From the character's debut in 1993 to 2003, Superboy was depicted as a genetically-engineered metahumanclone of human origin designed by Paul Westfield of Project Cadmus as a duplicate and equivalent of Superman, though released before he had fully matured. The character was retconned in Teen Titans (vol. 3) #1 (September 2003) as a human/Kryptonian binary clone made from the DNA of Superman and Lex Luthor. This has since become the character's most enduring origin story in later comic books and media adaptations.
Kon-El is depicted as a modern incarnation of the original Superboy. Writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett envisioned a contemporary take on Superboy that would appeal to Generation X/Millennial readers as well as a character both creators would have fun working on, which they did.[2] Kesel and Grummett pitched their idea to DC Comics and the new Superboy debuted in The Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993).[1] Kesel bought a slang dictionary to assist with writing the teenaged Superboy.[2]
Superboy was the first character to fully feature the Hypertime concept in a storyline, beginning in Superboy #60 (April 1999). Kesel viewed this story arc as the high point of his run on Superboy.[2]
Superboy ran for 100 issues, 2 specials and 4 annuals, from 1994 to 2002. Kesel and Grummett left the series by 2002, but returned to work on the 100th issue series finale.
Fictional character biography
Origin
Superboy is originally depicted as a human clone created by Project Cadmus to replace Superman following his death. Cadmus is unable to acquire Superman's DNA to be used in cloning and instead genetically engineers a human who possesses the appearance of Superman.[3][4][5] Superboy does not initially have any of Superman's abilities, instead possessing a telekinetic field around his body that gives him superhuman strength, durability, and flight.[6]
The Metropolis Kid
When Superboy arrives in Metropolis, he uses the name "Superman", but makes it clear that he is a clone of Superman rather than the original.[7] Three other Supermen emerge simultaneously: "The Man of Tomorrow" (Cyborg Superman), "The Last Son of Krypton" (Eradicator), and "The Man of Steel" (Steel). After the original Superman's return, Superboy operates alongside him as an independent hero for a time, refusing to give credence to the idea that he is a "sidekick".
The Hero of Hawaii
After a few weeks of travelling, Superboy and Dubbilex arrive in Hawaii, joined by Rex Leech and Roxy Leech. After a battle with Sidearm on the beach, Superboy learns that Tana Moon had moved to Hawaii. Superboy decides to stay on the islands, stylizing himself as the "Hero of Hawaii". He rejoins Cadmus and begins working as a field agent with Dubbilex and Guardian.
Portion of a splash page of Teen Titans (vol. 3) #20 (January 2005). Art by Grummett, Nelson, and Jeromy Cox.
Now based in Smallville with a new civilian identity as Clark Kent's cousin Conner Kent, Superboy joins a new incarnation of the Teen Titans with Robin, Impulse, and Wonder Girl. Additionally, Superboy is retconned as a binary clone created from Superman and Lex Luthor's DNA and he gains Kryptonian powers while retaining his telekinesis.[12][13]
Luthor mind-controls Superboy into attacking the Titans. His mind is eventually restored, and he is horrified at what he has done to his team and friends. Afterwards, Conner takes a leave of absence from the Titans and secludes himself in the Kents' home. He doubts whether he has a soul, but Raven shows him that he does.[14]
Infinite Crisis, death, and return (2005–2011)
The death of Superboy. Art by Phil Jimenez from Infinite Crisis #6 (2006).
In Infinite Crisis (2005), Superboy-Prime watches Conner during his seclusion in an alternate dimension.[15][16] Along with Alexander Luthor Jr., another survivor of the previous Crisis, they wish to reconstruct the universe in their image after determining that the heroes they have been observing did not meet their standards of heroism. Resentful of Conner, whom he claims has lower standards than his own despite a seemingly perfect life, Superboy-Prime attacks him. Superboy is killed during the battle and buried in Metropolis alongside the Earth-Two incarnations of Superman and Lois Lane.[17]
In Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds (2008), Starman recovers Conner's corpse and places him in a Kryptonian healing chrysalis, enabling him to be resurrected in the 31st century.[18]
The New 52 Superboy with Krypto. Art by Ken Lashley.
In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, Superboy is introduced with an entirely different origin story. He is a human-Kryptonian hybrid created by the mysterious organization N.O.W.H.E.R.E., which seeks to control the new generation of metahumans.
Following the "Forever Evil" storyline, Johnny Quick throws the Teen Titans forward in time. After he is separated from the Titans, Kon-El encounters Jon Lane Kent, the villainous future son of Superman and Lois Lane. Kon-El is revealed to be a clone of Jon created by N.O.W.H.E.R.E. founder Harvest so that a cure could be found for Jon's unstable body. During their battle, Jon is seriously injured and Kon-El is transported to Krypton, days before the planet's destruction. Kon-El sacrifices himself to lift Argo City off Krypton and ensure that Supergirl can arrive on Earth.[19]
Meanwhile, Jon is recovered by Beast Boy and Rose Wilson's future selves and given Kon-El's costume. The present day Teen Titans find Jon, who joins the group and pretends to be Superboy. It is later revealed that Kon-El survived and is serving a being called the Oracle, patrolling past, present, and future.[20]
Conner as Superboy in Young Justice (vol. 3) #1 (January 2019). Art by Jorge Jimenez.
