Superman: Birthright #3

Superman: Birthright #3

by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu (Penciller), Gerry Alanguilan (Inker)

Clark Kent returns to Smallville! Clark talks to his parents and begins work with Martha Kent on his costume. But Jonathan Kent doesn't seem too happy about his son's newfound desire for superheroics! The question is why?

Genres: Superman, Comics, Dc Comics, Comic Book

22 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2003

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition. (August 18, 2025)

The collective review for the entire Superman: Birthright storyline can be found on my review of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition.

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clark Kent regresa a Smallville, luego de su travesía por Sudáfrica en el número anterior. El joven kryptoniano conversa con sus padres y comienza a trabajar con su madre, Martha Kent, en su nueva indumentaria para llevar a cabo sus planes como superhéroe. Sin embargo, su padre, Jonathan Kent, no parece muy contento con el nuevo deseo de su hijo.

[cauldronofevil · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Issue #3” starts with Clark Kent and his mother designing his costume.

Clark shows her pictures from the tape left in his spaceship of Kryptonians and the ‘S’ Shield.

Jonathan Kent is not too keen on this idea. Martha can’t or won’t tell Clark why.

Jonathan and Clark talk it out.

The also teach him how to disguise himself in baggy clothes and classes.

That was a nice touch. Good art helped a-lot. Nothing revolutionary but nice. 3 stars

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This family shit is fire

This was a great issue as well that focused on the Kent family. Mom is supportive as hell but the dad is conflicted when it comes to Clark’s decision and if he did a good job as a father. I really love how the series tackles the importance of Clark’s two families and how they’ve molded him to be the man he currently becomes. Great stuff yep yep.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is where the good stuff is. The very human moments. I love the father-son talk between Clark and Jonathan. Clark also talks with his parents about how he has to try to conceal his identity. I love the idea that Superman doesn't wear a mask because he wants the people to trust him.

[Devin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This only means so much given how I'm not really an exhaustive expert on the character, but this is maybe the best Kent family stuff I've seen in any medium. (And I watch and enjoy Smallville! Almost done with season 3 as of this writing.)

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Clark Kent became THE Clark Kent...straight CHILLS

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clark returns to Smallville and has an emotional confrontation with Pa. Also, Martha disguises Clark.

[Jodie Adel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was funny

[abbey ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just love clark so much