Superman #227

In a story that redefines redemption, Superman frees Quex-Ul from the Phantom Zone only to face a vengeful vow from the former prisoner—yet when Quex-Ul acts with unexpected courage, Superman questions the truth of his past. Traveling back to Krypton, he uncovers a shocking secret: Quex-Ul was hypnotized into believing he was guilty. As the truth unfolds, Quex-Ul makes a final sacrifice to protect Superman, losing his powers and memories in the process—leading Superman to give him a new beginning in Metropolis.

In "The Invasion of the Super-Ants!", Superman faces a bizarre threat when giant ants descend on Metropolis, abducting Lois Lane. With help from Clark Kent, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen, Superman takes an unexpected step—using Red Kryptonite to transform his head into that of an ant, hoping to understand their strange mission. As he confronts the towering insects, he uncovers a chilling warning about the consequences of atomic war, one that could change how Earth sees its own future.

In "Secret of Kryptonite Six!", Superman is drawn into a deadly gamble when Jax-Ur manipulates him into freeing him from the Phantom Zone to save Atlantis from a mysterious plague. With the city’s fate hanging in the balance, Superman unwittingly unleashes a new kind of Kryptonite—Jewel Kryptonite—empowering the Phantom Zone prisoners with the terrifying ability to project their thoughts into reality. As chaos unfolds, Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White race to uncover the truth behind the strange energy surge, while Supergirl and Lori Lemaris find themselves caught in a web of mind-bending danger.