Warning: SPOILERS for Superman #14

Metropolis has always been synonymous with Superman. As the Man of Steel, Clark Kent has saved the City of Tomorrow both on his own and with the extended Superman Family countless times. But one of Superman’s greatest frenemies has totally painted the relationship between the Superman Family and Metropolis in a whole new light.

Superman #14 by Joshua Williamson, Rafa Sandoval, and Miguel Mendonça finds the Man of Steel and Lobo hot on the trail of Brainiac as they’re confronted by the Coluan Conqueror’s formidable army of long lost Czarnians. Swayed into siding with the last of his people, the Main Man turns on Clark.

As Superman points out that he’d just be another pawn, Lobo responds, “What? Are you the only guy who gets to be head of his own gang?” And while nobody else would immediately consider the House of El a gang, the Lobo does have a good point.

Superman’s Kryptonian “Gang” Is Above the Law

Lobo’s Declaration Is More Accurate than the Super-Family Would Like

By his very nature, Superman acts above the laws of mortal men. Though he always uses his incredible abilities to protect those in need, it’s not like Kal-El is an official part of the city’s infrastructure. Ultimately, Superman is just a citizen who takes matters into his own hands instead of waiting for anyone with any official authority to take action. And while they no doubt serve the greater good, the unified Superman Family is the ultimate extension of that outlaw mindset.

With his extended family working as one, Superman has reclaimed Metropolis as his “turf” after his long absence on Warworld. Seeing how the Superman Family is more organized and coordinated than ever to coincide with Kal-El’s return and resurgence, they’ve become a more powerful presence in the Big Apricot than ever before. They even wear matching Superman Family jackets — as if anybody in Metropolis could forget their allegiance. The heroes may prefer to refer to themselves as a family or even a team, but their actions are definitely more gang-like than they realize.

Superman’s “Gang” Is Here To Stay

And Metropolis Is Better for It

The Superman Family may not be a gang in the way that most people would imagine, but it’s hard to argue with Lobo’s assessment after taking a look at the Kryptonians’ actions of late. While every step they’ve taken is for the good of Metropolis and the DC Universe at large, they’re still not authorized agents of the City of Tomorrow – and their new uniformity makes their alliance more official than ever before. Maybe if Superman didn’t want to be in a gang, he shouldn’t have given his family matching leather jackets.

Superman #14 is available now from DC Comics.