Superman and Lois TV Season 1 Posts (November 2020 - June 2021)
Superman and Lois is quickly becoming my favorite live-action Superman content for many reasons.
It takes a lot from the Rebirth era with Tomasi and Jurgens, it digs into older Superman comic eras as well, as well older TV shows and movies, while still adding something new. As I make this archive the finale will be airing in a few hours and I'm hyped.
This is a compilation of all the theory posts and similar stuff I made relating them to comics they were inspired by.
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Superman #166 (1963) cover by Curt Swan, inspiration for CW's Superman and Lois?
![r/DCcomics - [Cover] Superman #166 (1963) cover by Curt Swan, inspiration for CW's Superman and Lois?](https://i.redd.it/9ryo9vmkxtx51.png)
Like everyone else, I thought the new CW show took inspiration from Super Sons, but with Damian renamed, also being Clark's son and no longer being Robin. Which seemed strange.
Then I remembered coming across this old Silver Age Imaginary Story a while back. Here Jor-Ell II has powers inherited from Kal but his brother Kal-El II didn't. This leads to one brother being more confident than the other.
From what we know from the new show, Jonathan will be the athletic popular son while Jordan will be the intelligent but introverted son. Neither have confirmed to have his powers yet.
Sounds pretty similar.
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My Theory on Jon and Jordan's Powers
This was originally a comment I was going to make on another thread, based on ideas I've thought about for a while now. This is of course just a theory and I'm not 100% confident on it, but I already typed a lot so might as well commit and make it as good as some of my old theory posts people from r/DCcomics might be familiar with.
Jonathan Samuel Kent (above beside Clark) and Conner Kent (in front)
Despite their names, Jordan will overall be an adaptation of Jonathan Samuel Kent and Jonathan is actually loosely based on Conner Kent.
being named after Jor-El, will have more traditional kryptonian powers, but unstable and fluctuating until perhaps he reaches an older age. He may also be the first to have the Super Flare ability in the show due to the instability of his powers. That might be what the synopsis for an upcoming episode was referring to, with him struggling with a new power.
Super Flare
For those unaware, Super Flare was a new ability introduced in Geoff Johns' brief return to Superman in the New 52. Basically, it's heat vision, but being emitted from his entire body and basically blasting a large amount of solar and thermal energy around him. It's a very destructive power that can temporarily weaken or even depower a kryptonian using it. Perhaps here, it might be also because Jordan can't contain all the solar energy he's taking in and outputs them all at once.
Comic Jon with Super Flare
Comic Jon has had fluctuations in his powers in his youth, with his durability disappearing and returning, before eventually stabilizing. He's had Super Flare Problems as well.It is then said by Batman himself that he may surpass his father. More than once. In fact, he'll be getting the Superman name and a solo series soon.
The new 21st Century Superman
on the other hand, seems to have no powers now but definitely displayed some potential when he was younger. This may be due to his mental state. This leads me to believe that his power will mainly be Tactile Telekinesis.
Tactile Telekinesis
Conner's original power was the ability to mimic super strength, durability and flight with this. The twist is that he must consciously have those powers, or they'll "disappear" when not so. Something similar might be the case here. Additionally, TTK can also cause objects to explode on touch as well. He may develop normal kryptonian powers in the future as he ages.
Tactile Telekinesis
TTK in general is similar to Kryptonian powers, as their super strength, durability and flight comes from a bioelectric aura that basically bends space, exerts force and protects them. It's how Clark can carry large objects without them just collapsing on him. All Star Superman took this a step further by allowing him to extend that aura to others and use it offensively.
Bioelectric Aura - Saving Others
Bioelectric Aura - Offense
Who knows, maybe TV Jonathan may have this power as well?
Well I guess that's it. If you have any thoughts please share it down below, thanks for reading it.
P.S.
Speaking of that Gary Frank Action Comics cover, imagine if Clark, the boys and Kara come together for a team up. Would be great to see.
Edit: Something I literally just realized now. Others have noticed in the past that the twins have been color coded red and blue, likely as an homage to Superman Red and Blue.
Red and Blue
Interestingly the Super Flare and Bio-Aura powers and Red and Blue respectively. Heh, probably just a coincidence.
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Theory Post: Reign of the Supermen (Ft. Morgan Edge, X-Kryptonite, Kryptonian Spirits, The Eradicator and something dark...)
