WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 2, Episode 1, "What Lies Beneath," which aired Tuesday, Jan. 11, on The CW.

This past year, DC Entertainment changed Superman's official motto from "Truth, Justice and the American Way" to "Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow." That decision wasn't made without controversy, despite DC making similar changes to its flagship character's sociopolitical allegiances in the past. And as Superman & Lois Season 2 begins, the CW series appears to take a cue from this motto change as figures in the U.S. military take matters into their own hands over growing concerns that Superman's priorities do not align with their own.

Superman's liaison with the U.S. Department of Defense was his own father-in-law, Gen. Sam Lane, who worked with the Man of Steel to coordinate his efforts to protect the world. While Lane had his misgivings about his son-in-law's approach, even going as far as to develop weaponry capable of putting down Superman if he ever broke bad, he generally saw eye-to-eye with the superhero. Although the two men's trust was reaffirmed by how Superman defeated the villainous Tal-Rho in Season 1, Lane decided to retire from his celebrated military career to focus instead on building his relationship with his family, leaving Superman's standing with the military on uncertain ground.

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Superman-and-Lois-Haywire-Lois-Clark-Sam-Lane-Jonathan-Jordan-Kent

Following Lane's retirement, Season 2 introduces his replacement, Lt. Mitch Anderson, who repeatedly informs Superman that his superiors are concerned the superhero has publicly sworn his allegiance to the world rather than prioritize American interests. Superman turns down overtures to align himself more with the military, because he's not interested in taking orders from any government and feels his mission exceeds geopolitical borders. However, the final straw for the U.S. military brass comes when Superman rescues a North Korean nuclear submarine and, rather than bring it to the United States, returns it home.

In response, the Department of Defense unveils its own pair of super-powered figures, complete with American military twists on the iconic Superman costume, right down to the familiar logo. When confronted by the Man of Steel, Anderson notes the symbol is recognized worldwide; the military believes it will communicate, both domestically and abroad, that the United States has its own loyal Supermen carrying out an American agenda with the same apparent powers as the Man of Tomorrow. Although Anderson taunts Superman that the idea for this program was one overseen by Gen. Lane prior to his retirement, he nevertheless implores the superhero to join his fledgling team so the United States can publicly have the real deal working for it.

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 Ian Bohen as Lieutenant Mitch Anderson in Superman & Lois Season 2 premiere

The Arrowverse has shown various branches of the federal government employing their own superhero units over the years, from the Suicide Squad to A.R.G.U.S. Superman & Lois takes that one step further with a military agenda that directly challenges Superman's geopolitical stance and co-opts his symbol. Superman is going to have to publicly oppose this perception of how his logo has been appropriated and defend why he stands for everyone rather than simply the American way. And with a new supervillain set to debut in Season 2, there may be several fallen Supermen by the time this confrontation is resolved.

To see Superman's recent controversy brought to the Arrowverse, Superman & Lois Season 2 airs Tuesdays at 8pm EST on The CW.

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