The 6 Most Powerful Versions of Superboy Ranked

In the expansive universe of DC Comics, numerous interpretations of characters can be found due to the frequent series resets. However, when it comes to Superboy, the situation is unique as multiple variations of this hero exist even within the primary comic series. Some versions share similar origins with Superman, while others hail from different dimensions, are clones, or are Kal-El’s son. In confrontations across storylines, these Superboys exhibit varying levels of power, and in some instances, one Superboy has defeated another, demonstrating their superiority.

Let’s dive into the six mightiest iterations of Superboy from DC Comics, starting with the OG Superboy who eventually became Superman, all the way to clones, alternate versions, and even Superman’s own son. We’ve got quite a lineup for you!

6) Connor Kent

Connor Kent, also known as the clone of Superman, made his debut in the comics following Superman’s demise at the hands of Doomsday during the “Rise of the Supermen” storyline. The scientists at Project Cadmus created him using Superman’s DNA and accelerated his growth to resemble a mid-teenager with a high school education. Escaping without the controlling mechanisms, he became a free agent. Among the four new replacements, Connor formed an alliance with Lex Luthor. When Superman returned, Connor adopted the alias Superboy and departed from Metropolis. Although he had powers similar to those of Superman, they were somewhat weaker. However, it’s unfortunate that Connor perished in a battle against Superboy-Prime, and even though he was later brought back to life, his diminished power compared to other Superboy characters is evident due to this tragic loss.

5) Chris Kent

Christopher Kent, initially known as Lor-Zod, is the son of General Zod and Ursa, born within the Phantom Zone. His father, Zod, sent a young Chris out of this zone in a spacecraft, where Superman discovered him. Realizing that Chris possessed extraordinary Kryptonian abilities, Superman and Lois took him in as their own, adopting him and naming him Christopher to protect him from the government. When Zod escaped the Phantom Zone once more, Chris chose allegiance with Superman over his biological father, becoming a part of Superman’s family. In a subsequent battle against Zod, Chris made the ultimate sacrifice, imprisoning his father again and sending himself back to the Phantom Zone. Afterward, he emerged under the alias Nightwing, working covertly while concealing his Kryptonian lineage. His powers are comparable to those of other Kryptonians on Earth, demonstrating his might through his confrontations with Zod and Ursa.

4) Jonathan Kent

Jon Kent continues to be one of Earth’s mightiest heroes, having taken up the mantle left by Superman – his father who was sent away from Earth. While his dad was gone, young Jon chose to stay behind, assuming the role as Earth’s protector. For a time, he fought alongside Damian Wayne as the Super Sons. However, an unexpected event involving time travel resulted in him mysteriously missing for three weeks, reappearing as a 17-year-old who had aged six years. In terms of abilities, Jon shares his father’s powers, but due to his mixed heritage (his mother being human), he has the possibility of surpassing Superman’s power level in the future. For now, he may not be as strong, but there is a distinct possibility that he will eventually lead the pack.

3) Jonathan Lane Kent

In a parallel universe, Jonathan Lane Kent was born as the offspring of Superman and Lois Lane. As an infant, he suffered from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA, fell gravely ill, and was taken in by Harvest for healing. However, instead of curing him, Harvest transformed him into a weapon against metahumans, filling his heart with malice and vengeance. He eradicated most of the metas in his time, only to be sent back to the past where he was mistaken for Connor Kent, who appeared deceased. Pretending to be Connor, he aimed to rectify the situation by preventing himself from becoming the villain who destroyed his own world. In the end, Jonathan willingly gave up his life to bring back Connor and eliminated his own timeline along with himself. By vanquishing many of the heroes in his world, he demonstrated himself as one of the most potent Superboy variants to have lived.

2) Kal-El

In simpler terms, the original Superboy was actually a younger version of Superman. At age eight, Superman (as Clark Kent) started using his powers to fight crime as Superboy, all while maintaining his school life in secret. However, compared to his future self, his abilities weren’t as potent back then. Later, he traveled through time to join the Legion of Super-Heroes where they helped him develop his full strength, surpassing everyone else in the group within a short span.

1) Superboy Prime

As a devoted fan of the DC universe, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer might and complexity of Superboy-Prime. Unlike any other incarnation of Superboy before him, this version stands out as the most formidable. The turning point that truly solidified his position was the chilling act he committed when he took the life of another Superboy, Connor Kent.

Interestingly enough, this Superboy hailed from a world where superheroes were nonexistent but comic books about DC’s legendary heroes were widely popular. He adopted the identity of his favorite hero, Clark Kent, as his own alias. His fate took an extraordinary turn when he encountered the real Superman during his exploration through the multiverse, and discovered within himself powers similar to the Man of Steel.

After aiding in the victory of “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” he chose to stay behind, dedicating himself to safeguarding other universes. However, this noble mission led him down a dark path towards madness, as his obsession with eliminating all dimensional counterparts consumed him.

In addition to Superboy, he claimed the lives of several Supermen from various Earths before being brought to a halt. His brutal encounter with the original Superman demonstrated that his unparalleled power surpassed any other version of Superboy, earning him the top spot in the pantheon of DC’s young heroes.

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2025-09-11 00:17