Do you prefer the Kents dead or alive?

They're honestly kinda superfluous characters but I like having them around.

I kent choose

They're a lot more useful to the character of Superman if they are alive. The key to a good Superman is to write him as human as possible, and he's never more human than when he's struggling with something and goes back to the farm to drink in that ol' wisdom.
The argument that he needs to lose his parents as some kind of "lesson" is bullshit. Superman is not Batman or Spider-Man, his heroism is not born from personal tragedy, in fact it would be pretty sad if that were the only way to become a hero. There must also be heroes who do good simply because they had a good upbringing and learned right from wrong.

It doesn’t matter

this. It makes it even more wholesome,the nearly indestructible superhero needing guidance from his paternal figures

I've always wanted to see Pa Kent being the only one alive, I think it be interesting for Superman to live with a single father.

Alive. It does a lot to humanize Superman when he just goes home and eats with his family and gets life advice from pa.

They should also be removed from any actual threat or superheroing. Having someone kidnap them or threaten them defeats the point.

alive, with Pa Kent constantly having heart attacks but surviving, just to tease

Alive. It's one of the few things that he has in common with humanity.

Dead because because.

Trap Pa Kent in an endless loop of dying from a heart attack and being brought back to life, over and over again forever.

Superman hearing Pa's arrhythmia and zooming back as fast as possible

Only for Johnathan to be fine

Over and over, every few pages

If only Mister Mxyzptlk had a sense of humour.

This sounds clever on the surface, until you realize that if the goal is to make Clark "as human as possible", that having no parents to turn to for advice is arguably MORE human than him flying back to Kansas on a whim whenever he needs guidance.

if the goal is to make Clark "as human as possible"

Then take away his powers and make him work a shitty dead-end job.

Alive. It gives Clark more reason to exist.

There's a difference there. 'Humanizing' a character and adding depth to it by adding aspects that are relatable and reasonable like him taking advice from the surrogate father that raised him is different from making them more like the average person. One is adding to a character, the other is removing from the character. Realism isn't the goal.

Realism isn't the goal.

Exactly, the goal is ruining the character for absolutely no reason at all. At least that's my goal.

Alive. There are way too many superheroes with dead parents, the Kents are a wonderful change of pace.

I like the DCEU approach where Pa’s death contributes to Clark becoming Superman. Otherwise I like the DCAU where the Kents get to have a lovely Christmas episode with Martian Manhunter. Having Pa Kent die after Clark becomes Superman “just because” is some Spiderman tier garbage.

That’s why the tornado is based. At least he went out on his own terms helping people instead of falling over like a little bitch.

Yes, they are a role model, I am sick and tired of "hero's parents are dead" cliché.

Alive
Clark can learn he can't save everyone like a million different ways besides Pa dying
Clark needs someone he can drink beer with

Clark can learn he can't save everyone like a million different ways besides Pa dying

How about everyone except Pa dying?

thread almost unanimously answers "alive"

pre-crisis really is dead huh, this used to be more of a debate
What do you all think about Clark as Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes

Alive. But I would accept Pa Kent suffering a fatal heart attack

I like young Clark having adventures with the Legion, but I’m not a fan of him publicly being Superboy in Smallville.

What does pre-crisis actually do that makes it better than post-crisis?

Alive because Having Clark visit the farm every holiday special is cute.