In the recently released trailer James Gunnof supermanthere is a brief scene in which Superman kneels inside the Fortress of Solitude, holding the hand of a damaged robot. If you look at Superman’s expression in this scene, he’s in pain from seeing this robot in such a horrific situation.
For those of you wondering who this robot is, it’s safe to say it’s Kelex, who was Man of Steel #1 1986.
Kelex is a loyal and highly advanced Kryptonian droid usually associated with Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Kelex was created on Krypton by Superman’s biological father, Jor-El, to serve as a personal assistant and caregiver.
Like many Kryptonian automatons, the Kelex has a sleek, futuristic design and advanced artificial intelligence, making it efficient and knowledgeable.
When Krypton was destroyed, Kelex’s programming was preserved and eventually became an integral part of Superman’s operations on Earth. The Kelex, who reside in the Fortress, are the guardians of Kryptonian knowledge, maintenance technicians, and source of superhuman scientific expertise.
In addition to his technical skills, Kelex displays a loyal and dry personality that occasionally leads to lighter moments in the Fortress.
In addition to being a caregiver, Kelex also plays a vital role in maintaining Superman’s connection to his Kryptonian legacy. The droid often assisted in interpreting Kryptonian ruins, holograms, and archives, ensuring that Superman remained aware of his cultural roots while living on Earth.
Kelex has also been instrumental in various situations, helping Superman analyze alien technology, monitor global events, and repair damage to the Fortress. D
In the comics, Kelex is often close to Superman and is a trusted companion. So it makes sense that Superman would be so sad to see his robot friend dying.