| Issue | #678 |
| Published | September 2008 |
| Frequency | monthly |
| Cover Price | 2.99 USD; 2.99 CAD |
| Pages | 36 |
| Editing | Matt Idelson; Tom Palmer Jr. (associate) |
| Notes | This issue went on sale 2008-07-23 (on time). |
| Characters | Superman; Atlas |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Pencils | Alex Ross (painted) |
| Inks | Alex Ross (painted) |
| Colors | Alex Ross (painted) |
| Letters | typeset |
| Characters | Superman; Atlas; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Science Police [Control [Rachel; Chameleon Boy]; Michael Daniels; Sabatini]; Chagra (flashback); Adolph Hitler (cameo, flashback); Flash [Jay Garrick] (silhouette, flashback); Batman [Bruce Wayne] (flashback, cameo); Flash [Barry Allen] (flashback, cameo); General Sam Lane (unnamed) ; Atom (computer image); Hyssa (flashback, cameo); The Three Who Are One; the mountain crystal |
| Synopsis | Lois and Jimmy arrive on the scene of the fight between Atlas and Superman. At Science Police headquarters, a woman is monitoring the situation, and directing the remaining officers against Atlas. Atlas flashes back to ancient days, when he was at war. At the end of a battle, he is suddenly grabbed into time, and watches the years pass quickly by, which overwhelms him. After awakening, he finds himself in the present under the control of a general. They come to an agreement; Atlas will fight Superman while the general monitors and studies Superman. There is then another flashback, where it is revealed that Atlas was sent away, and ended up with the general. Superman recovers from the first round with Atlas, and is ready for round two. |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Script | James Robinson |
| Pencils | Renato Guedes |
| Inks | Jose Wilson Magalhaés |
| Colors | Hi-Fi |
| Letters | John J. Hill |
| Notes | Story continued from the previous issue and continues in the next issue. This version of Atlas was designed by Jack Kirby, and only appeared once before this arc in 1st Issue Special (DC, 1975 series) #1 (April 1975). Several pages (9-12, 17-19) are done in the style of Jack Kirby, but they are new pages. |
| Script | Dan Didio |
| Notes | Dan talks about his interactions with Michael Turner, who recently passed away. Ads for Superman #679, Ambush Bug: Year None #1, Joker's Asylum: Scarecrow #1, and Superman/Batman #50. Appears on page 34 in this issue. |
| Notes | House ad for: Final Crisis (August 2008 checklist). Appears on page 32 in this issue. |
| Notes | Total of 11 one-page ads for: Soul Calibur IV (video game, Bandia Namco), Batman Gotham Knight (DVD, Warner Video), abovetheinfluence (Partnership for a Drug-Free America), got milk? with Batman [Christian Bale] (milk, America's Milk Processors), Quantum Prophecy 2 Born to Be Heroes (book, Philomel Books/Puffin Books), Civilization Revolution (video game, 2K Games), Batman Battle Rolls Fruit Roll-Ups (fruit snacks, Betty Crocker), dew Action Sports tour (NBC Sports), The Dark Knight Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD, Warner Brothers), DC Universe Online (online game, Sony Online Entertainment), and The Dark Knight is Calling (Dark Knight cell phone, Verizon Wireless) . Appear in various places in this issue. |