WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Legion of Super-Heroes #7 by Brian Michael Bendis, Ryan Sook, Wade Von Grawbadger, Jordie Bellaire, and Dave Sharpe, on sale now.
When Jonathan Kent created the idea of an interplanetary union, it's unlikely that he expected a group of future heroes to show up and ask him to join them, but they did. His resulting trip to the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes has been an eye-opening and confusing experience for Superboy. Whether he and the team are having issues with politicians or entire planets, the future has been full of non-stop adventure.
However, while Jon tries to adjust to his new time and team, one member is keeping his cards close to his chest in Legion of Super-Heroes #7. A character deeply rooted in Superman history, Mon-El. The Daxamite hasn't been so eager to introduce himself to his longtime friend's son. Though the Legion has a technology called Frichtman Tags that identify each member and important information about them, Mon-El has managed to keep his identity a secret from the time-displaced Superboy.
The issue gives us a scene where the team, now a legitimate and fully-fledged Legion, is voting on a new leader to better represent the entirety of their expanded membership. While nominations are being made we see both Jon Kent and Mon-El sitting together when Superboy is nominated to be the team's leader, prompting surprised reactions from both heroes.
While Jon excuses himself from potential leadership, he notices that Mon is not wearing his Fritchman tag, and therefore he cannot discern any information about him. Though the moment is quickly passed over in the issue, it is just the latest in a series of moments that hint at Mon-El keeping his identity from, and therefore his relationship to, Jon.
Since the New 52, Rebirth, and Doomsday Clock have all shaken up the Legion's status in the DC Universe it is unknown what this iteration of Mon-El's exact backstory is, but historically he has been a longtime ally of Clark Kent since his days as Superboy. Hailing from Daxam, a planet whose inhabitants descend from Kryptonian settlers, Lar Gand made his way to Earth by following Kal-El's ship and eventually meets him in his younger years with no recollection of who he is or where he comes from.
Clark, believing Lar to be from Krypton (due to his mentioning of the planet and his powers) dubs him "Mon-El" after the day of the week he arrived and Clark's own last name. Eventually, Mon recovers his memories and joins the Legion of Superheroes, alongside a young Clark Kent.
It's unclear exactly why Mon is keeping secrets from Jon, but it likely has to do with his relationship with his father. Maybe he wants to prevent influencing the future Superman, or want's to keep a distance from him as revealing his ties would surely motivate Jon to form a friendship. Regardless, Mon-El's identity and his reason for keeping it from Jon will undoubtedly be revealed in time as the series unfolds.
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