#kon.zip

[boyfridged]

i don't think i ever explained in detail why i'm so deadset on kon's primary name being kon and not conner, so here it is: kon getting his kryptonian name first despite the fact that he has no kryptonian dna is so salient because of 1. what it means in terms of clark's affirmation of his legacy 2. their familial connection being a chosen one, and 3. a bit sadly, the fact that kon finds closure and connection in culture that is already long gone, reminding the reader of his isolation. before getting this name (superboy #59) kon goes exclusively by superboy and is often referred to as "kid." this is what people call him even when he gets enrolled in school, the name on the register and all. kon came to life as a public figure. as a superhero. he has no civilian identity at this point. his core personality is developed in this dimension, and later in relation to his association with clark's alien legacy. and it might sound sorrowful, but this is also who he is; this is what he ultimately finds comfort in, what makes his family. it's bitter-sweet, it's complicated, it's nuanced and interesting. so any civilian identity that he adopts later should logically be his secondary identity. there's absolutely no reason for him to consider "conner" his actual name and not a monicker he uses for secret identity purposes, unless you want to lean into the horrible retcons that make "kon" to be a slur. i don't think he would mind it, per se– but i do believe that kon as we know him in superboy (94) wouldn't ever consider it to be his "true" self. and this is the hill i will die on.

[amalwhat-blog]

[121129] [Cizz] 澪のLOVEタイム (MIO K-ON).zip

[boyfridged]

kon's desire to be the next superman is only so valuable because as the reader you know that it will never happen. i would even propose it as his character thesis.

kon already has every trait that makes superman a superman (minus the authority and the trust of the people); but it will always be out of their reach. it was first explained by his immortality and forever-a-teenager status, and then it became even further pushed away from them by being literally misplaced in the multiverse. and on the meta level, it just wouldn't be sensible to even consider a progression in which he ascends into his dream role; because he was written to be someone aspiring, which means someone lesser.

in a way, this limbo status is what prevents them from any other character development. in-universe he was created for something he will never get to be; and it's a set-up that will never let them find a proper place for themselves. the only relief he gets is from affirmation from the rest of the superfam; it's something that he desires, and the only sense of home they can get. but staying in this position means that they will never truly get rid of the crushing guilt complex & people-pleasing tendencies, because there's no other choice but to forever pretend that it's enough. so a good understanding of their place in the narrative means, unfortunately, that these traits will be endlessly fed into.

i don't think it's a bad thing, btw. i think it's brilliant. it's one of the most melancholic and subversive stories that dc has ever invented. most superhero content focuses on humans leveling with the inescapability of their own greatness, their fate, being forced to live a myth or forging oneself into one. kon, on the other hand, was born a myth that is confronted with their own smallness, the painful humanity, being easily forgotten unless marketed and advertised for others' entertainment. there's no great destiny for him, no place to grow. and their story is, in essence, about learning to accept it and settling for less.

[boyfridged]

superboy (1994) #59

[boyfridged]

superboy (1994) #60. story by kesel. art: grummett

[boyfridged]

superboy: the man of tomorrow #1 thoughts:

good things:

personality-wise, it's on spot!

"what would superman do?" always makes me emotional.

i can tell that there was a real careful consideration of what kon's current status in canon is put into this work, and that it was compared with his initial place in the narrative. and this is, unfortunately, very rare for dc nowadays.

i can also tell that all people involved have real love for kon and their 90s solo series.

the new characters look so fun. i hope they're here to stay! i'm getting some ravers vibes from the space setting (and i'm hoping for some lanterns cameos.) (i'm also hoping that yj will not get in here. i'm sorry but i do)

tactile telekinesis! let's go, be annoying about it, babe <3

not so happy about:

kon being referred to exclusively as "conner..." in the field too... it makes me so annoyed and it's just so dumb, imo "conner" should be his (even if barely existing) civilian persona – he got his kryptonian name first and it's the "real" them, his primary identity, the first he got after being just referred as a "clone," "subject 13," "superman," "superboy" and "kid" for long long months... (maybe it was different after all of 2003 retcons. i don't remember nor care tbh... i will find didio in hell anyway)

it's been years and i'm still not sold on kon in smallville, but perhaps it serves purpose in illustrating how isolated from the main narrative (and the world) they are,

the prose and dialogue are so simple, they lacks something. also, i think it's just a permanent issue that dc editorial has right now: i am begging them to show instead of just telling. i can tell they have a good concept of where they want to go with the narrative, but they don't need to shove it all on a plate in front of me. the readers are not dumb (at least i hope so)! you can be more subtle about it.

[boyfridged]

gattoni called ‘superboy: man of tomorrow’ a love letter to kon’s 90s solo…

[boyfridged]

superboy (1994) is like what if a beach episode was a disguise for psychological horror

[boyfridged]

going to start embracing my hcs and refer to kon with they/them pronouns:)