Pete Ross
Pete Ross | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Superboy #86 (January 1961) |
Created by | Leo Dorfman George Papp |
In-story information | |
Full name | Peter Joseph Ross |
Team affiliations | Legion of Super-Heroes |
Supporting character of | Superboy Superman |
Peter Joseph Ross is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Publication history
The character was created by Leo Dorfman and George Papp, and first appeared in Superboy #86 (January 1961).[1]
Fictional character biography
Silver Age
Pete was the childhood best friend of Clark Kent in Smallville.[2] One night when they were camping together, Pete secretly saw Clark changing into Superboy to attend to an emergency. Pete kept his knowledge of the superhero's secret identity to himself, even avoiding revealing his discovery to Clark. Pete resolved to use this knowledge to help his friend, for example by creating a distraction to allow Clark to slip away from a dangerous situation without raising suspicion.[3]
The Legion of Super-Heroes was aware of Pete's assistance to Clark and made him an honorary member during his teenage years.[4] During the Legion's battle with Mordru, it was stated that Pete Ross's knowledge of Superboy's secret identity would one day end up saving Superman's life (explaining why the Legion allowed Pete to retain that knowledge). No subsequent Superboy or Superman story featuring Pete Ross, as a teenager or an adult, followed up on this detail.[5]
As an adult, Pete became a
In
Pocket Universe
Following the
Following Superboy's disappearance from the pocket universe Earth, the
Modern Age
The modern version of Pete is a far more minor character in the Superman comics, who eventually married
In the modern comic book continuity, Pete was not initially aware of Clark's secret. Instead, the secret was known by the villainous Manchester Black, who informed then-President Luthor of the secret, only later to wipe his memory of it. Prior to losing the knowledge of Clark's secret, Lex informed Pete that his close friend Clark Kent is in fact Superman. While Pete initially refrained from telling Clark about his knowledge, he did eventually tell him in Adventures of Superman #641.
Recently, it appeared that Ross had become a villain named "Ruin", but it was later revealed that he had instead been kidnapped by the real Ruin, Professor Emil Hamilton. Hamilton also kidnapped Pete's wife and child. Superman defeated the insane Professor Hamilton, rescued Pete, Lana, and their child, and exonerated Pete of the charges against him.
Pete has returned to Smallville without Lana to raise their son. He was seen attending the funeral of
During the "Blackest Night" storyline, Pete works at Smallville's general store.[13]
The New 52
In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. Pete has only had minor appearances.[14]
Other versions
- In the Amalgam Comics universe, Pete Ross is an identity taken on by the hero Spider-Boy, who uses a "matter transformer" to alter his appearance.[15]
- He appears in lobotomized by Superman.[16]
In other media
Television
- Pete Ross makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Superman: The Animated Series pilot episode "The Last Son of Krypton".
- Pete Ross appears in Smallville, portrayed by Sam Jones III. This version resents the Luthor family for what he sees as their theft of his family's creamed corn business, and is additionally aware of Clark Kent's secret identity. In the third season, the FBI brutally interrogates Ross for information about Clark, causing him to move to Wichita to live with his mother for his own safety. He returns in the seventh season episode "Hero", where he is working as a roadie for OneRepublic and temporarily gains elastic powers from Kryptonite-laced Stride gum.[17]
Film
- Pete Ross appears in the films set in the DC Extended Universe:
- Pete Ross appears in the 2013 film Man of Steel, portrayed by Jack Foley as a child and Joseph Cranford as an adult. This version is initially a bully to Clark Kent before befriending him after he saves him and some children from a bus crash. As an adult, he becomes the manager of an IHOP and is interviewed by Lois Lane on her search for Clark Kent.
- Pete Ross appears in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, attending Superman's funeral after his death fighting Doomsday.
- An alternate universe version of Pete Ross appears in Justice League: Gods and Monsters, voiced by Larry Cedar.
- A child version of Pete Ross appears in Superman: Man of Tomorrow, voiced by Cristina Milizia
Video games
Pete Ross appears in DC Universe Online, voiced by Mike Smith.
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^ Superboy #90 (July 1961). DC Comics.
- ^ Superboy #98. DC Comics.
- ^ Adventure Comics #370. DC Comics.
- ^ Action Comics #457. DC Comics.
- ^ DC Comics Presents #13. DC Comics.
- ^ DC Comics Presents #25 (September 1980). DC Comics.
- ^ Superman #423. DC Comics.
- ^ The Man of Steel #1 (July 1986). DC Comics.
- Superman (vol. 2) #8, Action Comics#591 and Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #38 (August–September 1987). DC Comics.
- ^ Superman (vol. 2) #21-22 and Adventures of Superman #444 (September–October 1988). DC Comics.
- ^ Blackest Night: Superman #1. DC Comics.
- ^ Action Comics (vol. 2) #6. DC Comics.
- ^ Spider-Boy #1
- ^ Superman: Red Son #1-2. DC Comics.
- ^ kryptonsite.com