Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1073Superman is known for being a one-man fighting machine in DC lore, but that doesn’t mean he always fights alone. He has a family of heroes by his side, all with impressive powers, although they don’t receive as much recognition as Superman himself. Now, Superboy and the Superman of China are leading their own adventure in Superman’s absence, demonstrating the untapped potential of the Superman family.
Action comics #1073 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, Matt Herms and Dave Sharpe continues the “Ghosts” storyline, in which Superman ventures into the Phantom Zone to uncover the truth about dark occurrences within it. While he’s gone, he leaves Earth in the capable hands of his extended family of superheroes. This includes Kong Kenan and Conner Kent, who end up reluctantly joining forces to deal with the problems that come your way.
Without Superman around, his lesser-known family members will have to take matters into their own hands, resulting in the hilarious team-up of Super-Man and Superboy. This unexpected duo proves that DC needs to focus more on Superman’s family in their stories, as they deserve the same praise he receives.
Superman’s Most Underrated Allies Finally Get Their Own Adventure
Super-Man and Superboy team up after the Fortress of Solitude is robbed
Superman’s journey sends him deep into the Phantom Zone, while Super-Man and Superboy’s journey finds them on Earth during a baseball game. Immediately, Kenan and Conner discuss whether Kenan cheated at the game when he claims victory. Then they discover that Superman’s Fortress of Solitude has been robbed and things take a surprising turn. Before they can track down the culprits, they are kidnapped and imprisoned by aliens from the Royal Space Museum. The shenanigans ensue as Kenan stops Conner from attacking his captors, with this comedic team-up giving the two a legitimate spotlight.
The parallel story of Super-Man and Superboy begins in Action comics #1071 by Waid, Henry and Shelfer, available now from DC Comics!
As members of Superman’s family of heroes, Super-Man and Superboy already know each other, but this story brings them together in a whole new way. It’s always enjoyable to see two contrasting personalities clash, and Conner’s never-ending frustration with Kenan – and vice versa – makes for a fun dynamic. They are not a duo that usually tells a story just for themselves and they show that they are the perfect pair as they fight like brothers. Kenan and Conner are getting the push they needed as characters, and its potential has been explored for a long time.
Who are Superboy and Superman? Superman’s Family Members, Explained
Kon-El and Kong Kenan are not Kryptonians with Kryptonian powers
Although these two heroes from the Superman family share similar powers to Clark, neither of them are natural Kryptonians like him. Conner Kent, or Kon-El, is a clone with the DNA of Superman and Lex Luthormeaning he has standard Kryptonian superpowers, among other unusual abilities. These unique powers include his tactile telekinesis, which allows him to control anything he touches with his mind. First appearing in a 1993 story The Adventures of Superman #500 by Karl Kesel, Tom Grummett, Doug Hazlewood, Glenn Whitmore and Albert De Guzman, Conner has since taken up the mantle of Superboy to fight alongside Superman and his allies.
Superboy has been part of the Superman family since 1990, while China’s Superman is a more recent addition to the group. Kong Kenan made his DC debut in 2016 New Superman #1 by Gene Luen Yang, Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend, Hi-Fi and Dave Sharpe. Originally a human from Shanghai, Kenan gains powers after being infused with the life force of the deceased New 52 Superman. Like Superboy, Superman possesses standard Kryptonian abilities and his own unique magical powers. This is the main distinction between him and his American counterpart, as he replaces Superman’s weakness to magic with proficiency in it.
The Superman family deserves a bigger role in DC history
Super-Man and Superboy’s adventure should be the first of many
Now that Conner and Kenan have gotten some much-needed attention in DC lore thanks to their current exit, it’s time for the rest of the family to get that treatment as well. For example, Starchild and Red Son – the adopted children of Clark Kent and Lois Lane – are less recognized by the wider public and could benefit greatly from a story centered on them. Superman has incredible heroes fighting alongside him, and they all deserve a chance to shine. Thanks to Superboy and SupermanThere is still hope that the Superman the family is no longer being ignored by DC Comics.
Action comics #1073 is now available from DC Comics.