Conner Kent isn’t just a younger version of Superman—his story is far more layered, complex, and compelling. From his mysterious beginnings in a lab to becoming one of the most beloved members of the DC Universe, The Full Story of Conner Kent: The Origins and Evolution of Superboy reveals a character shaped by legacy, conflict, and identity. Created by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett, Conner first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 in June 1993 during the iconic Reign of the Supermen arc—a storyline that explored a world struggling to move forward after Superman’s death.
The Reign of the Supermen: Enter Superboy
After Superman’s shocking death at the hands of Doomsday in Superman Vol. 2 #75, DC Comics launched the Reign of the Supermen storyline to explore a world without the Man of Steel. Four new Superman-themed characters rose up to fill the void—one of them being a brash, youthful version who demanded to be called Superman, not Superboy (a name he hated early on).
This young Superman wasn’t the real deal, and that became clear over time. But his origin wasn’t revealed right away. Readers first met him in Adventures of Superman #500, but the truth behind who he was—and what he was made of—came later.
Project Cadmus and the Birth of a Clone
Conner’s real origin lies with the shady genetic scientists of Project Cadmus. After Superman’s death, Cadmus agents stole his body, not to perform some evil experiment, but because they believed the world needed a Superman. They’d had success with cloning before, and cloning Superman would be their crowning achievement.
But cloning Superman wasn’t easy. It took 13 attempts before Cadmus created a viable subject—Conner Kent. Here’s the twist: he wasn’t actually a clone of Superman at first. Instead, he was a clone of Paul Westfield, the human director of Cadmus, genetically modified to look like Superman and mimic his powers.
Conner had strength, flight, and durability, but none of the iconic eye-related powers like heat vision or x-ray vision. Still, he was marketed as the new Superman—despite being a teenager and far from the original.
The Escape and the Iconic Leather Jacket
Before Cadmus could implant a failsafe to control their new Superman, things went sideways. A group of cloned kids known as the Newsboy Legion—yes, they sound like a boyband—broke Conner out of the lab. They gave him his signature ‘90s leather jacket, and he was ready to take on the world.
Though he still wanted to be called Superman, the name “Superboy” stuck, and eventually he accepted it. During his early days, he was a cocky teen with a lot to prove, and his look reflected the era—shades, attitude, and all.
The Retcon: Conner’s Real DNA Revealed
Years later, towards the end of the original Young Justice comic run in 1998, something strange began to happen. Conner started developing new powers—ones he had never exhibited before, including heat vision and x-ray vision.
This revelation changed everything.
When Geoff Johns took over the Teen Titans series in 2003, he retconned Superboy’s origin in a major way. Now, Conner Kent was no longer just a modified clone of a random human. He was officially revealed to be a half-clone—made from the DNA of Superman and Lex Luthor.
This revelation was both shocking and brilliant. Conner now had to live with the fact that half of him came from the world’s greatest hero—and the other half from its most cunning villain. It created intense internal conflict and brought real emotional depth to his character. His costume also evolved: he traded in the leather jacket for a simpler look—jeans and a black T-shirt with a red Superman symbol. That design quickly became iconic.
The New 52 and a Rocky Redesign
In DC’s New 52 reboot, Superboy got a fresh start—but not everyone was thrilled. His origin was changed once again, this time making him a genetically-engineered creation from an alternate timeline. The complexity of this version left many longtime fans disappointed, and the emotional weight of Conner’s dual legacy (Superman and Luthor) was largely erased.
Luckily, this phase didn’t last.
Rebirth and Return: The Classic Conner Is Back
In recent years, writer Brian Michael Bendis brought Conner Kent back in Young Justice comics, reintroducing the beloved version of the character fans had missed. This series brought back his classic personality, costume, and background—acknowledging the Superman/Lex Luthor DNA twist while returning him to form as a core part of the DC Universe.
This revival felt like a return to roots, and fans embraced the change. The young, scrappy hero with a complicated legacy was finally home again.
Powers and Abilities: More Than Just a Clone
While Conner originally started with a limited set of powers, over the years he has developed a full range of Kryptonian abilities, including:
- Super strength
- Flight
- Invulnerability
- Enhanced speed
- Super hearing
- Heat vision
- X-ray vision
- Freeze breath
- Stamina
But that’s not all—Conner also possesses telekinetic powers. His unique genetic makeup allows him to manipulate objects using psionic energy. He can:
- Disassemble objects by touch (telekinetic disassemble)
- Fire blasts of raw telekinetic force (telekinetic blast)
These abilities set him apart even from Superman, making him a truly unique powerhouse in the DC Universe.
Final Thoughts: A Hero Forged From Two Legacies
Conner Kent’s story is one of identity, struggle, and redemption. Born from scientific ambition, shaped by two legendary figures—Superman and Lex Luthor—and defined by his own choices, he has carved out a distinct place among DC’s heroes.
If you’re curious about where to start with Conner Kent’s story, here are a few recommended reads:
- Adventures of Superman #500
- Reign of the Supermen storyline
- Geoff Johns’ Teen Titans (2003)
- Adventure Comics (2009)
- Young Justice by Brian Michael Bendis
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering him, Superboy’s journey is worth following—and it’s far from over.