Warning the following post may contain SPOILERS for episodes 1-8 you have been warned.
This post discusses my theories regarding Morgan Edge’s plan with the X-Kryptonite “Subjekts”, Kryptonian souls, how/why the alternate Kal-El turned and the possible Reign of the Supermen coming, connecting aspects of the show to comic book history old and recent to infer their plans.
For those familiar I’ve done a smaller previous post on Jon and Jordan’s powers and how they may be based on comic Conner and Jon.
Before that I’ve made tons of bigger posts like these on r/DCcomics on all sorts of topics. Haven’t made one in a while but I decided to make a bigger one like those older posts with all the ideas coming to my head and all the other theories here from people I will mention bellow.
For everyone’s benefit I’ve divided this into six parts:
Intro (this)
Silver Age Inspiration
Reign of the Supermen
The Eradicator and Cyborg Superman
How and why Black Suit Superman/Alternate Kal-El turn on humanity?
Morgan Edge’s motivation and larger plan
Feel free to read one part at a time and read the whole thing over how long you want.
Disclaimer: These are just my thoughts and theories and I am posting this before tonight’s episode airs. Was going to do it later on but I finally got some free time now and they might reveal too much in this next one.
First up, something I and u/Paisely-Cat noticed is that the show takes a lot of inspiration from the Silver Age. For example, the idea of Superman having twins, one with powers and one without, originates from an old Imaginary Story.
Superman #166 (1963) “The Sons of Superman!”
Here the son named after Jor-El also has powers, though Jordan’s personality is more of Kal-El II. Good call on them for switching it up and giving them an interesting dynamic while keeping them close as twins (which as a twin myself I enjoy).
“Jordan Elliot” is also the alias Clark goes by in the end of the final Pre-Crisis Superman story by Alan Moore and Curt Swan: “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow”.
This Silver Age influence extends to Edge’s right hand and big plan.
Lesla-Lar and X-Kryptonite
Leslie Larr is based on Lesla-Lar, a Kandorian Supergirl villain who once planned to take her identity, possessing her body, multiple times.
X-Kryptonite is a type of kryptonite that gives non-kryptonians powers, first appearing in a story that transforms Linda/Kara’s cat Streaky into Streaky the Super-Cat.
In the show itself, it seems these XK “Subjekts” are possessed by the consciousness of dead Kryptonians. One was seen kissing Leslie and later claiming he was resurrected. He also knew Superman as Kal-El.
One might think that XK here has souls inside of them inherently. That’s possible, but if Tag is any indication that is likely not the case. Instead I think the souls enter the body through different means.
The two likely possibilities are either the Phantom Zone (the obvious answer) or…..
…we’ll get to that later.
Before I move on though, it’s interesting to note that Project 7734 was made to combat New Krypton, which came from the enlarging of Kandor in Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.
Could these souls be innocent ones from Kandor?
Reign of the Supermen
One of the biggest and best twist is the reveal that “Captain Luthor” was in fact John Henry Irons from an alternate Earth. As any comic book fan would know, he is in fact Steel, who first debuted in the Death and Return of Superman Saga. Specifically he first came in with Reign of the Superman (which itself is named after Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s original Pre-Superman sci-fi story). This name also fits with the possible invasion of humans possessed by Kryptonians.
After Superman’s death at the hands of Doomsday, 4 Supermen rose in his place.
John Henry was the Man of Steel (Steel), a weapons engineer inspired by Superman and the only one to not claim to be him yet embodied his spirit the most.
The Metropolis Kid (Superboy) – Conner Kent, Cadmus clone created from Clark and Lex Luthor’s DNA
The Last Son of Krypton (Eradicator)
The Man of Tomorrow (Cyborg Superman).
We have two potential Superboys and I already linked my previous theory on them and why I think Jordan is actually based on Jonathan Samuel Kent and Jon here is based on Conner and as others said: Jon Lane Kent. For more on their potential powers as portrayed in the show, I recommend the excellent and detailed analyses by u/BookGirlBoston.
Now before I focus on the remaining two..
What about Doomsday?
I’m not on either side of him coming in, but if he does I can see Jon finally using his powers in full to save his father and brother. Steel could help out too.
Other inspirations for Captain Luthor/John Henry Irons here
likely include:
Alexander Luthor Sr. of Earth-3/3/Three/Anti-Matter Earth, a heroic Lex of the Crime Syndicate Earth often married to Lois.
