Throughout a second of reflection, Jon Kent admitted that Nightwing was the hero he hoped would rescue him from his jail all these years in the past.
WARNING: The next article comprises spoilers from Superman: Son of Kal-El #9, on sale now.
After teaming as much as examine the Rising, Superman and Nightwing confronted a disastrous flip for the more severe. In Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 (by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Wade von Grawbadger, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott), one of many Rising members they have been interrogating was remotely killed by President Bendix, dying in Jon Kent’s arms. This left Jon guilty himself for not selecting up on the explosive throughout the man quickly sufficient.
When Nightwing tried to console him although, he admitted that in his years trapped on Earth-3, he had hoped it will be Nightwing who saved him. This ties again to their first assembly but additionally hints that Jon could undergo from trauma associated to his father because of Ultraman.
When the 2 first met, Jon was not in a superb place. After simply activating his means to fly, Jon ended up drifting distant from residence, triggering a worldwide search by Superman and the Justice League to seek out him. It was Batman and Nightwing who positioned him, however when Jon was frightened by Batman’s look, Nightwing took the lead, being the type and reassuring presence Jon wanted after worrying he would by no means discover his method again residence.
This expertise stayed with Jon. From then on, Nightwing was the hero he pictured in his head when he tried to be comforting. Jon needed to reciprocate that kindness to everybody. So when he was as soon as once more misplaced and separated from his household, he secretly hoped it will be Nightwing who discovered him. He would spend years in that fiery jail wishing for Dick Grayson to indicate up and produce him residence. After all, it by no means occurred. Whereas Jon languished for years only some days glided by for Nightwing. So, Jon needed to free himself, however he nonetheless held up Nightwing as his hero.
Why Nightwing although, as an alternative of his father? Jon missed him after all, however why not hope his father, who would have extra expertise along with his predicament, would come and save him. The reply could lay with who particularly imprisoned Jon: Ultraman of Earth-3.
Because the evil model of Clark Kent, Ultraman is the alternative of Superman, being largely disconnected from the individuals of Earth and viewing himself as superior. He enjoys his energy, nevertheless it does create a sense of loneliness he can by no means escape. When Jon confirmed up Ultraman noticed a kindred spirit, or on the very least, somebody much like him. Somebody price conversing with and dumping his deepest held insecurities onto Jon. The boy basically grew to become Ultraman’s therapist, and Ultraman was the one particular person Jon might work together with for years.
As a result of Ultraman’s bodily similarities to Clark, it is attainable that Jon started to dread his visits and subconsciously started to push away the concept of his father exhibiting as much as rescue him as a result of it will imply that Ultraman could be coming once more. It is twisted and tragic however makes a whole lot of sense. Nonetheless, despite the fact that Jon has suffered trauma from his time away, he nonetheless holds onto the kindness that Nightwing gave him and seeks to share it with the world. If he might maintain onto that within the midst of all his ache, then Nightwing could have unintentionally helped Jon survive his years as a captive.