After 86 Years, I Finally Understand the True Tragedy of Superman’s Origin

Everyone knows Superman’s origin story, and I’m no exception. However, I’ve never been particularly moved by it on an emotional level. Yes, I recognized that the destruction of Krypton was tragic, but I had never encountered a medium, visual or written, that truly made me understand just how tragic it was—until now.

Come October, Mark Waid and Clayton Henry will take over Action Comics. The upcoming issues include Action Comics #1070 on October 9, #1071 on October 16, and #1072 on October 23. This story arc focuses on the infamous Phantom Zone, promising plenty of new lore with Waid at the helm.

While I’m excited for all three issues, Action Comics #1071 and #1072 stand out thanks to two stunning variant covers by Wes Craig, which depict the destruction of Krypton and baby Kal-El’s landing on Earth, where he was found by Martha and Jonathan Kent.

Superman’s Birth Parents Star In Tragic ‘Destruction of Krypton’ Variant Cover

Craig’s variant cover for Action Comics #1071 hit me particularly hard because nothing stirs my emotions more than witnessing others mourn. In the art, Jor-El and Lara take center focus as they embrace each other for the last time. Tears stream down Lara’s face while a look of utter devastation mars Jor-El’s features. This poignant moment between husband and wife is beautifully rendered, their love and despair palpable. In the background, Krypton is in flames, self-destructing in a catastrophic blaze. Amidst this chaos, a small rocket carrying baby Kal-El escapes the planet’s doomed stratosphere, symbolizing a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming tragedy.

This artwork left me with the distinct impression that Lara’s tears and Jor-El’s devastation were not for their impending deaths but for the child they would never get to love and see grow. Writing this now makes me teary, just as I was when I first saw Craig’s cover. Normally, I’m completely dry-eyed when it comes to fictional deaths, but show me people mourning their loved ones, and I’m instantly an inconsolable mess. This depiction of Krypton, so beautifully and devastatingly captured, has truly made me grasp the tragedy of Superman’s origin. It also gave me a newfound appreciation for Jor-El and Lara by vividly portraying their grief.

Superman’s Origin Story Comes Full Circle With Martha and Jonathan Kent Variant Cover

Wes Craig delivered a brilliant full-circle moment of Superman’s origin story with his variant cover for Action Comics #1072. This artwork captures the iconic scene of Jonathan and Martha Kent discovering the crashed spacecraft of baby Kal-El. It’s incredibly rare for variant covers to span multiple issues and tell such a cohesive, poignant story. Yet, that is exactly what Craig did. Seeing Martha and Jonathan take home this alien baby and give him the love that Jor-El and Lara couldn’t officially broke the dam of my tears. This is truly a phenomenal tribute to Superman and one I will always cherish as a fan.