There's been a lot of terrifying things encountered by Superman, but only one is able to put genuine fear in the hero. Superman #706 reveals what scares Clark Kent more than any villain in his rogues' gallery.
Since he first donned the red and blue tights, Superman has kept the world safe from a number of outrageous threats. Giant robots, alien conquerors and interdimensional imps are nothing when compared to the overwhelming strength of the DC Universe's greatest hero. But even a Man of Steel goes up against things that can shake him to his core. Whether it's Doomsday and his destructive power, the threat presented by General Zod and other evil Kryptonians, or even the latest machinations from Lex Luthor, Superman often faces truly scary odds. Just because Clark is invulnerable doesn't mean that he doesn't feel fear when confronted by something he perceives as a threat.
However, there is one thing that unsettles Clark even more than the worst villains he's faced in his career as a superhero. In Superman #706 by G. Willow Wilson and Amilcar Pinna, the Daily Planet has come under fire for allegations of bias, particularly in response to the close nature of Superman and Lois Lane’s relationship. A new blog claims to have photos of Lois in a compromising position with the hero, as well as evidence of the Planet paying for interviews. As Perry White struggles with a solution, he's visited by Superman who discusses what these allegations could mean for the Planet, Lois, and Perry's future. The beleaguered editor informs the hero that he's been in the business long enough to weather any storm. Before departing, Superman tells Perry to be careful, because if there's one thing that scares him, it's the internet.
The Internet Is Worse Than Any Superman Villain
That’s a pretty odd thing for Clark to it. Superman has died multiple times, faced off against some of the worst killers around and has even seen potential timelines where he’s outlived his loved ones. And yet, the idea of the internet is something that gives the Last Son of Krypton pause. But considering all that the internet became since this issue was published, perhaps Superman’s fear was warranted.
While the internet is a tool that can be used for connection, education and expressing of creativity, like other tools, it can be used in a more destructive capacity. In the last several years, issues regarding the internet and the prevalence of unchecked misinformation, online hate groups, and echo chambers have only skyrocketed. For all the power Superman has, there isn’t much he can do to combat those kinds of issues. He might be able to punch out gods, but there’s little he can do about the more insidious nature of the internet. He might have a pretty menacing rogues’ gallery, but the internet scares Superman more than any villain in it.
