Warning! Preview pages for Summer of Superman Special #1 ahead!I hate to say it, but a new preview has just convinced me that there's someone who gets the Summer of Superman.

The initiative honors Clark Kent and his expansive cast with new miniseries and ongoings, as well as exciting new directions in books like Summer of Superman Special #1, which takes a look back at Clark's past and highlights a meaningful relationship that Superman had long before he ever knew Lois.

Superman's First (and Greatest) Love Was Always Lana Lang

Clark Found Someone Who Understood Him When He Needed It

In a preview for Summer of Superman Special #1 by Mark Waid, Dan Slott, Joshua Williamson, Jorge Jiménez, Belén Ortega, Dan Mora, and Dave Sharpe, a flashback takes us all the way back to Clark’s youth growing up in Smallville. On the Kent farm, a young Superman is sitting on the porch talking with his best friend, Lana Lang. The younger Clark is stumbling over his words while his older self reflects on Lana via narration, noting that she was possibly the kindest person in Smallville.

Clark is getting ready to tell Lana everything about his powers, about his true self, and most importantly, how he felt about Lana.

Clark re how everyone in Smallville loved Lana and how fortunate he considered himself to be one of her best friends. But Clark had fallen in love and was ready to take things to the next level. Clark is getting ready to tell Lana everything about his powers, about his true self, and most importantly, how he felt about Lana. Unfortunately, the young Superman’s declaration is interrupted by the sounds of chaos coming from the other end of town.

Clark uses his telescopic vision and takes a look into town where he discovers that Validus, a villain from the future, is rampaging through Smallville. Clark makes up an excuse about a stomachache to Lana and runs off under the impression he’s going to get medicine. In actuality, Clark has gone off to change into his costume and become his alter ego, Superboy. The Boy of Steel calls upon his faithful dog, Krypto, and the two of them fly into the heart of Smallville to confront the futuristic brute.

Superman Knew There Was Something Special About Lana From the Get-Go

He Was This Close to Changing His Life for Someone That Wasn't Lois Lane

Now, before anyone takes the knives out, I want to make one thing clear: Obviously Superman and Lois Lane are soul mates, and as a stan of the Big Blue Boy Scout, I wouldn’t want it any other way. That being said, it’s worth unpacking this preview for one major reason. Clark its he was in love with Lana. Not the young, bumbling teen who can barely spit it out. The adult Superman narrating this preview its he had fallen hard for Lana and that’s a pretty telling thing.

Granted, I think we all had fallen for someone when we were Superboy’s age. But unlike the crushes most are likely to have during adolescence, Clark’s fondness for Lana ran so much deeper than that. He saw how selfless and kindhearted Lana was and how she held the same values he held so dearly. For someone who has felt a bit isolated from time to time, Superman always felt he had a kindred spirit in Lana, so it’s no wonder Clark was so damn head-over-heels in love with her.

...these two understand each other in a way that their significant others don’t.

Now am I saying that Lana and Superman are endgame? Of course not. Clark’s a married man and Summer of Superman Special #1 is about Lana’s marriage to John Henry Irons. But I think there is something to be said about Superman and Lana’s life-long friendship. I think these two understand each other in a way that their significant others don’t. Yes, Lois is always going to be the love of Clark's life, but I think Lana has a piece of Superman's heart that Lois is never going to be able to claim.

In Another World, Superman and Lana Lang Would Have Been It

Things Don't Always Work Out No Matter How Perfect Things Seem

As good as a couple as they could have been, it just didn't work out with Superman and Lana. And while they'll never be a couple, I think the love between them is still there. It might not be romantic love, but it's a fondness that's been tempered by years of friendship and bonding and that's not easily replaced or destroyed. While Superman has found love with someone who is indeed a great match for him, he's always going to have a special place in his heart for Lana Lang.

Summer of Superman Special #1 is available on April 16th from DC Comics.