As Superman, Clark has a natural easy-going demeanor yet an impressive presence. He seems quick to take command of situations, which makes him one of the League's more prominent leaders and public figures. As a member of the League, he seems to have a good working and personal relationship with his comrades, and is able to handle most situations with a cool and calm head.
However, this normally controlled appearance broke down slightly when in the vicinity of his clone, Superboy, during the first six months after they were introduced. The fact that Cadmus created a copy of him seemed to greatly unnerve the Man of Steel, to the point where he was visibly reluctant to be in the presence of the boy and consistently attempted to escape interaction with him at the earliest opportunity. Superman appeared unwilling to have any role in the education, raising or mentoring of Superboy, and instead tried to divert responsibility to others, such as Batman and Red Tornado. When Batman suggested that Superman is the equivalent of Superboy's father, this provoked a discreet flare of anger in a public setting.[3] Following being rescued by him, Superman has overlooked his old nervousness and bonded with his clone. Five years later, this seems to have continued, as Superman has taken on a fraternal role with Superboy.[15]
Superman goes out of his way to protect the lives of all living beings, even those of his enemies.[15]
Physical appearance[]
Superman resembles a tall, muscular Caucasian male with vivid blue eyes and short black hair with a curl over his forehead. He wears a blue uniform with his famous red-and-yellow "S" shield on his chest, red trunks, a yellow belt, red boots and a red cape.[16] By 2018, he has changed his costume to a slightly darker hue of blue, with a red belt instead of trunks.[17]
As Clark Kent, however, he wears horn-rimmed glasses and a loose fitting suit that hides his natural physical figure. He also wears his hair in a different style to further differentiate his dual identities.[3]
History[]
Early life[]
Born on Krypton to Jor-El and Lara El, Kal-El was sent to Earth in a rocket to survive the destruction of his home planet.[5]He landed in Kansas in 1978[18] and was taken in by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who subsequently adopted and raised him as their son, Clark Kent.[19]
In February[23]2003,[24] Superman was the first to respond[25] to an Appellaxian invasion, and was soon joined in the battle by six other heroes,[26] eventually driving the Appellaxians off the planet.[15]The seven assembled heroes then formed the Justice League,[23] with them as the founding members.[27]
In 2006,[28] the Joker tricked Lucas Carr into leading him to the Justice League's secret headquarters. After invading the cave and subduing Lucas, Joker set a trap for the League: a large surprise giftbox. When Flash went to open it, it burst open with monkey clowns. Superman arrived with other Leaguers mid-battle. The exact resolution of the encounter is unknown, but the Leaguers all survived.[29]
Superman called the rest of the Justice League at the Hall of Justice, informing them about a fire at Project Cadmus. Batman saw this as an opportunity to investigate Cadmus, but the League was distracted by Zatara's request to help prevent the sorcerer Wotan from blotting out the Sun by using the Amulet of Aten.[27]
Superman was later present, along with the rest of the League, following the destruction of the ground-level Cadmus facility in Washington, D.C.. He was introduced to his cloneSuperboy for the first time, and had mixed feelings about his existence. After the matter was explained, he tried to talk to Superboy again, but found this uncomfortable and flew away to help deal with Blockbuster.[16]
Superman secured a broken bridge during the morning rush hour. He held up the support beams and fixed the break with his heat vision, but he was surprised by the arrival of Superboy, who leaped in without thinking. When he confronted his clone about this, Superboy asked for an opportunity to train with Superman, but the Man of Steel shrugged it off. The talk was interrupted by Green Arrow, who contacted Superman over his comm link. Superman flew off to fight Amazo.[3]
It took six Leaguers eight hours to defeat Amazo, but they finally dismantled him. The remains would be transported to STAR Labs; Superman stayed until the Team arrived. He checked up on them, but ignored Superboy. When he wanted to leave, Batman insisted on talking to him.[3]
Metropolis August 3, 21:18EDT
At Bibbo's Diner, Bruce suggested that Superman spend more time with Superboy, but Clark again shrugged it off, and lay the responsibility on Batman and Red Tornado. When Bruce referred to him as "Superboy's father", Clark left in anger.[3]
Superman and Martian Manhunter stopped the Terror Twins after their three-state rampage. They lured the two to a warehouse, where Red Tornado, Aqualad, and Batman were waiting to arrest them.[31]
Following the attack on the Cave by Red Inferno and Red Torpedo, Superman and several other Leaguers came to the mountain to care for the Team. He stood by Artemis as she woke up.[32]
Superman was present at a discussion regarding the induction of several new members to the Justice League. He expressed his wishes for Icon to be considered for membership.[11]
