Warning: Spoilers for Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3Jon Kent, the new Superman, is getting to know his father from the Injustice universe and how he’s subverted their Kryptonian symbol in that reality. When Jon’s biggest rival and childhood kidnapper Ultraman resurfaced killing Supermen from different realities, the new Superman journeyed into the multiverse to stop him. However, when the two emerged in the reality of the hit Injustice videogame franchise, that world’s Superman brutally executed Ultraman before welcoming Jon to a world totally under his rule.
When Jon awakens in the opening pages of Tom Taylor, Clayton Henry, Jordie Bellaire and Wes Abbott’s Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3, he spends the issue getting better acquainted with the Superman who saved his life. This world’s Clark Kent boasts about how he’s changed his world for the better. When Jon investigates the world himself, he’s relieved to realize how quiet the world has become, but he quickly learns that it’s “because everyone is too afraid to make noise.” When a child falls from a balcony and Jon saves them, he suddenly recognizes the look of fear in their mother’s eyes. Jon realizes that in the world of Injustice, Superman’s symbol no longer stands for hope, but for the fear of a fascistic alien who has trapped humanity under his thumb.
Superman’s Symbol Represents Fear
The Injustice series has enjoyed two videogames and multiple long-running series written by Taylor, as well as tie-ins and crossover comic miniseries. In this world, Joker tricked Superman into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis, with the Man of Steel killing him in revenge. In his grief and rage, Superman quickly spiraled into authoritarianism, taking control of the planet and inspiring so much fear, he even became worthy of a Yellow Lantern ring, which he used to help fight off Batman’s resistance forces.
Superman’s Mainstream Son Witnesses His Injustice Crimes
What’s fascinating about this is how it could change Jon’s view of his father. The Superman of the Injustice world was seemingly just as loved and hopeful as the mainstream Clark Kent, and yet he became a monster with the right pressure and motivations. Jon has met a twisted version of his father before in Ultraman, but that villain was a literal mirror reflection of Clark. Now, Jon is seeing how even his own father has the potential for evil within him, corrupting their shared symbol. An entire world now regards the ‘S’ as something to fear – how will Jon feel about continuing to wear it on his chest?
The Injustice universe turns the Kryptonian symbol for hope into a brand of control and fear, all because of Superman‘s sins – how will this shake Jon Kent’s faith in the mantle he has claimed, and will he be able to leave this fallen world without attempting to win back the world’s trust?
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3 is available now from DC Comics.
