Death Of Superman's Supporting Cast!

[SMARTASS8]

I feel Geoff Johns' run on Superman has been one of the best ever. The only problem I have so far is his killing of Pa Kent. If there's one thing I'd keep from John Byrne's Man Of Steel, it's Clark should have his parents kept alive. It's something that grounds Clark and links him to a piece a Rockwell-like Americana(Smallville) that is responsible for Superman's "boyscout" demeanor. Killing Pa Kent just leaves us with a more likable Aunt May who is always going to seem depressing now that she's left alone without a husband or son living anywhere near her. Normally a death doesn't bother me that much in a comic, but when you kill off a non-superhero mortal, there's little chance we'll ever see them alive again(unless we get another Crisis-style reboot).

Since Superman has so many different mortal supporting characters, I thought I ask who you'd prefer to be killed off if someone had to die(from most worthy of a death to least worthy). I'll start:

Sam Lane
Steve Lombard
Cat Grant
Ron Troupe
Lucy Lane
Pete Ross
Lana Lang
Ma Kent
Pa Kent
Lois Lane
Jimmy Olsen

[Brother Justin Crowe]

Sam Lane heads to the back of the class. He should have stayed dead.

As for Pa, why kill him for the thousandth time? I'd offer up Jimmy Olsen's soul to Darkseid before saying goodbye to Ma and Pa, unless the story absolutely merited it.

[longshot3]

Is Sam Lane still dead? Or were there wall-punches involved?

The only things that sort of bothered me about Pa Kent's death are:

1) They clearly did it because either it was recently done in Smallville or to synch up with the movie universe.

2) Even though we all knew it was coming, I did not like being spolied about it in a solicitation

[Mat001]

Is Sam Lane still dead? Or were there wall-punches involved?

No, I think he faked his death. Most everyone who died in "Our Worlds At War" were back by 2007.


The only things that sort of bothered me about Pa Kent's death are:

1) They clearly did it because either it was recently done in Smallville or to synch up with the movie universe.

Actually, it was done because Clark will leave Earth to go be with the Kryptonians. His guilt at his father's death will play a factor in it.

[SMARTASS8]

No, I think he faked his death. Most everyone who died in "Our Worlds At War" were back by 2007.



Actually, it was done because Clark will leave Earth to go be with the Kryptonians. His guilt at his father's death will play a factor in it.

At least they'd be using the death to benefit a storyline and not just to add to the recent DCU bodycount. It still stinks though.

[Super Buddies Forever]

Since the writers can't decide whether they want Jimmy Olsen to be an evolving, real character or a perpetually stunted, bowtie-wearing idiot with a man crush on Clark Kent, I'd kill him off. Throw in Johns' assey Perry White too.

[Jeff O.]

Actually, it was done because Clark will leave Earth to go be with the Kryptonians. His guilt at his father's death will play a factor in it.

If that's the reason, I say, "Sure, Clark, leave your mother when she needs you most of all."

Why not take Martha with you? A [space] cruise might be good for her at this time. And it would give you someone to rescue from aliens every now and again, especially if for some reason your wife, Lois, is still frozen in time at the brink of death after FINAL CRISIS and SUPERMAN BEYOND.

If, for his 70th birthday, Supes loses Pa Kent, Lois, and Batman, it's no wonder it's his party and he'll cry if he wants to.

And here I thought maybe Supes would be going into space to find a cure for one of his loved ones, like he did back in 1960 for Lori Lemaris.

[Samy]

Pa Kent will be back at the close of the Black Lantern Saga. ;)

[Jeff O.]

Normally a death doesn't bother me that much in a comic, but when you kill off a non-superhero mortal, there's little chance we'll ever see them alive again(unless we get another Crisis-style reboot).

If the new ADVENTURE COMICS is allowed to feature the original Superboy in new stories, even if only Legion adventures set in the future, we might be seeing Pa Kent again real soon. "Good luck with this new mission in the future, son. I'll watch the farm (or general store) while you're gone. Come back to us, safe."

Ya never know. I have guessed one of the reasons the Kents remained alive in the Byrne revamp is because Jonathan and Martha could no longer been seen (occasionally or regularly) in new Superboy stories.

[Captain Smith]

I do like the idea of Zombie Pa eating Lois' brain. Pa will be back after the next crisis.

[Brother Justin Crowe]

Pa Kent as a Black Lantern is like Happy Hogan, George Stacy or Jim Wilson as the Marvel equivalent of a Black Lantern. It's way beyond ridiculous and bordering on hilarious.

[Mat001]

Martha wouldn't want to leave Earth and Clark cannot force her to go.

We're not even certain if Jonathan will be a Black Lantern.