Metallo (John Corben) who in many origins was part of the military serving under General Lane and previously dating Lois before becoming a villainous Cyborg powered by Kryptonite.
Lex Luthor after Darkseid War who temporarily assumed the cape and shield of Superman, and came into conflict with him early in the Rebirth era.
On how he could have even survived the Crisis and arrived here, I suspect someone with multiversal power or influence. A Monitor, Mr. Oz (Jor-El) or maybe he just fell into a random wormhole.
Lastly, if you haven’t I highly recommend reading the Death and Return saga if you can, there are 5 TPBs collecting: Death, Funeral for a Friend, Reign, Return and Hunter/Prey.
If not the Death and Return of Superman animated movie (itself a combo of the Death of Superman and Reign of the Superman animated movies) is a great watch as well.
Highly recommend reading or watching either if you have not as a Superman fan.
Now, these two are the remaining Supermen yet to come.
Cyborg Superman was Hank Henshaw, and technically he already is in the Arrowverse. Crisis could change that or maybe they could have another.
Long story short, he was the final villain of the saga, pretending to be Clark. His cybernetic powers combined with kryptonian powers made him the most dangerous. He’s almost as hard to kill as Doomsday.
Who could he be?
Well a theory by u/Steelspy is that Kyle could be injured, repaired with Cybernetics than given XK to become a version of him. That’s possible. Morgan Edge could become him too.
However the character I have the most theories and interest on is The Eradicator.
Long story short, he’s a Kryptonian A.I. Android. He’s had a heroic turn in the past continuity, also fighting Steel in Reign, losing only because he realized that he was not truly Superman. But I’d like to focus on more recent history. Specifically, the Superman Rebirth run by Peter Tomasi.
Superman #45 the final issue of this Rebirth run by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
This run as you can see if one of the primary inspirations for this series. It’s one I collected every issue of and is one of the best modern runs alongside Dan Jurgens Action Comics Rebirth run. In short, the premise is that Lois and Clark are living with a son named Jon in a farm on Hamilton County.
The first arc’s main villain is none other than the Eradicator.
This Eradicator is an android built by General Zod, meant to containing the souls of Kryptonians meant to be sent to the Phantom Zone as targeted by Zod. It later absorbed the life force of many Kryptonians upon its destruction. It saw Kal’s rocket and scoured the galaxy to find it on Earth.
The Eradicator and the Souls of Kryptonians inside him
Instead of finding Clark he first, he instead detected Jon and his hybrid Human-Kryptonian DNA. Setting up in the Fortress of Solitude it confronted Clark, revealed his origins and his intentions.
" tainted with your wife’s human side”
It wanted to eradicate half of Jon (who at the time was having unstable inconsistent powers) to purify him. This event lead Jon to step up and fight with his father.
Superman and Son vs Eradicator
The big climax on the moon even has Superman free the souls inside, with them even siding with him instead. Will we see the show have Jordan (and maybe Jon) join in? Will they have the Kryptonian souls change their minds and fight with them?
“The Legacy of the House of El --" "-- Belongs to Jon”
By now you’re probably already thinking on how he can fit in this show and probably on the same page. But before that, let’s talk about…
When Superman returned, he wore a black suit to absorb more solar energy. The whole ROTS arc was to show “Supermen” just weren’t quite Superman, lacking important elements of the character and showing how important he was.
Here we have an evil black-suited Superman from another Earth, possibly for a story to address all the recent dark and evil Supermen of recent history.
But the question is
Why did he turn?
Some prefer him to have sided with the kryptonians willingly and was evil from the beginning. That him never being Clark Kent, not being raised by humans and never marrying Lois cut off his humanity. I find that very possible and emphasizes his humanity, however this to me also reinforces that he would turn evil by losing them. It also doesn’t address versions where he’s evil even with human connection. It’s worse knowing that according to Clark, this Kal-El was the same outside his suit before turning. Some find it lazy if he was possessed but I hold on to the idea that Clark has inherent goodness. Even some of the most evil Supermen have redemption arcs or doubts at least (Red Son Superman of Earth 30 and Nazi Overman of Earth 10). This Kal being so similar just brings it close to home. Him looking down on all humans and heartlessly murdering them like animals is too far of a turn.
In the end I think it’ll be somewhere in between. Maybe he was good. Maybe he did resist initially. But then one constant in both worlds was what pulled him, maybe influenced him. What would a Kal-El without human parents still have?
