Warning: Contains spoilers for Superman #13!

Summary

• Conner Kent's unique tactile telekinesis sets him apart from other Kryptonians, making him a distinct character with potential.
• Superboy's fascination with his tactile telekinesis foreshadows its importance in his character development and future storylines.
• The reintroduction of Conner's tactile telekinesis in Superman #13 hints at potential power enhancements beyond his Kryptonian abilities.

Superman #13 brings back the conversation surrounding Superboy's tactile telekinesis, spawning a new theory that has from DC writer Joshua Williamson. Conner Kent's tactile telekinesis not only sets him apart from other Kryptonians, but also apart from Superman himself. Being a clone of Clark Kent, having a separate power allows him to be a more distinct and complete character.

As a clone of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor, almost all of Superboy's powers are shared with Superman. However, every rule has its exceptions. In this case, it's Conner's unique tactile telekinesis ability, which has been a staple of his character since the '90s. It was recently revealed that a villain named the Chained also has tactile telekinesis, and Conner has been fixating on that revolution, as revealed in Superman #13 by Williamson and Rafa Sandoval.

After not being discussed since Superman #8 by Williamson, David Baldeón, Gleb Melnikov, and Jamal Campbell, this unique superpower is again in the spotlight with its mention in Superman #13. The reintroduction of this power s the possibility of Superboy's powers drastically changing due to the changes in origin of his tactile telekinesis.

Superboy's Tactile Kinesis Ability Could Revolutionize His Character

Conner Kent Fixating On His Tactile Telekinesis Foreshadows Its Importance

With Superboy will try new ways of using his potentially godlike tactile telekinesis. Not only does this open new doors for his telekinesis powers, but he could use it to enhance his Kryptonian abilities in never-seen-before ways. Overall, the door is opening for Superboy to become much more than a clone.

Superman #13 is the second entry of the "House of Brainiac" crossover event, which stars Supeerman and much of the Superman Family. The crossover begins with Action Comics #1064 by Williamson and Sandoval, available now from DC Comics.

Superman #8 isn't the only evidence ing Superboy's powers being due for a major overhaul. Recently, Screen Rant attended a roundtable about the "House of Brainiac" event, where Williamson revealed more of his plans for Superboy's tactile telekinesis, referencing Kon's "encounter with the Chained":

There's a scene with Superboy that is pretty big, and it's teased a little bit in the second issue. But you know, Superboy had that encounter with the Chained in Superman, and ever since then he's been like: That person had my powers and was using him in a way that I don't use them, maybe I should look into that. And that is something that we explore over the course of this, in a way, so — you'll see it's pretty cool! There's a 2 page spread with Superboy that’s pretty dope.

Williamson all but confirms that Superboy is becoming even stronger than he was before. Along with this, Kon-El's tactile telekinesis is going to be around for at least the foreseeable future, which will surely be exciting for longtime fans of the character. The Chained showed Superboy alternative ways he could use his superpowers, and now it's time for him to see what he can do.

Despite the recent changes to Superboy's lore, Kon-El's tactile telekinesis originated with the character, who was created by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett and debuted — known then only as Superboy, not Kon or Conner — in The Adventures of Superman #500, a major milestone in the Death and Return of Superman saga.

Superboy's Connection With the Chained Has Already Changed the Classic Character Forever

The Superhero and Villain Have More in Common Than Their Powers, as Revealed in Superman #8

Superboy and the Chained were both experimented on by Lex Luthor, and Superboy's tactile telekinesis originates with the Chained. Because Lex Luthor is the one who gave both of them their superpowers, he may know what Superboy is truly capable of. Additionally, Luthor is currently trying to redeem himself. Helping Superboy become a stronger superhero would be the perfect way to do so. Having more than one source of input about his powers — if Lex is willing to help, of course — could make it easier for Conner to find the best way to use his tactile telekinesis.

Having non-Kryptonian powers has long shaped Superboy's role as a superhero. With his famed TTK, Superboy has an ability that's not impacted by the sun, so he should be able to use tactile telekinesis even in other solar systems. Moreover, now that the power is back at the forefront of his character after years of focusing on his Kryptnian powers, Kon-El could see how he could combine tactile telekinesis with his Kryptonian abilities to create unique outcomes that both the Chained and Superman are incapable of. Overall, Superboy's powers could make him even stronger than Superman.

Superman #13 is available now from DC Comics!