In the recently released trailer for James Gunn’s Superman, there’s a brief glimpse of a scene where Superman is kneeling inside the Fortress of Solitude, and he’s holding the hand of a damaged robot. If you look at Superman’s face in this scene he is pained to see this robot in such a dire situation.
For those of you who are wondering who this robot could be, it’s safe to say that it Kelex, who was introduced in The Man of Steel #1 in 1986.
Kelex is a loyal and highly advanced Kryptonian robot often associated with Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Created on Krypton by Jor-El, Superman’s biological father, Kelex was designed to serve as a personal assistant and caretaker.
Like many Kryptonian automatons, Kelex possesses a sleek, futuristic design and advanced artificial intelligence, making it highly efficient and knowledgeable.
When Krypton was destroyed, Kelex’s programming was preserved, eventually becoming an essential part of Superman’s operations on Earth. Residing in the Fortress, Kelex serves as a guardian of Kryptonian knowledge, a maintenance technician, and a source of scientific expertise for Superman.
Beyond its technical skills, Kelex demonstrates a personality marked by loyalty and a touch of dry wit, providing occasional moments of levity in the Fortress.
In addition to being a caretaker, Kelex plays a crucial part in maintaining Superman’s connection to Kryptonian heritage. The robot often assists in interpreting Kryptonian relics, holograms, and archives, ensuring that Superman remains aware of his cultural roots while living on Earth.
Kelex has also played a role in various situations, helping Superman analyze alien technology, monitor global events, and repair damage to the Fortress. D
In the comics, Kelex often has a strong bond with Superman, acting as a trusted companion. So, it would make sense that Superman is so sad to see his robot friend on the brink of death.
