Superman (Kal Kent)

Kal Kent is a superhero who appears in the DC Comics, created by Grant Morrison. He is the Superman of the 853rd century. He is also a descendant of the original Superman himself. He first appeared in JLA #15 (February 1998).

Superman
Kal Kent, as he appeared on the cover of JLA #1,000,000 (September 1998). Art by Howard Porter.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceJLA #15 (February 1998)
Created byGrant Morrison
(based upon the original character by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster)
In-story information
Alter egoKal Kent
Team affiliationsJustice Legion Alpha
Superman Squad
AbilitiesEvolved Kryptonian powers
Force vision
Telepathy
Extrasensory perception
Electrokinesis
Kryptonite immunity
Red Sun immunity
Superhuman strength

Fictional character biography

DC One Million

In the 853rd century, the progenitor of the Superman Dynasty, Superman Kal-El, is about to return from his solar Fortress of Solitude after several centuries. As part of the festivities, the Justice Legion Alpha went back in time to recruit the ancient Justice League of America. The current Legion had counterparts to the League except for Green Lantern (they had the future Starman instead). After arriving at the end of the 20th century, Kal Kent and the Justice Legion convinced the League to go the future and participate in trials as part of the celebration. Before they leave, Kal helps Superman stop a Belle-Reve prison riot; during this incident he references fighting the Chronovore with the Superman Squad.[1]

Following the League's departure, Hourman releases the "Hourman virus" which infects not only people, but technology. It is revealed that the virus is Solaris' artificial intelligence in its infancy. The virus is spreading because Solaris is looking in all technology and organisms for its body. To cure the world and save it from Solaris, the JL-Alpha has to create Solaris. Once in his body, Solaris becomes self-aware, with his intelligence increasing with every passing second. Starman sacrifices himself in order to banish Solaris by creating a black hole. With the JL-Alpha's time machine unable to reach the 853rd century, Superman Secundus is able to punch through the time barrier to bring the Legion back to the 853rd century. They arrive in time for Superman-Prime's arrival and the final destruction of Solaris.[2]

All-Star Superman
Kal Kent in All Star Superman #2 (February 2006). Art by Frank Quitely. This scene was later adapted into the 2011 animated film of the same name.

Kal Kent is shown in a holographic communication unit, as Superman is trying to communicate with the future. Due to technological limitations, only fragments come through, Kal is shown talking about the Superman Dynasty's feud with Solaris.[3] He makes his first appearance leading a group of time-traveling Superman Squad members against the time-eating Chronovore in Smallville the day Jonathan Kent dies of a heart attack.[4]

Powers and abilities

Kal Kent has Kryptonian powers that have evolved into the far future. His default Kryptonian powers (superhuman strength, invulnerability, superhuman speed, superhuman senses, vortex breath, arctic breath, flight, x-ray vision, and heat vision) appear on par with the vastly powerful Silver Age Superman. Due to other alien/extradimensional/supernatural admixtures in the Superman Dynasty bloodline, he also has additional powers such as superhuman ESP, force vision, telepathy, electromagnetic manipulation, and an additional 10 senses. Kal gets the energy for his main powers from the original Superman Kal-El and Earth's Super-Sun, resulting in him gradually losing his powers when he is in the past. This future descendant of Superman has stated that he himself is "faster than a speeding tachyon, more powerful than a collapsing star, and able to leap between planets in a single bound". When trapped in the 20th century, he displayed the ability to punch his way through time using the basic time portal Steel had assembled using plans acquired from the Lord of Time, although this was exhausting and nearly drained him down to the last dregs of his power before he reached his home century.[5] Finally his agility, extrasensory, and visionary power are nearly incalculable. He is also immune to Kryptonite, Red sun light/radiation, and possibly psionics. He is also as smart as Brainiac 5 if not more so as the future Flash John Fox once stated he is able to calculate over a billion scenarios simultaneously. Although others have developed into a superhuman race as well, Superman promised his successors greater powers if they pledged to always protect Earth and the solar system.[6]

In other media

Kal Kent appears in a cameo in the animated film All-Star Superman as one of Superman's descendants from the far future. In the film, Superman shows Lois Lane on his time telescope Kal Kent, who has just fought Darkseid. Lois points out to Superman that Kal resembles her father, to which Superman just smiles.

References
  1. DC One Million #1 (November 2, 1998)
  2. DC One Million #4 (November 30, 1998)
  3. All-Star Superman #2 (February 2006)
  4. All-Star Superman #6 (March 2007)
  5. JLA #1,000,000 (November 1998)
  6. Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #1,000,000 (November 1998)
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