DC’s Next Superman Is Here, And He’s Nothing Like The Original

Published Nov 7, 2026, 5:49 PM EST

Mark has been a comic book journalist for over 15 years and has interviewed comic book creators like Gail Simone and Caspar Wijngaard. And when he's not writing, he's working on beating his record of 1,200 comics read in a year.

Despite Superman being essentially a god, he never acts like it. He continuously seems more human than many of the people who were born on Earth. To quote Kal-El in James Gunn's 2025 Superman, “I am as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning, and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other, and I try to make the best choices that I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human, and that's my greatest strength."

The quote may be from the DCU, but it remains true in DC Comics. Clark constantly makes mistakes. The beauty of that is that he makes sure that he acknowledges them. Superman understands that the only way to be a better hero, husband, and father is to learn from his errors. The latter comes into play in the recent issue of Superman Unlimited.

Superman Realizes That He's Hearing, But Not Listening

Superman Unlimited No. 18; Writer: Dan Slott; Artist: Lucas Meyer; Colorist: Giuliano Peratelli

During Superman Unlimited No. 11, Jon Kent changed his uniform and became Tomorrow Man. This was a way for him to move away from his father’s legacy of Superman and become his own person. Jon says that he’s proud of who he is and was, but he’s choosing to “aim higher.”

Towards the end of the DC Comics crossover Superman: Kingdom of Zod, Jon tells his dad that he is choosing to remain Tomorrow Man. Clark’s initial reaction was to ask if he had done something wrong. Jon says, “Look, I’m just trying to have my own identity…and be my own man.” According to a conversation Jon had with Booster Gold, it was the right decision because Tomorrow Man is a legend in the future. Sadly, despite all of that, Clark still feels off about Jon not taking on the Superman legacy.

During Jon's fight with the Royal Flush Gang (Superman Unlimited No. 18), Tomorrow Man gives Ten the option of putting the handcuffs on or getting a beat down. Ten is shocked, saying that most people would have just knocked her out. That’s when Superman realizes his mistakes and does the human thing. He admits his mistake.

Superman tells Jon, “Your mom recently reminded me that I may have super-hearing…but when it comes to you, I need to work on my super-listening.” Is this a corny line? Of course, it is. Big Blue is known for them. Nevertheless, it was exactly what Jon needed to hear.

Tomorrow Man's Next Mission Is A Bold One

After the father and son have their heart-to-heart, Jon asks his dad if he tried to lower the barriers that separate realities. Superman says that, even though he had the powers of a god while he was King Omega, there are rules that need to be observed and that even Superman has his limits. The latter was something Jon couldn’t accept.

Jon wants to save Ultraboy from Earth-3 and prove that the son of Ultraman and Superwoman isn't beholden to a quantum signature. This would prove that anything is possible, including breaking what some call destiny. It also gives Tomorrow Man a purpose that doesn’t involve being Superman.

Dan Slott keeping Jon Kent as Tomorrow Man is a great move. Not because many people on the internet refuse to acknowledge Jon was Superman. This decision will create new stories and missions and give one of DC Comics’ newest heroes a chance to create a legacy of his own. If he does break down the barriers that separate realities, he will have done something even Superman couldn't, and that's a legacy worth having.