DC Hero Origins: Why Changing Superman’s Father’s Role in the Lore Is a Mistake

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Superman #3

The Complex Legacy of Jor-El: From Villain to Hero?

Superman, a cornerstone of the DC Universe, is celebrated for his unwavering sense of justice. However, his father, Jor-El, has often been cast in a more dubious light, leading to significant family tensions. Recently, however, a transformative narrative has emerged that rehabilitates Jor-El’s character; yet, this redemption may not be beneficial for Superman’s legacy.

This new storyline focuses on Superman’s quest to unravel peculiar happenings within the Phantom Zone, a notorious Kryptonian prison established by Jor-El. As he delves deeper, the moral implications of the Phantom Zone come into question, leading Superman to reevaluate his father’s decisions.

Comic book panel of Superman contemplating the ethical implications of the Phantom Zone and Jor-El's character.

In a bold narrative twist, creators Mark Waid and Dan Henry reframe Jor-El’s actions, presenting him in a more favorable light. While Jor-El is reimagined as a heroic figure after years of being viewed as morally ambiguous, I maintain that this alteration undermines Superman’s character development.

Jor-El’s Intentions: A New Perspective on the Phantom Zone

From Imprisonment to Salvation: The New Narrative

In Action Comics #1074, Superman embarks on a journey back to Krypton’s past, providing him an opportunity to meet his parents directly. Prior to this encounter, Superman grappled with the notion of why Jor-El would resort to utilizing such a harsh dimension as the Phantom Zone for criminal punishment. Superman believes in second chances, so the implications of his father’s decisions weigh heavily on him. However, through dialogue with Jor-El, he learns of the original intentions behind the Phantom Zone’s creation.

This isn’t the first instance in which DC Comics has revised Jor-El’s narrative. In Action Comics #987 by Dan Jurgens and Viktor Bogdanovic, the character survives Krypton’s demise, later adopting the alias “Mr. Oz”to sway Superman against Earth.

During his time in Jor-El’s laboratory, Superman discovers that the Phantom Zone projector was intended as an escape route for Kryptonians. Jor-El’s real aim was to teleport Kryptonians into this dimension to preserve their lives amid Krypton’s impending doom, painting a picture of hope rather than punishment. While this retcon positions Jor-El as a savior, it also contradicts the established narratives within the Absolute Universe.

The Implications of Jor-El’s Redemption

How Krypton’s Final Days Are Reinterpreted

Cover art for Absolute Superman #3 featuring Lara-El, Jor-El, and Krypto against a dramatic backdrop.

While the erasing of Jor-El’s morally questionable past seems appealing, my impression from Absolute Superman #3 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval is that DC has taken a misstep. The Absolute Universe introduces fresh interpretations of Superman’s backstory, including events surrounding Krypton’s devastation. Here, Jor-El and Lara aim to orchestrate a rescue mission for their son Kal-El and as many Kryptonians as possible through a massive spacecraft. This portrayal ostensibly showcases their heroism.

However, this attempt at salvaging lives, while noteworthy, does little to enhance Jor-El’s character when set against the backdrop of his more traditional role. The dissonance between Jor-El’s intention to save Kryptonians and the established lore diminishes both iterations of the character’s impact. If the original story had been preserved alongside this reimagined narrative, the fresh take would feel more cohesive and powerful.

The Necessity of Imperfection: Superman’s Legacy

Exploring the Value of Flawed Heroes

Comic art depicting Superman standing before Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van on Krypton.

The core of my opposition to framing Jor-El as a hero lies in the potential detriment to both his narrative and Superman’s. Superman’s internal conflict regarding his father’s controversial legacy creates a nuanced storyline. A flawed parent can add layers of complexity to a hero’s journey, making the narrative richer. While Jor-El may currently be cast as a noble figure, I hold out hope that DC will revert this unwarranted adjustment and restore the intricate dynamics of Superman’s relationship with his father.

Action Comics #1070-1081 and Absolute Superman #3 are currently available from DC Comics.

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