Superman has always been known as the Last Son of Krypton in the comics and on the big screen. He survived Krypton's destruction and became a hero on Earth, though he operated for years out of his Fortress of Solitude. However, Kal-El and his multiversal/future variants eventually found love and started their own families over the years.

Fans of the Man of Steel have met quite a few of his powerful children in various Elseworlds stories. The mainstream DC universe also has a new protector as Clark and Lois's son Jon Kent grew from his beginning as Superboy to his new role as the electrically powered Superman. He's just one of many powerful children of Superman who have appeared in the comics and on TV.

Updated on November 30th 2023, by Sage Ashford: This list has been updated to offer more information about some of Superman's strongest children.

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16 Jason White's Kryptonian Powers Took Some Time To Develop

Jason White from Superman Returns

First Appearance:

Superman Returns

Bryan Singer continued the storyline of the original live-action franchise in 2006’s Superman Returns, though the sequel might have been released too late. After an extended period in space, Superman returned to find that everyone in his life had moved on. Clark Kent tried to reconnect with Lois Lane, though he discovered she married and had a young child named Jason White.

Jason is a sickly boy with asthma, but clues to his true parentage start to pile up, including the fact he reacts to Kryptonite like Superman. He also displayed super-strength protecting his mother after they were both captured by Lex Luthor. Superman soon learns the truth about his son, and he vowed to remain on Earth and protect the innocent once again.

15 Chris Kent Has Unique Powers From Being Trapped In The Phantom Zone

Split image of Chris Kent as Nightwing alongside Thara Ak-Var as Flamebird

First Appearance:

Action Comics #844

Release Date:

October 25th, 2006

Creators:

Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Adam Kubert, Dave Stewart, Rob Leigh

Born as Lor-Zod, Chris Kent was the biological son of General Zod and Ursa who escaped from the Phantom Zone. While he isn’t related to Superman, the Kents took him in as their own and named him Christopher. His arrival was followed by the escape of Zod and his army. They attacked Metropolis, but Chris Kent returned to the Zone to seal them inside.

Chris Kent later emerged from the Phantom Zone as a full-grown adult. He and the Kandorian Thara Ak-Var took on the mantles of DC's ancient Kryptonian dragon gods. Chris channeled the abilities of the ancient Kryptonian deity as Nightwing on New Krypton, granting him additional abilities like shadow manipulation and teleportation. An alternate version of the character also appeared on Earth-16 as the successor to Superman and a member of The Just.

14 Clark Kent, Jr. Has Half The Strength Of Pre-Crisis Superman

Superman Jr. and Batman Jr. as the original Super Sons

First Appearance:

World's Finest #154

Release Date:

December 1965

Creators:

Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, Sheldon Moldoff, Joe Letterese

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There have been multiple iterations of Superman Junior over the years. One of the first versions of Superman Junior joined with Batman Junior in the future as the first Super Sons. The son of Superman and a human mother, Superman Junior possessed half the strength, endurance, and durability of his father. However, he retained his father’s heat vision, super-breath, and super speed.

Superman Junior and Batman Junior rebelled against the legacy of their famous fathers. In an act of rebellion, the two went off on a road trip to find themselves. Though they eventually embraced their roles in carrying on everything their fathers had built, it was later revealed that the existence of the Super Sons was all a product of a computer simulation.

13 Adam Kent Possesses The Strength Of Superman And The Training Of The Amazons

Superman stands with Adam Kent in DC Comics

First Appearance:

JLA: Created Equal #1

Release Date:

January 19th, 2000

Creators:

Fabian Nicieza, Kevin Maguire, Joe Rubinstein, Gloria Vasquez, Digital Chameleon, Bob Lappan

JLA: Created Equal introduced a deadly virus that wiped out most of Earth's male population except Superman and Lex Luthor. Superman exiled himself to space in order to save his unborn son and the other male children created with his Kryptonian DNA. The women of the DC Universe took charge of the planet, and Lois Lane gave birth to Adam Kent.

When Superman finally returned, he discovered that Lex Luthor poisoned the mind of Adam against the female leaders of the world. Confined to Paradise Island to be trained by the Amazons, Adam Kent leads his superpowered brothers in a revolt against the women he had been made to believe were inferior to men. Superman confronted his son and convinced him to stop fighting.

12 Jon Kent/Superman Used His Powers To Free His Father And Stop Lex Luthor

An alternate Jon Kent flying in the sunlight from the Elseworlds Son of Superman

First Appearance:

Son of Superman

Release Date:

November 1999

Creators:

Howard Chaykin, David Tischman, J.H. Williams III, Mick Gray, Lee Loughridge, Kurt Hathaway

An alternate teenage version of Jon Kent suddenly developed superpowers in the celebrated Son of Superman Elseworlds tale. Lois Lane kept Jon's true parentage a secret until his powers developed, since Superman had been missing for 15 years. Jon attempted to follow in his father's footsteps and left to find answers.

Since Superman’s disappearance, Lex Luthor took control of the Justice League, which led to the death of democracy in America. Jon discovered that the Man of Steel was being held in a secret underground facility. He freed his father, though the two didn't initially agree with each other's tactics. However, they worked together to defeat Luthor and set things right in the world.

