The death of Jonathan Kent inMan of Steelremains one of the most controversial superhero movie moments to date. But now thatone of DC’s greatest writers has recreated the scene inSupermancomics, will it finally help fans understand why Pa Kent’s death was, in his own words, a “brave” and “amazing” choice?
Recruiting writer Mark Waid (Superman: Birthright,Action Comics,Kingdom Come) to bringClark’s first adventures as Superboyback into canon, DC is revisiting the exact same period of Clark’s life as depicted inMan of Steel. And now that the coming of age origin story has kicked off byechoing, resembling, or flat-out recreating the controversial ‘tornado’ moment, it’s clear that both fans and critics of Zack Snyder’s films are still fundamentally misreading Jonathan Kent’s entire story.
Superman NOT Saving His Father: The Scene People Still Don’t Understand
Snyder Critics Despised The Scene, While One of DC’s Greatest Writers Loved It
From the moment that Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) first told his son that mastering his powers in secret would “maybe” mean there would be people he couldn’t, or shouldn’t save in the meantime, he had enemies. Whether this cynical worldview was heresy, or just this line of dialogue, self-professed fans cried foul.But it was Jonathan Kent’s tornado self-sacrifice that drove his controversial characterization home, proving he was actually willing to be one of those souls Clark shouldn’t save.
Leave it to a comic book legend like Mark Waid’s own review ofMan of Steelat the time to explain why, despite his own criticisms of film from writer David S. Goyer and director Zack Snyder,Man of Steel’s controversial depiction of Jonathan Kentwas one of their best decisions:
“I think you’d be surprised to find that I loved everything about Jonathan Kent.I loved his protectiveness, even when it made him sound like an a**hole. (“Maybe.”) And I loved, loved, loved that scene where Clark didn’t save him, because Goyer did something magical–he took two moments that, individually, I would have hated and he welded them together into something amazing.
“Out of context, I would have hated that Clark said “You’re not my real dad”… I would have loathed that Clark stood by frozen with helplessness as the tornado killed Jonathan. But the reason that beat worked is because Clark had just said “You’re not my dad,” the last real words he said to Pa.
“Tearful Clark choosing to go against his every instinct in that last second because he had to show his father he trusted him after all, because he had to show Pa that Pa could trust him and that Clark had learned, Clark did love him–that worked for me, hugely. It was a very brave story choice… It worked as a tragic rite of passage. I kinda wish I’d written that scene.”
As one of the most acclaimed comic writers still living (and ironically, one fan who proudly declares thatSuperman literally did save his life), Mark Waid knows a good narrative, a good story, or a good idea when he sees one. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that this Man of Steel ‘update’ can now be seen inWaid’s new Superman origin story.
Superman’s New Origin Story is Helping Fans Grasp Man of Steel’s Point
Mark Waid’s New Superman Origin is Bringing This ‘Protective’ Pa Kent Into Comics
The new origin officially begins inAction Comics#1087 by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, and Ivan Plascencia, approximately the same time in Clark’s life asMan of Steel, introducing him as a young man eager to find his own place in the world. And while the Superman comic may obviously be more lighthearted than the film,Jonathan echoes the same concernsabout the day his son reveals himself to the world.
Waid is almost repeating the lesson for the sake of clarity, underscoring that, in a modern context, any loving parent would wrestle with the morality and risks that Jonathan and Martha Kent have considered for years (not months, as Clark naively suggests). And as was the case inMan of Steel, this voicing of caution, restraint, and even self-denial is used to form a crucial new bond between Clark and Jonathan. With one difference, once the moment arrives for Superma–Superboyto reveal himself to the world.
…And In This Superman Origin, Jonathan Lives To See Clark Become A Hero
Without A Need To Sacrifice Himself, Pa Kent Lives To Give Clark His Blessing
While these Waid and Patridge scenes inAction Comics#1087 are similar to ones inMan of Steel, they are not recreations (and claiming so could be seen as unkind to the storytellers). But what stands out most is not that Superman gets to leap into action in the comic, but was forced to freeze in the movie; it is Clark’s identical look to his father for permission.
InMan of Steel, as Waid noted, Clark’s obedience to his father is used to show his trust, as tragic as the ramifications it might be. InAction Comics, having shown Clark impatiently begging to be a hero one scene earlier, it is Clark hesitating, and looking to his father in the same act of obedience, that achieves the same moment. Tempting as it may be to focus solely on this Pa Kent granting permission, andMan of Steel’s refusing, the meaning is far greater.
Ultimately, Waid’s echo of theMan of Steelscene he so thoroughly praised is worthy of its own, as both a callback and a unique variation. Jonathan judging that it was not yet time for Clark to debut was what propelled Man of Steel’s story on film. Jonathan deciding the time has come in the comic version will do the same, proving just how much the two fathers share. Far from correcting, countering, or’fixing' the controversial scene inMan of Steel, Waid has managed to illustrate much of its power.
By almost grantingMan of Steel’s Jonathan a chance to give the permission he never got to on film (unless countingZack Snyder’s Justice League). perhaps more readers can put aside the controversy to appreciate the same story Mark Waid did oin his first watch.
Source: Mark Waid (viaComicVine)
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
Man of Steel
Cast
Man of Steel is a 2013 reboot of the Superman franchise, directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent, who discovers his extraterrestrial origins and extraordinary powers.
