Comics So, wait.. Pa is dead?

[dru-zod2501]

Once again, Jonathan Kent is dead. Died of a heart attack during Brainiac's attack on the planet (if you haven't been reading this story, then almost everything you know about Brainiac is wrong, especially the people who only watch "Smallville").

I grew up with both the Kents alive, so this is unbelievably major for me. I prefered them alive, still do.

Any thoughts, comments add em

 

[CLARKY]

Well, very subjectively enough, I only care about the Kents when I liked them. I've never give a sh** about the Kents in the comics (except in "Superman for all seasons" and "S: Man of Steel"), I didn't care much about the Superman movies' Kents, I kind of liked the Kents in Lois and Clark and in the Superman TAS, and I came to love them in Smallville.
But i perfectly see your point and I understand.

 

[[A]]

Jonathan (Pa) Kent died of a heart attack today in the pages of a comic book — but not before pushing his wife to safety as the evil Brainiac destroyed their farmhouse. He was 69.

What the..? I'm not a Superman fan but.. woah

 

[Oddzball]

What the..? I'm not a Superman fan but.. woah

He's deader than shoe leather...

For now.

If they can bring back Iris cousin Kara and Bucky, no one's death is permanent.

 

[theMan-Bat]

Action Comics #870 by Geoff Johns

I don't like this at all. His living human foster parents are what keeps Superman grounded and helps him keep his humanity and his head screwed on properly. Pa Kent’s advice directs the man. Pa Kent dead is one more step backwards. All Pa Kent’s death can do is to give a cheap shock to the reader and then serve as a source of predictable, unoriginal guilt and angst. This move by Geoff Johns to only kill off Pa Kent of a heart attack is yet another effort to make Richard Donner’s movie version of Superman official cannon in the comics. Gary Frank draws all of the characters to look exactly like the actors from the Donner Superman movies. The Fortress of Solitude that Johns gives us is the Donner crystal Fortress of Solitude movie version. This reminds me of what Bryan Singer did with Superman Returns - just repeating Donner's movie version. Killing off Pa Kent is also a way for Geoff Johns to further return to the Mort Weisinger/Elliot Maggin Silver Age/Bronze Age "Supermope" Superman. A Superman who feels Kryptonian, not human, feels out of place and pines for Krypton. I wouldn't like and would be a little afraid of the Superman who says "Great Rao" and spends his spare time in a Fortress shrine to Krypton in solitude. Superman ought to be the cheerful, secure upbeat hero with no desire to return to Krypton. Superman is at his best when the man part is remembered. That is the theme of John Byrne's Man of Steel and the message of Mark Waid and Alex Ross' Kingdom Come. To not make the Super more important than the man. What this move by Geoff Johns will ultimately do is make Superman less connected to humanity.

 

[The Sage]

Yep, and it's a good move.

Jonathan Kent really wasn't doing anything in the books currently other than acting as a stock character with rare appearances. Superman doesn't need him as an adviser as he's own person going through situations and experiences that his foster parents can't comprehend. Plus it's says a lot more to have Superman become more self-reliant instead of running home for advice.

 

[C. W. Saturn]

The death NOW is pointless. He should die when Superman becomes a man. That's all. Like it was all the time before 1986.

 

[Oddzball]

The death NOW is pointless. He should die when Superman becomes a man. That's all. Like it was all the time before 1986.

Death usually IS pointless.

How old were you when your father died?

Hasn't happened yet?

Has for me. It's a major event and I had eighteen years to prep for it. Didn't really help any when it finally happened.

It is a pointless thing if nothing occurs as a result. If Johns does give the death consequences and changes in Superman's character, he succeeds with the move.

 

[[A]]

I was checking my walls collection and saw one (Superman's) from 2006.. and he's staring at a grave, with the name Jonathan Kent on it.. so, what, he dies every two years..?

Spoiler

 

[Andy C.]

Technically, that one was from All-Star Superman, which is its own continuity (and awesome, just for the record)

 

[C. W. Saturn]

Death usually IS pointless.

How old were you when your father died?

Hasn't happened yet?

Has for me. It's a major event and I had eighteen years to prep for it. Didn't really help any when it finally happened.