Where does the Eradicator fit in all this?
This wouldn’t be the first time. In Smallville, the Jor-El A.I. once brainwashed him too.
Here, Jor-El seems benevolent, and his mistakes with the twins’ powers could be mistakes, but he did seem very excited at the idea that Jordan could continue the Kryptonian lineage. Sound familiar? Perhaps on this Earth he also plans to take the children and eradicate their human halves.
Perhaps Jor-El’s AI was already altered or infiltrated by the real Eradicator too.
Either way, the same thing could happen, but the love Clark has to his family strengthens his humanity and resolve, meaning he would win.
So, we know where the Kryptonian souls come from. The XK gives Subjekts powers, the Eradicator implants Kryptonian souls in them.
Something along these lines of my theories might happen. Maybe it’s the Eradicator maybe it’s just someone based on him. Maybe it is Jor-El, maybe it’s not. Maybe Zod just came himself.
We’ll see. It’s just my theories of course.
But what about Morgan Edge?
What does he want in all this? Why is he doing this? Does he even know Lesla is herself a kryptonian and resurrecting others? Why is she following him/
He could be the Eradicator, Zod, Cyborg Superman or Jax-Ur etc.
Others have theorized as much. But you know what? I’ll dive deep.
What if I told you Morgan Edge already has a connection to a major Multiversal villain that’s been a major enemy of Superman’s?
But first.
Backstory.
Morgan Edge was created by the legendary comic book legend Jack “the King” Kirby. He’s a legend in both DC and Marvel, but his biggest contribution to the former is arguably the Fourth World Saga which introduced the New Gods, which as those familiar with me on r/DCcomics know, I am also a diehard fan of.
The first title that he worked on when moving to DC that also tied into the 4th World was Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen (it was their worst selling title at the time and he offered to do it).
This was where Morgan Edge debuted.
Along with a familiar evil New God of Apokolips.
Who is that you ask?
Ask Glorious Godfrey and he'll say:
"Who is the prophet of Anti-Life?
Who is the rock the chain and the lightning?
All-powerful, all-unforgiving and all-conquering!
Who is your New God now and forever?!"
“Darkseid is.”
- quote originally from JLA #13 Rock of Ages by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter
Thanks to the DCAU with STAS, Darkseid has at times been very much a Superman villain as well as a New Gods or DC Universe villain in general. In this series we see the best adaptation of the New Gods even now, and a great Superman vs Darkseid story. One that started with him dealing with Intergang behind the scenes using undercover agents like Kanto**.**
(side note: highly recommend this series to newcomers and more casual fans as well).
In the DCAMU (which include the aforementioned animated movies adapting Death and Return), he was also behind Doomsday AND Cyborg Superman, who deceived people into willingly becoming superpowered cyborgs for his army.
Both in comics and the Young Justice animated series, he’s had Glorious Godfrey pretend to be a TV personality to use his New God powers to sway people against heroes. In the latter he also sent Granny Goodness to be the CEO of a company based on Warner Brothers.
This is definitely part of his M.O.
We know DC Films are now too and are planning to use that to cross with TV (HBO Max and maybe the CW too). The Green Lantern series on HBO Max for example is going to be connected to the still upcoming GLC movie and we might get Diggle of the Arrowverse as a GL on his Earth.
ZSJL also had him control a black-suited Superman in a possible future of another universe, and the original plans for that will not come to pass. It's possibe they want to expand this beyond a single universe.
Could this lead to a New Gods TV series replacing the cancelled movie? A possible Final Crisis/Crisis 2 event encompassing Film and TV?!
Well let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
This is just a theory.
Morgan Edge was revealed to be a clone of the real one later on which had no connection to Darkseid. Heh maybe that’ll explain why he was recasted, or not who knows.
Well, that’s all thanks for reading. Leave your thoughts below.
Hopefully tonight’s episode doesn’t completely debunk every single thing I just talked about ha.
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Theories and Predictions: Who is Morgan Edge and what is his plan?
Warning the following post has spoilers for episodes 1-9.
DISCLAIMER: The following are my theories, ideas and predictions on the show based on my knowledge of Superman and DC comics in general with help from ideas of others on this sub. As such I’m not 100% sure about anything.
This is my third theory post for this show, I will do my best to make short recaps but it would be best if you had read them before this, I highly recommend it and I do appreciate it thank you. If you have read them and watched the last episode, well feel free to skip the first segment.
