Chapter Four:
The Super-Hero
The Man Of Steel # 1
July 1986
Written and drawn by John Byrne
'Superman' created by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster
Cut to the Kent's living room, just a few hours later. Clark and Jonathan walk in, to see Martha working on a sewing machine.
CLARK: Well, Ma, how's it coming?
Martha looks towards the two of them.
MARTHA: Nearly done, Clark. What about you boys? Have you settled on a design?
CLARK: Yes. It took awhile, but Pa and I finally came up with this!
Clark takes a piece of material from Jonathan, and holds it up for his mother to see.
It's a yellow pentagon, outlined with red, with a red 'S' shape in the middle. It was similar to the old Smallville letterman's jacket symbols�only it stood out more. Bolder. Splashier.
CLARK: We made one for the front, and one for the back.
Martha holds out her hand.
MARTHA: That's just perfect! Absolutely perfect! Let's have it, and I'll stitch it right on! But�what about the other matter?
Martha begins to look worried, but Clark just smiles at her.
CLARK: Pa's solved that one too.
Clark picks up a comb from a nearby table and walks over to the mirror on the wall. He starts to comb his hair back.
CLARK: Obviously I can't be 'on call' twenty-four hours a day. Even I need time to relax and unwind. To be human for a little while. That's why it's lucky I didn't get the chance to tell anyone my name after I saved the shuttle. Now, with a few minor alterations, I can have a private place where no one will ever think to look for me�a 'Fortress Of Solitude', so to speak.
Clark takes a pair of glasses out of his pocket and puts them on. Then he turns to face his parents.
CLARK: Meet the new Clark Kent!
JONATHAN: See, Ma? With his hair all slicked back and an old pair of my spectacles, his whole face seems to change. All he needs to do is stoop a tad, and he looks like a whole different man. And so long as he's careful never to let on that he has two separate identities, he'll be able to move freely, like ordinary folks!
Clark begins to peel off his shirt.
CLARK: But now�let's see how this costume we've concocted looks all put together.
He takes off his pants while Martha passes him the suit.
First he pulls on the costume's blue and red pants, with a yellow belt attached. Then the shirt, with the 'S' symbol attached. Both are skin-tight.
MARTHA: That's good! The fit is nice and snug! I started noticing when you were only twelve years old that cloth right up close against you never seemed to tear or get dirty. Besides, it shows off your muscles!
Clark blushes a bright red.
CLARK: Maaa�.
Clark pulls on the red boots, which have a v-shaped cuff.
JONATHAN: Gotta admit you were right about the boots, Ma. They add a nice swashbuckler look!
Clark attaches a bright-red cape to his shoulder-blades. It has a plain yellow version of the 'S-Shield' on the back.
MARTHA: But it's the cape that's my favorite, Jonathan. Even though it may tear, not being skin-tight. Hmmm. Maybe we should�
Clark walks up to her and kisses her on the forehead.
CLARK: Not to worry, Ma. The whole thing works just fine! It's got exactly the symbolic look I wanted. So, from now on, whenever there are people who need my very special kind of help, it won't be a job for plain, ordinary Clark Kent�
Clark pushes his hair back to how it looked before. Then, slowly, he removes the glasses.
He walks over to the door, and opens it. Then he steps outside.
Without warning, he jumps into the air�a huge smile appearing on his face as he flew.
SUPERMAN: �it'll be a job for SUPERMAN!