Superman’s Kids: Ranking Their Superhero Successes

Today marks the special day dedicated to honoring everything associated with the Steel Man, a character widely admired as both a hero and cultural icon in reality. In fictional worlds, Superman, or the Man of Tomorrow, is similarly lauded, serving as an inspiration for countless other heroes who have risen to fame, including, on multiple occasions, his own offspring.

In both alternate realities and the main DC storyline, Superman’s offspring have taken up the mantle, wearing capes much like their famous father. Comic enthusiasts might recognize Jon Kent, Damian Wayne’s friend who inherited the title of Superboy before becoming Superman himself. However, some readers may not be familiar with Superman’s kids from other dimensions who followed in their father’s heroic footsteps, taking on the role of DC’s most illustrious superhero.

In a sense not biologically related to Superman, Kin-El stepped into the role left vacant by the Man of Steel following his demise at the hands of Doomsday. While Steel strived to honor Superman’s legacy, and the Cyborg Superman sought to undermine it, the clone known as Superboy reveled in the acclaim and recognition that came with the “S” symbol on his chest.

First Appearance“Reign of the Supermen”
CreatorsKarl Kesel, Tom Grummett, Doug Hazlewood, Glenn Whitmore & Albert DeGuzman

During the DC Rebirth period, there was much anticipation for his comeback, and fans were not disappointed. Despite sometimes coming across as arrogant and hasty, Superboy proves to be a fantastic, enjoyable character that adds flair to the Superman clan, sporting the most fashionable jacket in any comic book.

During the Silver Age of DC Comics, a pair of fresh incarnations of Superman and Batman were introduced – these being the offspring of Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, who stepped into the roles their forefathers had bequeathed to them as they carried on their heroic legacies.

First AppearanceWorld’s Finest #154
CreatorsEdmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, Sheldon Moldoff & Joe Letterese

For the first time, readers were introduced to potential offspring of the World’s Greatest Heroes. Although it was later revealed that the entire story was a simulated creation, the Super Sons provided glimpses into how their true selves might behave. The Super Sons grappled with discovering their unique identities while following in their fathers’ footsteps, but eventually learned to accept and embody the symbols on their chests.

Before today’s readers came across the contemporary version of Jon Kent, he was already treading in his father’s footsteps. However, this particular Jon Kent hadn’t known his father, Superman, for more than a decade since he had been absent.

First AppearanceSon of Superman
CreatorsHoward Chaykin, David Tischman, J.H. Williams III, Mick Gray, Lee Loughridge & Kurt Hathaway

Lois Lane significantly motivated Jon, urging him to adopt Superman’s role as a hero. Pleased with his actions, Jon’s father saw him excel when he not only rescued the authentic Superman but also saved the Justice League and thwarted Lex Luthor’s world domination.

It remains uncertain if Bruce Kent mirrored his father’s path, seeing as Superman: Distant Fires finishes with Bruce being a child. Nevertheless, both Bruce Kent and Kal-El experienced a strikingly similar tragic event in infancy: the obliteration of their native planets.

First AppearanceSuperman: Distant Fires
CreatorsHoward Chaykin, Gil Kane, Kevin Nowlan & Matt Hollingsworth

In this different reality, Earth began disintegrating much like Krypton did in the past. Superman and Wonder Woman then utilized a Green Lantern Power Battery and ring to create a spaceship. They carefully placed their son, Bruce, within it, mirroring how Jor-El and Lara sent their child into space for safety.

In a bleak tomorrow, I found myself grappling with the loss of Lois Lane, but also experiencing the joy of a new family member – a child born to Superman and me, bearing the name Lara, in honor of my late grandmother. Guided by the teachings of the Amazons, I molded her into a formidable warrior, and she took on the mantle of the superhero known as Supergirl.

