So far, the son of Superman has done a spectacular job stepping up for his father as DC Comics’ flagship hero. But before Jonathan Kent was even born, there was Conner Kent. And although the DC Universe may have forgotten him, the hero known as Superboy has long since earned the title of Man of Steel.
Created by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett, this Superboy first appeared in The Adventures of Superman #500 after Superman’s death at the hands of the monster Doomsday. Though it would be revealed years later that he was a product of Lex Luthor’s malevolence, Conner was ultimately created to replace Superman should anything happen to the Man of Steel. Fortunately, he hasn’t exactly lived his life in the way Luthor had intended, and in so doing, he’s more than proved his worth as a hero and as a Superman successor.
During Superman’s absence, the Metropolis Kid does his best to protect Clark Kent’s city in his own obnoxious way. And once the Last Son of Krypton returns to the land of the living, Kon-El continues the good fight alongside Superman. But it is his time with his friends in Young Justice and later the Teen Titans that Conner really earns his stripes as a Superman. Not only does he learn the truth of his existence and overcome his brainwashing as a weapon of Lex Luthor’s, but he gives his life to save Nightwing, Wonder Girl, and all of reality in the pages of Infinite Crisis by Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, Jerry Ordway, and more. He even later follows in his mentor’s footsteps by being resurrected in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds by Johns and George Pérez to once again save reality. And returning from the dead to save existence is as Superman as it gets.
Both Jonathan and Conner Kent were born to be Superman, and while their respective journeys have both been full of self-doubt as to whether they could be worthy, it’s Luthor’s human DNA that adds another layer to Conner’s insecurities. In the infamous storyline “Titans Tomorrow” by Johns and Mike McKone, fans are introduced seen a future an adult Conner Kent Superman who employs more totalitarian methods under the thrall of his “father” Lex Luthor. The young Kent has long since rejected Lex’s guidance, cementing himself as a member of the Superman family and cutting off the dark possibilities of that timeline, as show in a short story by David Finch in Superman/Batman #75 which features Conner as a Superman all his own standing alongside Damian Wayne’s Batman and still truly believing in everything the original Superman fought for.
At the moment, Kon-El’s place in the DC Universe is a bit up in the air. In Action Comics #1028 by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita, Jr., fans learn that Conner’s powers may eventually dissipate because of his clone heritage. And while he still seems to be in top form in the Suicide Squad 2021 Annual by Robbie Thompson, Dexter Soy, and more, this makes Superboy’s status as a superhero a ticking clock - all the more reason for him to don the mantle now while he still has the opportunity.
Jonathan has already proven himself to be an amazing Superman, but that shouldn’t rule out Conner’s chances of stepping up for his mentor. There are already multiple Flashes and Green Lanterns, and with the ongoing Warworld Saga and the upcoming Death of the Justice League, the world clearly needs all the Supermen it can get. Whether Conner Kent ever ends up becoming Superman remains to be seen, but DC Comics’ Superboy has already proven himself to be more worthy of the chance.