Superman #13: Quitting The Daily Planet And The Misuse Of Clark Kent
Earlier last week, when I read that Clark Kent was going to quit his job at The Daily Planet, I was pretty excited. I caught the panel of the deed on Wednesday from a little forum known as Scans_Daily, and immediately I was pumped. Mild mannered reporter Clark Kent was taking a stand, and it was going to be awesome. Not to mention the newspaper industry is a dying beast, so it had the possibility of being a relevant and interesting update.
Then I picked up and read the rest of the comic. Immediately, I was disappointed and heartbroken because it became very clear to me that writer Scott Lobdell and DC editorial had made a huge mistake, and one that did not lack in irony (be it intentional or by happenstance).
In the book—Superman #13—Kent says that he reports on the news, he does not “make it”. However, as Superman, all he does is make news. Additionally, the method in which he quits—that is, a sudden decision with little to no build up—makes it look like all DC wanted to do was make a headline, rather than tell a story. This isn’t too surprising given DC’s media whoring the last couple of years (a few choice examples: Batwoman’s back and a lesbian, but it’ll take half a decade before they finally utilize her! Rebooting the universe left and right! Not to mention that Wonder Woman and Superman are now a “power couple”, etc.).
Stop bitching and write an editorial, Kent!
It’d be far more interesting if Clark actually used his position as a reporter to supplement his heroics, and not just maintain it as a lame-duck identity. If he’s only working for a paycheck, then why not be a waiter or a mechanic, something a little less public? There’s a reason he was a reporter and DC seems to have lost track of why and hence ignored that aspect of his character for some time. Even a mild-mannered reporter can rattle cages and investigate! If Superman really does stand for Truth and Justice, then he should be out there on the streets seeking those things, even when not battling aliens and evil geniuses with his fists. He would have a better and more effective time at it as a reporter than a fireman or accountant. Perhaps finally reveal Lex Luthor as an evil genius to world, rather than keeping it a secret. Remember when Lex became President? Yeah, probably wouldn’t have happened so easily if Kal El had utilized his position more effectively at The Daily Planet (you know, done his job). Granted, that part of DC’s history is no longer continuity, yet it still speaks to the illness that is present in a lot of superhero comics. And that is, not supplementing the alter-ego to aide in the character’s main goal (i.e., saving the world).
But, maybe, that’s the American Way aspect? All this information and hording it for himself as a 1%er of knowledge (though doesn’t Batman already have that kind of douchebaggery covered?). After all, he doesn’t owe us anything, and neither does DC. It’s completely selfish of me as a reader to suspect otherwise. Nevertheless, as a former, zealous reader of DC Comics, it is disappointing that they went after it from this angle. It feels like a cop out and not one with any real merit.
It may very well be interesting to see where Lobdell goes with this. How will he justify the transition; can he? Or will we see Clark back at The Planet or some other news-based gig in a couple months (after all, that’s all his resume is built for). Whatever the next step for Clark Kent is, I urge creative and editorial that his identity will supplement the character and his mission, rather than just be an ad hoc identity that serves no real purpose. After all, unless the secret identity has a purpose, why bother with it? The X-Men certainly don’t (no one in the Marvel Universe really seems to, aside from Spider-Man). The Fortress of Solitude is always available for living quarters, and surely someone would be willing to pay Superman copious amounts of money to be a part-time body guard, motivational speaker, etc.
Though maybe he meant the speech he gave, and the future of Clark Kent as investigative blogger for The Metropolitan Post (or whatever) could potentially be worth reading. We’ll see. After all, I’m not against change, I just hope it means something. Adds something. But in the past year, there doesn’t seem to be enough Blue Lanterns in the New 52 to justify my hopes.
One last thing: Lois Lane had always been the character Lobdell is trying to make Kent into in this issue. She was the tough-as-nails reporter who cared about the news and getting the information out to the people. In this issue, she cares about sales, credibility be damned. That’s a ‘fridging of character if I ever saw one. But another article for another time.
Superman#13 is written by Scott Lobdell, with art by Kenneth Rocafort. It is on sale NOW.
