DC Comics has announced some sweeping changes to the Superman line of titles, and many fans could be upset by the news.
The "Future State" event was initially planned as a full-blown reboot of the DC Universe, moving into a future where key characters had been replaced by legacy heroes (similar to The Falcon becoming Captain America and Ironheart taking over from Tony Stark).
That's no longer the plan, but at least a few of those changes will still go ahead. Among them is a brand new Man of Steel starting July 13th when Superman: Son of Kal-El replaces the current Superman monthly title. Written by Tom Taylor (Suicide Squad) with art by John Timms (Harley Quinn), the spotlight will be put on Jonathan Kent as he suits up as the DC Universe's new Superman.
"As Clark Kent continues his fight to liberate Warworld, both on the front lines and with a new team of covert operatives, the new series will follow the son of Superman as he begins his next chapter," explains The Hollywood Reporter. "Jonathan Kent is well suited for the task of wearing his father's cape, having fought evil with Robin (Damian Wayne), traveled across galaxies with his Kryptonian grandfather, and lived in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes."
Clark Kent, meanwhile, will also have a very different status quo moving forward. In a new four-part series, Superman And The Authority, from Grant Morrison (The Green Lantern) and Mikel Janín (Batman), the Man of Steel will be part of a new team led by Manchester Black, and combine original members Midnighter and Apollo with new members Enchantress and Natasha Irons, as well as new versions of Lightray and O.M.A.C.
These changes to Superman's world are seemingly here to stay, and it's certainly going to be interesting to follow Jonathan Kent's attempts to live up to his father's legacy as the Earth's new protector.
What are your thoughts on these changes to the DC Universe?