If Superboy takes a turn for the villainous in Titans season 4 sees Lex Luthor coax Conner into a private conversation and, predictably, Superboy is wrapped around the villain's finger by the end.
Lex Luthor dies before his true intentions become clear, but with Superboy falling for his human father's manipulations, Titans sows the seeds for a villainous turn further down the line. If that does happen, Superman will have a lot to answer for, because at the core of Conner's inner conflict is an identity crisis. Being grown in a lab and never meeting your two dads will do that. How much Superman knew of Conner remained vague before, but Titans season 4's premiere definitively confirms Superman is now aware of his son's existence. Does he rush over to help this young man figure things out, realizing how confusing the situation must be? No, he doesn't. Bruce Wayne has to convince his Justice League friend to make an appointment with Conner... which Superman then misses anyway.
Superman Is Not A Superdad In Titans Season 4
In fairness to Clark Kent, Superboy is not a son brought into the world via his own volition. Additionally, Superman skips out on meeting his son in Titans season 4 because an entire civilization is at risk of destruction - a pretty solid excuse, as they go. , however, that the Man of Steel can lap planet Earth in a matter of moments. Is it really plausible that since learning about Conner, Superman hasn't had one spare moment to meet his son? To give this muddled youngster a much-needed anchor, as well as a sense of identity? Surely, Superman could have found a few minutes to meet his biological offspring, regardless of the unusual method by which he was conceived.
Superman's apparent insistence on being a deadbeat dad clearly hits Conner on an emotional level, and though he outwardly understands his dad's no-show, his facial expression is one of deep hurt with a side-helping of betrayal. Predictably, Lex Luthor exploits this turmoil ruthlessly during his own meeting with Conner, where it quickly becomes clear that Superman's absence is pushing his son into Lex's arms. Luthor barely even has to try, with his nemesis doing all the hard work by neglecting Conner so blatantly. If Superboy goes rogue in Titans season 4, his villainous turn could almost certainly have been avoided if Superman had just flown to his son, shared a heart-to-heart chat, and given the kid a hug.
Dick Grayson Is Also To Blame If Superboy Goes Bad
Superman can at least take comfort in not bearing the weight of responsibility for Conner Kent's potential villain turn alone. Dick Grayson has largely been a ive figure since meeting Superboy in Titans season 2, but brought the dynamic of their friendship into question when he knocked Conner out using Kryptonite dust in season 3. More than just incredibly harsh, Dick failed to properly justify why he did it, beyond some misguided insistence on fighting alone. Even in Titans season 4, Lex Luthor gleefully points out how Dick is using Conner as a weapon exactly like Batman uses Robin.
In truth, Titans has been building toward Superboy's dark streak for some time. Whether it be Dick living up to his name, Conner beating himself up over Hank's death, or Blackfire leaving him after they fell in love, the young clone has plenty of reason to be agitated. That Superman cancels meeting him as casually as changing a dentist appointment, however, could light Conner's tinderbox of lingering resentment. Fatherly neglect may be the straw that breaks Superboy's back, but it's one weighty straw.
Titans continues Thursday on HBO Max.