Speaking of this post is split into the following segments so you can read one at a time if you wish:
Recap of Old Posts and Episode 9
A Look Back on Previous Episodes - Resurrection and the Eradicator
“Brother” – Who is Morgan Edge (Suspects)
John Henry Irons’ Earth
Conclusion and Predictions
I theorized that Jon was going to have Tactile Telekinesis just like Conner Kent while Jordan was more like comic Jonathan Samuel Kent with his unstable and inconsistent powers.
Others have pointed out that Jon Lane Kent also has TTK/TK.
u/BookGirlBoston , who was already making many detailed analyses on their powers within the show, made an excellent follow up to this as well and we’ve had discussions it along with others.
The second which you can read right here was a much larger, albeit, rushed post I made just before the last episode aired. It dealt with the following:
I analyzed the comic book inspirations for the twins, Leslie Larr and XK.
With the reveal that “Captain Luthor” was in fact John Henry Irons, I delved into the others who debuted in the Reign of the Supermen. One or both the twins could take Conner’s place as Superboy, they may or may not bring in a Cyborg Superman, but the one I dealt with the most…
The Eradicator, who was the first villain of the comic book run by Peter Tomasi during the Rebirth era. There he was a Kryptonian A.I. android created by Zod which contained kryptonian souls. It wanted to preserve Kryptonian legacy and resurrect the race, starting by making Jon fully kryptonian and eradicating his human half.
How and why did the alternate Superman turn on humanity that suddenly and hardly?
Lastly, Morgan Edge’s intentions and bringing up his original appearance and connection to one of the ultimate villains of the DC Multiverse, Darkseid, the New God of Tyrannical Evil.
And then the episode aired.
Now there’s way more to unpack.
Unsurprisingly, it’s confirmed that “Leslie Lar” is in fact not the name of the original human being inhabiting the host body. It’s likely then that the Kryptonian currently in control is in fact Lesla-larr.
Residents of Smallville can receive powers from X-Kryptonite without problems. Including Kyle.
Ahh but of course, the big one. Morgan Edge reveals that he not only has Kryptonian powers, but that the received them at the same time as Clark’s when he “arrived on this planet”, revealing his Kryptonian Crest and calling Kal-El, who he knows by name, “brother”.
Well, here we are.
But first
Before we get to the big theories, let’s look back at the past episodes to see more of his plan. Details that may tie into my previous and succeeding theories.
Special thanks to u/Paisely-Cat, another great regular in these discussions, for bringing up this first detail from episode 4, in a comment on my last post. Morgan Edge was studying a meteor shower in Saskatchewan. He spots a strange device from a meteor and proclaims:
“Now the resurrection begins”
That was 6 years ago.
The device is likely Kryptonian in origin but it is not X-Kryptonite. It really doesn’t look like Kryptonite at all but it’s certainly of Kryptonian origin in hindsight and is clearly an integral part of the resurrection process. It’s later in the episode, he and Larr discover XK within Shuster mines.
As I theorized before, XK only gives non-Kryptonians powers, they do not contain the spirits or consciousness of dead Kryptonians. This device could be what does.
Similarly, the Eradicator in Rebirth did discover the Kent family in a similar way.
From Superman #2 by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
In episode 5, we see more flashbacks of Clark’s past including one where Martha gives the sunstone crystal that likely contains Jor-El’s A.I. and will create the Fortress of Solitude.
Sunstone Crystal
The meteor Edge found looks quite similar.
We get another look at it later in the episode.
“Protect the asset” – Lesla's partner inside the body of “Derek Powell”
This leads me to believe that this is in fact inspired by the Eradicator and may or may not have the Eradicator’s A.I. on board, in addition to the consciousness of dead Kryptonians.
The Eradicator and the Life Force of Kryptonians inside of him
How could Edge have known about this device?
Was he planning the resurrection plot beforehand?
I cannot identify that crest but the negative space looks like a slanted S
So, what did he mean by calling Clark his “brother”?
Figurative or literal this fits into the family themes of the show.
My first thought is that it’s just because they’re both Kryptonians. But in the promo for the next episode, as he talks to the others he specifically says “my brother, not “our”. So either these “resurrected Kryptonians” aren’t what he considers real, or they have another connection.
Speaking of the promo
We see a young kryptonian in flashbacks imprisoned and escaping while narrating that he made people afraid before.