It is a pointless thing if nothing occurs as a result. If Johns does give the death consequences and changes in Superman's character, he succeeds with the move.

What is going on with you? I was talking about the mythological quality. Usually the father dies and the hero becomes a man. But Superman is already about 30 (okay, he is supposed to be 29, always). So is he now going to become a real hero???

strange.

 

[ironman29758]

It happened in Smallville,Superman movies, Legion of Superheroes tv, Superman : Doomsday so it is pretty helpful and important because it helps lead Clark to be Superman. The DEATH OF Johnathat Kent led Clark to move to Metropolis in All Star Superman, Superman movies Clark moved to the Fotress to learn more about himsef after the death of Pa Kent. In Smallville season 8 Clark remembered the death of John Kent and decided to be move to Metropolis and work at the Daily Planet.

 

[dru-zod2501]

It happened in Smallville,Superman movies, Legion of Superheroes tv, Superman : Doomsday so it is pretty helpful and important because it helps lead Clark to be Superman. The DEATH OF Johnathat Kent led Clark to move to Metropolis in All Star Superman, Superman movies Clark moved to the Fotress to learn more about himsef after the death of Pa Kent. In Smallville season 8 Clark remembered the death of John Kent and decided to be move to Metropolis and work at the Daily Planet.

Smallville=always a bad example. The problem with that is that it took him 3 years of running and wanting to be more "man" than "Super" to figure it out, then just out of the blue he's triggered to take a job he already swore he'd never want, by circumstances similar to trouble he's been stuck in several times before? No it wasn't Jonathan that moved him; it was pure BS lightswitching nothing more. But I digress....

Pa's death this time IMO alot better than having him die early. Clark is a professional with a family of his own; Parents have done everything they can for him and they will pass away for the next generation. Circle of Life is unbroken this time, unlike the others

His living human foster parents are what keeps Superman grounded and helps him keep his humanity and his head screwed on properly. Pa Kent’s advice directs the man. Pa Kent dead is one more step backwards. All Pa Kent’s death can do is to give a cheap shock to the reader and then serve as a source of predictable, unoriginal guilt and angst.

Keep him grounded? A tie to humanity? Isn't that Lois' job now? She's been sold that way for the last 15 or so years. I trust Geoff not to reduce Pa's sacrifice to another cheap guilt trip. It's never been that way any of the other times he's passed. This isn't Marvel.

A Superman who feels Kryptonian, not human, feels out of place and pines for Krypton. I wouldn't like and would be a little afraid of the Superman who says "Great Rao" and spends his spare time in a Fortress shrine to Krypton in solitude. Superman ought to be the cheerful, secure upbeat hero with no desire to return to Krypton. Superman is at his best when the man part is remembered. That is the theme of John Byrne's Man of Steel and the message of Mark Waid and Alex Ross' Kingdom Come. To not make the Super more important than the man. What this move by Geoff Johns will ultimately do is make Superman less connected to humanity.

I used to think that, until I did the research, and the more it made sense that a Superman that thinks of himself as some folksy Kansas farmboy just isn't as special as the outsider who must adapt to fit in. He knows who he is and where he came from, that's all. Sure "great Rao" is corny, but he doesn't spend every moment loving Krypton more than Earth. Though he loves humans, and the earth greatly, by his very nature he can't be one of us, he is more than us, and any less diminishes him.

 

[ironman29758]

I used to think that, until I did the research, and the more it made sense that a Superman that thinks of himself as some folksy Kansas farmboy just isn't as special as the outsider who must adapt to fit in. He knows who he is and where he came from, that's all. Sure "great Rao" is corny, but he doesn't spend every moment loving Krypton more than Earth. Though he loves humans, and the earth greatly, by his very nature he can't be one of us, he is more than us, and any less diminishes him.

that's why I like the silver age/bronze age superman he misses Krypton but that doesn't mean he hates being human and why would he work at the DP if he didn't want to be a human and a Kryptonian mostly

 

[theMan-Bat]

Keep him grounded? A tie to humanity? Isn't that Lois' job now? She's been sold that way for the last 15 or so years.

