Taking place one year after the events of Infinite Crisis, the story sees Clark Kent adjusting to life without superpowers and making the world a safer place through his work as a reporter. Unfortunately, this period of peace and tranquility cannot last. Lex Luthor, acquitted of the multiple criminal charges he had amassed over the years, is not happy Clark has destroyed his reputation and sets out take vengeance on all of Metropolis. With Luthor having obtained Kryptonian technology, the need for the Man of Steel becomes more evident. Fortunately, Superman gets back in action and confronts Luthor to save Metropolis once again.
With this storyline, the Superman (1939)/(Volume 1) magazine, which had been renamed as Adventures of Superman in 1987, reverted back to its original title.
Superman: Up, Up and Away contains examples of:
- Back in the Saddle: After one year of inactivity, Clark retakes the mantle of Superman when his powers return.
- Big Damn Heroes: Kryptonite Man's rampage through Metropolis is decisively stopped by Supergirl's arrival.
- Bullet Catch: Superman shows that he's gotten his speed back by grabbing a bullet before it can hit Jimmy.
- Came from the Sky: Back in 1938, a Kryptonian object fell into Earth and burrowed its way deep into the center of the Earth. It was a warship that belonged to Admiral Dru-Zod, General Zod's ancestor.
- Combat Breakdown: After Superman resorts to charging straight through Luthor's Kryptonite-powered warship, the two of them wind up on a beach, Superman depowered and Luthor's armor in tatters. They resort to just punching each other unconscious.
- Data Crystal: Kryptonian Sunstones are capable of storing more data than any computer on Earth.
- Earth Is the Center of the Universe: It would have made more sense if The Kryptonians had buried their superweapon on an uninhabited planet instead of one with humanoids who might end up using it.
- How Do I Shot Web?: Superman's return to action is not a smooth one. His powers haven't been fully replenished and he gets suddenly thrust into a fight with Intergang's goons.
- Intrepid Reporter: Even with his powers gone, Clark still protects Metropolis as an investigative reporter.
- Man of Kryptonite: Metallo, as usual. A Freak Lab Accident involving Kryptonite turns Russell Abernathy into the latest version of the Kryptonite Man.
- Mythology Gag:
- Metropolis has a stadium called the Shuster Sports Arena, named after Joe Shuster, one of Superman's creators.
- During his fight with Superman, Lex wears an outfit similar to the one he wore in the Silver Age.
- The use of the Sunstone to construct the Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic is taken from Superman: The Movie.
- Superman's returned weakened powers are the same as they were in the original comics.
- Radion, an enemy that hadn't been seen since Bronze Age storyline Krypton No More, makes a short-lived reappearance.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Lex has some of his goons drag Clark to an alley so he can beat up Clark by himself.
- Power Crystal: Kryptonian Sunstones are self-replicating, infinitely programmable and can transmit data at lightning speed. The object buried deep beneath Earth's surface is a massive Kryptonian warship made of Sunstone. Superman also uses the Sunstone to build a new Fortress of Solitude.
- Restraining Bolt: Lex devises a way to deactivate Metallo's cyborg parts, effectively turning him into a statue.
- Ret-Canon: Kryptonian Sunstones, based on the data crystals from Superman: The Movie, are introduced in this story arc.
- Ring of Power: Hal Jordan offers a Green Lantern ring to Clark if it means getting him back into the game. The ring even has Superman's symbol embedded in it, rather than the Green Lantern symbol.
- Rogues Gallery Showcase: Despite Superman not showing up as much to punch things until over halfway, this is a diverse showing of many superman's earthbound rogues. As The Kryptonite Man, The Prankster, Toyman, Metallo, Intergang, Neutron, Puzzler, Livewire, Hellgramite, Bloodsport, Riot, and a mad scientist all feature. Of course, there's also the fact that Lex Luthor is also working in the background too.
- Sensory Overload: After one year without his Super-Senses, Superman gets briefly overwhelmed by sensory input from his surroundings and the memories from his youth.
- Trainstopping: Clark getting hit by a train and not getting hurt at all was the first sign of his powers coming back.
- Transforming Mecha: Because Sunstone can be reprogrammed to suit the user's needs, Lex is able to transform the Kryptonian warship into a giant robot.
- You Can Barely Stand: After a long battle, Superman is tired, injured and making Luthor boast he'll beat the alien to death with his bare hands. He's summarily knocked down.
- You Could Have Used Your Powers for Good!: Clark chews Luthor out for this during their battle; after all his talk about how he could save the world if Superman wasn't around, he did nothing whatsoever in the whole year Superman was out of the action. Luthor, naturally, insists this is STILL all Superman's fault.