11 Carol And Jane Kent Took Over After Their Father's Powers Faded

Carol and Jane revealing themselves to their father in Superman: Secret Identity

First Appearance:

Superman: Secret Identity #4

Release Date:

June 2004

Creators:

Kurt Busiek, Stuart Immonen, Todd Klein

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In Superman: Secret Identity, Clark Kent grew up in a world where superheroes only exist in comic books. Named after the fictional Superman, he mysteriously gained superpowers and started a secret superhero career based on his namesake.

Playing off the classic Superman similarities, Clark is set up with Lois Chaudhari, and the two fall in love and later marry. After years of working in secret, Clark became a successful writer. His twin children, Carol and Jane, developed superpowers as well. As Superman’s own powers started to fade, he retired, knowing his kids would carry on his heroic legacy.

10 Conner Kent/Superboy Merges Kryptonian Strength With Tactile Telekinesis

First Appearance:

Adventures of Superman #500

Release Date:

June 1993

Creators:

Karl Kesel, Tom Grummett, Doug Hazlewood, Glenn Whitmore, Albert DeGuzman

When Superman died during his fight with Doomsday, Project Cadmus created Superboy in an attempt to recreate the Man of Steel himself. When the real Superman returned from the dead, he accepted the clone as part of his family, giving him the name Kon-El. Superboy then took on the civilian identity of Conner Kent, cousin of Clark Kent.

Kon-El later discovered that he was actually the clone of Superman and Lex Luthor. Superboy struggled with the revelation and Luthor's machinations before meeting a heroic end in the Infinite Crisis event. Kon-El later returned and spent time in Smallville before the New 52 reboot changed the character. However, he returned again and joined the modern Superman Family as Superboy.

9 Zod/Superboy Mastered Both His Kryptonian Powers And Advanced Technology

Zod using his powers as Superboy in the Batman Beyond comic universe

First Appearance:

Justice League Beyond 2.0 #4

Release Date:

September 2013

Creators:

Christos N. Gage, Iban Coello, Randy Mayor, Saida Temofonte

The child known as Zod was the son of Lord Superman and Wonder Woman from the Justice Lords' universe. Zod was engineered using Kryptonian and Amazonian technology to be the perfect heir to the throne of Earth. Brainiac captured Zod and delivered him to Jax-Ur to be raised inside the Phantom Zone as a weapon.

Superman from the Batman Beyond universe rescued Zod and welcomed him to the Justice League as Superboy. Zod had all the powers of Superman but also possessed control over technology, which he used to defeat Brainiac and gain the team’s trust. When he finally met his parents, he rejected their ideals and wanted nothing to do with either of them.

8 Jon Lane Kent/Superboy Was Meant To Be A Perfect Clone Of Superman

Jon Lane Kent as Superboy murdering metahumans in the future

First Appearance:

Superboy Vol 6 #19

Release Date:

April 10th, 2013

Creators:

Tom DeFalco, R.B. Silva, Diogenes Neves, Rob Lean, Vicente Cifuentes, Richard Horie, Tanya Horie, Travis Lanham

Jon Lane Kent is the son of Superman and Lois Lane from an alternate future. Because of his unstable DNA, Jon seemingly died, and the Kents went into seclusion. Little did they know that the villain known as Harvest took Jon’s body to the past, revived him, and used him in his plot to eliminate all metahumans in the world.

It was later revealed that the New 52's reimagined Superboy Kon-El was actually a clone of Jon Lane Kent. Harvest created Kon-El in an attempt to save Jon, but Superboy escaped and became a superhero with the Teen Titans. Jon replaced his clone and continued his dark plans. Kon-El took back his mantle and finally stopped the evil Jon Lane Kent.

7 Lara/Supergirl Combines The Strength Of Superman And Wonder Woman

Lara Kent as Supergirl from The Dark Knight Strikes Again

First Appearance:

The Dark Knight Strikes Again #2

Release Date:

March 2002

Creators:

Frank Miller, Lynn Varley, Todd Klein

Born to Superman and Wonder Woman, Lara became Supergirl in Frank Miller’s iconic graphic novel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Wonder Woman raised her on Paradise Island to keep her existence hidden from the corrupted United States government. Lex Luthor and Brainiac had secretly taken over the country and would have used Lara to reinforce their control over the people.

Lara finally made her presence known when she saved her father’s life from Brainiac. She has all the abilities of Superman and Wonder Woman and was trained in the ways of an Amazon warrior. Superman, Wonder Woman, and Lara joined Batman’s attack against Brainiac, and they were instrumental in freeing the country from tyrannical rule.

6 Jon Kent Wields Superman's Strength Though Not His Experience

First Appearance:

Convergence: Superman #2

Release Date:

May 6th, 2015

Creators:

Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Brad Anderson, Tom Napolitano

Jon Samuel Kent became part of the main continuity when the Post-Crisis Superman and Lois Lane arrived in the Post-Flashpoint universe. He was a young boy, unaware of his father's secret identity. When his Kryptonian abilities finally developed, he joined his father and became one of the best versions of Superboy.

