Death And Return Of Superman Two-Part Animated Movie Announced

07/22/2017 09:45 am EDT

Superman is about to die and return with some new friends.

At Comic-Con International: San Diego, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced plans to adapt the popular "Death and Return of Superman" storyline as two animated movies releasing in 2018 and 2019.

In 2018, Death of Superman will retell Superman's famous "final battle" against the unstoppable force known as Doomsday.

Fans of DC Entertainment's animated movies may remember that 2007's Superman: Doomsday, the very first film in the series, also adapted this battle. However, in order to condense the entire epic story of Superman's death and return for a 75-minute film, many omissions and alterations were made. DC Entertainment promises that Death of Superman will be a more faithful adaptation and include several moments that were left out of Superman: Doomsday.

In 2019, the story of Superman's fate will continue in Reign of the Supermen. While the official synopsis for Reign of the Supermen hasn't been released yet, fans will remember that the "Reign of the Superman" comic book storyline saw four would-be Supermen step up to replace the fallen Kal-El: Steel, Cyborg Superman, Superboy, and the Last Son of Krypton (later known as the Eradicator).

The spirit of the "Reign of the Superman" story was present in Superman: Doomsday, but the details were greatly simplified. Instead of four different Supermen, the Superman: Doomsday included a single Superman clone who was created and controlled by Lex Luthor. Superman: Doomsday also saw the true Superman return in his fan favorite black and silver costume and "business in the front, party in the back" haircut.

Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment did not reveal the voice cast for either Death of Superman or Reign of the Supermen, but fans should keep an eye on some of the other upcoming DC Animation film releases, including Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, for sneak previews.

The original "Death of Superman" story was created by Mike Carlin, Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, and Karl Kessel. Superman's death in Superman #75 was a highlight of the speculator bubble in the 1990s. Superman's death was followed by the "Funeral for a Friend" story, which saw Superman's loved ones, included the heroes of the DC Comics universe, in mourning and attending Superman's funeral.

Superman comics ceased publication for months following the Man of Steel's death, until The Adventures of Superman #500 hit stands, offering the first hint of Superman's return. The issue also offered the first glimpse at the four new Supermen and each of the replacement took over one Superman's old titles: Superman, The Adventures of Superman, Superman: The Man of Steel, and Action Comics.

MORE: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Movie Revealed / First Look At Batman And Harley Quinn Movie / Batman And Harley Quinn Is Getting A Comic Book Prelude / Batman And Harley Quinn Movie To Premiere At Comic-Con

Disclosure: ComicBook is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of Paramount. Sign up for Paramount+ by clicking here.