New entries in any decades-old storytelling universe are often controversial with the diehard fans. This is why it was such a surprise when The CW’s Superman & Lois debuted to near universal acclaim. The characters as portrayed by Tyler Hoechlin’s Clark Kent and Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane stood in stark contrast to other recent Superman adaptations, especially 2013’s controversial Man of Steel.

At the time it was released, Man of Steel was very divisive among Superman fans. While some appreciated the new angle on Kal-El’s origins, others were disappointed in his characterization. Particularly controversial was Superman’s decision to kill General Zod. First appearing on Supergirl and later Superman & Lois Hoechlin and Tulloch gave fans the hopeful, morally pure Man of Tomorrow they’d been waiting decades to see again in live-action. Both Superman & Lois and Man of Steel wanted to allow the central couple to “grow up,” but only the series actually pulled it off.

The Longstanding Dynamic Between Superman and Lois Was Broken in the 1990s

Clark Kent’s Secret Was No Longer Kept from the Most Important Person in His Life

In Action Comics #662, Clark Kent revealed his identity to Lois Lane with no “takebacks” or “do-overs.” The characters were finally dating each other, so revealing the secret allowed their relationship to evolve with honesty and trust. Shortly after that, the television series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman did the same thing. These choices allowed both Clark Kent and Lois Lane to mature and carry their relationship into more mature territory, without drastically altering their foundational characterization.

Live-Action Adaptations Where Lois and Clark Become a Couple

Superman II
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Smallville

There are many reasons why 2006’s Superman Returns failed to land with fans, but it’s significant the film put Lois Lane back in the dark about Superman, even as a mother to his child. To the credit of the filmmakers, Man of Steel had Lois Lane meet Clark Kent and Superman at the same time. Similarly, when Tulloch debuted as Lois Lane on Supergirl in 2018, she too was already in on the secret and a full member of “Team Superman.” From there, however, the two adaptations diverge in significant ways.

For lack of a better descriptor, Man of Steel was the Post-9/11 Superman. Instead of greeting this strange visitor from another planet with open arms, America was fearful and distrusting. Also, the characters in the film seemed to be less eager for Clark to fulfill his destiny as the world’s best superhero. From the controversial death of Jonathan Kent to Superman’s singular focus on Lois herself, the character didn’t feel like the beacon of hope Kal-El is supposed to be. When Hoechlin appeared on Supergirl in the Season 2 premiere, his Superman was more traditionally recognizable. Henry Cavill’s Superman was still finding his place in the world, whereas Hoechlin’s was the Man of Tomorrow from the moment he appeared onscreen.

Superman & Lois Had Many Storytelling Advantages of Man of Steel

If Zack Snyder’s DCEU Continued, the Iconic Superman Would Have Been Its Endgame

The DCEU is a disjointed, messy attempt at a shared universe because of changes at Warner Bros. during the years the films were released. Man of Steel was yet another origin story, and to justify that, Snyder and his collaborators tried to make this old story feel unique. Supergirl, on the other hand, was a vehicle for family-friendly morality plays like the other Arrowverse series. Still, WB was always skittish about Superman being a big part of that world. However, the larger DC fan community was so enamored with the more traditional take, they were almost forced to greenlight Superman & Lois.

“My most vivid memory of all was the day I met her… I told Lois who I really was, where I came from… and suddenly, here I am, living in Metropolis, raising two teenage boys, married to the most famous journalist in the world, trying to make the world safer for the people I love.” — Clark’s narration in the series premiere of Superman & Lois.

When Superman & Lois debuted, Lois Lane and Clark Kent had been a family for more than 16 years. Man of Steel and its sequels tried to give the iconic couple an adult relationship. The CW series was able to establish that for Lois and Clark in its first few minutes. Over the next 52 episodes, their story unfolded for viewers, drawing its tension from a fresh premise. Superman was the moral nerd he’d been in other adaptations, but he was also decades into his role as a husband and father. Even with significantly more time to tell its story, Superman & Lois left the origin story to narration and a quick montage of scenes.

Marvel’s red-and-blue flagship hero, Spider-Man, hasn’t been around as long as Superman. However, in Spider-Man: No Way Home, older fans reacted with excitement when Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker revealed he was in a relationship with Mary Jane along with being a veteran hero. Fans wanted more of that story for Spider-Man 4, because it’s one they’ve not seen before with an iconic, traditional version of the character. Superman & Lois delivered on that same premise, giving audiences a recognizable Superman in a different stage of his life.

Superman & Lois Showed Why the Man of Steel’s Moral Purity Isn’t ‘Boring’

Henry Cavill Never Had the Chance to Play the Character Tyler Hoechlin Did

That Henry Cavill’s Superman is viewed as less morally pure than other iterations is intentional, but it wasn’t meant to be definitive. Man of Steel was the start of a character arc meant to show how Clark Kent becomes the character fans know from the comics. Superman & Lois also had an advantage over the film because the show skipped past all that. Hoechlin’s Clark Kent (even in Supergirl) was a veteran superhero who saved the world more than once before the story began. His struggle for self-discovery and acceptance was over.

“I love the idea of Superman going on a journey… [and] having to reconcile his morality, reconcile his place on Earth, reconcile his love affair with Lois and how that affects… the way he relates to humanity.” Zack Snyder in an interview.

As a more practiced Superman, Hoechlin’s Clark was able to fight men in metal suits, Bizarro versions of himself and other such challenges while still saving lives. The true conflict in his life was keeping his double identity a secret from his children. In fact, he only revealed the truth to Jordan and Jonathan in the pilot episode because they found the spaceship that brought him to Earth. The revelation of who he really was first to his kids, his allies and friends led directly to Clark telling the world he’s Superman.

With Man of Steel and the larger DCEU, Zack Snyder and his fellow storytellers wanted to show viewers how true heroes could emerge in a dark, violent world. The whole “Knightmare” reality muddled that message further. When Superman & Lois debuted, fans had the untarnished hero they had not gotten in the 21st Century. While some may feel that a morally pure Superman is naïve, unrealistic or boring, Superman & Lois didn’t bother explaining how he got that way. The show expected viewers to buy into his character simply because he’s Superman.

Superman & Lois Season 4, Reviewed by CBR

1
The End and The Beginning
7/10

2
A World Without
7/10

3
Always My Hero
9/10

4
A Perfectly Good Wedding
8/10

5
Break the Cycle
7/10

6
When the Lights Come On
9/10

7
A Regular Guy
9/10

8
Sharp-Dressed Man
9/10

9
To Live and Die Again
9/10