Clark Kent

"People like Superman. He saves people."
"Yes. Yes, people love Superman."

—Conner and Eve Watson^[src]

Clark Joseph Kent (real name Kal-El) is the civilian identity of a well known hero, Superman. He is a member of the Justice League.

Biography

Early Life

Kal-El was originally born on Krypton and was sent to Earth after the destruction of his home planet. As a child, prior to being known as Superman, "Clark Kent," Kal's adopted name, grew up in the Kent Farm under an unnamed father and mother Martha Kent. At some point during this time, Clark also befriended Lionel Luthor's son, Lex.^[1]

Career as Superman

In his adulthood, Clark Kent became Superman, a super hero who saved people with his Kryptonian powers, embracing his birth name "Kal-El". However, at some point later on in their lives, Clark and Lex become archenemies, and Luthor spent the next forty years trying to kill Superman and replace him as the next "super" man.^[2]

Superman later met and became close friends with Batman enough that they trusted each other with their secret identities and exchanged phone numbers.^[3] Clark also trusted Batman enough to give him a piece of Kryptonite in case he ever went rogue.^[4]

DNA stolen and cloned

Lex later acquired some of Superman's DNA to try and clone him, wanting to try and have a "son" to become Superman in his legacy, finally realizing he would never be able to do so. However, Lex was unable to stabilize the alien DNA. Eve Watson told him that he would have to use human DNA to do this, so Lex used his own. The resulting clone was called Subject 13.^[1] However, Superman would be unaware of his son's existence for another year or so to come for he was not the "father" who created Conner.^[5]

When Hank Hall, Dawn Granger, and Jason Todd arrived to help stop Trigon, Kory Anders and Donna Troy informed them that there was a barrier that prevented them from entering. Angry, Hank said that Rachel should have told him and Dawn to get Superman instead of Jason. After Trigon was defeated, Dick Grayson took Jason, Rachel, and Gar Logan to an unknown location. Gar asked if they were going to meet Batman, to which Dick replied "no" and jokingly said they were going to meet Superman.^[6]

Meeting Conner

Failed meeting

Bruce eventually contacted Superman and informed of the existence of his clone Superboy, and that the young man wanted to meet his dad. Clark agreed, wanting to meet Conner himself also. Inviting his clone to Metropolis, Superman planned to meet Conner at Star Labs, but was ultimately unable to do so when called out away on an emergency, but still left a note for Conner, apologizing for having needed to leave, expressed his desire to want to indeed meet his clone, and finally reminding him of why heroes did what they did.^[5]

Spending time with Conner

After Brother Blood's defeat, Superman did eventually meet his son in Metropolis. Clark and Conner conversed, and the father acknowledged his son, even owing the debt of having been needed to miss their first meeting, and for Conner's actions in helping save the world. Clark wanted to spend time with Conner, and even began to give him flying lessons.

Alternative realities

Trigon's false reality

In Dick Grayson's illusion conjured by Trigon, Superman was acquainted with Bruce Wayne, but following Dick's departure as Bruce's protégé, Superman and Bruce had a falling out.^[7]

Powers and Abilities

"Half of his DNA is from a guy that lifts skyscrapers, and flies faster than the speed of light."

—Kory Anders to Eve Watson^[src]

• Kryptonian physiology: Normally, like all Kryptonians, Clark's capabilities are no greater than a normal human of his physical conditioning. However, once charged by the energy of a yellow sun, he becomes able to perform various inhuman feats.
  • Solar energy absorption: Clark's cells are powered by solar radiation.
    • Superhuman strength: Clark is able to lift skyscrapers.
    • Superhuman speed: Clark is able to fly faster than the speed of light.
    • Flight: Clark is able to fly.

Weaknesses

• Kryptonite:

Appearances

Season 1 "Hank and Dawn" (mentioned) "Dick Grayson" (mentioned) Season 2 "Trigon" (mentioned) "Conner" (memory) "Atonement" (mentioned) "Nightwing" (mentioned) Season 3 "Red Hood" (mentioned) Season 4 "Lex Luthor" (mentioned) "Super Super Mart" (mentioned) "Titans Forever"

Trivia

• Superman and Batman's "falling out" in the fake reality is a reference to the film Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, which features the two heroes fighting. It could also be a reference to the classic comic story the Dark Knight Returns, which inspired the above film.
• In many continuities, Superman is a member of the Justice League. Whether or not that holds true in the Titans TV show is yet to be confirmed though it is likely given the League’s references in Doom Patrol which is confirmed to share continuity.
• In the episode "Lex Luthor", Conner had taken on Superman's legal last name "Kent", possibly implying Clark gave him permission to inherit the name and views him as a "son" like Lex.

Behind the scenes

• In the DC comics, Superman is Kal-El the last survivor of Krypton, and the secret identity of news reporter Clark Kent. As a superhero, he is a founding member of the Justice League, alongside Batman.
• Superman's existence was alluded to in "Hank and Dawn" when an outline of him appeared on the cover of a magazine and confirmed in "Trigon" when he was mentioned by both Hank Hall and Dick Grayson.

References