I actually haven't read the latest Action Comics, but I did discover a major plot point when I read iFanboy's Pick of the Week for this week. Apparently, in the course of the story, Jonathan Kent dies saving Martha. Now, I'm sure the story itself is excellent; the writer, Geoff Johns has been doing great work on this title, as well as Justice Society of America, and Green Lantern, and the half-dozen other titles he writes every month. I'm just not convinced that killing off Pa Kent is a great idea. When John Byrne revamped Superman in the mid-80's with Man of Steel, the best change he made was to have the Kents still be alive (in the original continuity the Kents had died years before Clark became Superman). I'm not even sure I can put into words why I liked the Kents being around so much, it was just nice to see, that when things got rough, Clark could turn to his salt of the earth parents for counsel and comfort. It's heartwarming, and wholesome, and just so . . . Superman. Martha's still around, and for that I'm glad, but I'll miss Jonathan (and not just because he's got an awesome first name).
That being said, Jonathan Kent hasn't had a lot of luck in the various iterations of the Superman story.
Pre-Crisis: He and his wife went on a cruise vacation and contracted a fatal disease shortly before Clark goes off to college.
Superman the Motion Picture: Played by Glenn Ford, he dies of a heart attack. His death is, in part, the impetus for Clark leaving Smallville to seek out his destiny.
Smallville: Played by John Schneider, he again dies of a heart condition. This time because . . . well, I'm not real sure what the justification was this time. Because John Schneider had other things he wanted to do, maybe?
Current Continuity: And that brings us back to Action Comics #870. Here, at least, he apparently gets to die a hero, saving his wife from Braniac's attack.R.I.P Jonathan Kent
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well its nice to know that you have great hits here.
ReplyDeletesure, why not!
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