How many times can Superman’s dad die? 4!

updated 11:43 a.m. ET Oct. 8, 2008

NEW YORK - Superman's dad has died again.

DC Comics has killed off Clark Kent's Earth father with a heart attack. In Action Comics #870, out Wednesday, Superman can't hear his mom's cries for help in time to save Jonathan Kent.

The TV Jonathan — played by John Schneider — died long ago on CW's "Smallville."

In the original Superman tales of the 1940s, Clark Kent's parents died while he was still a teen. And in the 1978 "Superman" movie that starred Christopher Reeve, Jonathan Kent, played by Glenn Ford, also died of a heart attack.

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