I'm against that being Lois' job now. I've been against her knowing his secret identity, the engagment and marriage from the start. Having Lois and Clark married has eliminated a vital element - sexual tension - from the stories. The most fascinating feature of Superman, and the most elaborately analyzed by students of the medium, was the tension that existed between Lois and Clark/Superman.

I trust Geoff not to reduce Pa's sacrifice to another cheap guilt trip. It's never been that way any of the other times he's passed. This isn't Marvel.

In the Silver Age/Bronze Age version Kent's passing leads to Superman getting mopey and pining for Krypton. I suspect that's what Geoff Johns is returning too. We shall see.

I used to think that, until I did the research, and the more it made sense that a Superman that thinks of himself as some folksy Kansas farmboy just isn't as special as the outsider who must adapt to fit in. He knows who he is and where he came from, that's all. Sure "great Rao" is corny, but he doesn't spend every moment loving Krypton more than Earth. Though he loves humans, and the earth greatly, by his very nature he can't be one of us, he is more than us, and any less diminishes him.

The Supermope diminishes him. The pining for Krypton diminishes him. Feeling like he's not one of us diminishes him. Siegel's Superman (1938-1948) didn't pine for Krypton. Byrne's Superman (1986-1988) didn't pine for Krypton. What's special, to me, is a Superman who is fulfilled, secure, whose identity is solidly formed by his folksy human Kansas parents' values, without any desire to return to Krypton. He's generally upbeat and positive. He feels human because of his upbringing. Krypton is alien to him. Farmboy Clark is who he is, at heart, courtesy of his upbring.

 

[theMan-Bat]

that's why I like the silver age/bronze age superman he misses Krypton but that doesn't mean he hates being human and why would he work at the DP if he didn't want to be a human and a Kryptonian mostly

The Silver Age/Bronze Age bumbling, clumsy cowardly Clark Kent is Superman’s critique on the whole human race. Not Superman really wanting to be a bumbling, clumsy cowardly human.

 

[The Sage]

The Supermope diminishes him. The pining for Krypton diminishes him. Feeling like he's not one of us diminishes him. Siegel's Superman (1938-1948) didn't pine for Krypton. Byrne's Superman (1986-1988) didn't pine for Krypton. What's special, to me, is a Superman who is fulfilled, secure, whose identity is solidly formed by his folksy human Kansas parents' values, without any desire to return to Krypton. He's generally upbeat and positive. He feels human because of his upbringing. Krypton is alien to him. Farmboy Clark is who he is, at heart, courtesy of his upbring.

I prefer Superman who is formed by his pride in his Kryptonian heritage as well as the Kents' upbringing. He doesn't pine for Krypton, nor does he pine for the Kents. In fact, he shouldn't pine at all. Superman is about hope, optimism. Pining doesn't suit his character.

Second, distilling Superman down to just being Farmboy Clark diminishes him and makes him too relatable, too much like us when he should be someone we persevere to be like. Inspirational. Not saying he disregards the farm life, but that he moves on from it after discovering his purpose. Who he is at his core is not a farmboy who wishes to be a normal, but a guy who solely wants to make the world a better place and inspire humanity through his actions. That's Superman to me.

I agree about not wanting Clark Kent to be a bumbling, cowardly guy, but as a persona who should distance himself from Supemran, Clark should be quiet, unassuming, mild-mannered, and occasionally clumsy to throw people off.

 

[NotFadeAway]

I prefer Superman who is formed by his pride in his Kryptonian heritage as well as the Kents' upbringing. He doesn't pine for Krypton, nor does he pine for the Kents. In fact, he shouldn't pine at all. Superman is about hope, optimism. Pining doesn't suit his character.

Second, distilling Superman down to just being Farmboy Clark diminishes him and makes him too relatable, too much like us when he should be someone we persevere to be like. Inspirational. Not saying he disregards the farm life, but that he moves on from it after discovering his purpose. Who he is at his core is not a farmboy who wishes to be a normal, but a guy who solely wants to make the world a better place and inspire humanity through his actions. That's Superman to me.

I agree about not wanting Clark Kent to be a bumbling, cowardly guy, but as a persona who should distance himself from Supemran, Clark should be quiet, unassuming, mild-mannered, and occasionally clumsy to throw people off.