First AppearanceThe Dark Knight Strikes Again
CreatorsFrank Miller, Lynn Varley & Todd Klein

In the comic “Dark Knight Strikes Again,” she aided Batman and her parents in vanquishing Lex Luthor and Brainiac. However, in “The Master Race,” she found herself on the opposing side, engaging in conflict with both Superman and Wonder Woman. Despite experiencing some turbulent years, readers were left with her reconciling with her father and discovering a newfound appreciation for the world she was born into.

In an alternative universe with flexible timelines, viewers can witness their beloved characters grow older and establish families. For instance, Superman passes on his superhero skills to his daughter, Kara, who becomes the new Supergirl, whereas his son, Joel Perry, regrettably does not inherit any powers.

First AppearanceSuperman & Batman: Generations
CreatorsJohn Byrne & Patricia Mulvihill

This young superheroine harbored great ambitions, wanting to emulate Superman, yet frequently felt disheartened by the disparity in power, since she could barely match half of his strength and speed. Nevertheless, her valiant efforts as Supergirl did not go unnoticed by her father; she managed to make him proud despite a gloomy destiny that involved confronting her own brother.

In another universe, a unique incarnation of Supergirl (distinct from Superman) found herself deeply in love with a version of Superman hailing from Earth-One. Their union resulted in a daughter named Ariella Kent, who eventually followed in her parents’ footsteps and became a version of Supergirl. The comic book Supergirl #1,000,000 transported readers through vast stretches of time to witness the journey of Ariella as she strived to become a hero.

First AppearanceSupergirl (Vol. 4) #1,000,000
CreatorsPeter David, Dusty Abell, Norman Lee, Gene D’Angelo & Digital Chameleon, Comicraft

Despite being exceptionally powerful yet untrained, her deepest desire was to emulate her parents’ noble path. All she required was the perfect moment to demonstrate her heroic deeds and astonishing abilities, surpassing even those of Superman.

The tale of “Superman: Secret Identity” is somewhat peculiar yet profoundly emotional, serving as a moving tribute to Superman. Within the realm of “Secret Identity”, Clark Kent shares his name with the iconic character we’re all familiar with, gaining powers and transforming into the hero he was named after.

First AppearanceSuperman: Secret Identity
CreatorsKurt Busiek, Stuart Immonen & Todd Klein

Secret Identity” explores what it would be like if Superman lived among us, while providing a heartwarming family tale centered around love and ancestry. The Superman portrayed in this narrative eventually passes on his abilities to his daughters, Carol and Jane, who develop their own identities as powerful Superwomen upon growing up.

In this new tale, known as “The Kingdom“, we find it serving as a follow-up to the previous narrative, picking up where “Kingdom Come” left off. The universe’s former Superman, Clark, and Wonder Woman, Diana, have retired. Their son, who was hinted at in the closing scenes of “Kingdom Come“, matured into a powerful figure named Hyperman, following an accelerated aging process in the future.

First AppearanceThe Kingdom
CreatorsMark Waid, Ariel Olivetti, John Kalisz & Phil Felix

In the same vein as his parents, Hyperman emerged as a valiant figure, aiding two iterations of DC’s Trinity in their fight against Magog. Much like his father, Hyperman donned a suit, though it was black and adorned with a golden “S” insignia on the chest. Additionally, Hyperman possessed an immense power, capable of manipulating the flow of time within the DC universe through Hypertime.

Nowadays, modern comic enthusiasts are more accustomed to Superman’s offspring, Jonathan Kent (often referred to as Jon). He made his debut during the “Convergence” storyline and transitioned into the main DC Universe along with his parents during the Rebirth period. Since then, Jon took up the role of the new Superboy, forged a strong bond with Robin (Damian Wayne), and eventually assumed the mantle of Superman after a journey to the future alongside the Legion of Super-Heroes.

First AppearanceConvergence: Superman
CreatorsDan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Brad Anderson & Tom Napolitano

Jon Kent has demonstrated that he’s more than capable of filling Superman’s shoes, continuing his tradition when the Justice League disappeared. Since then, he’s solidified his place as a crucial part of the Superman circle.

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2025-04-18 21:09

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