For some superheroes, the gadgets and tools at their disposal are fundamental to their success as heroes. Almost all of them rely on weapons or defensive tools for success. Superman, on the other hand, is one of the few exceptions, as Clark and Jon Kent are both strong enough to never really need them. But it turns out the latter has had one on him this whole time.
Jon Kent is forced to reveal that the belt on his superhero suit has a secondary purpose in Superman: Son of Kal-El #18 (by Tom Taylor, Chian Tormey, Ruairi Coleman, Scott Hanna, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Dave Sharpe). This, in turn, proves that he has had the perfect Kryptonian failsafe on him for quite some time.
Jon Kent’s Superman Belt is a Power Battery
Jon’s latest foe — Luis Rojas — has successfully integrated a weapon designed by his scientist parents into his body. This turns him into a walking red sun, capable of stripping Kryptonians of their powers. With this advantage and a deceptively simple plan, Rojas is able to lure Clark and Jon into a trap, depowering them before opening fire with a simple firearm. The only reason Jon isn’t killed on the spot is because of the body armor he’d been given earlier by Nightwing as a precaution. This reveals that a part of Jon’s costume has a secret purpose.
A big part of Jon’s Superman costume is a large red belt — and it’s not just cosmetic. Having spent years without powers due to the cruel Ultraman, Jon’s trip to the future as a part of the Legion of Super-Heroes saw him sharing his story with Brainiac-5. The genius inventor created the belt as a result, carrying within it plenty of solar energy to recharge Jon in case his powers are targeted. Breaking open the belt, Jon is bombarded with energy — restoring him almost instantly to full strength, and even potentially unlocking his upcoming version of the Superman Blue electric energy.
Jon Kent’s Battery Belt Would Work for the Whole Superman Family
With his powers restored, he was able to save his father before he could be killed by Rojas. It’s also a fun reveal, giving Jon a secret device to use in the direst of situations. As explained by Jon, the belt has been his most powerful tool. The belt can’t be accidentally shattered and will only break if Superman loses his powers. Hopefully, he’ll be able to recreate it in the present or go back to the future because the concept of a spare solar battery makes perfect sense for any Kryptonian hero.
It’s the sort of emergency move that would have greatly benefited Clark and Supergirl in their recent adventures, as they both ended up depowered in dangerous situations. It could be the ultimate key to refilling the tank, and could even be enough of a boost to unlock additional powers. Jon’s brief ultimate form could even just be the perfect final move to bust out during a tough event. This speaks to Jon’s impulses and heroism — he wouldn’t use the power boost in battle, but rather to ensure he saved a life. It’s an exciting addition to his arsenal and could definitely be a useful element to keep around for his character.
