At the time of this writing the "Young Justice" series on Cartoon Network has just broadcast its fourth episode. Character dynamics are beginning to take shape, as well as long-term motivations. Time will tell, of course, how much actually pans out. So far, though, I like what I've seen.

The following vignette is my take on what should happen between Superman and Superboy. It won't, of course, because I'm not one of the writers/producers of the show, and it's almost a certainty that none of them will ever read this. So, I'm free to conjecture...

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Superman: "May I talk to you?"

Superboy: "Nothing you have to say I want to hear."

SM: "Please? It will only take five minutes, max. Then I'll leave."

SB: "Alright. The clock is ticking."

SM: "I have three gifts to give you."

SB: "That's real generous. What are they?"

SM: "An apology, an explanation, and a bit of advice."

SB: "Gee, this ought to be good. Go ahead."

SM: "First, I'm sorry for being rude and abrupt. Seeing you was a shock, on several levels...some of which you may understand someday. However, I was wrong, and apologize for it."

SB: "Strike one."

SM: "Second, while I cannot know exactly how you feel, I can sympathize. The media has labelled me The Last Son of Krypton...that's a real glib expression, but it simply cannot convey the reality that billions and billions of plant and animal species that once existed on Krypton are gone forever...and that thousands of years of Kryptonian history and culture are gone forever, too. While you feel that you've been denied your birthright, I feel that my birthright was stolen."

SB: "Strike two."

SM: "Third, you've already made friends, and you will make more. However, though you live among humans, you're not really one of them. You will find, like I did, that the way to overcome your loneliness is by engaging this world, protecting it from danger, and embracing the best of humanity's qualities while battling their worst."

SB: "Strike three, and you're out."

SM: "Ok, I've had my say. Have a nice life."

SB: "Hey! Don't I get a say?"

SM: "If you want one."

SB: "Aren't you forgetting something?"

SM: "Like what?"

SB: "Like the fact that we're family! I wouldn't be here if it weren't you for you. For all practical purposes, I'm your son and you're my father. I may have been cloned from your DNA, but nothing is ever perfect. There are differences between us, and I am NOT an identical copy of you. I'm as unique as you are. And you REJECTED me!"

SM: "Yes, I did. It was a big mistake."

SB: "So, what do you intend to do about it?"

SM: "Do you truly believe we are family? Do you truly want to claim a Kryptonian birthright?"

SB: "Yes."

SM: "Then, allow me to present you with a fourth gift: a name."

SB: "A name?"

SM: "You just said you're not an identical copy of me, that you're unique. If that's true, then you should carry your own name."

SB: "Like what?"

SM: "Con-El, son of Kal-El. You already wear the El Family crest on your chest."

SB: "Con-El...I suppose there's a story behind it?"

SM: "Yes, there is. But it will take longer than five minutes to tell it."

SB: "I have the time, if you do."

SM: "I'll make the time."

SB: "Alright."

SM: "Good. Let's take a walk..."