Superman is one of the most revered and respected heroes in DC Comics, but his greatest ally’s new nickname for him keeps him grounded.
Warning: Spoilers for Dark Knights of Steel #6 ahead!
In his nearly 90-year career Superman has gone by many names, whether it be his alter ego Clark Kent, the imposing Man of Steel, or his birth name, Kal-El. One nickname, however, proves how his eternal love, Lois Lane, can see through all the mystery and reverence the DC Universe holds for the boy from Kansas.
Since her first appearance back in 1938’s Action Comics #1 alongside Superman, Lois Lane has been one of Clark’s greatest foils. From their beginnings as a rival reporters all the way to their long-awaited marriage almost 60 years later, and all the adventures they’ve shared in the following decades, Lois has always seen through Clark’s attempts to shed his roots as a small-town kid from Kansas. Perhaps nothing exemplifies this dynamic more than her nickname for Clark, “Smallville.” Now, the silly name that echoes the life and family that made Superman a great man, has gotten a new spin in DC’s latest Elseworlds tale.
The Dark Knights of Steel series by Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri imagines a world where the El family lands on Earth together in medieval times, instead of an infant Kal-El arriving on Earth alone in the 20th century. The series is a Game of Thrones-esque tale of warring kingdoms and palace intrigue, woven together with some of DC’s greatest heroes, including Black Lightning, Wonder Woman, Batman and, of course, Superman. Lois, who is an adviser to Princess Diana, first encounters Kal-El in issue #6, using the Lasso of Truth to figure out why he’s seemingly invaded Amazonia. Their natural chemistry immediately shines, with her dubbing him “Spaceman” without a second thought.
This interaction — one so small but important even Taylor himself called it out on Twitter — emphasizes that the important part of Lois’ name for Superman isn’t what it is, but what it’s not: She’s someone who instinctively avoids aggrandizing titles like “Superman” or the “Man of Steel,” or even “Prince,” in this universe. It demonstrates that Lois respects him just as much as, if not more than, anyone else around him, but also sees him as a full person, and not just a symbol for hope or strength. This is an aspect of their relationship that makes them such a good couple in the realities where they’re together. In this reality, though, it makes them the perfect duo to break through the politics that are tearing both their homes apart.
Even beyond their romantic history, Lois and Kal-El stand as one of the greatest duos in comics history. After nearly 90 years of sharing the page together, it’s only natural that the two would develop a great partnership, but what makes it so great is how unique Lois is in Clark’s life. Unlike his admirers and fellow heroes, Lois has always seen Clark as a person above all, allowing him, in turn to be more human around her. Even in a world where they’re on different sides, Lois Lane sees Superman differently from everyone else in the world. Fans can see this unique take on their relationship — and the DC universe — unfold as Dark Knights of Steel #1-7 are available now.
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