Jonathan Kent

*"You are not just anyone. One day, you’re going to have to make a choice. You have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be. Whoever that man is, good character or bad, it’s going to change the world."*
―Jonathan Kent to Clark Kent[src]
**Jonathan Nathaniel Kent** (April 8, 1951 – December 15, 2006), known affectionately as **Pa Kent**, was a farmer from the town of Smallville, Kansas. He and his wife Martha found a baby in a Kryptonian ship and they raised the baby as their own, naming him Clark Kent. Jonathan knew that Clark was destined for greatness and thus took the necessary precautions to ensure that his son grew up with the right character.

## History

### Early History

Jonathan was born in Smallville, Kansas in April 8, 1951, to Sam and Jessica Kent, as part of a generation of farmers along with his brother, Harry Kent.

In 1963, when Jonathan was only 12, he and his father managed to save the Kent farm from a horrible flood by barricading off the farm. The family celebrated, with Jonathan's mother baking a cake for her son to award his heroism. However, the next day, he and his family learned that they had just diverted the flood water to the Lang farm.

Growing up, Jonathan developed a friendship with Bill Metcalfe when the two would play football together. In one instance, Jonathan even saved Bill's life when he fell through the ice at a frozen river.

### Marrying Martha and adopting Clark

Ten years later, at the age of 22, Jonathan married another local girl, Martha Clark on October 21, 1973. A year later, Jonathan's brother Harry died. Jonathan and Martha took over the Kent farm and ran it together, but were unable to have children of their own. One night in 1980, an alien spacecraft descended in a crash landing towards one of their cornfields. Both Martha and Jonathan Kent had just driven home from a grocery run in Smallville when they spotted the object falling towards their farm. As soon as it hit the cornfields, the resulting aftereffect caused dust and vibrations that made it a struggle for Jonathan to keep the truck they were using from crashing. After promptly breaking, they ran out of the truck and began to attempt to rectify the flaming aftermath wrought by the craft. As they did so, they heard the cries of an infant and upon investigating, the two found the ship and a small baby. Shortly after, they took the baby in and hid the ship in their barn. They adopted the baby and named him "Clark Joseph Kent" (combining Martha's maiden surname with Jonathan's).

At some point Jonathan visited Bill Metcalfe at the Kansas State University. Making use of his friend's metallurgist capabilities it was determined that the black key that had been found with the baby was made up of a material not found in the Earth. Jonathan swore his friend to secrecy which Bill agreed upon.

As Clark grew older, he developed a strong bond with Jonathan, and also incredible abilities, such as invulnerability and superhuman strength.

### Revealing Clark's heritage

*"I... I don't want to be someone else. I don't want to be **different**. **I want to** be **Clark Kent**. I want to be **your** son."
"Clark... You are **my** son."*
―Jonathan and Clark Kent[src]

In 1994, while playing football, Clark accidentally breaks Pete Ross's arm. Jonathan was there to help his son, reminding him to hide his abilities. The next day, Clark nearly burns his school down with his heat vision.

At home, Jonathan and Martha Kent decide that it's time they show him something they've been hiding. As night fell, he and Martha took Clark into the barn and showed him the ship that was underneath, revealing he is an alien, before reassuring him that he will always be their son.

Upon touching the ship, a holographic recording of Jor-El and Lara appear to the trio inside their family home. They tell him of his Kryptonian heritage as well as the powers he will gain from Earth's sun; they also warn him that his powers may bring fear and attempted destruction from others, but in spite of this, he should never use his powers in anger. This message, however, only serves to further alienate Clark, runs off into the cornfield before breaking down crying. John catches up to him, and the two embrace.