Up, Up and Away!: complete analysis of the post-Infinite Crisis Superman relaunch by Busiek and Johns
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Up, Up and Away! is the 2006 Superman arc that directly follows Infinite Crisis. Co-written by Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns with art by Pete Woods and Renato Guedes, the story is designed as a true fresh start for the hero: Superman has been without his powers for a year, Clark Kent lives as an ordinary human with Lois, and the progressive return of his powers serves as a symbolic reinterpretation of the myth. In this article: the post-Infinite Crisis genesis, the analysis of the eight chapters, the return of Lex Luthor as a threat, the heroic relaunch, the aesthetic and the legacy. By the end, you'll understand why Up, Up and Away is one of the most successful modern Superman relaunches.
📋 Contents
Post-Infinite Crisis context
Up, Up and Away! was published in early 2006 in Superman and Action Comics, immediately after the conclusion of the great crossover Infinite Crisis. The story constitutes the official relaunch of the Superman franchise after the continuity upheavals of the event.
Key editorial context:
- Direct follow-up toInfinite Crisis (2005-2006)
- Narrative jump of One Year Later (one year later)
- Co-written by Kurt Busiek + Geoff Johns
- Art by Pete Woods and Renato Guedes
- Format eight chapters (4 in Superman + 4 in Action Comics)
- Desire to relaunch the franchise on bright foundations
This editorial context explains the story's resolutely optimistic tone, which contrasts with the darkness of Infinite Crisis. To place this saga within the gallery of great Superman stories, our complete guide to Superman comic books retraces all the major references.
The concept of the fresh start
The structural idea of the story is brilliant in its simplicity : following Infinite Crisis, Superman has been without his powers for a year. During that year, Clark Kent lived as an ordinary human, married to Lois, a reporter at the Daily Planet, with no heroic intervention.
The story follows two parallel dimensions:
- The progressive return of Clark's powers
- Theorchestration of a threat (Lex Luthor)
- The question : will Clark become Superman again?
- The Lois/Clark relationship in this new dynamic
- The place of Superman in a society that has weaned itself off him
This structure makes it possible to answer a fundamental question : is Superman defined by his powers or by who he is? The story answers clearly: Clark Kent is Superman, with or without powers. This philosophical dimension is one of the story's great achievements.
Clark Kent as a human for a year
The first act presents Clark Kent living as an ordinary human:
- Daily journalism at the Daily Planet
- Marriage routine stabilized with Lois
- Adapting to human constraints (sleep, fatigue, vulnerability)
- Occasional frustration at injustices he cannot prevent
- Identity question: is he still himself without the powers?
This human dimension is very successful. Busiek and Johns explore with finesse Clark's nostalgia for the hero he was, but also the fulfillment he finds in human simplicity. To explore the whole Daily Planet dimension, our complete analysis of the Daily Planet develops the extended context.
The progressive return of his powers
The second act orchestrates the progressive return of Clark's powers:
Strength. Super-strength returns progressively, at first to lift heavy objects. This dimension symbolizes the return of the ability to act.
Flight. Flight returns as the last stage, in a memorable climactic sequence.
A. The vision powers (heat vision, X-ray vision, telescopic vision) return in stages, illustrating the gradual dimension of the return.
Invulnerability. Resistance to injury returns as the last stage, which maintains the dramatic dimension of the fights for a good part of the story.
This gradual progression is narratively very effective : each returning power is a symbolic step toward the hero's complete rebirth. To explore Superman's whole powers dimension, our complete guide to Superman's powers develops each ability in detail.
Lex Luthor as a major threat
The third act develops the threat orchestrated by Lex Luthor. The evil genius has taken advantage of the year without Superman to set up an ambitious plan: using Kryptonian debris to create a gigantic spaceship capable of devastating Metropolis and establishing his dominance.
Characteristics of the story's Lex Luthor:
- At the top of his strategic game after Superman's absence
- Manipulation political and industrial
- Use of Kryptonian technology
- Outsized ego (he thinks he has definitively won)
- Underestimating the resilience of Clark
This Luthor at the height of his cunning is one of the best-written of the decade. To explore the character's whole philosophical dimension, our complete analysis of Lex Luthor develops the extended context.
The climax of the final battle
The climax of the story is one of the most famous sequences of the 2000s:
Rematch. Superman, having regained all his powers (except total invulnerability), faces Luthor and his spaceship.
