The Scene That Changed Everything: Superman’s Lesson to Jon
Superman’s Lesson to Jon
Context: A Father-Son Moment with Weight
One of the most subtly potent scenes in Superman: Rebirth takes place during a dialogue between Clark Kent and his son Jon, rather than during a fight against a cosmic menace. The preceding events Jon, still learning to manage his increasing Kryptonian powers, accidently kills the family cat, Goldie give the scenario emotional weight.
When Jon's heat vision kicks in during a panic, it burns the cat and the hawk that was taking Goldie away. He conceals the truth because he is too ashamed to face his parents' dismay. This secret persists until Clark, who is always observant, slowly leads Jon toward honesty—not out of rage, but out of comprehension.
When Jon tells his father that he wants to be "Super" like him while sporting a used Superman shirt, the symbolism becomes even more profound. When a youngster outgrows the clothing, it becomes a symbol of legacy—not simply acquiring power, but also deciding how to use it.
“It’s About Character, Not Power”
Clark’s response to Jon is a defining lesson:
"The 'S' isn’t about strength or heat vision. It's about doing morally even when you're afraid. Even when you think no one’s watching."
This is similar to Superman's own code of ethics in DC's best storylines. His well-known "There's always a way" tagline from All-Star Superman exemplifies the same unwavering commitment to hope, even in the face of tremendous odds.
This moment's simplicity is what makes it so brilliant. Superman is teaching Jon how to be a person, one who accepts responsibility, even for painful mistakes—rather than how to be a hero. From his refusal to compromise his values in Peace on Earth to the catastrophic breakdown of those ideals in Injustice, Clark himself exemplifies this lesson.
For Jon, this conversation represents the cornerstone of his future, not just some guidance. Additionally, it serves as a reminder to readers that Superman's greatest strength was never his strength but rather his decision to use it effectively.
Superman as a Moral Beacon: Parallels Across DC Lore
Peace on Earth: When Superman Tried to Save the World
In Superman: Peace on Earth, Clark Kent confronts one of humanity’s most persistent tragedies starvation. After encountering a starving child during the holidays, he embarks on a global mission to distribute food to those in need, only to face the sobering reality that goodwill alone cannot dismantle systemic corruption. Governments hoard resources, warlords weaponize aid, and entire shipments are destroyed to maintain control over desperate populations. The story’s brilliance lies in its heartbreaking conclusion: Superman cannot force the world to be better. His power, though godlike, has limits not in strength, but in his ability to change human nature. Yet the story’s true lesson echoes his talk with Jon: heroism isn’t about fixing everything, but about trying anyway. The people who rally behind him, who share their meager scraps after witnessing his compassion, prove that inspiration is its own kind of power.
All-Star Superman: Lex Luthor’s Moment of Clarity
The inverse of this dynamic plays out in All-Star Superman, where Lex Luthor, temporarily granted Superman’s powers, experiences a revelation: "I see it now… how everything is connected." For a fleeting moment, Lex understands the world as Clark does not as a puzzle to dominate, but as a fragile web of lives deserving protection. This mirrors Jon’s lesson in Rebirth: powers don’t create virtue; they reveal it. Lex, stripped of his ego, weeps at the beauty of this perspective, but his ingrained spite ultimately overrides it. The contrast is stark where Superman’s abilities amplify his compassion, Lex’s corruption distorts even enlightenment. It’s a poignant counterpoint to Jon’s journey: power tests character but never defines it. Clark’s greatest triumph isn’t making Lex see the light; it’s raising a son who chooses it without needing godlike strength first.
The Dark Side of the Coin: When Superman Loses Faith
Kingdom Come: A Demoralized Superman
The iconic Kingdom Come storyline presents a chilling "what if" scenario: What happens when Superman, the eternal symbol of hope, loses faith in humanity? The pivotal moment occurs when the Joker massacres the Daily Planet employees and is then put to death by Magog, a vicious vigilante, who is hailed as a hero by the populace. This moment shatters Clark’s belief in justice, leading him to retreat into isolation as the world embraces increasingly violent "heroes" who operate without restraint. The collateral damage spirals until Wonder Woman delivers a piercing truth: "You cannot keep punishing them for failing to be you." Her words underscore Superman’s dilemma, his absence leaves a chaotic void rather than imparting any lessons to humanity. Kingdom Come forces readers to confront a painful question: Can hope survive when even Superman doubts its worth?
Injustice: The Fall of a Hero
Injustice portrays Superman's complete collapse, whereas Kingdom Come portrays his disillusionment. Clark reaches his breaking point as a result of the Joker's heinous plan to lure Superman into killing Lois Lane and their unborn child before destroying Metropolis. In a single, vicious instant, he loses all self-control, killing the Joker and saying, "I will make them behave." A terrifying slide into despotism ensues as Superman uses terror to impose world peace, kills dissidents like Green Arrow, and even enlists in the Sinestro Corps.The contrast between Injustice and Jon's possible future in Rebirth is what makes it tragic. In the scene when Clark instructs Jon that "the ‘S’ means doing right when no one’s watching," the Injustice Superman demonstrates how quickly that ideal may degenerate into "Might makes right." Superman's greatest struggle is not against adversaries but rather against the degradation of his own beliefs, as both of these Clarks—one a cautionary tale, the other a guiding light make clear.
Why the Rebirth Moment Matters: A Legacy of Choice
Jon’s Crossroads
In Rebirth, Superman's talk with Jon is more than just a parenting moment; it marks a turning point in Jon's development and foreshadows the difficulties he will encounter as he develops into a hero. As he assumes his father's legacy years later in Son of Kal-El, Jon struggles with the weight of the "S" and faces moral quandaries, political unrest, and even the temptation to sacrifice his principles for the "greater good." When the world puts Jon to the test, the lesson Clark teaches him becomes his compass. Like his father, he discovers that a hero's ultimate strength is determined by their decisions, such as their ability to remain resilient under duress, to extend mercy when exacting revenge would be easy, and to maintain hope when everything else seems hopeless. The foundation for Jon's future is laid at this point in Rebirth, demonstrating that Superman's legacy extends beyond simply saving lives and includes transferring the duty to do it honorably.
The Cautionary Tale for Fans
From Kingdom Come to Injustice, Superman's tales serve as a sobering reminder that authority does not breed corruption. Clark gives up hope when he loses faith in people, and he turns into a dictator when his sadness takes over. These darker histories explore what happens when even the best of us lose faith in the principles we once fought for, rather than how Superman's might turns him bad. Therefore, the true substance of the character is found in the small, quiet moments, such when Jon chooses to be open instead than secretive or when Clark insists that doing the right thing is crucial even when no one notices. For fans, the lesson is clear: heroism isn’t defined by the battles you win, but by the choices you make when no one’s watching. Superman’s greatest legacy isn’t his invincibility, it’s his unwavering belief that people, no matter how flawed, can always choose to be better. And that’s a legacy worth passing on.
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