After 88 Years, DC Retcons Superman's Iconic Origin

Published Oct 15, 2026, 11:00 PM EDT

An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

Action Comics #1103 has been a new era for Superman, with things taking a different direction following the Kingdom of Zod storyline, including the latest interlude through his blessed early life juxtaposed against Lex Luthor's troubled one. These origin stories are certainly not new, but easily the most striking moment was the wink to Superman's Action Comics #1 origin, this time instead lifting the entire Kent family home as a kid. It's a noteworthy moment that, while more physically astonishing, is somewhat less memorable than the classic Herculean image of a baby lifting furniture, as noted in DC Comics' database. But it's a subtle change with a keen eye on Superman's origins from 88 years ago.

Superman's Earliest Feats Got An Over-The-Top New Addition

First seen pushing between the bars of his crib to reach his overturned milk bottle, Martha Kent looks on with bewilderment as she witnesses her extraordinary adopted son's Kryptonian strength at work. But bathed in the light of the yellow sun and benefiting from modern Superman mythology, lifting furniture alone wasn't enough. After young Clark lifts the house, he notes Martha looks scared, an understandable reaction to a feat of not just incredible strength, but something incomprehensible. It prompts a more nuanced discussion to be had, especially as Clark is taught the importance of humility alongside his gifts.

It's an added layer of vulnerability to Clark as he realizes quickly that he's different from other kids, while eventually having to understand he shouldn't hold it over them. It's unfortunately not a lesson Lex is given, as his tremendous intelligence is viewed with awe, then a blend of insecure envy that leads to him and his mother being shunned, forcing him to grow more insular. It's certainly why he'd eventually grow up to witness and resent Superman, who's able to showcase his talents and be adored by the public, while his alter ego is able to conceal his talents and live a happy life. By lingering too much on the implications of Clark's strength here, it's another case of modern Superman shifting in the nature vs. nurture background of who he is.

Clark Kent's Original Earliest Feat Stays More Iconic For One Reason

Beyond simply being the first printed instance of his over-the-top powers but without feeling the need to raise the bar with additional feats, Action Comics #1 introduced a Superman who, despite showing these incredible talents early, still grew up in an orphanage. The Kents adopting him add a warm interpersonal quality that's certainly welcome, but there's something so heartening about a character who, deprived of a conventional support system or parental figures, still finds a way to use his gifts for good. Thus, baby Clark lifting the chair above his head remains iconic because he was still able to see past his gifts, know when to use them, when to conceal them, and who to protect with them.

For those who crave a similar experience to this, it's certainly a good idea to consider reading Superman: The Stranger by Wes Craig and Jason Wordie. Based directly on the Superman depicted in his 1938 heyday, this character's powers are more subdued to feel superhuman rather than outright godly, trying to make ends meet in a period of economic downturn and upheaval. Other different stories have explored this at other angles, like with Absolute Superman notably skipping Kal-El even crash-landing on Earth as a baby, thus staying more close to his roots while his kindness ultimately shines through.

Rather than have most of his lessons handed to him growing up, this Clark must know when his Superman alter ego is protecting the Metropolis' downtrodden or just creating a revolving door for repeat offenders to roam free. To address this question, Clark winds up ultimately seeking the help of others, like Lois Lane as issue #3 approaches on November 4, 2026. Stripped of a more idyllic upbringing, Superman simply wants to help others, while still finding wisdom in those whose talents differ sharply from his own, in order to make a real difference.