DC Comics’ own man of steel and iconic character Superman is known for flying, leaping tall buildings in a single bound, being faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive. His alter-ego, Clark Kent, is the opposite; he’s bumbling, boring and cowardly and he also happens to be a journalist for the fictional Daily Planet news organization,located in Metropolis, in fact, he’s one of the best along with Lois Lane, his love interest.
Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane!
In the comics, Kent quits his job after Perry White lambasts him in the newsroom. His next step? Starting his own blog. Clark Kent questions the ideals of most of his co-workers and even questions the state of journalism today. It’s an interesting commentary for today’s society.
In the issue, written by Scott Lobdell, Kent states, ” I was taught to believe, you could use words to change the course of rivers-that even the darkest secretswould fall under the light of the sun.”
Kent keeps the journalism ethics code as his own, making sure to “seek the truth.” He also reflects a trend in today’s journalism field as more and more reporters start their own blog, rather than working for a company. He also plans to use a multimedia journalist’s most important tool: the internet. The internet is how Mr. Kent plans to make money and he will have to familiarize himself with not only the writing aspect of journalism, but the web, video and audio portions that comprise an efficient digital journalist.
Leaving the newspaper signals that Kent is changing to a medium which has an increasing amount of readership and leaving a dying one (print). It’s a big change for comic book readers, but an obvious one for journalists living in today’s digital dominant world.
DC has issued a statement regarding the change in Clark Kent’s life via The Daily News.
“This is the beginning of a multi-faceted storyline that will challenge Clark on all levels – personally and professionally, as both himself and as Superman. This is not the first time in DC Comics history that Clark Kent has left the Planet, and this time the resignation reflects present-day issues – the balance of journalism vs. entertainment, the role of new media, the rise of the citizen journalist, etc. Over the next several issues, readers will enjoy the many surprises in store for Clark, as the ‘H’el on Earth’ storyline unfolds.”
DC’s bold new move for Clark Kent/Superman is part of a reboot of the entire DC comics universe known as “The New 52”, in which writers and artists will take DC characters, previously held up by 70 plus years of history, to new directions. In this rebooted universe, this new Superman has foregone the red trunks and has gotten a new haircut, along with being in a relationship with Wonder Woman rather than Lois Lane.
Clark Kent, former Daily Planet reporter, news blogger
Kent left the Daily Planet Newsroom and was all smiles, heading to a new journey in which the sky’s the limit for the man of steel. He realizes that online is the future and where the money really is. It will be challenging for Mr. Kent to find an audience that will bring in some income, but a dedicated reporter with the ambition to learn everything about the blogosphere has a great chance, and let’s not forget, he is Superman after all.
Journalist in Progress 