What If...Kevin Smith's Superman Movie Got Made

3. TheEradicatorShows Up & Saves Superman

So, Superman is dead, but then he's miraculously resurrected by The Eradicator, a Kryptonian robot famous in the comics, who then encases Supes in some armour that he spawns from his own body.

At this point it becomes Brainiac's quest to capture The Eradicator so that he can use his vast powers and weaponry to his own ends, but of course, that doesn't happen.

Instead, he keeps Superman there until his powers return after the Sun has been unblocked, and then when Supes' powers return courtesy of the Sun, he's able to return to his usual self, get to action and vanquish Brainiac/Luthor.