Superboy

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File:Aurora Superboy 1965 (Krypto not shown).jpg

Real name: Kal-El
Secret Identity: Clark Kent

The Adventures of Superman when he was a boy!

Upon his arrival on Earth from Krypton, the baby Kal-El was adopted by Jonathan & Martha Kent. At various times, the Kents were farmers, and during the majority of young Clark's school years, owners of a general store in Smallville.

Superboy first announced his existence to the world in an Untold Story.

Superboy was also the inspiration for the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th Century. After an initation, he became a regular member of the Legion, which included his cousin Supergirl.

Superboy's love interest and a pain in young Clark Kent's neck was the red-headed Lana Lang, who alternately tried to prove that Clark and Superboy were the same or found herself turned into some sort of Insect Queen. Lana was the younger counterpart to grown up Lois Lane.

Unbeknownst to Superboy, Clark Kent's best friend, Pete Ross, accidentally discovered his true identity. Being a true friend, Pete kept that secret to himself and often aided Superboy/Clark without him realizing it.

Superboy didn't think of himself as "Superman" until he first when to college and one of his professors tried to prove that Clark Kent and Superboy were one and the same by wiring young Clark to a lie detector. "Clark Kent's College Days".

When needed by the authorities in an emergency, Police Chief Parker, could summon Superboy by means of an ingenious flashing light system.

Some of Superboy's foes included young Lex Luthor, The Kryptonite Kid, Dev-Em a.k.a. the Knave from Krypton, and The Superboy Revenge Squad.

Discrepancies in Earliest Accounts

According to the earliest accounts, Clark Kent embarked on his super-heroic career as Superman only after reaching adulthood (S No.1/1, Summer 1939; and others), and first learned of his extraterrestrial origins as late as November-December 1949, when, after having already functioned as a super-hero for more than a decade, he journeyed through the barriers of time and space --to the planet Krypton prior to its destruction-- and actually witnessed the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet. He also witnessed the aftermath of that cataclysm, including his arrival on Earth in a rocket and his adoption by the Kents.

"That old couple ... they're my foster parents!" thinks Superman excitedly as he watches Jonathan and Martha Kent lift his infant self gently from the rocket that has just brough him to Earth. "I'm Clark Kent! Then that's me .. that infant is me back in the past!

"Now I understand why I'm different from earthmen! I'm not really from Earth at all --I'm from another planet-- the planet Jor-El called Krypton!!"

"So at last," notes the textual narrative, "after all these years, Superman is at last aware of his birthplace, and why he is the strongest man on Earth!" (S No.61/3: "Superman Returns to Krypton!").

In the years that followed, however, these early accounts underwent substantial revision. In the newer version, Superman was portrayed as having battled crime and injustice as a youngster --as Superboy-- prior to embarking on his adult crime-fighting career as Superman (S No.72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"; and many others), and he was described as having learned of his extraterrestrial origins while still a boy "by overtaking and photographing light rays that had left Krypton before it exploded" (S No.132, October 1959: "Superman's Other Life!" pts.1-3 "Krypton Lives On!"; "Futuro, Super-Hero of Krypton!"; "The Superman of Two Worlds!"; and others) In addition, it was stated that "Because of his super-memory, Superman can recall all the incidents of his childhood!" (Act No,288, May 1962: "The Man Who Exposed Superman!"; and others).

Despite this revision, however, all the texts of the Superman chronicles agree that Superman has lived a double life since the onset of his super-heroic career, using his super-powers openly only as Superboy or Superman while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the deceptive guise of mild-mannered Clark Kent.

Earliest Adventures

For many years Superboy operates anonymously and in secret, appearing only occasionally as a quickly moving red and blue blur, never revealing himself to those he helps and only rarely to the criminals he hinders. His actions are noticed however, and a legend grows of a kindly spirit who haunts Smallville, performing good deeds and the rare harmless prank.

Superman recalls his first public appearance as Superboy in April, 1961. When young Clark Kent annouces he has spotted spotted a robbery in progress using his x-ray vision, Jonathan Kent declares, "The time has come for you to perform publicly as Superboy! People won't believe you exist at first, but you'll soon convince them! You'll crusade for good!"

Donning his costume, Superboy foils the robbery, after first introducing himself to two Smallville police officers as "Superboy, foe of all criminals." The policemen introduce Superboy to Smallville's Mayor, who in turn introduces him to the Governor. Eventually, Superboy meets the President of the United States, in the process saving the President's life, and is finally revealed to the United States at large through "representatives of the armed services, leading cities, and various charities" for whom Superboy performs special tasks in the following days.

As the adult Superman notes, "By now, the entire world knew that a Superboy existed, and the whole Earth was gripped by a thrill of excitement." Indeed, radio broadcasts announce that "A Superboy exists! He can fly! Bullets bounce off him! He has amazing super-vision! He battles for justice!" (S No.144/2: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").