Jon Kent spent some time as Superboy and formed a close relationship with Damian Wayne/Robin as the Super Sons. He also spent years away with his grandfather, Jor-El, and he aged to adulthood. Jon took over as Earth's Superman while his father was away, and proved he was Superman's son in every way, defending the Earth as best he could.

5 Cir-El/Supergirl Is A Futuristic Clone Based On Kryptonian DNA

Cir-El flying as Supergirl in DC Comics

First Appearance:

Superman: The 10¢ Adventure #1

Release Date:

March 2003

Creators:

Steven T. Seagle, Scott McDaniel, Andy Owens, Tanya Horie, Richard Horie, Richard Starkings, Comicraft

The hero known as Cir-El originally operated under the name Supergirl and claimed to be Superman and Lois Lane's daughter from the future. After assisting the Superman Family on several occasions, readers learned Cir-El was actually a human named Mia who could transform into the older, more powerful version of Supergirl.

Superman eventually discovered that Brainiac created her by grafting Kryptonian DNA onto a human host with implanted false memories. Her entire existence was manufactured by Brainiac to help him destroy Superman and completely dominate the human race. Cir-El decided to erase herself from existence in order to prevent this dark future from ever taking place.

4 Jordan Kent's Abilities Are Inconsistent But Powerful

Jordan Kent staring fiercely at the audience from the Superman & Lois TV show

First Appearance:

Superman & Lois

Episode:

"Pilot"

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Following Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch's appearance as Clark Kent and Lois Lane in the Arrowverse, they starred in a new series called Superman & Lois. At the start of the show, the titular DC couple retired to Smallville to raise their teenage boys, Jonathan and Jordan Kent. While Jonathan didn't inherit his father's powers in this continuity, Jordan exhibited his Kryptonian abilities.

Much like the comic version of Jon Kent, Jordan Kent's powers appeared unpredictably in explosive bursts. However, his powers eventually fully developed, and he held his own in battle with his newfound uncle, the vengeful Kryptonian Tal-Rho. Jordan's abilities could continue to develop, and he could become one of Superman and Lois Lane's most powerful children in the future.

3 Kara Kent/Superwoman Possessed Half The Strength Of Superman

Kara Kent as Supergirl from Superman/Batman: Generations

First Appearance:

Superman & Batman: Generations #2

Release Date:

February 1999

Creators:

John Byrne, Patricia Mulvihill

Superman and Lois Lane had two children in the iconic Superman/Batman: Generations. Exposure to Gold Kryptonite in the womb caused Joel Perry Kent to be born without powers, but Kara Kent inherited Superman's powers. She became Supergirl and served as Superman’s sidekick while keeping her true nature hidden from her non-powered brother.

Kara eventually became Superwoman and planned to marry her crime-fighting partner, Bruce Wayne, Jr./Batman. Unfortunately, Lex Luthor manipulated her brother Joel and convinced him that Superman purposefully stripped him of his powers. Given a serum to gain superpowers, Joel killed his sister before it ultimately killed him in a double cross by Luthor.

2 Ariella Kent/Supergirl's Strength Surpasses Even The Original Superman

Ariella Kent flies as Supergirl in Superman comics

First Appearance:

Supergirl Vol. 4 #1,000,000

Release Date:

November 1998

Creators:

Peter David, Dusty Abell, Norman Lee, Gene D'Angelo, Digital Chameleon, Comicraft

Ariella Kent is a superpowered six-year-old child in the 853rd century who unknowingly caused massive destruction everywhere she went. When the Pre-Crisis version of Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) showed up on Earth, Linda Danvers decided to return to Pre-Crisis Earth in her place. There, she fell in love with Earth-One Superman. They married and had a child named Ariella Kent.

The Spectre revealed that the Pre-Crisis Supergirl must return to her era, Linda agreed on the condition that he saved her daughter. Danvers sent Kara Zor-El back to her dark fate in the Crisis on Infinite Earths and then quit as Supergirl. Ariella was last seen flying around in space alone. She possesses incredible powers, including time travel, that far surpass Superman and Supergirl.

1 Jonathan Kent/Hyperman Combines Superman And Wonder Woman's Strength With A Mastery Of Hypertime

Jonathan Kent as Hyperman from The Kingdom comic storyline

First Appearance:

The Kingdom #1

Release Date:

February 1999

Creators:

Mark Waid, Ariel Olivetti, John Kalisz, Phil Felix

Mark Waid continued the iconic Kingdom Come story with 1999's The Kingdom. It brought some of the most powerful Kingdom Come characters and concepts into the mainstream universe. Gog decided to travel through time, killing the Man of Steel over and over again. He abducted Superman and Wonder Woman’s baby Jonathan Kent with the intention of raising him to become Magog.

Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman joined forces with their future Kingdom Come counterparts to defeat Gog and rescue the child. Young Jonathan slipped into Hypertime to be protected by his future self Hyperman. He returned young Jonathan to his parents after the defeat of Gog. Hyperman shared Superman and Wonder Woman's powers but could also navigate Hypertime.