There are some dark days ahead for Superman’s son, but it’ll be the growth the Man of Steel’s son has needed for years. Screen Rant sat down for an interview with Mark Waid to discuss the upcoming comic event Absolute Power. The iconic writer shared his thoughts on how Jon’s upcoming tragic direction will serve his character for the better.

Screen Rant spoke to Absolute Power’s Mark Waid to discuss the event and what fans could expect. The discussion turned to the subject of newer heroes featured in the book like Dreamer and Superman Jon Kent. Waid spoke candidly about the downswing Jon is about to experience.

Mark Waid: Jon Kent originally was not a big part of the master plan. But my editor and I came up with a moment in issue one for John, that sets him on a course that is surprising to me, but also makes him a lot more crucial to the outcome of the story.

Mark Waid: I know what Sina and Nicole have planned for that one-shot and I think it’s going to be amazing. I think that they are zeroing in on exactly what they need to zero in on with that character and have done things in that story that have surprised me and have gone back to inform the main book.

Waid discussed Jon’s trauma, saying it makes Superman’s son “a lot more crucial to the outcome of the story“. Waid also spoke about Absolute Power: Super Son #1 saying its creators have “done things in that story that have surprised me and have gone back to inform the main book.”.

Superman’s Son’s New Nightmare Form is a Crucial Step for Him

While Absolute Power has yet to begin in earnest, fans have already gotten a peak at what lies ahead in the future for Superman’s one and only son. Absolute Power: Super Son #1 was recently revealed as part of DC Comics batch of September solicitations, and the covers included were quite shocking, to say the least. At some point in the event, the junior Superman is going to undergo a radical transformation that will turn him into an amalgamation of flesh and technology. Though the solicitation included few details, it promised a “critical new chapter” for Jonathan Kent.

Waid doesn’t offer up any more details than the solicitation, but he doesn’t shy away from talking about just how much this change is going to impact the younger Man of Steel. Waid hits home that what Jon is about to go through isn’t just going to affect the larger Absolute Power story, it’s going to be something that puts Jon on an exciting new path. It’s something he needs as Jon hasn’t had much to do ever since his father returned from War World. This transformation, though shocking, could be what’s needed to pump life back into Superman’s son.

Jon Kent is About to Undergo His Most Exciting Character Development in Years

Waid emphasizes that Absolute Power is about loss and that Jon Kent has lost a lot in his life. Unfortunately, by the look of Absolute Power: Super Son #1, he’s about to lose a lot more. But this could be a fantastic opportunity for the younger Superman to finally confront the trauma he’s ignored for years. There’s a lot of potential in a character like Jon that’s gone unexplored and it’s time DC Comics finally did something with him. This new chapter might be a bit of a downturn, but it could be just what Superman’s son needs.

Absolute Power #1 is available on July 3rd from DC Comics.