Clark and Jimmy met up with Megan and Conner in Dhabar. M'gann exchanged a mind-link with Clark, informing him that she knew he was Superman but that she wouldn't tell Conner. Clark told M'gann that he was trying to get to know Conner independent from their super-heroic identities.[36]
After a rocket was fired at Rumaan Harjavti's stage, Megan and Clark changed, and Superboy applied a shield. Superman chased the rocket, while Miss Martian headed for the culprit, an assassin perched on a rooftop. She didn't notice the rocket came behind her; Superman shielded her from the blast. The distraction allowed the assassin the opportunity to fire a shot at the stage.[37]
Dhabar December 1, 21:18UTC+2
Sumaan Harjavti pushed his brother aside, taking the bullet in his shoulder. On the rooftop, Deadshot moved to escape, but was intercepted by Superboy. Enraged from using a shield, Superboy brutally beat Deadshot until Superman pulled him off, as M'gann looked on in horror.[1]
Dhabar December 1, 21:21UTC+2
M'gann tried to explain to Superman that Superboy had been getting better at controlling his anger. Superman rushed Deadshot to a hospital.[1]
After being made a slave of the Light's mind control, Superman welcomed Vandal Savage aboard the Watchtower with a silent kneel of obedience.[38] In the time he was enthralled, the Light used him and five other Leaguers to attack Rimbor. For sixteen hours, they went on a rampage, and told all present to beware the Justice League, and Earth.[15]
Superman was one of the six leaguers on an away mission who was recalled to the Watchtower. This was Vandal Savage's response when the Team successfully disconnected Plastic Man, the Atom, Captain Atom, and Hawkman from Klarion's control. Upon his arrival, Superman and his five teammates faced off against the vaccinated Black Canary, Red Tornado and Red Arrow. When Red Tornado was incapacitated by John Stewart, Superman, along with Wonder Woman, tore off all of Red Tornado's limbs, removing him from the fight.
Superman proceeded to do battle against his younger counterpart. He proved a tough opponent, easily subduing Wolf, Sphere, Superboy, and Miss Martian. It took the combined efforts of Superboy and Robin, and a sliver of Kryptonite stolen from the Batcave, to bring down the Man of Steel.[39]
With the villains defeated, Superman mustered the courage to talk to Superboy. He congratulated him on the work, and revealed his secret identity to him. He was proud that Conner had taken his surname (even though it was unknowingly).[39]
At some point, Clark introduced Conner to his parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, hoping he would accept them as his parents too.[7]
Superman joined Superboy and Alpha Squad in Siberia to deal with the effects of heavy earthquakes. The town was threatened by an avalanche, so Superman created a tunnel to divert the flow. The rest would be channeled through the tunnels. While Superman held the blast doors of each section closed, Alpha Squad cleared it. Several rooms later, they managed to quell the avalanche.[42]
Clark was covering Noor Harjavti's democracy rally. He met up with Superboy, who was there on a covert security mission.[13]
Metropolis December 1, 10:24EST
Miss Martian let Clark in on the Team's telepathic link, and he immediately spotted trouble: Devastation. He ordered the rest to keep an eye on her while he changed, but she disappeared in a flash of light. A moment later, Superman also disappeared.[13]
Superman found himself trapped by Kylstar in a crystalline prison. An inhibitor orb nullified his powers, preventing an escape. Several other heroes, villains, and champions were also captured.[35]
The heroes discussed what to do next, especially when it came to freeing the other captives. Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman wanted to free more powerful warriors, like Major Force. Captain Atom spoke against it, and Superman agreed, as he spotted his old foe Draaga amongst the prisoners. Captain Atom pulled rank and decided they should have to find out more about their captor first.[35]
The heroes came to a window and discovered, to their dismay, that they were being held captive on the Moon.[43]
The Moon December 1, 19:36UCT
The heroes had difficulty getting their bearings in the crystalline corridors. Superman's X-ray vision was of no use. Captain Marvel came up with a plan to find the teleporters that brought them to the Moon, but the next moment the group was teleported inside a cell. They were addressed by Orb-One, providing translation for First Leader Kylstar, who told them they would remain where they were during their journey. Kylstar's ship then lifted off from the surface of the Moon and headed into space.[43]
Failing to convince First Leader Kylstar that they do not want to accompany him on his journey, the heroes pummeled the ground beneath them, and ventured their way through the vessel. The heroes were immediately teleported to a new destination in the vessel, along with Kylstar and Orb-One.[36]
Superman used his heat vision against Kylstar, only for it be redirected back at him.[36]
Kylstar's Vessel December 1, 23:17UTC
Superman and Captain Atom continued to attack Kylstar, while their friends came to. Kylstar grabbed Superman's ankle and threw him at Captain Atom.[37]
Kylstar's Vessel December 1, 23:27UTC
At Wonder Woman's suggestion, the heroes changed tactics. They went for a team effort, the West Maneuver. While Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman restrained Kylstar, Superman and Captain Atom hit him in the jaw.
