martha Kent, the cast includes Creator/CameronMonaghan (''Series/{{Gotham}}'') as ComicBook/{{Superboy}} and Creator/TonyTodd reprising his role from the ''WesternAnimation/LegoDCComicsSuperHeroes'' specials as ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} (replacing Creator/SteveBlum).

* BolivianArmyEnding: Not for the main cast but [[spoiler: Donovan]] is last seen trying to hold off several attacking LexCorp mutants with a pistol and then is heard screaming.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: When Parademons attack the launch site of the Watchtower, Cyborg-Superman takes a long time to get moving, only reacting specifically to save the President. [[spoiler:The whole thing was an engineered PR stunt to get rid of the League and make him seem like the real hero.]]

* SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay: Lois [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this, as she knew Superman better than anyone, and knows what to ask the Supermen to determine which one is the real thing. [[spoiler: Her conversation with Cyborg-Superman convinces her that he's not the real thing, but it also clues him in to how close she was with the real Superman, and makes him intend to use that as part of his revenge.]]

* BlackBestFriend: Cat serves as this to Lois.

** Mercy Graves ending up being Lex's sacrificial lamb is becoming a regular thing. At least he didn't [[WesternAnimation/SupermanDoomsday shoot her outright for knowing too much]].

** Near the end, Superman and Lois does the iconic kiss from ComicBook/AllStarSuperman.

* AdaptedOut: [[spoiler:Bertron, who was revealed to be the one who created Doomsday in ''ComicBook/SupermanDoomsdayHunterPrey'', and Mongul, who acted as an ally to Cyborg-Superman, are written out and their respective roles are given to Darkseid.]]

* BadBoss: Luthor

* ShoutOut: The scenes of Steel's armor being removed by machinery and of the giant portal with Darkseid's invasion fleet on the other side are both quite similar to [[Film/TheAvengers2012 another film]].
** When Lois interrupts Cyborg Superman thrashing Superman, she says "[[Film/{{Aliens}} Get away from him, you son of a bitch!]]"

This film and its predecessor was rereleased on ''October 1, 2019'' in a [[ReCut Extended Cut]] CompilationMovie, ''The Death and Return of Superman''.

* ChekhovsGunman: Eric, a man Superboy saves from a mugger in the opening montage, is later the first to volunteer to step up to Cyborg-Superman's DareToBeBadass, while his wife/girlfriend Becky [[spoiler: is one of the first to realize there's something wrong with the Cyber Corps]].

* AmbiguouslyEvil: G Gordon Godfrey (especially given how he’s often TheMole for Darkseid) briefly appears at the beginning. On one hand he argues that humanity can’t trust the new Supermen due to knowing nothing about them (something that is especially true for [[spoiler:Cyborg Superman who is working for Darkseid]]) and Superboy being under Lex Luthor's control. The fact that his message against supers come across as less hateful and forceful than previous versions of the character, and more concerned about humanity getting complacent also clouds the interpretation of his character. Messages urging ordinary humans to rely on themselves and be their own super heroes isn't an ignoble one and can be read in different ways. On one hand, this could have been a manipulative method to [[spoiler:make more people willing to join the Cyber Corps]], but it also might have been a coincidence and it’s likely that message also indirectly foreshadowed or inspired the heroic actions of Bibbo and the others at the end (although this might be a case of NiceJobFixingItVillain).

* AmbiguouslyEvil: G Gordon Godfrey (especially given how he’s often TheMole for Darkseid) briefly appears at the beginning. On one hand he argues that humanity can’t trust the new Supermen due to knowing nothing about them (something that is especially true for [[spoiler:Cyborg Superman who is working for Darkseid]]) and Superbly being under Lex Luthor's control. The fact that his message against supers come across as less hateful and forceful than previous versions of the character, and more concerned about humanity getting complacent also clouds the interpretation of his character. Messages urging ordinary humans to rely on themselves and be their own super heroes isn't an ignoble one and can be read in different ways. On one hand, this could have been a manipulative method to [[spoiler:make more people willing to join the Cyber Corps]], but it also might have been a coincidence and it’s likely that message also indirectly foreshadowed or inspired the heroic actions of Bibbo and the others at the end (although this might be a case of NiceJobFixingItVillain).

** Wonder Woman is (again) given the famous "spin" from the live-action television series.

* TemptingFate: [[spoiler:Henshaw taunts Lois that Superman isn't around to save her. Cue Superman piloting his rocket into Henshaw. Likewise, Henshae wanting Superman to open his eyes so he'll be ForcedToWatch Lois's death? Heat vision taking off his cybernetic arm.]]

