Clark Kent is quitting his job at the Daily Planet in the latest issue of the “Superman” comic series.
In issue No. 13, in stores Wednesday, Superman’s mild-mannered alter ego decries the state of journalism in a heated discussion with Morgan Edge, the owner of the Daily Planet’s parent company, Galaxy Broadcasting, and quits in front of the entire newspaper staff.
“This is the beginning of a multifaceted story line that will challenge Clark on all levels – personally and professionally, as both himself and as Superman,” a DC Entertainment representative said in a statement. “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.”
In the comic, by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Kenneth Rocafort, Clark Kent complains to the paper’s publisher Perry White about pandering to the public demand for entertainment instead of providing news and calls out Lois Lane for covering a sex scandal. He also chafes under pressure to write more stories about Superman. The changes are part of an effort to bring Clark Kent and Superman into the 21st century.
“Rather than Clark be this clownish suit that Superman puts on, we’re going to really see Clark come into his own in the next few years as far as being a guy who takes to the Internet and to the airwaves and starts speaking an unvarnished truth,” Lobdell told USA Today. “I don’t think he’s going to be filling out an application anywhere … He is more likely to start the next Huffington Post or the next Drudge Report than he is to go find someone else to get assignments or draw a paycheck from.”
Issue No. 13 is a prelude to the upcoming “H’el on Earth” story line, in which Superman crosses paths with H’el, a tragic character from Superman’s home planet, Krypton. The series is part of DC’s New 52 relaunch, which rewrote the back stories for many of its main characters, including Wonder Woman and Batman.
It’s been a big month for the big blue Boy Scout. DC announced last week that its co-publisher artist Jim Lee and fan-favorite writer Scott Snyder are teaming up for a new Superman title in 2013, the same year that Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” is slated to hit theaters.
Check out “Superman” No. 13 in the gallery above, or click on the links below for larger images.
Cover | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7
– Noelene Clark
Twitter.com/@NoeleneClark
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Our legion of super contributors is led by Hero Complex editor Gina McIntyre and 
or its an attempt to separate him from any association with Lois Lane so they can have him date Wonder Woman in a dummed gimmick storyline because writing him with any association to human cast is more difficult than slamming him with other superheroes all the time
It's about time. The most unrealistic thing in the DC Universe the last several years is that The Daily Planet was a financially solvent newspaper. I think this is a great move for Clark.
Because…Newspapers didn't evolve with changing media. The New York Times, La Times, etc. don't exist anymore.
Oh wait. This is another dumb, desperate stunt. DC Comics is so desperate with Superman that it's pathetic.
I am a journalist by trade, but I gave it up last year because of the changing face of the media. I refused to succumb to the content side and I continually argued for legitimate reporting. I now teach high school history. I'm happier and I feel like I'm making more of a contribution to society than a day-in-day-out grind that you never get to come up for air from.
The New York Times is having financial problems, as well. Just last year, it sold off all 11 of their subsidiaries, including The Boston Globe, to Halifax Media Holdings. The New York Times Co. lost money in that deal, just to jettison the excess weight on the company as a whole.
Just because you think this is a stunt at separating Superman from everything he's ever been, IE Lois Lane and traditional print reporting, doesn't mean the industry doesn't have real problems– including the big boys. Comic books have ALWAYS reflected the times. Clark leaving the print medium is a reflection of a legitimate concern in the news industry. This is endemic to the field of journalism.
I’m waiting for this headline: ‘DC to stop writing gimmicks and start writing strong stories. Invulnerable Superman drops armor and returns to wearing trunks!’
Even Superman knows print media is dying.
Comics have gone downhill since I was a kid in the 80s. Enough with all the "culturally relevant" nonsense already. If wanted to experience real-life issues, we sure as heck wouldn't turn to comic books for it. We have always looked to comics for larger-than-life heroes and to see Good vs Evil. I'm sick of this "Postmodern" crap where they wallow in cynicism and self-doubt. Comics had a Golden Age once because they promoted heroics and optimism.
This is like Windows 8.
I think it makes sense. He's gotta keep up with the times!
I think print media is becoming an issue of journalist anthropology.
Come to think of it it might also be a gag that superman boss is an herodus. The type of president that run a court room in the corporation.
Of all the things they could have done to move this character forward they decided on another 're-vamp' and this is what its come to. Should have had CK and Lois have children. This leaving the Planet is old news.