Superman 123 DPS by Ron Frenz, 1997 -- 1st Superman Blue in costume!

Superman Reborn!!

Okay, I'll admit, you first see Superman Blue in his new costume (containment suit) three pages before this DPS, but this is the first (HUGE) image of him in all his glory, flying high and proud as his parents wave him off, and it's the image I remember the most from when I first read this issue in 1997.

In the aftermath of the "Death and Return" story, Superman's powers went through a series of changes, at one point rampaging out of control as he absorbed too much solar energy. But things really went haywire when he became a being of 100% energy who was slightly out of phase with our reality plane. Thus was born Superman Blue (and later Superman Red).

In this particular issue, Superman finds himself in battle with Scorn, but not in control of his new powers. Emil Hamilton and Dr. Kitty Faulkner are unable to develop a containment suit for the former Man of Steel until the Contessa delivers the necessary material, courtesy of her husband, Lex Luthor. Scorn is revealed to be a misunderstood, gentle soul, and Superman finds the new costume to be an effective first step in managing his mysterious new abilities.