Is that a young Morgan Edge?
Is it the young Kal-El of John Henry’s universe?
Is it both?! (More on this later)
For now, let’s assume he’s from Earth- - or rather Universe-Prime.
I highly doubt he’s an actual biological brother of Kal’s, that’s never been a thing before, and it wouldn’t make sense if Jor-El’s A.I. is there to tell Clark about him.
But he’s had multiple temporary adopted ones.
In the Golden Age, the first one I know, was Halk Kar. He’s a bit too obscure and I doubt any of his story is being used. If this is an original character though I guess they could use that name. In the Silver Age, when he was Superboy, he met an amnesiac Lar Gand and named him Mon-El. Crisis or not, there already is a Mon-El in Supergirl. There’s no reason for him to be Mon-El unless he’s a daxamite or Jon’s descendant (recent continuity) so I’m leaning towards no.
And then, there’s…
H’El
Makes sense. 7734 upside down showing “Hell” can be turned into foreshadowing of that.
Basically, this was a New 52 character from a…less well-received run by Scott Lobdell.
He was a space explorer worked for Jor-El and Lara, loved them like they were his own parents. He was tasked to preserve Krypton’s legacy. There’s also the whole thing about him being a clone of multiple kryptonians but I’m not sure if they’ll take that.
Edge’s crest looks like the House of El crest, but with the “S” being the negative space instead. Similarly, H’El has a Bizarro style reverse shield (he was supposed to be Bizarro originally).
Due to him not being very popular, I doubt this is a direct adaptation, but I can see some inspiration. A lot of people have already theorized about Edge being him and it is the easiest answer for sure. The episode’s title alludes to him finding his mother, and the episode titles have hinted things before (Episode 7 Man of Steel for example) and maybe it’s “their” mother Lara.
But just in case let’s keep looking
Now a lot of people also think he might be General Zod and point out the similarities.
This is an even more obvious answer, but like what others have said, too obvious. Zod is pretty much overused at this point. Could it then be Jax-Ur, a Kryptonian scientist who was adapted in STAS to be basically Zod? Well that’s pretty much the same thing too. If he has access to the Phantom Zone, I also once thought Xa-Du the Phantom King could be him, a character from Grant Morrison’s Action Comics run, a great one and IMO the best from the New 52. Though it doesn’t seem like that.
But now I have an idea of who he is that’ll tie everything together while keeping him separate from General Zod
You see, the Zod we know is Dru-Zod. But in multiple continuities he had a son…
Chris Kent/Lor-Zod
Currently, Lor-Zod is simply the son of General Dru-Zod and Ursa, conceived in the Phantom Zone. He’s more of a counterpart of comic Jon now. But in Pre-Flashpoint, he first debuted in The Last Son of Krypton by Geoff Johns, Richard Donner (yes THAT Richard Donner) and Adam Kubert. For a time he was taken in by Lois and Clark and then betrayed his father to be a hero. They named him Christopher Kent (after Christopher Reeve IIRC). As Zod said he was the true last son of Krypton.
Coincidentally “Last Son of Krypton” was the title the Eradicator took in Reign of the Supermen. In current continuity, it was Dru-Zod who created the Eradicator. His son could’ve known about it. So I’m guessing here, both Jor-El and Dru-Zod sent their sons to earth and maybe they were born at the same time as well. If Dru and Jor were close they're basically family.
While Clark was raised human with the Kents, Lor was captured, lost without his mother (hence the episode title) but escaped, taking the identity of Morgan Edge, somehow given the means to do all this by….someone……perhaps the evil Lord of Apokolips recruiting an agent to weaken this Earth?
If they’re not planning to involve the last alternative theory I’ve found and will discuss, I’m guessing this is what’s most likely if not some elements of H’El mixed in. Perhaps Lor was closer to Jor-El and Lara while Dru-Zod and Ursa/Faora were busy being soldiers. But again Jor-El’s A.I. would’ve told Clark.
Lor-Zod from the Future in Action Comics Rebirth by Dan Jurgens
As others have said, it is likely we’ll see this world again be involved.
How did Kal here turn? Why so suddenly when he was so similarly before? What happened to Morgan Edge of this universe? He never showed up there and I don’t think John Henry mentioned him. He would’ve known if Edge was with his Kal-El blowing up the world and killing people. Did he just brainwash his Kal-El and stand behind the scenes? Maybe he doesn’t exist on this Earth and Kal-El instead fulfilled his role?
