In the second season of Titans, the writers introduced a version of Superboy who, much like his comic book counterpart, is a clone of both Lex Luthor and Superman. However, despite the fact that Superboy operates publicly wearing a Superman symbol, appears to have all of Superman’s powers and goes by the name Conner Kent, he has had no interactions with Superman. In fact, the creators of Titans have made no indication that Superman even knows about his clone’s existence. This is a problem.
Superboy is a visible member of the Titans. Unless Superman has been off-world or otherwise detained since the end of Season 2, it seems unlikely that he wouldn’t have learned about Superboy’s existence. Thus, the question becomes, why has the Man of Steel not reached out to Conner? What might be keeping him away?
Although Superman has not appeared on Titans, all indications are that he is more or less the hero people would expect him to be. Other characters speak with reverence about his heroism and overall goodness. As such, even if he had misgivings about being cloned without consent, as was the case in Young Justice, Superman would eventually want to be a part of his genetic offspring’s life. Superboy’s impulsive destruction of Blackfire’s ship shows that, even if he means well most of the time, having some of Superman’s guidance could be a good thing.
Superman’s presence could also be good for the rest of the Titans. From the beginning, Titans has carried an overwhelming bleakness that is at odds with most of the characters it is attempting to portray. Bringing in Superman to serve a supporting role akin to Bruce Wayne’s in Seasons 2 and 3 could help correct the course and tone of the series. Clark could act as the counterpoint to Bruce’s style of superhero mentorship.
Titans is, among other things, about young adults stepping out of their mentors’ shadows. Thus far, this has been a fraught process. From Dick Grayson’s “Fuck Batman,” to Jason Todd’s death and resurrection as Red Hood, the relationship between superheroes and sidekicks on Titans is often far from rosy. Superman could help break that cycle by being a supportive, positive force in Superboy’s life and by being the friend to Dick Grayson that he has been for much of comic book history.
Season 3 of Titans ended in a much more positive place than where it started. The team defeated Scarecrow, Jason achieved some level of redemption and the former Robins reconciled with Batman. Season 4 would be the perfect time for Dick and the rest of the Titans to help Superboy explore his genetic heritage. Rumors abound that Lex Luthor is likely to appear in the coming season, so it only makes sense for Conner’s other “parent,” Superman, to turn up as well.
The longer Titans goes without establishing any kind of relationship between Superboy and Superman, the weirder the situation becomes. After the events of Season 3, there is no plausible way for Clark to remain ignorant of his clone. The time has come for these two characters to finally meet. To delay any further means to risk Superboy giving into his Luthor impulses and Superman looking like a heel. For the sake of both characters, here’s hoping the writers of Titans address this problem sooner rather than later.