* AdaptationalHeroism: The Eradicator is still a lethal enforcer kind of guy, [[spoiler:but while in the original comic he honestly believed himself to be Kal-El of Krypton, and his use of the Fortress of Solitude to recharge slowed the ''real'' Superman's recovery as the Eradicator was siphoning energy from him, in this film the Eradicator is following its directive to protect Kryptonian life, acting as a guardian for Kal-El and ''giving'' energy to him to aid in his recovery. Why the Eradicator decided to go out and incinerate criminals is left unexplored.]]
* AdaptationAmalgamation: While mostly based on ''ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman'', this section does add elements of ''ComicBook/ForeverEvil'' with [[spoiler:Lex Luthor rescuing the Justice League and saving the world, and -- as hinted at in TheStinger and confirmed in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanHush'' -- Luthor joining the Justice League.]]
* AdaptationalJobChange: The Joan Dale of the comics was a reporter when she wasn't out adventuring as Miss America. The version here, was a MythologyGag to the Clintons being present in the comics' version of the funeral and referring to UsefulNotes/HillaryClinton's 2016 run for President, is President of the United States.
* AmbiguouslyEvil: G Gordon Godfrey (especially given how he’s often TheMole for Darkseid) briefly appears at the beginning. On one hand he argues that humanity can’t trust the new Supermen due to knowing nothing about them (something that is especially true for [[spoiler: Cyborg Superman who is working for Darkseid]]) and Superbly being under Lex Luthor's control. The fact that his message against supers come across as less hateful and forceful than previous versions of the character, and more concerned about humanity getting complacent also clouds the interpretation of his character. message urging ordinary humans to rely on themselves and be their own super heroes isn't an ignoble one and can be read in different ways. On one hand this could have been a manipulative method to [[spoiler: Make more people willing to join the Cyber Corps]] but it also might have been a coincidence and it’s likely that message also indirectly foreshadowed or inspired the heroic actions of Bibbo and the others at the end (although this might be a case of NiceJobFixingItVillain).

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: President Dale looks like [[UsefulNotes/HillaryRodhamClinton Hillary Clinton]], who in real life lost the 2016 election to UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump. This also serves as a MythologyGag of sorts, as Hillary had appeared in the ''Death of Superman'' comic arc as the First Lady to her husband [[UsefulNotes/BillClinton Bill]], the President at the time.
** Lex also stands in front of a sign that says "Make Metropolis Safe Again." when introducing Superboy.

''Reign of the Supermen'' is a 2019 film in the ''WesternAnimation/DCUniverseAnimatedOriginalMovies'' line and the second part of the story that started with ''WesternAnimation/TheDeathOfSuperman'', set in the WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedMovieUniverse. In addition to the returning voice actors including Creator/JerryOConnell as Cyborg-Superman, Creator/CressWilliams as ComicBook/{{Steel}}, Creator/RebeccaRomijn as ComicBook/LoisLane, Creator/RainnWilson as ComicBook/LexLuthor, Creator/JasonOMara as Franchise/{{Batman}}, Creator/RosarioDawson as Franchise/WonderWoman, Christopher Gorham as Franchise/TheFlash, Creator/NathanFillion as Franchise/GreenLantern, Creator/ShemarMoore as ComicBook/{{Cyborg}}, Nyambi Nyambi as the ComicBook/MartianManhunter, Charles Halford (''Series/{{Constantine}}'') as the Eradicator and Bibbo Bibbowski, Creator/PaulEiding as Jonathan Kent, and Creator/JenniferHale as Martha Kent, the cast includes Creator/CameronMonaghan (''Series/{{Gotham}}'') as ComicBook/{{Superboy}} and Creator/TonyTodd reprising his role from the ''WesternAnimation/LegoDCComicsSuperHeroes'' specials as ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} (replacing Creator/SteveBlum).

* AmbiguouslyEvil: G Gordon Godfrey (especially given how he’s often TheMole for Darkseid) briefly appears at the beginning. On one hand he argues that humanity can’t trust the new Supermen due to knowing nothing about them (something that is especially true for [[spoiler: Cyborg Superman]]). His message urging ordinary humans to rely on themselves and be their own super heroes. On one hand this could have been a manipulative method to [[spoiler: Make more people willing to join the Cyber Corps]] but it also might have been a coincidence and it’s likely that message also indirectly foreshadowed or inspired the heroic actions of Bibbo and the others at the end (although this might be a case of NiceJobFixingItVillain).

* ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend: A more subdued version than usual but [[spoiler: Becky is one of the first to join BIbbo in facing the Cyber Corps due to recognizing its done something bad to Eric]].