Originally Posted by
Superlad93
So, I've thought about it A LOT, and I think I've settled on a theory regarding Lois and Clark's story from Action Comics 1004 and on, and I'm about 85% sure on it. Be aware that this theory is substantiated by as much in-text evidence as I could find. There will be citations for your connivance.
Part one of the theory is that Lois will be revealing/confirming the fact that her and Superman dated for a time on and off in accordance with the Golden and Silver ages, and in keeping with modern instances like Darwyn Cooke's Superman Kryptonite from Superman Confidential. I think it'll be treated like the open secret it was like back in the day. I feel pretty strongly about this due to Mr. Strong's words to Miss Goode. Specifically he said "we don't say he name either" when talking to Miss Goode about Lois and all the no-no words that'll get Superman to listen. Goode then says "that I do know. I was just thinking, what does it feel like to have that kind of dude wrapped around your little finger?" (see Action Comics 1003) This seems to imply that Superman and Lois being close is an open secret. It would be one thing if Mr. Strong had to tell Miss Goode about that Lois stuff, but Miss Goode, the one learning the ropes here, already knew it, and I'm fairly sure she's not a native of the city.
Part two is the idea that Jon will in fact be outed as Superman's biological son, BUT it will be established that Clark is in fact Jon's stepfather. This means legally his name is still in fact Jon Sam Kent, and that Lois and Clark are his mother and father, so in that sense nothing changes. But this will lead to the very big story beats for Jon that Bendis has been teasing. This will effectively make Jon Samuel Kent/Superboy one of the most famous people on the planet (and galaxy (this will be explained later in my theory)). This will lead to more of those special needs parallels. Depending on what he's like when he comes back, Jon may need to be home schooled. Possibly even by his grandpa depending on how that story beat shakes out (the whole "grandpa's crazy thing") or he may need to be placed in special classes over at his school. My bases for this part of theory is coming is obviously not built on the comparatively solid foundation of 80 years of history, but, and I think maybe more importantly, it's built off Bendis' own words in the text. In Superman issue 1 (note: this book is designated as being where Jon's story will unfold (please keep this in mind going forward)) Clark is having a flashback about Jon talking about school. Jon brings up not really feeling school that day (a characterization substantiated by Superman: Lois & Clark issue 2) and also his status as a hybrid life form. It's a fairly throw away comment, and the idea is that it was actually because he had a little crush, but the idea to use that scene and those words seems deliberate to me. In regards to Jon's upcoming boost in fame, I invite you to look back at Superman issue 4. Some sharp thinking posters on here made a point to speculate that the junkyard scene would have new relevance going forward (credit to DragonPiece and at least one other poster I think. Apologies for not remembering), and this is in part what sparked at least this part of the theory. The scene in question has Jon having to deal with the gossip that his fame at the time brought him. Looking back I found it very telling that Bendis created Trish Q, made a point to have ex Daily Planet gossip journalist, Cat Grant, act as Q's mentor AND drop the news that Lois was back on planet (see Action Comics issue 1002) and then have Jon upset about gossip in the past. It smells of foreshadowing to me. Plus, if you remember during issue 1001 of Action Comics Trish Q says to "I heard through a very good source that she left you for Superman." Now think for a moment, Q is confirmed to be mentored by Grant, and Grant was able to get word on Lois' book quite early. I think Q has her facts mixed up, but the Lois/Superman connection is right.
Part three of my theory is that I think Lois is setting this plan into motion primarily because of the road to the United Planets being the goal. Take note: I'm not saying that someone is out there forming the UP and Lois is in on it, no. I don't know all the fact yet because I don't have the upcoming books in my hands. But conceptually speaking I think the idea will deal with Jon being almost a personification of what the United Planets will stand for in the future. He's a hybrid of two aliens and they're making it work. I'm ultimately thinking that Bendis is working towards the idea that Clark, Lois, and Jon give rise to the United Planets on some level for each of them. This plan of Lois' is sort of the impetus. Jon is the physical embodiment of the dream behind the United Planets. Superman will likely provide the leg work as well as inspiration.
