Warning: Spoilers ahead for Action Comics #1033 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Daniel Sampere!
While Superman may be the Man of Steel, Infinite Frontier has given Clark Kent a problem in common with the Marvel Universe's God of Thunder, Thor. The Last Son of Krypton has always been a hero of mythic proportions and Superman’s new status quo seems to be taking his legendary status to new heights.
Clark’s station in the universe has been on the rise during Infinite Frontier, and the events of Future State tease that his reach is only going to grow - to the point that he’ll essentially be worshipped as a god. But the seeds of his deification are being planted in the present. And at least in Action Comics #1033, it seems that Clark himself might already be aware of it.
In Action Comics #1033, the heroes of the Justice League discuss the matter of freeing the remaining slaves from Mongul’s Warworld. But when other members of the Justice League share their differing motivations for attacking the warlike planet, Superman asks them, “How many more slaves are up there, bleeding and starving, praying that someone will save them?” Clark doesn’t see himself as a god, but even he realizes that the slaves waiting for him, praying for salvation, are essentially praying to him. He realizes it’s their responsibility to rescue the ones that need them, and he’s refusing to make them wait any longer.
Superman has always been someone for people to look up to, but both Future State: House of El and the recent Action Comics 2021 Annual - both by Johnson and Scott Godlewski - highlight the impact that the Man of Steel has on the downtrodden across the galaxy. His family and legacy will go on to become incredibly influential across the cosmos, essentially becoming a new pantheon of solar-powered gods of justice with an entire Earth religion formed around Superman during his absence. But with that power comes the responsibility of expectations - something that Marvel’s very own Thor knows all too well.
As an Asgardian, the Odinson is no stranger to being deified, but it never comes easily to him and it’s even brought him into conflict against his teammates. In Avengers #63 by Geoff Johns and Alan Davis, Thor invaded Latveria in defense of his worshippers oppressed within the nation’s borders. When the Avengers interfered, Thor was forced to demolish Iron Man and even dent Captain America’s shield to fight them off. Clark hasn’t come into contact with any overt worshippers yet, but it’s only a matter of time before the people he rescues start seeing him as a superpowered messiah.
Kal-El is one of DC’s most powerful heroes and as his legend grows, the Last Son of Krypton is going to have to come to grips with the weight of being worshipped as a god. If things keep up, Superman is going to need some tips from Thor.