Pete Ross
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pete Ross | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
Pete Ross is a fictional character who appears in the Superman comic books published by DC Comics. Pete Ross was introduced in Superboy #86 in January 1961. Pete Ross is also the name of Spider-Boy in the Amalgam Universe.
[edit] Original version
In the original comics, Pete was the childhood best friend of Clark Kent in Smallville. 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, not even telling Clark. Furthermore, Pete resolved to use this knowledge to help his friend, such as creating distractions to allow Clark to slip away without raising suspicion.
The Legion of Super-Heroes were aware of Pete's assistance to Clark and made him an honorary member during his teenage years (as shown in Superboy #98). During the Legion's battle with Mordru in Adventure Comics #370 ("The Devil's Jury"), 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); however, no Superman story ever followed up on this detail.
As an adult, Pete was established as a widower who had a son named Jonathan, who also learned the secret of Superman's dual identity (as shown in Action Comics #457). When Pete's son was in a life threatening state, Pete revealed to Clark his knowledge of his friend's dual identity, imploring Superman's help. When Clark was unable to provide this help, Pete suffered a nervous breakdown and attempted to discredit his former friend. Pete resided in a mental institution until his son was eventually saved, at which point the Ross family faded into anonymity. The breach in the childhood friendship apparently never fully recovered.
[edit] Modern version
The modern version of Pete is a far more minor character in the Superman comics, who eventually married Lana Lang, with the two having a son, Clark Ross. The two are presently divorced, even after briefly reuniting following the Ruin storyline (see below). Pete was Vice-President of the United States under Lex Luthor and briefly served as President following Luthor's impeachment, but quickly resigned.
In the modern comic book continuity, Pete was not initially aware of Clark's secret. However, 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 Kent in 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.
[edit] In other media
Pete Ross was shown in a brief, non-speaking cameo in the three-part opening episode of the 1990's television cartoon Superman: The Animated Series.
In the Smallville TV series, Pete Ross was played by Sam Jones III. Unlike in the original comics, Pete is African-American in this series. Smallville's Pete had been childhood friends with both Clark and Chloe Sullivan, and the three of them are more or less outcasts at Smallville High. Together they investigate bizarre phenomena for the school newspaper, "The Torch". His role becomes expanded when he stumbles upon Clark's spaceship during the events of season 2, forcing Clark to reveal his powers to him in (Duplicity).
Smallville's Pete Ross tends to be extremely loyal to Clark. In an ironic twist, while Chloe is constantly aggravated that Clark will not take a romantic interest in her, Pete has a crush on Chloe that goes totally unnoticed with Clark around. As is revealed in the third season episode entitled Truth. When Clark discovers that Pete had loved Chloe all this time he asks Pete why he never made a move, Pete then replies, "What was the point? I never had a chance with her. She was in love with you; and as long shadows go, you're the dark side of the moon."
However, despite their differences, his sudden departure is an unwelcome shock for Clark; Pete is abducted by a bent FBI agent named Loder who is working for Lionel Luthor. He kidnaps and viciously beats him to find out what Clark is hiding, but the bloodied Pete refuses to expose Clark's identity. Pete fears that by staying in Smallville, not only is he putting himself in danger, but he is jeopardizing Clark's secret, something he cannot live with. He leaves Smallville to live with his mother in Wichita, Kansas, and does not return. There are subtle hints throughout the series that Pete may someday fulfill his role as Vice President. Following the departure of actor Sam Jones III from the series, the role previously filled by Pete Ross has been filled by Chloe, who throughout much of the series found herself in a similar position as that of the comic's Pete Ross, protecting what she knows of Clark's secrets while trying to keep Clark from being aware of it, and Lois. Eventually, Chloe learned nearly the full truth and admitted it to Clark, promising to keep it a secret between them, just as the show's Pete had before her.
While there has been no actual mention of Pete since his departure from the show, in the Fourth Season, Episode 18, while Dawn is looking at Clark's Senior profile, if you look closely you can see that Clark mentions hanging out at Crater Lake with PR, CS, and the two LLs. One can only assume that the intials would mean Lana Lang, Lex Luthor (or perhaps Lois Lane considering she appears in the 4th season) Chloe Sullivan and of course Pete Ross. There is no actual confirmation of this though. Pete was mentioned briefly by Clark in the fifth season episode Mortal, following an inquiry by Chloe as to who else knows his secret.
| Episodes: Season 1 • Season 2 • Season 3 • Season 4 • Season 5 • Season 6 |
| Characters |
| Clark Kent • Lana Lang • Lex Luthor • Chloe Sullivan |
| Lionel Luthor • Lois Lane • Jimmy Olsen • Martha Kent • Oliver Queen • Jonathan Kent |
| Pete Ross • Jason Teague • Whitney Fordman |
| Guest characters |
| Season 1 • Season 2 • Season 3 • Season 4 • Season 5 • Season 6 |
| Related information |
| Smallville DVD releases • Media information • Kryptonite • Kryptonian Crystals |