Fun facts and speculation: the Superman book that's supposed to be dealing more with Jon is also the book that's going to be about all the space stuff AND it's where the Unity Saga takes place. See how that works in conjunction with my theory? And as Bendis said just before he took on the books, Action Comics would be dealing with the fallout of events in Superman and what person on the street thinks of it all. Again, see how that works into whole idea about Lois' plan?
Why? Bendis said that there are secrets that are even too dangerous to tell Clark about, and she's sort of working behind the scenes on that end. It is my theory that these secrets are in part detrimental to all Kryptonian refugees' continued existence, and that Lois is so f%&king badass that she'll get the ball rolling on an intergalactic United Nations just to protect her son and husband, and their whole species along with others. I'm thinking that she'll trade some of their privacy for their lives. An extremely valid question that nagged me when I first contemplated a form of this theory was "yeah, but why does Lois need to tell everyone on Earth at least some part of their secret?" But ever since Bendis confirmed my theory that this was all leading to the United Planets, I'm more incline to think that at least part of the reason is because Earth and its people will be part of the conversation.
Clark's feelings and the wrap up: So, given the situation I've presented and the type of person we know Clark to be under Bendis' pen and other writers (keep reading for examples), you can't imagine he's too pleased with this plan. Over in Man of Steel issue 6 Clark expressed a lot of inflexibility, and was, very understandingly, borderline frantic when it came to Jor-El, Jon, and Lois wishes. As Francis Manapul had Lois put it in 2016's Trinity issue 1 "not only has he built new walls, but he's made them even higher. He's stubborn that way. So I'm going to break them." And later in that same issue Clark says "I don't regret returning to action, but I don't think it's the kind of life I want for my son." Not just that, but the simple fact that Clark, with the best of intentions, actively tried to give Jon a very similar life to the one he had growing up all the way down to the farm part. Clark is quite good at building comfortable fortresses around what he loves. But Lois, as shown in Man of Steel 6, knows how to roll with a punch far better than Clark. I'm guessing that Bendis is not only drawing on the improvisation that it takes to be an action reporter like her, but also the idea that she did a lot of moving around as a kid. Clark will basically have to let his son fall quite a ways from the comforting embrace of his long cast shadow.
"Modern Family"/"Mr. and Mrs. Smith"/"a slight reset": So, we've heard Bendis say all three of these things while describing the Superman family and Lois and Clark's relationship, and I think my theory covers all 3 PLUS it revives a an old Superman concept that's been lost to time. For one, the "modern family of the DC universe" quote has remained striking to me because I just couldn't figure it out in a way that satisfied me till now. When he says "modern family" I think Bendis is talking about the idea of the sort of "post-nuclear family." Where a nuclear family is a family group consisting of two parents and their child or children; the post-nuclear or modern family a single-parent family, larger extended family, or a family with more than two parents. if anyone here has ever watched the show Modern Family, it plays with a bunch of the definitions of what a modern family is today, and one of them involves a stepparent.
In regrades to "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" I think the idea is to play up the "they know something you don't know of Lois and Clark" with the added layer this new wrinkle. Plus, there are actually spy stories coming up in Action Comics that star Lois and Clark.
And by this point I'm sure you can guess the "slight reset" is obvious. It's just the idea that there way of functioning will takes on a new shape. Now, funny enough, this ties into the revival I mentioned above. This is literally the triangle for 2, but now Lois and Clark are both in on it and they're really bending it to their needs. Plus, it's maybe the biggest props to Clark Kent ever. Lois chose him over God in a cape. Superman is effectively Lois' ex, but he gets visitation to save the world their kid an stuff.
Again, I'm about 85% sure on this. I honestly thought writing it out would drop me below 60 or even 50, but too much lines up. But yeah, we'll see this time next week.
Thoughts?