Superboy (Kon-El)

Superboy
Superboy (Kon-El), as he initially appeared. Art by Tom Grummett
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993)
Created by	Karl Kesel (writer) Tom Grummett (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Kon-El/Conner Kent
Species	Kryptonian/human hybrid Metahuman clone (1993-2003)
Team affiliations	The Ravers Legion of Super-Heroes Superman family Justice League Teen Titans Project Cadmus Supermen of America White Lantern Corps
Notable aliases	Conner Kent, Carl Krummet, Experiment 13, "Superman", The Boy of Steel
Abilities	Tactile telekinesis that provides superhuman strength, flight, speed, invulnerability, and additional abilities Kryptonian powers (2003-2011)

Superboy (also known as Kon-El or Conner Kent) is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. A modern variation on the original Superboy, the character first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993), and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.

From the character's debut in 1993 to August 2003, Superboy was depicted as a genetically-engineered metahuman clone of human origin designed by Project Cadmus as a duplicate and closest genetic equivalent of Superman. The character was retconned in Teen Titans vol. 3, #1 (September 2003) as a Kryptonian/human hybrid of Superman and Lex Luthor. After DC's The New 52 initiative that relaunched the company's comics continuity in 2011, the character of Superboy was revamped as a clone derived from three DNA sources and designed by Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. as a recreation of Jon Lane Kent, the biological son of Superman and Lois Lane from a potential future timeline. After the character's death in the Superboy series, Kon-El was replaced by Jon Lane Kent in subsequent stories. After the events of Superboy #34 Kon-El returns as Superboy again.

After the death of Superman at the hands of Doomsday, Project Cadmus Executive Director Paul Westfield wanted to create a clone replacement of Superman that would follow the agendas of Project Cadmus as well as his own personal agenda. After failed attempts to acquire Superman's DNA (which included an attempt to steal his corpse), Westfield decided to genetically alter a human clone to look like Superman and made the clone to be the closest human equivalent to a Kryptonian as they could based on their research. During their research when they had Superman's body, Westfield's scientists discovered a bio-electric aura surrounding Superman's body that provided some of Superman's powers such as invulnerability, flight through a form of self-telekinesis, protection from getting dirty and protection from skin-tight clothing to be damaged. The aura was translated into a telekinetic field for a human that would give the clone the ability to simulate Superman's powers such as flight, invulnerability, and strength. This was later known as "tactile telekinesis" by the scientists. After twelve failed attempts, the clone known as Experiment 13 was grown from a single cell to a teenage boy in less than a week and was a complete success. The clone was given implanted memories and underwent an artificial maturation process intended to match the age of the original Superman. This clone was released from his cloning tube too early, however, and emerged as a teenager. While at first calling himself "Superman", he would later be known as Superboy.