AsSuperman’sson, Jon Kent has done a laudable job living up to his father’s name and carving out a place for himselfamong DC’s top superheroes. Yet for all of his successes, DC continually shies away from acknowledging Jon as “Superman” despite him having proven himself time and time again.
Action Comics (2016)#1035 – written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Daniel Sampere – served as a passing of the torch, as it featured Jon Kent stepping into his father’s shoes andtaking up the mantle of “Superman.“Yet in the years since, especially lately, DC’s publications have avoided referring to Jon as “Superman.”
While Jon is a prominent member of the team looking to unravel villain Amanda Waller’s endless machinations inSecret Six (2025),he is referred to as “Super Son,” a diminutive namefor someone who has already done so much to live up to the House of El’s legacy.
Jon Kent Has Earned The “Superman” Name, But DC Is Hesitant To Fully Embrace Him In The Role
Action Comics (2016)#1035 – Written By Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art By Daniel Sampere; Color By Adriano Lucas; Lettering By Dave Sharpe
While fans may have initially been uncertain about Jon Kent as Superman, he quickly won them over with his unique take on his father’s role. While Clark’s time as Superman has earned him the moniker of the “Big Blue Boy Scout” and something of a savior complex, Jon’s approach to being Superman has been one that places compassion and approachability first and foremost. Where Clark can come off as paternalistic, Jon embodies more contemporary values of earnestness and sincerity, makinghis time under the “Superman” mantlefeel different from his father’s tenure but no less worthy of the name.
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As much as DC Comics has tried to fix things with Superman’s son Jon, his new superhero name points to a problem the publisher can’t seem to solve.
Jon’s gentle nature by no means signifies weakness. As Superman, Jon has shown no hesitation when faced with DC’s greatest villains,such as Darkseid and Doomsday. Jon is powerful enough to knock out Ultraman inAdventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023)#2 – written by Tom Taylor, with art by Clayton Henry –with a blow which the villain subsequently describes as “the hardest I’ve ever been hit by anyone.“Jon’s full potential is still untapped, meaning he can still eclipse his father in raw might, a feat few of DC’s mightiest denizens can even hope to match.
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Jon’s raw power and emotional maturity in his solo adventures emphasize thathe is not a “Super Son” or “Superboy,” buthas earned the name “Superman” outright.Despite this, Jon’s recent downgrade back to “Super Son” seems to be an attempt by DC to clear up any ambiguity over the “Superman” title asJames Gunn’s newSupermanfilm approaches. However, with Jon and Clark having two distinct visual designs, both are more than capable of being “Superman” without generating confusion as to which character is in the spotlight; Clark’s role as “Superman” hardly invalidates Jon’s claim to the title.
Superman’s son already has the perfect codename: it’s “Superman,” and it’s high time that DC both recognizes Jon’s worth and grants him the title.
Clark has repeatedly made it clear that he has no problem with Jon taking the name “Superman” as his own. Despite this, by continuing to define Jon by his relationship to his father and not by his own merits, DC ignores the astounding growth and maturity that make Jon Kent a compelling “Superman” in his own right.Superman’sson already has the perfect codename: it’s “Superman,” and it’s high time that DC both recognizes Jon’s worth and grants him the title.
