One of the most iconic couples in comic book history, Clark Kent a.k.a. Superman and Lois Lane have been with each other through life and death (in some cases, quite literally). With the new CW series Superman & Lois, interest in the couple has resurfaced. While Superman is a Kryptonian alien who turns into Earth’s protector, Lois Lane is a Pulitzer-winning journalist at the Daily Planet.
The former is usually more spontaneous in his actions while Lois is comparatively more patient and understanding, striking a balance of emotions in this relationship. Considering the couple has been a mainstay in pop culture for several decades, their love for each other has gone through a plenty of changes in the comics.
Superman Once Killed Lois
One of the most painful moments in Injustice was Superman killing Lois with his own hands. Naturally, this was not a conscious decision as he was under the influence of Scarecrow’s fear toxins that was infused with kryptonite. As Joker kidnaps Lois connecting a bomb to her heart, he releases the toxin right when Superman arrives.
The illusionary effects of this are such that he starts thinking of Lois as Doomsday. Following his intuition, the Kryptonioan flies out of Earth’s atmosphere, with Lois in his arms. When the effects fade away, he realizes his folly but by then, it’s too late.
A Son Named Jon Kent
2015’s Superman: Convergence #2 introduced the world to Clark and Lois’s son Jon Kent who would later grow up to become the new Superboy.
Post-Convergence, Jon’s parents lived a quiet life in a sleepy California town (as seen in Superman: Lois and Clark). While Jon discovers a few powers of his own, he’s still unsure of his origin as both Clark and Lois don’t reveal their true identities to him. However, once the crime group Intergang abducted them, prompting Jon to reveal his powers to the rest of the world. After this moment, Jon’s parentage got clearer. In Rebirth, on the other hand, Jon discovers his powers after accidentally killing a cat and a hawk with heat vision prompting Superman to teach him self-control.
The 1996 Marriage Special
In 1996, the two eternal lovers of DC comics finally tied the knot, an event that was commemorated in a special one-shot titled The Wedding Album. The comic is noteworthy not just for this landmark event but also for incorporating the art of almost every living Superman artist of the time.
Barring a few dream sequences Earth-Two Superman’s wedding in Action Comics #484, both characters were never officially married until 1996. Interestingly, the wedding coincided with the wedding of Superman and Lois in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
A Date At The Titanic
The twelve-issue miniseries All-Star Superman served as a non-canonical take on Superman coming to terms with his apparent death. Due to an unsuitable body reaction triggered by excessive sun radiation, Superman was convinced that he didn’t have many days left to live. This story’s version of Clark Kent had also hidden his identity from Lois Lane.
Wishing to spend his final moments with Lois, he finally revealed himself on her birthday and took her out on a date at the Fortress of Solitude. They shared dinner in a room at the Titanic. It turns out Superman had restored the ship and preserved it within the Fortress.
Lois Briefly Left Superman Alone On Earth
After Rebirth, The Man of Steel revealed Superman’s father Jor-El was still alive and he’s willing to take Jon with him to other cosmic worlds where he can teach him the ways of his home planet Krypton. While Superman is highly against this decision, Lois agrees with Jor-El’s deal as long as she gets to monitor’s her son’s progress and well-being.
For this reason, Superman is left alone on Earth until Jon grows to be a teenager. Back on the planet, Lois resumes her work on a book, leading to a slight distance with her husband.
They Went On A Break After Doomsday’s Attacks
After Superman’s heavily publicized death at the hands of Doomsday and his subsequent resurrection, Lois’s relationship with him grew strained for a brief period of time. To clear her mind, she picked up international press assignments and kept herself busy, straying away from Superman’s overprotective tendencies.
Before her self-imposed incognito, the Atlantean mermaid Lori Lemaris reappeared in Clark’s life. As she’s visiting Metropolis for some time, Clark offers her to stay in his own apartment (that he shares with Lois). Considering that both had dated each other back in their younger days at Metropolis University days, Lois definitely feels a little insecure.
Adoped Chris Kent
General Zod and Ursa once had a son who was eventually adopted by Lois and Clark. The infant known as Lor-Zod was rechristened Chris Kent by his new parents. With technological aid from Batman, his new parents ensured that his Kryptonian powers are under control before he could master them. Chris has had his own share of adventures, befriending Tim Drake (Robin) in his early childhood. He even took up the mantle of Nightwing at Kandor.
When his parents escaped the Phantom Zone, they unleashed an army of Kryptonian criminals on Earth. They tried to reclaim Chris but he chose to side with his foster parents instead, using his powers to fight Zod.
Lois Beheaded Superman In A Dark Dimension
A segment from Dark Knights: Death Metal titled No More Superheroes found Lois Lane encountering a version of her from another dimension (nicknamed Dark Lois Lane). The Lois from this world questioned the superheroes for bringing more harm than good.
Seeking help from Superman villain Maxima and using amber kryptonite, Dark Lois successfully defeated Superman, beheading him and absorbing his powers. With her newfound powers, she effortlessly subdues the rest of the Justice League.
A Prank Date In An Alternate Reality
Kurt Busiek had a pretty interesting version of Clark Kent’s story in Superman: Secret Identity. The four-part story reimagined a world where superheroes only exist in comics. Superman, much like the real world’s version of the hero, is just a fictional alien. However, Kent discovers that his powers match that of this superhero.
He goes on to reveal this secret to an Indian-origin reporter called Lois Chaudhari. Both meet up at a prank date set up by their friends. They still hit it off and end up getting married. The arc ends with Clark and Lois settling in a Kansas farm, raising two daughters who also inherit Clark’s powers.
Superman Gifted His Own Powers To Lois
In the aforementioned date at the Titanic, Superman also gifted his romantic interest a special birthday gift. He had preserved his DNA in a liquefied form that granted Lois the powers of the Kryptonian hero (like super strength, and flying). As he’s confident about his imminent death, he wished to pass on his powers to her even if it would last only for a day. He even designed her a special suit for this purpose.
So, for 24 hours, Lois Lane took up the alias of “Superwoman,” preventing a monster attack at Metropolis. It makes for one of the most heartwarming moments of Superman and Lois’s adventures in the comics.
