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 and Lois Lane had a son, which they called Jonathan (in honor of Clark's adoptive human father), and ended up in Prime Earth, 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 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.