DC Officially Confirms Major Superman Character Death

Published Nov 10, 2026, 8:30 AM EST

Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.

Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.

Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.

DC has officially confirmed the upcoming death of a major Superman character, as the Man of Steel contends with the mortality of his greatest friend and ally.

As DC's most iconic hero, Superman has close relationships with Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and more - however his greatest friends are his own supporting cast. From old friends like Lois Lane, Perry White and Jimmy Olsen to modern additions like Marilyn Moonlight and Jon Kent, Clark is surrounded by loved ones and allies.

Now, he'll have to contend with the death of his iconic "best pal," as DC confirms that photojournalist Jimmy Olsen will soon perish at the hands of one of DC's most powerful villains of all time.

DC Is Killing Off Jimmy Olsen

Recent solicit information for Superman #46 has confirmed that Jimmy Olsen will die. This isn't the usual tease that a character MIGHT face death - Jimmy Olsen's passing is set in stone, referenced by DC as a past event in future issues.

Debuting in 1938, "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen" works alongside Clark at the Daily Planet, adopting a Robin-like sidekick role in many classic stories, where he could attract Superman's attention with his supersonic Signal Watch. Jimmy has gained superpowers multiple times over the years, but always returns to being an accident-prone everyman with a nose for news. Now, DC confirms Jimmy will perish.

Superman #46
Release Date:	January 27, 2027
Writer:	Joshua Williamson
Artists:	Xermánico
Cover Artist:	Xermánico and Alejandro Sánchez
NEKRON RISES! AS A FRIEND OF SUPERMAN FALLS! If Superman wants to reverse the shocking death of one of his closest friends, he must battle the resurrected Nekron! But you don't get Black Lanterns without... zombies! It's up to Marilyn Moonlight and Silver Banshee to hold back the hordes of zombies about to flood into Metropolis.

Superman's latest comic arc sees the Man of Steel dealing with the return of Nekron - a cosmic embodiment of death who acts as the godlike patron of the Black Lanterns. The story begins with Superman discovering a new Black Lantern ring, with the threat that the powerful artifact will restore Nekron's physical form.

Now, fans learn that Superman will suffer "the shocking death of one of his closest friends," with Xermánico's cover art showing Superman cradling Jimmy as Nekron advances. Thankfully, there's still some hope that Jimmy could be restored...

Will Jimmy Olsen Be DC's New Black Lantern?

It's clear that Jimmy's death will be connected to Nekron, with the dark god spreading a cursed 'Deadlands' across Metropolis. Thankfully, there appears to be a way to bring Jimmy back to life, but the cure may be worse than the cause.

That's because Nekron's Black Lanterns are typically the resurrected dead, their bodies puppeted back to life by Black Lantern rings and their memories used to victimize and slaughter their nearest and dearest. With resurrection on the cards for Jimmy, it's very likely he may go through this same process, and could even become DC's newest Black Lantern.

The summary for Superman #44 (along with the cover art) hinted at Superman becoming a Black Lantern after being attacked by a parasitic ring. While no fan believes that could happen in the long term, it WOULD be believable to give Jimmy the role, forcing Superman's best pal to reckon with a power closely linked to evil and death.

Jimmy Olsen's Death Could Destroy Superman Lore's Best New Romance

Jimmy becoming a Black Lantern would likely complicate his recent relationship with the formerly villainous Silver Banshee, who DC confirms will fight for Jimmy's life in Superman #46. Silver Banshee is connected to the power of death by a curse, and Jimmy being connected to Nekron could literally force the two apart if the sources of their power clash.

DC has confirmed that upcoming issues of Superman will see Jimmy Olsen's death as the Man of Steel battles the godlike Nekron, potentially setting up the hapless photographer for a superpowered rebirth.

Superman #46 is coming January 27 from DC Comics.