Superman
 Superman in The New 52 | |
| Basics | |
| Name | Kal-El Clark Kent |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Superman, Man of Steel, Last Son of Krypton |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Moe Points | superhero, alien |
| From | Krypton |
| Group Affiliation | Justice League |
| Related Characters | |
| Parents: Jor-El, Lara Lor-Van Adoptive Parents: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent Rival: Batman Cousin: Supergirl Friends: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen Enemies: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, General Zod, Darkseid, Doomsday | |
Superman is a character created by DC Comics.
Introduction
Superman was conceived by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster; two Jewish immigrants, in 1938, and first appeared in Issue #1 of Action Comics (dated June 1938). They had already written a story with a similar "super-powered alien" concept before.
Backstory
He is the son of the Kryptonian scientists Jor-El and Lara, who sent him to Earth on a capsule during the destruction of the planet Krypton. The capsule landed in the town of Smallville, where he was found by the human couple of Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised him as his own son, giving him the name of Clark. Jonathan and Martha then found out about his alien origin and powers.
When he grew up, he began working as a reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper in Metropolis.
He was one of the founding members of the Justice League, and he, together with Batman and Wonder Woman, are known as the "Big Three" or "Trinity" of DC Comics.
In the Death of Superman story arc, he perished due to his injuries while fighting Doomsday, which left his allies, closest friends, family, and the whole of Metropolis saddened by the loss of their hero. In the next story, Reign of the Supermen, reports of people being saved by a being named "Superman" had appeared; these beings were Superboy, Steel, Cyborg Superman, and The Eradicator.
Later on, it was revealed that the Eradicator was actually a Kryptonian AI, who had actually taken Clark's body and regenerated Clark, who was placed inside a Kryptonian battle suit. In Motor City, the cyborg attacks Clark with Kryptonite radiation, but the Eradicator takes the hit, causing all of his energy to be transferred to Clark. Clark, with his new powers, then managed to destroy the cyborg.
In the Convergence story arc, which brought all of DC Comics' Earths and timelines together, the Post-Crisis Superman[note 1] and Lois Lane had a son, which they called Jonathan (in honor of Clark's adoptive human father), and ended up in Prime Earth[note 2], where they started their life as a normal family.
Personality
Superman mainly believes in what is right -- "truth, justice, and the American way". However, he is also shown to be very fierce when needed, such as when fighting Doomsday[note 3] or another powerful enemy.
Powers and Abilities
- Flight
- Super Speed
- Super Strength
- Heat Vision
Influence
Superman can be considered an "archetype" of a superhero, and has influenced the creation of many characters.
In the 60s, Superman was popular in Japan, and Eiji Tsuburaya, when creating Ultraman, was inspired by Superman.
Notes
- ↑ Superman after Crisis on Infinite Earths (1986)
- ↑ Earth after Flashpoint (2011)
- ↑ 1993
