WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for "Quiet Conversations," Episode 20 of Young Justice: Outsiders, streaming now on DC Universe.
In its third season, Young Justice has made a major leap forward in time, as the teens from Season 1 have become adults, and key members of the Justice League. Young Justice: Outsiders portrays heroes like Aqualad (now Aquaman) and Miss Martian as wise beyond their years. But with the years passing so quickly, we're finally witnessing a drastic change to one of the key relationships that drove the series early on: that of Superman and Superboy (Conner Kent/Kon-El).
Conner was previously portrayed, effectively, as the son Superman ignored. The boy was discovered to be a CADMUS experiment that combined the DNA Lex Luthor and the Man of Steel. However, for some time after the boy's escape from the lab, Superman refused to connect with the teen, and we eventually learned it was because he didn't know whether he was ready to be a father.
As time passed, Conner grew close to Ma and Pa Kent, even becoming familiar with the Smallville farm. Thus, the Man of Steel slowly warmed to him, and Batman and Wonder Woman made certain Kal knew that bond could prevent Conner from becoming the weapon Lex intended him to be. Conner used Lex's drugs to gain even more of Superman's powers, all so he could feel an emotional connection to Kal, showing just how much he craved that approval. However, as Outsiders now confirms, their relationship no longer that of father and son; it's that of siblings.
In "Quiet Conversations," Conner utilizes a Mother Box to try to locate Metron in an effort to cure Vic Stoneg. His team uses the Boom Tube to teleport to a mysterious solar system, where Superman is surprisingly found fighting off Parademons while Metron looks on. Conner joins the Man of Steel, and together they fight off the attackers. As they talk afterward, Superman acknowledges Conner as his little brother.
Conner confirms to Forager and Black Lightning that Superman is indeed the big brother he's wanted guidance from in life. So much so, Kon-El asks Kal to be his best man when he weds Miss Martian. Kal quickly accepts, but as Conner sets off again to track Metron, Superman shakes his head and sighs, reminding the audience how much "this kid" always leaves him with a headache.
If that's not a sign of an exasperated brother, we don't know what is. Most of all, this move also carves out a fresh dynamic that brings closure to the Superman-as-deadbeat-dad arc, while bringing to an end the annoying desire for approval that Conner displayed in the past. Without these daddy issues, it finally feels as if Superboy can make an impact as his own individual. Kal-El may be the dominant Kryptonian, but this brotherly love could be the spark that dictates bigger and better things for Kon-El.
New episodes of Young Justice: Outsiders premiere Tuesdays throughout the summer on DC Universe.