The iconic lifting sequence. To prevent Luthor's ship from devastating Metropolis, Superman must carry it into space. The sequence of the progressive lift, accompanied by Lois in a helicopter, has become iconic: the moment when Superman shouts "Up, Up and Away!" just before taking off, regaining his powers at the crucial moment.
Resolution. The ship is destroyed in space, Luthor is captured, Metropolis is saved. Superman is officially back.
This climactic sequence has become iconic for several reasons: the symbolic dimension of the return, the narrative effectiveness of the build-up, the visual quality of the sequence, and the pure satisfaction of seeing the hero back at the top. To explore the whole Metropolis dimension, our complete analysis of Metropolis develops the extended context.
The aesthetic of the fresh start
The visual work on Up, Up and Away! reflects the philosophy of the fresh start :
Pete Woods. Draws the human dimension of the story (first chapters). His relatively simple, expressive style suits the intimate dimension of Clark and Lois's life perfectly.
Renato Guedes. Mainly draws the action sequences and the climax. His more dynamic style brings the epic dimension needed for the heroic return.
Progressive palette. The palette evolves subtly over the course of the story: softer, earthier colors in the human phase, brighter colors when the powers return. This chromatic progression visually structures the story.
Classic costume. The Superman costume in the story is resolutely classic: vivid colors, red trunks, flowing cape. This restoration of the classic iconography is fully part of the philosophy of the fresh start. To explore the whole iconography, our complete analysis of the Superman logo develops the extended context.
Legacy and place in the mythology
Thelegacy of Up, Up and Away! is notable:
Successful reset. The story is hailed as one of the most successful "resets" of the Superman franchise, alongside Birthright and For All Seasons. It made it possible to relaunch the franchise on stable, bright foundations for several years.
One Year Later. The One Year Later narrative jump the story uses became an editorial reference at DC, later reused in several other franchises.
Influence on the adaptations. Several elements of the story have been taken up in multimedia adaptations: Clark's human dimension, the progressive return of the powers, the classic iconography of the costume.
Geoff Johns's career on Superman. Up, Up and Away! marks the beginning of Geoff Johns's long collaboration with the character, which would culminate in Brainiac, Last Son and many other major stories.
To explore the entire source mythology, our complete guide to the history of Superman and our Krypton guide retrace the whole extended dimension.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Up, Up and Away!?
The story is co-written by Kurt Busiek (Marvels, Astro City, Secret Identity) and Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Justice Society). The art is by Pete Woods and Renato Guedes. Published in 2006 by DC Comics in Superman and Action Comics.
What is the concept of the story?
Following Infinite Crisis, Superman has been without his powers for a year. Clark lives as an ordinary human with Lois. The story follows the progressive return of his powers and the orchestration of a threat by Lex Luthor, culminating in a heroic comeback battle.
Why the title Up, Up and Away?
It is Superman's historic catchphrase, shouted at the moment of every takeoff. The story's title is deliberately ironic at first (Superman can no longer fly), before taking on its full meaning in the climax with the sequence of the return of flight.
Is the story canon?
Yes, fully canon. It is part of official DC continuity, following Infinite Crisis and preceding Geoff Johns's other major Superman stories (Brainiac, Last Son).
What is Lex Luthor's role in the story?
Luthor is the main antagonist. During the year without Superman, he took the opportunity to set up an ambitious plan using Kryptonian technology to devastate Metropolis. His top strategic form makes him one of the best-written of the decade.
Is the story accessible to new readers?
Mostly yes. Although it follows Infinite Crisis, the story largely works on its own (the stakes are explained at the start). It is even one of the good entry points into the modern Superman mythology thanks to its bright, accessible tone.
Is there a collected edition?
Yes, the story has been collected by DC Comics. It is generally available as a hardcover collecting all eight chapters. Check availability at specialized comic book stores.
Conclusion
Up, Up and Away! is one of the most successful relaunches of the Superman franchise in the 21st century. Busiek and Johns offer a bright, structured story that brilliantly answers the fundamental question: is Superman defined by his powers or by who he is? The clear answer (Clark Kent is Superman, with or without powers) gives the story a rare philosophical dimension.
For seasoned fans, it is an interesting variation on the codes of the relaunch, which dialogues with other modern resets (Birthright, For All Seasons, Earth One). For new readers, it is one of the most effective entry points into the modern Superman mythology, accessible and satisfying.
To explore all the other great Superman stories and the complete mythology, our complete guide to Superman comic books, our Lex Luthor analysis and our complete guide to the history of Superman retrace the whole extended dimension. To celebrate the hero every day, our store offers a complete selection of Superman figures, Superman clothing and Superman decorations.