How Superman & Lois Makes 2 Superboys Possible In The Arrowverse
Warning: Spoilers for Superman & Lois season 2, episode 9
Superman & Lois season 2 has made it possible for the Arrowverse to have two different Superboys. As things stand, the Arrowverse doesn’t have any version of Superboy, but it could have as many as two by the time the season ends. Two Arrowverse characters are already in position to take up the title.
In DC Comics, Superboy is a name typically associated with Superman’s early superhero career, a clone created from the DNA of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor, and Jonathan Kent, the super-powered son of Clark and Lois. Superman & Lois’ Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) doesn’t have his father’s powers, but Jordan (Alex Garfin) has inherited enough of his abilities to generate plenty of discussions about a possible future as the Arrowverse’s Superboy. However, it was assumed that Jordan becoming Earth-Prime’s Superboy was a long-term goal that Superman & Lois would build toward slowly, especially since there’s so much about the superhero life that the character has yet to learn.
Superman & Lois season 2, episode 9, titled “30 Days and 30 Night” shortened the path he’ll have to take to become Superboy and also set up a second version of the DC Comics character at the same time. Jordan’s first flight and his vigilante activities indicated that his transformation into a full-fledged superhero will happen sooner rather than later. And while his brother doesn’t appear to have the same destiny, Jonathan’s Bizarro counterpart is a different story. Since he comes from a dimension that’s the exact opposite of Earth-Prime, it stands to reason that in Bizarro World, it’s Jonathan – and not Jordan – who has powers. If that’s the case, he too can evolve into Superboy. In fact, his black leather jacket (which was worn by the comic character) hints that he may already be Superboy.
Bizarro Jonathan’s arrival on the Kent Farm in Superman & Lois season 2, episode 9’s cliffhanger ending provides a big hint at what his role in the Arrowverse will be. His presence provided the implication that his goal is to elicit help in saving Superman (Tyler Hoechlin). The idea of Bizarro Jonathan wanting to help Superman certainly boosts the possibility that he’s a hero (or is at least capable of becoming one later). Plus, there’s a chance that his stay on Earth isn’t a temporary one. Depending on how the conflict with Ally Allston and Anderson plays out, he could decide to remain on Earth-Prime as a superhero.
Through Jordan and Bizarro Jonathan, Superman & Lois has laid the groundwork for two characters to lay claim to the Superboy mantle in the Arrowverse. Only one may ultimately take it, but the chance exists for one (or both) to use the name. By the end of the season, the Arrowverse may have two new teenage superheroes with Kryptonian powers living on Earth-Prime and perhaps even teaming up with each other.
Superman & Lois returns April 26 on The CW.