I find it inspirational that an everyday farmboy with the powers of a God would choose to help out. Clakr needs to be relatable in this day and age, when you see someone like who, but someone who could own the world, but decides not to and decides to help the world, that is inspirational, not some Kryptonian Jesus.

 

[The Sage]

I find it inspirational that an everyday farmboy with the powers of a God would choose to help out. Clakr needs to be relatable in this day and age, when you see someone like who, but someone who could own the world, but decides not to and decides to help the world, that is inspirational, not some Kryptonian Jesus.

Not saying he should be a Kryptonian Jesus.

I love the idea that an alien can achieve the best out of humanity and avoid the pitfalls that we stumble and trip over. If it's possible for him to do it, to live up to his full potential, then it's possible for the rest of us. That's inspirational for me.

What's wrong with Superman being more than the everyday guy? Someone who's at his most happiest and himself when he's saving the world, inspiring people?

 

[dru-zod2501]

I'm against that being Lois' job now. I've been against her knowing his secret identity, the engagment and marriage from the start. Having Lois and Clark married has eliminated a vital element - sexual tension - from the stories. The most fascinating feature of Superman, and the most elaborately analyzed by students of the medium, was the tension that existed between Lois and Clark/Superman.

But there is a problem, after 70 years the tension cannot overcome the redundancy. Lois can't be clueless for 70 years and expect readers to take her seriously

The Supermope diminishes him. The pining for Krypton diminishes him. Feeling like he's not one of us diminishes him. Siegel's Superman (1938-1948) didn't pine for Krypton. Byrne's Superman (1986-1988) didn't pine for Krypton. What's special, to me, is a Superman who is fulfilled, secure, whose identity is solidly formed by his folksy human Kansas parents' values, without any desire to return to Krypton. He's generally upbeat and positive. He feels human because of his upbringing. Krypton is alien to him. Farmboy Clark is who he is, at heart, courtesy of his upbring.

He can certainly be all the attributes you describe without being the farmboy. I don't understand why you think he can only be happy & human or miserable & Kryptonian.

I'm just looking at this from an immigrant perspective, it's possible to assimilate into a culture without losing your heritage.

 

[Stallion9979]

whats next...Luthor going to start showing up with wigs and Otis...

I getting so sick with John's hardon to rewrite the Silver Age...

 

[The Sage]

whats next...Luthor going to start showing up with wigs and Otis...

I getting so sick with John's hardon to rewrite the Silver Age...

Luthor and the wigs are to my knowledge, solely from Donner's universe.

 

[Double Down]

whats next...Luthor going to start showing up with wigs and Otis...

I getting so sick with John's hardon to rewrite the Silver Age...

Who do you blame for Pa's death in Smallville? Geoff Johns or Richard Donner?

 

[The Sage]

Who do you blame for Pa's death in Smallville? Geoff Johns or Richard Donner?

DC Comics.

 

[theMan-Bat]

But there is a problem, after 70 years the tension cannot overcome the redundancy. Lois can't be clueless for 70 years and expect readers to take her seriously

It hasn't been 70 years in the stories or Lois would be in an old folks home or dead from old age.

The old tension between Lois and Clark/Superman is actually entertaining.

He can certainly be all the attributes you describe without being the farmboy.

Nothing wrong with him being humble enough to think of himself as a Kansas farmboy at heart. That's endearing, and how he was raised. That is most certainly not his weakness. If fact, that is where he draws his strength. His wholesome farm-boy outlook. His morals, his values, truth, justice and the American way.

I don't understand why you think he can only be happy & human or miserable & Kryptonian.

Because that's the way it's been written in the comic books. The Silver Age/Bronze Age version is 'Superman pines for Krypton', the Supermope. Byrne's version is 'at heart just a boy from a small town in Kansas', the Superman who's humanity is very important to him.

I'm just looking at this from an immigrant perspective, it's possible to assimilate into a culture without losing your heritage.

Clark didn't even know of his Kryptonian heritage as he was raised assimilated into Earths Kansas farm culture as a baby. So he wouldn't see Earth from an immigrant perspective or an orphan perspective. He grew up in a very loving household raised by two Earthlings that were parents in every conceivable way. He would actually have a problem trying to understand what being Kryptonian is all about. All he has really known his entire life is Earthlings and Earth culture.