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As you sit there reading this, relaxed and comfortable, you are about to learn of an interesting comic to read. Did you know that Superman goes to Mexico every now and then? No, he does not go there to check out the ultra-sweet El Ultimo Escape ride at Six Flags. The Daily Planet has a Spanish sister paper called El Planeta, and Clark Kent (Superman) is in Mexico as a foreign correspondent. This all takes place in Superman Annual 12, the second series from 2000. And of course, it would not be a typical day with the man of steel unless he is pounding his fists into someone’s face.
It is always strange when you see super heroes in foreign countries, because you often see the foreign counterparts of American heroes. Apparently, Mexico has their own version of Iron Man called Iman. (and in the DC universe instead of Marvel…) Another shocking surprise in Superman Annual 12 is that Superman speaks fluent Spanish. When I saw this, I rolled my eyes. So Superman has every physical super-power in the book and can speak foreign languages? Come on. He grew up on a farm; it is not like he encountered many cultures in his youth.
You like comics, you like Superman, and… you like Mexico? If so, relax with a cup of tea as you learn about Superman’s adventures in the land where drinking water will give you diarrhea. You will read this (Affiliate Link), and you will like it. Because Superman goes to Mexico. And that this sort of weird.
Superman Punches Crime and Speaks Fluent Spanish in Mexico
Let’s get this out of the way: Superman speaking fluent Spanish is somehow more unbelievable than him flying through the sun. Superman Annual 12 (2000) drops Clark Kent into Mexico as a foreign correspondent for El Planeta, and naturally, he’s fluent, charming, and still manages to punch someone through a wall before lunch.
The comic leans into the novelty of Superman abroad, complete with a Mexican Iron Man knockoff named Iman (yes, really). It’s like DC said, “What if we exported Superman and sprinkled in some cultural confusion?” The result is a comic that’s part travelogue, part punch-fest, and all kinds of weird.
And yet, it works. Sort of. It’s not deep, but it’s fun. And if you’ve ever wanted to see Superman navigate a foreign newsroom while casually being multilingual, this is your moment.
When DC Comics Sends Superman on Vacation, Expect Chaos
There’s something inherently hilarious about seeing American superheroes dropped into international settings. It’s like watching your dad try to order tacos in perfect Spanish after one Duolingo session. Superman Annual 12 doesn’t just embrace that awkwardness—it builds a whole plot around it.
The issue plays with tropes: foreign villains, local heroes, and Superman trying to blend in while still being, well, Superman. It’s not subtle. It’s not polished. But it’s a time capsule of early 2000s DC weirdness, and that’s exactly why it deserves a spot in your collection.
If nothing else, it’s worth it just to say, “Yeah, I own the comic where Superman goes to Mexico and speaks better Spanish than most high school valedictorians.”