Jonathan and Martha Kent

"Jonathan Kent (comics)" redirects here. For other topics, see Jonathan Kent (disambiguation).
Jonathan and Martha Kent
A middle-aged Jonathan and Martha Kent with an infant Kal-El in Action Comics #977 (April 2017).
Art by Ian Churchill.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSuperman #1 (June 1939)
Created byJerry Siegel
Joe Shuster
In-story information
Supporting character ofSuperman
Superboy
Notable aliasesMa and Pa Kent

Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent (often referred to as "Pa" and "Ma" Kent, respectively) are fictional characters in American comic books published by DC Comics. They are the adoptive parents of Superman, and live in the rural town of Smallville, Kansas.[1] In most versions of Superman's origin story, Jonathan and Martha find Kal-El as an infant after he crash-lands on Earth following the destruction of his home planet, Krypton. They adopt him shortly thereafter, renaming him Clark Kent, "Clark" being Martha's maiden name.

The Kents are usually portrayed as loving parents who instill within Clark a strong moral compass, and they encourage Clark to use his powers for the betterment of humanity. In some continuities, Martha is also the one who creates Clark's superhero costume, often from the baby blankets Clark's biological parents had swaddled him in before enclosing him in the capsule, which are found to withstand virtually all hazards.[2]

In pre-Crisis continuity, the Kents die shortly after Clark's high school graduation.[3] In post-Crisis continuity, they both remain alive even after Clark becomes an adult, being supporting characters until Jonathan's death during an attack by the supervillain Brainiac.[4] Martha remains a supporting character in Superman comics until 2011's "The New 52" continuity reboot, in which both she and her husband are deceased, having been killed by a drunk driver, although this accident was later revealed to be the work of Dr. Manhattan of the Watchmen universe, specifically to see how Clark would fare in becoming Superman without their guidance. They are brought back to life in 2019, in the aftermath of the "DC Rebirth" relaunch.

Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thaxter portrayed Jonathan and Martha in the 1978 film Superman: The Movie. Annette O'Toole and John Schneider portrayed the couple in the 2001 series Smallville. Eva Marie Saint portrayed Martha in the 2006 film Superman Returns. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane portray Jonathan and Martha Kent in the DC Extended Universe. Michele Scarabelli and Fred Henderson portray the couple in the 2021 series Superman & Lois. Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell will portray Jonathan and Martha in the DC Universe film Superman (2025).

  1. ^ Fleisher, Michael L. (2007). The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman. New York City: DC Comics. pp. 118–123. ISBN 978-1-4012-1389-3.
  2. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. New York City: Del Rey Books. pp. 157–160. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  3. ^ Superman #161 (May 1963)
  4. ^ Action Comics #870 (December 2008)