WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman #31, by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, Norm Rapmund, Gabe Eltaeb and Dave Sharpe, on sale now.
Comic book fans were surprised to learn that Jonathan Kent would be stepping up this July to take on the mantle of Superman from his father. Before becoming Superman in DC’s Future State, Jon will apply everything he’s learned from his time saving the day with Damian Wayne as part of the Super Sons to his tenure defending the DC Universe’s 31st Century as one of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
As Jon and Clark Kent embark on a mission of cosmic importance deep in outer space in Superman #31, the Teen of Steel already demonstrates he has a better handle of his superpowers than his father.
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While battling against the Shadowbreed that appears to grow stronger when struck directly by Kryptonian heat vision, Jon decides to employ a new strategy to drive back his attacks. Jon focuses his heat vision on a point between the two aliens and triggers an explosion out of thin air that concussively stuns the aggressors and provides him with that crucial moment to physically strike and turn the tide of battle. And as Clark and Jon emerge triumphant from their skirmish against the Shadowbreed to regroup and consider their next course of action, Superman takes the time to ask his son how exactly he was able to cause his heat vision to strategically detonate, something he had never been able to do himself.
Jon explains that by pinpointing his heat vision on a specific air molecule, he can agitate the moisture particles within it to trigger an explosion. Clark is impressed by his son’s innovative use of his powers, using them to accomplish feats the veteran superhero had never considered himself. And if Jon’s nascent superhero career has proven anything, it’s that he has more than enough of both the brains and brawn to become every inch the Superman worthy of succeeding his father in the role.
Previously, Jon had demonstrated a greater endurance than his father when faced with an extra-dimensional rift that nearly cost Superman his life. As Clark struggled and rapidly lost strength, Jon appeared to be largely unfazed by the extra-dimensional energy. In addition to his physical advantages, Jon also possesses a keen awareness of the future history of the DCU from his own research while serving with the Legion a millennium into the future. Jon has already recognized there are significant divergences from the history that he apparently learned but this understanding and experience working with the United Planets makes him more than the logical choice to succeed Clark as the new Superman.
From superhero experience already far beyond his years and a creative use of his superpowers, Jonathan Kent is quickly growing from a wide-eyed Superboy to a bonafide Superman and in ways that his father never could have dreamed for his son. Future State had provided a glimpse of just how effective Jon could be as Superman, and he’s already showing signs of living up to the destiny of that potential alternate future moving forward. By creating something as brilliant as explosive heat vision, Jon is off to a strong start in taking point with defending the DCU as its new Superman. If anything, he’s only just getting started.
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