Re Vartox the old Superman enemy then friend. He seemed pretty kick ass back in the day, but I haven’t heard anything about him storywise in years. Is he just MIA or dead?
He had post-Crisis appearances in Superman #148 and #150 (Nov 99 and Jan 00) as one of three super-powered alien adventurers blackmailed by Brainiac to attack Superman. They and Supes eventually turn the tables on Brainiac and the three give chase to Brainy as he flees Earth.
Interestingly, while conducting this research, I learned the character’s name and appearance were based on a truly bizarre Sean Connery sci-fi movie called Zardoz.
Thanks!