Warning: contains a preview of Superman: Son of Kal-El #16!For better or worse, Superman is a hero who has been through more than a few reboots, retcons, and phases where writers have done their best to give the farm boy from Kansas a darker edge, but those have never lasted. Now Tom Taylor, Cian Tormey, and Ruairi Coleman are reminding the world of what makes Clark Kent the greatest superhero ever, and it's not his powers.

The baby Kal-El crashed-landed on Earth and was raised by the Kents in Smallville Kansas. Through their encouragement, love, and kind example, Clark grew into the type of person that believed in the goodness of people and was dedicated to always choosing hope and mercy over fear and cruelty. Superman has proved again and again that he's the kind of hero who wanted to inspire people to be the best that they could be, and that was doubly true when it came to his own son, Jon Kent. Born to Clark and Lois Lane, Jon’s childhood was not always the easiest, but he always did his best to follow the example of his famous father, especially after the two were separated during the Warworld Saga. Ever since, Jon has been left on Earth as the only Superman.

Related: Superman Just Made an Iconic Star Wars Quote Even More Heroic

Now in Superman: Son of Kal-El #16, both Jon and fans are finally getting the reunion they have long been waiting for, and it is well-earned. Clark Kent's Superman is finally returning home, and this issue is packed full of moments that show why Clark Kent is the best superhero to have ever graced the pages of a comic book. It’s not the big battles or the heroic planet-saving moments, but the unerring commitment to love and humanism that set Superman apart. It’s the quiet moments that reveal his true character and why the Last Son of Krypton is always at his best when he is helping people. This is on show in the preview below, shared recently by AIPT:

The story opens up with one such small moment, as remembered by Jon. As the boy lays in a wheat field - struggling with the arrival of his super-hearing - it's Clark who swoops down to save him. Even though Superman is dressed in his black outfit, he is still a reassuring presence, and he takes his scared son in his arms to gently remind him that he is not alone. Clark once went through exactly what Jon is going through, and he has advice on how to cope with it. The issue then moves to the modern day, where Jon misses his father's heartbeat and Lois notes that Clark always casually kept her coffee hot with his heat vision, showing the many small ways in which the Man of Steel is missed by the people who love him.

Making Superman a father might have originally been a controversial decision, but in the end it was a smart one. Every time fans get to see Clark as a loving and caring father, it reminds them of what makes him a great man, a great hero, and a great husband. The issue stresses that while Jon may have been protecting Earth as Superman, Clark Kent was still missed, not because of who he punches, but who he cares for. The preview packs many moments into just a few pages focusing on the way Clark Kent's empathy defines the lives of those around him, showing why when it comes to superheroes, none are as iconic.

Some people may see Superman as DC's greatest weapon, but it's not his powers that make him great. While Batman is prepared for anything and Spider-Man is as relatable as possible, Superman represents the best a person can be in every aspect of his life. It's the small moments that prove why Superman is an inspiration, not just to the people of DC but to everyone who follows his adventures.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #16 is available now from DC Comics.

Next: DC's Superman Family Get New Costumes in NYCC Tease

Source: AIPT