Interesting thoughts, There Is No Spoon. Actually, in the comics, Lana does far more than publish a story about his true identity; she actually seeds all of Earth's atmosphere with Kryptonite, making it (temporarily) impossible for Superman/Clark to stay on Earth. Clark's not in love with Lana, but he does defend her actions to Batman, and though he draws a line and ceases his (metaphorical) cease-fire on LexCorp which she's running, he does understand and eventually forgive her. And he's not in love with her like he is Lois. So, maybe as a reader, we wouldn't expect him to forgive, but canonically, Clark has always forgiven anyone who has shown the least interest in obtaining it. Jack stole his only link to his beginnings, and he gave him the coat off his back. Villains routinely try to kill him and Lois; Clark will always attempt to save their lives when their schemes lead to them putting themselves into danger. Clark definitely has a backbone, but he exerts it in different ways then we would simply because he knows just how much damage he could cause with the least wrong movement or action -- like with his spasms in this chapter. Clark isn't a doormat; he's just so much more aware of how dangerous it would be for him to ever let loose of his own temper. Anyway, I hope that the story does surprise you, but if not, thanks for the interesting discussions!
The comic you mention was a Batman/Superman Comics it was a series titled "The Search For Kryptonite." Clark was not defending Lana to Batman, he mentioned "It's not Lana who's won. It's not even Luthor it's Kryptonite." Not much of a defense. And, after the Kryptonite was removed from earth's atmosphere, Clark paid a visit to Lana and said this "When you pushed that button, you tried to take everything from me, my home, my family, my life. I never thought you would do it." Then he mentions (not quoting) that Lois would have never pushed the button and then fly's way. Doesn't sound to me that Lana would be invited over to dinner any time soon, not a lot of forgiving there. Lana didn't out his secret identity and put his family in danger of being hurt or used against him and he wasn't that forgiving with Lana.
Another example of Clark not being so forgiving as you like to put it was in the animated Superman and Justice League cartoons from "Bruce Timm." It starts with Clark being mind controlled by Darkseid and Clark is made to believe he is Darkseid's son. Darkseid sends Clark to earth to conquer it, he ends up almost killing Kara his cousin and doing a lot of damage before breaks Darkseid's mind control. The later in the Justice League cartoon. Brainiac and Darkseid team to take Superman out, in the end Clark is so enraged for what Darkseid did to him that he wants to destroy Darkseid, even to the point if it kills he is okay with that. His league friends have other ideas and get to Superman before he is possibly killed. Again, not much forgiving on Clark's end for Darkseid. So, there are instances were Clark/Superman is not the doormat so many authors try to make him.
When did it become the norm for Lois to be able to just walk all over Clark (doormat references). Just because he has feelings for her, doesn't automatically equate to just letting Lois get away with everything she does or give excuses for it. It's sad that a great character like Clark Kent / Superman gets reduced to having the emotional development of a puppy when it comes to Lois (very sad). "Clark: Hey Lois you can walk all over my feelings, hurt me as many times as you can, even put my family and friends in danger, but guess what I will forgive you and still love unconditionally, because I don't know any better." Great character, definitely everyone should aspire to be like.
Superman has always been about giving second chances to criminals to change their ways, believing that they can do good, which is a great characteristic. Which is completely different from forgiving someone for basically destroying his Clark Kent life and putting his parents, his friends old and new in danger from any government, criminal organization or crackpot that will use them to control him. What Lois did by exposing his secret is much worse than villain's trying to kill him or get rid of him, and having Lois apologizes for her actions and Clark just forgiving her (because he is just a forgiving person) is weak.
Like I mentioned before, if it was Lana that exposed his secret, many people on this board would be calling for Lana's head and would be upset/pissed at Clark if he wanted to forgive her. For some reason when it comes to bad behavior it's okay if Lois Lane does it, but no one else.
