The death of Jonathan Kent

In comics there's two running gags regarding death. No one ever truly stays dead. We've seen this happen countless times with countless heroes, especially after 1993's infamous "Death of Superman" story arc. But the exceptions to that rule are Uncle Ben, Marth and Thomas Wayne, and Jonathan, better known as "Pa" Kent. Their deaths pose too much of an impact on the arc of our heroes. Some comics have ventured into the idea of how our heroes lives would be impacted should those characters live instead of die. I will not be doing that today, maybe in a future article. Please subscribe to see should that day come. But, I would like to show my idea of how I would handle the death of "Pa" Kent.

So before I get started. I feel like the 1978's depiction of Jonathan's death was amazing. Not only for the death itself, but the conversation Clark and Jonathan have immediately preceding his untimely demise. As a friendly reminder. At this point in the story Clark is having a heartfelt conversation about his purpose in life. He not only wants to play football, but he wants to excel. He has amazing abilities, which he wants to utilize. He finds it unfair that he can't because he's special. He doesn't want to show up the other kids and have an ego or be a bully. Just that Clark wants to show the world what he's capable of. And the whole time Jonathan is earnestly listening to his son. He sees his view point, especially in that age where we're all looking to discover who we are and what our purpose is in this world. And Jonathan doesn't dismiss him in the slightest. He just counters that he knows fate, god, destiny, whomever or whatever has a better purpose for Clark. He wholeheartedly tells Clark he honestly doesn't know what Clark's purpose is or what his future entails. But he knows his son. And he has faith his son will make the right decisions and do good with the gifts he was given. At the point however, as Clark is playing with their dog. Jonathan suddenly has a heart attack and dies.

Where my story differs, I want to stretch the death out for a bit. Not in a bad way, but in the same way the 1978 death showed superman how unpredictable life can be and just how mortal humans are. The same will be done in my adaptation. Unfortunately Jonathan has developed cancer from years of exposure to pesticides on the farm. The reason I chose this, is because I want Clark to understand how unfair life can truly be. As he gets stronger every day, and if somehow he gets injured all he'll need is a few hours in the sun. All the while Pa Kent is slowly wasting away. Sitting through countless rounds of chemo and radiation therapy with no clear progress towards defeating his cancer. At first, as always Clark wants nothing more than to do what he can to save his father. Unfortunately the cancer is just too aggressive and Pa Kent is just too old. Also, instead of being so headstrong into fighting the cancer. All Pa wants is to spend as much time as he can with his son until he inevitably dies. They spend plenty of time on their porch appreciating the beauty of the sun rises every morning. They talk for hours on end about anything and everything. Clark wants to absorb all the wisdom he can from his father before it's too late.

Secretly though, with what little free time Clark has. He's focusing on figuring out exactly which brand is responsible for causing Pa's caner. Initially, for the first time in his life. Clark is absolutely enraged once he finds out not only who is responsible. The company willingly used dangerous substances to cut costs. At first he wants to just storm in and bring these corrupt criminals to justice. He's not even superman. He's still just Clark at this point in his life. He tells Pa everything he's figured out. To Clark's shock, Pa is basically unaffected. The only advice Pa gives Clark, is this is not a job for the Superman, not all problems can be solved with punching. If Clark truly wants to see justice, he has to do it by the book. Fight this injustice within the confines of the law. Yes there is a time and place for the Superman. But never forget just truly how powerful Clark Kent is. Not for his physical abilities; but his heart, his determination, and his will to do whatever it takes to make the world a better place.

Unfortunately as Clark is working on a class action lawsuit. Pa succumbs to his cancer. Once more, Clark wants to just obliterate the company that took away his father. But, the voice of Pa in the back of his mind reminds him how much worse that would make things instead of making them better. So Clark pushes forward. Eventually the lawsuit works. Restitutions are paid the families who were affected and the company is forced to shut down effective immediately. Unfortunately that doesn't do anything for Clark. His father is still death. But, as countless families show up to the Kent farm to show their gratitude for Clark. Clark has saved countless lives in the future. Droves of cars come up every day with food and of course their deepest sorrows for the loss of Pa Kent. Finally getting to see exactly what Pa meant, about how much good simple ole Clark Kent from Kansas can do without ever lifting a finger. He gets inspired to start his career as an investigative journalist. Forever holding on to the memory of Pa to keep pushing him to do good, even as plain old Clark Kent.

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