As much as Titans has been a rollicking ride, a major point of contention has been the absence of Superman. The story's focused mostly on Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, and how the likes of Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd and Tim Drake fit into their world. However, Conner Kent (aka Superboy) has been introduced as well, thanks to CADMUS.
And make no mistake, he's a hybrid clone, just like the source material, made from Lex Luthor and Clark Kent's DNA. This is why he's questioning his place in the world, struggling to balance both his human and Kryptonian sides. However, given what's been teased for Season 4, the series really should push for the Man of Steel's debut, as Conner seeks to learn more about his identity and real purpose.
Titans Needs Superman to Help Heal Superboy
A prop has been spotted teasing maybe Clark will arrive; however, it does feel like a placeholder in terms of narrative. This apology letter, with Kal-El saying he'll hopefully be there in the future, is not going to win Conner over because this will make Superboy feel secondary. Kal-El has to be there to show him he's a priority, to educate him on his heritage, what the House of El sigil means on his chest, and even help train him at the Fortress of Solitude.
It will aid Conner with his powers, prep him for life someday with the Justice League and make him feel more like a son than a fanboy. He's currently experiencing emotional distress, feeling like a black sheep as most of the world, and maybe even Nightwing, view him as just a weapon of mass destruction. If Superman doesn't show up, it will benefit Lex who wants to corrupt Superboy. And given how the villain is tapping into supernatural forces, that's the last thing Kal-El would want, as Conner could become a more dangerous weapon.
Titans' Superman Reinvigorates the Series
The Bat-family drama can be overwhelming. There's just been so much about the legacy of Bruce being a bad mentor. Not to mention, it's tiring seeing Dick wanting to be a better leader, amid a flurry of romances, while reiterating how flawed he is. The arc with Rachel and Trigon will be revisited as well with the vicious Mother Mayhem and the Church of Blood, while Gar experiencing a breakdown feels akin to Conner's fractured psyche in the past.
Simply put, a fresh element is needed, and Superman would be perfect. Warner Bros. seems comfortable having multiple Batmen and Supermen across various mediums, so this would allow the creatives to chart something different from Henry Cavill, Tom Welling and Superman & Lois' Tyler Hoechlin. Seeing as Dick has admitted Bruce is afraid of Lex, and that there does seem to be an occult-based apocalypse rising, Kal-El's wisdom and strength could be essential. And ultimately, due to magic possibly being a weakness, he'll be as vulnerable as ever, giving fans an emotive mental and physical portrait of a damaged, more human Kal-El, who just wants to inspire Conner to greatness, proving he really does love his clone.
Titans Season 4 will premiere Nov. 3 on HBO Max.