Well u/CKD-Duck had an excellent theory that I alluded to earlier.
What if this Morgan Edge, isn’t from Universe-Prime at all?
Morgan Edge?
What if he is the Kal-El of John Henry’s world?
Hence those flashbacks both being that Kal and him.
His points are as follows:
“Brother” could mean that they are multiversal counterparts.
They would have acquired their powers at the same time.
Adam Rayner could look like an older Tyler Hoechlin.
He would’ve done this whole resurrection thing before.
Additionally, it would be weird if there was another Kryptonian on Earth that was imprisoned only to never be known until now. Well, unless he later killed them all or if whoever they were kept it secret too.
We still don’t know how John Henry got to Earth-Prime
But what we do know was that his evil Superman was with him.
So what if they both got transported? Only Kal was thrown back in time so far he was able to visibly age and also gain wealth and a corporation under the Morgan Edge name. Another thing I would like to add, is that Darkseid could again be behind it. His Omega Effect could send people anywhere in space and time. He could’ve been manipulating things behind the scenes like he always does.
BUT there are some holes in this.
Sure Adam Rayner can look like him but how did he change so drastically?
Well perhaps Darkseid also changed his face on purpose or the flashbacks were in John’s perspective and flawed?
What’s with the accent?
Kryptonians seem to have accents similar to the British so he could’ve been raised by Jor-El’s A.I. alone.
What’s with the weird S-shield/not-house of El crest?
Either the flashbacks were wrong again or I guess he changed it to be a negative on purpose?
Well clearly there’s still quite a lot they can do. All’s possible so far. Before we get into the final predictions however, this does have precedence.
Slight Detour:
Road to Rebirth: Superman and Clark TPB
Warning the following maybe too confusing, or unnecessary for non-comic readers if you want to it’s fine but I will do my best to explain anyway for you to see the parallels.
You see, something my fellow Superman and comic book fans in general might now, is that Superman’s continuity a few years ago was…iffy.
Due to his unpopularity and the failure of the DCYou relaunch, New 52 Superman was killed off, while his Pre-Flashpoint (pre-rebooot) counterpart was brought back in Convergence. It was there and in the Lois and Clark series after (written by long time Superman scribe Dan Jurgens, who would write Action Comics Rebirth after and also wrote the Death of Superman in the 90s) that Jonathan Samuel Kent debuted. This is actually where them living on a farm together originated before Tomasi’s run built on it.
For a while, a black-suited, bearded Superman believed he was from a separate alternate Earth. However, after some time going back to a red and blue normal suit, it turns out this Earth was in fact his, one and the same and after some stuff with Mxyzptlk reality shifted so there was only 1 Superman with their histories basically merged in a crossover between both Superman by Tomasi and Action Comics by Jurgens.
Superman Red and Blue (cover by Patrick Gleason) and Superman Reborn (Cover by Gary Frank)
You see, in the DC Universe, reboots don’t create new universes but alter the existing one as seen in Doomsday Clock and Dark Nights Death Metal, which both made the final repairs to Superman’s and the whole DC Universe’s history. It’s essentially an anti-reboot which restored elements of the old into the new.
Detour ends here
So as you can see, a Superman from an alternate Earth wearing a black-suit and a beard could be something they got from looking at these as well.
Really the possibilities are exciting.
Whatever the case I have some clear predictions for what might come next.
Clark could ask the Jor-El A.I. about all this and depending on who Edge is and if the Eradicator is involved he may or may not betray him.
Edge and/or Eradicator may discover the twins and aim to purify their Kryptonian DNA. Maybe with X-Kryptonite. This may or may not be how Jon gets his powers after all if it partially works but hopefully the TTK theory comes true.
One thing that people seem to miss is that Krytponians are not inherently evil. These souls may be innocents who died from the planet’s death, desperate for another chance at life and convinced by Edge to follow him. Just like in Tomasi’s first arc, Clark could appeal to their compassion and turn against him. Being alien does not make them inhuman. It’s what Edge went through that made him like this.
Well, thanks for reading, I’m excited to read your thoughts and respond down below.
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Superman should make a peaceful compromise for a New Krypton
or that they lack humanity because they're aliens, but a lot of media and even this show does not help with that.
