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Jon Kent Reading Order (Superboy, Superman)

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Almost a decade ago, the Superman Family expanded with the introduction of Jonathan “Jon” Samuel Kent, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, bringing a refreshing change to the Superman legacy. Created by Dan Jurgens—who also created Doomsday, Cyborg Superman, and Booster Gold—Jon Kent made his first appearance as a baby in Convergence: Superman #2 (July 2015).

When your father is Superman, chances are you’re not an ordinary kid. Jon inherited incredible powers, including solar radiation absorption, invulnerability, superhuman strength, speed, hearing, flight, X-ray vision, and more. As Jurgens explained in a ComicBook.com interview, “Lots of people might expect Jon to be something like his dad’s younger self, but it would be a bit of a mistake.” Instead, he described Jon as “looking like Clark but with Lois’ spitfire attitude and inquisitiveness” (Newsarama).

That description of Jon fits him best as a child. Writers Dan Jurgens and Peter Tomasi brought life to the character, making it feel like a normal kid trying to do his best, making mistakes while learning how to be a responsible person and how to use his powers, whether he was with his parents or living some adventure with his best friend, Damian Wayne/Robin!

While it can take decades for some DC Comics characters to grow up, Jon’s childhood was cut short when Brian Michael Bendis aged him up—a controversial decision among readers. Since that event, Jon has joined the Legion of Super-Heroes, taken up the mantle of Superman, and been revealed as bisexual.

Despite being a young character in the DC Universe, Jon Kent has already found his way to the screen and has been played by Jordan Elsass (in seasons 1 & 2) and Michael Bishop (from season 3) in the series Superman & Lois. Jack Dylan Grazer has also voiced the character in the animated film Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons.

Now, let’s explore the many adventures of Jon Kent, Son of Superman, with our Complete Jon Kent Comics Guide!

Jon Kent Comics Reading Order

Meet Jon Kent, Son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane

As mentioned above, Jon Kent debuted in Convergence: Superman #2, where Lois Lane gives birth to their son, Jonathan Samuel Kent, named after both his paternal adoptive and maternal grandfathers. Creator Dan Jurgens also wrote the return of the pre-New 52 Superman and Lois Lane, along with their young son, in the limited series Superman: Lois and Clark. Recently, Jurgens revisited this era with the more optional Home Again storyline, published in Action Comics as a follow-up to their story.

Jon Kent Rebirth Comics: The Super Son!

The Rebirth era officially begins here! One of the standout runs of DC Rebirth, Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s Superman focuses on the Superman Family dealing with Jon’s emerging powers, his father guiding him on how to use his abilities, and both parents are doing quite a good job teaching him how to be a decent human being! While Jon also appears in Dan Jurgens’ Action Comics, those issues are more of an optional read. You can also check out  Superman/Action Comics Rebirth Reading Order.

Superboy and Robin, the sons of Superman and Batman, take center stage as a reluctant super-team in the Super Sons comic! Coming from the creative duo of Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, this is the story of two kids learning to work together and saving the world like their fathers—and becoming best friends! For more information, check out our Super Sons reading order.

More Super Sons adventures! After the end of Super Sons, young Jon Kent and Damian Wayne are reunited for more crazy adventures in Adventures of the Super Sons and Challenge of the Super Sons.

Grown-up Jon Kent by Brian Michael Bendis

Brian Michael Bendis took over the rein of Superman, making his debut with Action Comics #1000. This will majorly affect Jon Kent, who is quickly sent into space for a transformative trip!

Legion of Super Heroes Icon Reading OrderWelcome to the 31st century! Written by Brian Michael Bendis, the Legion of Super-Heroes unites to prevent the galaxy from repeating its past mistakes—this time with Jon Kent, a.k.a. Superboy, as part of the team.

Future State Jon Kent

In the aftermath of Dark Nights: Death Metal took place the Future State event, one of these DC storylines that explores a possible future of the DC Universe. Though not strictly canon, those stories sort of foreshadow what could happen…

  • Future State: Superman
    Collects Future State: Superman of Metropolis #1-2, Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1-3, Future State: Superman: Worlds at War #1-2, Future State: House of El #1, Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #1-2, Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1-2.
  • Future State: Wonder Woman
    Collects Future State: Wonder Woman #1-2, Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #1-2, Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #1-2.

Jon Kent becomes Superman in Infinite Frontier

A new status quo emerges in the Infinite Frontier era with Clark Kent living some adventures in space in Action Comics. He leaves the Earth under the protection of his son Jon Kent who takes on the mantle of Superman to protect Earth in the Superman: Son of Kal-El comic by Tom Taylor and John Timms. To know exactly what’s going on in Clark Kent’s life, follow our Superman Infinite Frontier reading order.

In Justice League #75, Superman and the other members of the Justice League are “killed.” It is how the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths began, and how the Infinite Frontier era concluded. See our Dark Crisis Reading Order for more information.

Dawn of DC with Jon Kent

Dark Crisis has concluded, and Superman/Clark Kent has returned to Earth full-time. So, what’s next for Jon Kent? In the Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent comic by Tom Taylor and Clayton Henry, Jon steps across dimensions, landing in the Injustice Universe. Following this, he works to redefine his role in the Superman Family, helps Metropolis and his best friend during Beast World, and faces the challenges of Absolute Power!

Amanda Waller has created the perfect situation to steal the metahuman abilities of every hero and villain on planet Earth! Now, it’s time for Absolute Power, a DC Comics event from Mark Waid and Dan Mora that concludes the Dawn of DC era!

Coming Soon… Jon Kent is DC All In!

Read More DC Comics!

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