Warning: spoilers ahead of Superman: Space Age #2Everyone knows that Superman loves Lois Lane, but how many fans can explain why? As revealed in the out-of-continuity Black Label series Superman: Space Age, it was Lois Lane breaking the Watergate story that eventually led to Clark Kent revealing his true feelings for her.
Occupying the space that used to be the domain of the Elseworlds line, DC’s Black Label imprint gathers together the comics industry’s top talent and lets them tell stories with classic DC characters they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do in the main continuity. Written by Mark Russell with art by Mike and Laura Allred, Superman: Space Age depicts a world where Superman made his debut in the 1960s, with each subsequent issue depicting a different decade in a world where all the characters age in real time. Acting as something of a Forrest Gump for the superhero set, Russell and the Allreds weave U.S. history with the characters of the DC Universe, finding surprising connections along the way.
Superman: Space Age #2 takes place in the 1970s, after Superman is an established part of the world. He’s found other heroes and started the Justice League, routinely deals with threats both major and minor and firmly established himself as trusted reporter Clark Kent for the Daily Planet, away from his Superman identity. He also finds himself increasingly attracted to fellow reporter Lois Lane, although the awkward Clark doesn’t know how to express his feelings. Clark finds a reason when he’s taken off a recent story he was assigned, about a break-in at the Watergate Hotel; Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White instead re-assigns the story to Lois. Clark doesn’t see what the big deal is, calling the break-in “amateur hour.” Lois is convinced there’s something more to the affair than a simple robbery. “Clark, it was a break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters,” Lois says. “I feel like maybe there’s something bigger there you’re not getting.” As history will attest, there was something bigger going on, and Lois is the one who breaks the story.
Lois Lane Breaking the Watergate Story Proved to Superman How Different Her Worldview Is.
As the issue goes on, Clark becomes increasingly frustrated with how he’s unable to get past Lois’ hard-nosed journalist side. At one point, Superman goes home to Smallville for advice, and Ma Kent tells her son, “It sounds like her being the journalist, her ability to see through the red and blue to the man underneath…It sounds like that’s what you love about her.” And that’s the key to their whole relationship – Lois sees the world through a completely different lens than Clark, best exemplified in their different approaches to the Watergate story. Where his optimistic, hopeful nature prevented Clark from seeing a larger conspiracy at play within the U.S. government, Lois’ world-weary cynicism and natural curiosity leads her to uncover one of the biggest political scandals in American history. By viewing the world in completely different ways, Superman and Lois are able to see themselves through the others’ eyes for the first time. Clark reflects that that’s what love ultimately is, narrating that it’s “[seeing] somebody for who they are. And letting them see you.”
Lois’ Watergate story results in the White House pulling the Daily Planet’s credentials. The rest of the predominantly male staff insults and belittles her for rocking the boat, which inspires Clark to find his voice and stand up for his colleague. In the aftermath, both allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other, resulting in them finally professing their true feelings. No matter whether the story is out-of-continuity or not, one thing remains a constant at DC Comics: Superman loves Lois Lane.
Superman: Space Age #2 is on sale now from DC Comics