Following the Convergence event, which restores the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earthsmultiverse, the New 52 version of Superboy does not appear. The mantle of Superboy is held by Jonathan Samuel Kent, the son of Superman and Lois Lane. Conner Kent is not reintroduced until Young Justice (vol. 3), where he is revealed to have been transported to Gemworld. He is unaffected by the universe's reboot due to being outside the main universe at the time.[21][22]
After being rescued by Young Justice, Conner returns to his universe, where Superman and Lex Luthor do not recognize him.[23] After aiding Superman and his family against Leviathan operatives, Conner decides to remain at the Kent farm in Smallville, as the Kents and Krypto are among the few who remember him.[24]
Powers and abilities
Originally, Superboy's only superpower is "tactile telekinesis", a force field that surrounds his body and enables him to telekinetically manipulate objects via touch. This enables him to generate telekinetic shockwaves and survive in space by creating an air bubble around himself.
During Teen Titans, Superboy developed Kryptonian powers including superhuman strength, durability, speed,[25] heat vision,[26] x-ray vision,[27][28] super-hearing, and ice breath.[29]
Legal dispute
A March 23, 2006, court decision returned rights to the Superboy character to Jerry Siegel's heirs. The decision, issued six days before Superboy's death in Infinite Crisis #6 hit the shelves, states that the Siegel family have owned Superboy since November 17, 2004. As a result, Superboy was not referred to by that name for some time.[30][31]
Convergence: Superboy #1-2 and Convergence:Justice League International #1-2, Convergence: Catwoman #1-2, Convergence: Green Arrow #1-2, Convergence: Suicide Squad #1-2
Lucas Grabeel as Alexander Luthor / Conner Kent as depicted in SmallvilleJoshua Orpin as Conner / Subject 13 as depicted in Titans.
Conner Kent appears in the final season of Smallville, portrayed by Lucas Grabeel. This version is a hybrid clone of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. He is initially known as "Alexander Luthor" (portrayed by Jakob Davies and Connor Stanhope) as he tries to form a bond with Tess Mercer while corrupted by Lex's memories. As Conner, his powers manifest while mentored by Clark yet Lionel Luthor tries to corrupt him which Conner refuses before he gets enrolled at Smallville High and receives the Kent surname.
Conner appears in Titans, portrayed primarily by Joshua Orpin and by body double Brooker Muir in the post-credits scene for the episode "Dick Grayson".[32] This version is also known as Subject 13.
Elements of Superboy are incorporated into a clone of Superman nicknamed Kell-El / Superman X who appears in Legion of Super Heroes, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. He is from the 41st century, was created by the artificial intelligence K3NT to oppose Imperiex, and was modified to be immune to and able to generate Kryptonite.[33]
Superboy appears in Young Justice,[34] voiced by Nolan North.[35][36] This version is the result of Project Cadmus' "Project Kr", an attempt to create a living superweapon meant to replace or destroy Superman, with Lex Luthor's human DNA bridging missing sequences in the Kryptonian DNA to stabilize Conner and inhibit his full powers. He forms the Team with Kaldur'ahm, Dick Grayson, Miss Martian and Wally West. Additionally, he develops romantic feelings for before entering a relationship with Miss Martian (who coins his alias of Conner Kent), which had tension until they eventually reconcile and get engaged before the two ultimately get married.[37][38]
The Young Justice incarnation of Superboy appears in the Teen Titans Go! episode "Let's Get Serious".[36]
The 1993 comics incarnation of Superboy appears in the 2013 Superman 75th anniversary short produced by Zack Snyder and Bruce Timm.
Superboy appears in the DCAMU film Reign of the Supermen, voiced by Cameron Monaghan.[40][36] Following the events of The Death of Superman, Superboy is initially and publicly sponsored by Lex Luthor as the "official" Superman before they become disillusioned with each other as Luthor resents Superboy's grandstanding while the latter eventually learns of his true nature. His confidence buoyed by a discussion with Lois Lane, Superboy assists Steel and the Eradicator in reviving Superman before helping him fight Cyborg Superman. Afterwards, Superboy moves in with Jonathan and Martha Kent and takes on the name Connor.
Superboy makes a cameo appearance in Cyborg's ending in Injustice 2 as a member of the Teen Titans, most of whom were killed years prior, before Cyborg revives them.
The Injustice incarnation of Superboy appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comics as a member of the Teen Titans who survived the Joker's destruction of Metropolis. Upon learning Superman killed the Joker in retaliation, Superboy loses faith in the former and attempts to find a Phantom Zone projector, only to be defeated by Superman and sent to the Phantom Zone along with his fellow Titans.
The Injustice incarnation of Superboy appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic. While his fellow Titans are rescued from the Phantom Zone, Superboy opts to stay behind due to his injuries. Following General Zod's death, Batman, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Harley Quinn perform a heart transplant on Superboy using Zod's heart so he can leave the Phantom Zone and reunite with Jonathan and Martha Kent, who give him a Superman-inspired suit in the hopes that he will restore Superman's legacy. Superboy joins Batman's Insurgency in fighting Atrocitus and Starro, but he and Wonder Girl are captured and tortured by Brainiac before he leaves them to die in the vacuum of space, though Booster Gold rescues the pair so they can help the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Reception
The Kon-El incarnation of Superboy has been ranked as the 196th greatest comic book character of all time by Wizard Magazine.[45]IGN also ranked Superboy as the 83rd greatest comic book hero of all time, stating, "This genetic clone of Superman and Lex Luthor often bears the weight of the world on his burly shoulders. But over the years he's managed to carve his own legacy and win a large legion of fans."[46] In 2013, ComicsAlliance ranked Superboy as #35 on their list of the "50 Sexiest Male Characters in Comics".[47]
1 2 Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1990s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kinderley. p.259. ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9. The issue also featured four teaser comics that introduced a group of contenders all vying for the Superman name...A cloned Superboy escaped captivity in a yarn by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Superboy Voices (Superman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 27, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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