I see a lot of parallels between this and Man of Steel, but I hope they end things more peacefully. IMO Clark should spare Edge's life and try giving some Kryptonians new bodies, letting them live on an uninhabited far away planet (if not just let them pass on in peace). Then in the future Edge and the others can redeem themselves showing how killing is not the answer and never will be Superman's.
Apparently the Supergirl CW series did something similar with their version of Argo. There is basis in comics source material too.
Zod's Peaceful New Krypton in Superman #17 from Bendis' recent run, art by Kevin Maguire
In current continuity, General Dru-Zod, Ursa and their son Lor-Zod are building a New Krypton peacefully that way. Clark even visited. They're no longer enemies (for now anyway).
New Krypton Pre-Flashpoint, art by Gary Frank
Before that there was the New Krypton saga that ended...less peacefully thanks in part to the comic 7734. However for a time they did live peacefully with General Zod being freed to help them.
Rokyn as seen in Kryptonian Chronicles #1 (E. Bridwell and Curt Swan) from Pre-Crisis
But even before that in Pre-Crisis the Kandorians lived on a planet they did not name New Krypton, bur Rokyn (Rao's Gift), a planet with a Red Sun. There they also reformed several criminals.
All-Star Superman #10 (Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely) Kandor on Mars
Something similar is the case with All-Star Superman, one of the best Superman stories of all time for the unfamiliar, as well. This time with Dr. Quintum's help they are placed on Mars, though without being enlarged.
Similarly here, they can compromise and live another way without possessing human hosts.
Now you're probably asking...
"What's the big deal with Superman not killing the Kryptonians? They're evil! They're planning to take over! They don't deserve a second chance!"
Bar-El and Lilo All-Star Superman #9
In the previous issue of All-Star he saved Bar-El (a relative lost in space) and Lilo by placing them in the Phantom Zone.
Before this these two had been real jerks. Zod's "you could've built a new Krypton in this squalor" line from MoS is ripped from Lilo. They beat him up, start redecorating Earth and likely did not have good plans for them. They looked down on the human race as inferior.
But a major point of this issue is that even after all that, when they started dying from Kryptonite poisoning in their bodies, Superman gave them his compassion.
"After all I've done, still you show me kindness".
This is Superman.
Apparently from the preview clip, Lara, his/"their" mother is among them. These Kryptonians are definitely not Phantom Zone criminals. They are likely innocent souls absorbed into an Eradicator-like device (see my last post for that) as the planet was destroyed, being lead by Morgan Edge (whoever he really is, Lor-Zod, H'El or a New God/clone). Their crimes of murder and potential plan for genocide is on him. Clark would give the others a second chance, or at least try.
Even Edge, was likely influenced by his upbringing as seen in flashbacks. He can teach him that humans are not "all barbarians". After all...
Superman believes in compassion and redemption.
Of course maybe he won't have a choice. Maybe they'll end up all dying by Sam or Project 7734's hand like in War of the Supermen. At the very least, Clark should set the souls free and pass on in peace. Just like in Peter Tomasi's first arc in his Rebirth run:
Superman #6 Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
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Evidence Board theorizing connections in the show to possible next villains
(Ft. Morgan Edge, Dabney Donovan, Thaddeus Kilgrave and The Eradicator)
Going forward from the end of this season to the next, there are a lot of possible next villains for the show to have as well as revelations from what they already set up.
Morgan Edge in comics had connections to Intergang and Cadmus Labs.
Thaddeus Killgrave was a scientist who worked for Intergang, Metropolis' most notorious criminal organization lead by Bruno Mannheim. This is the perfect more grounded villain for next season. Lois had went up against them, writing books while she was living with Clark and Jon away from Metropolis in comics. Dabney Donovan is the lead scientist of Project Cadmus, originally the "DNA Project". He created Conner Kent. Counterpart to Cadmus is the Evil Factory which has its genetically engineered monsters.
Morgan Edge, Bruno Mannheim and the Evil Factory were all once under control of Darkseid. Among many, many, many other acts of evil as one of the biggest threats to the DC Multiverse, he's manipulated events to create evil Supermen.
Backing up a bit, I highly suspect "Tal-Rho" is not who we think he is. Jor-El implies he is neither kryptonian nor Kal-El's brother. Did Zeta-Rho create a clone? An android like the comics Eradicator? Or maybe the original Tal underwent immense alterations turning him into a cyborg? Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Finally, I am very much standing by my original theory of Jonathan and Jordan being based on Conner and Jonathan Samuel Kent.
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