It brought him down, but with Orb-One's help, Kylstar immediately recovered. New orbs arrived, and this time, they were fine tuned to everyone's abilities.[37]
Kylstar's Vessel December 1, 23:32UTC
Miss Martian arrived and liberated the heroes from their controlling orbs.[1]
Kylstar's Vessel December 1, 23:58UTC
Having seen the prowess of his acquisitions, Kylstar decided to explain his actions to all of them. He had all the captives released, and explained how he needed them to save his people. A few chose to join him; the rest were teleported away.[1]
The heroes and villains were teleported straight into the control room where Alpha Squad was fighting the Collector of Worlds. The Bio-Ship's weapons made quick work of the Coludroid. Superboy picked up the intact head, which began to scan him.[1]
Metropolis December 1, 19:03EST
The Collector pronounced Superboy corrupted, enraging Superman, who destroyed the head with a blast of heat vision. Just as they were planning to regroup, dozens more coludroids showed up and surrounded the heroes and villains. The Collector was surprised to find that Superman was a genuine Kryptonian. At Atom and Nightwing's insistence, the Collector shut down his shrinking beam, as someone below attempted to shut down the force field, and agreed not to preserve the city, largely motivated by the unlikely survival of a Kryptonian.[1]
Metropolis December 1, 22:03EST
Superman gathered with the other Leaguers and Team members, and discussed the coincidence of two alien incursions on the same day. He realized too late that he should have asked the Collector if he preserved anything from Krypton.[1]
For the League's attack on the last Krolotean base, Superman, Superboy, Wonder Woman, and Wonder Girl were Delta Squad, the reserves. They were called in by Nightwing when the Kroloteans ordered their Mechs into battle. Superman, using x-ray and heat vision, saved Aquaman from a Mech that had sneaked up behind him. After throwing Superboy into some Mechs for a combo attack, he used his heat vision to destroy two more Mechs.
Superman blocked the rocket Kaldur'ahm shot to cover his escape, protecting Aquaman, Nightwing, Lagoon Boy and Superboy from the explosion. Kaldur'ahm got away. Nightwing notified everyone of a bomb in the complex, and ordered a full retreat. Superman ignored the order, instead trying to convince the Kroloteans of their danger. He offered to carry their ship out of harm's way. They didn't trust him and opened fire upon him. They were all blown up; Superman was thrown clear and landed face-down in the ocean.
Aquaman lifted him out of the water, and Wonder Woman tended to his injuries. Though unconscious, his breathing and heart rate were steady; he would be all right. Superboy doubted the last part, as he would never be all right with being unable to save the Kroloteans.[15]
Superman said his goodbyes to his "little brother", Kon-El. Superman and the other accused Leaguers left for Rimbor to stand trial for their actions under the Light's mind control.[15]
L-Ron showcased an image of Superman to Despero, as one of Earth's most powerful beings that could be challenged for a match. However, he moved on to other prospect contenders, due to Superman's absence from the planet.[45]
Superman pleaded his case to the Tribune, how they were under Vandal Savage's mind control during the attack on Rimbor. Prosecutor Galet Dasim doubted this story, and made as much clear.[46]
Rimbor June 20, 00:16UTC
Superman and the other Leaguers were found guilty of all charges and taken away. Superboy, Miss Martian, and Adam Strange arrived in court, presented new evidence and argued the Tribunal should reverse its decision. After further deliberation, the charges against Superman and the Leaguers were dropped and they were released from custody.[47]
Rimbor June 20, post-00:16UTC
As Superman and the other Leaguers walked the streets of Rimbor, ready to return to Earth, Vandal Savage broadcast a message through holographic monitors, declaring Earth off limits to alien invasion. Superman was skeptical about Savage's threat, but then Batman pointed to a giant satellite, the Warworld, passing through Rimbor.[47]
The League finally arrived at Mount Justice, Superman among them. The mountain was in ruins, and Superman wondered whether they were already too late in dealing with the invasion that embroiled the Earth before and during their absence. Members of the Team descended from the heavens, acting as a welcoming committee. Batman asked Aqualad, who in their last meeting was still a traitor, what happened there. Aqualad reassured them that the crisis has passed, but not without loss.[47]
Superman joined Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Hal Jordan, and Captain Marvel in escorting the Reach flagship away from the United Nations building and into space. Upon leaving the Earth's atmosphere, the Green Lanterns accompanied the Reach fleet remnants towards Oa, where they would stand trial before the Guardians of the Universe.[47]
Superman watched a broadcast where G. Gordon Godfrey gleefully denounced the resigned Tseng Dangun, and endorsed Lex Luthor as the most logical replacement for UN Secretary-General. Superman was shocked and turned off the broadcast in disgust, not quite accepting the turn of events.[47]
When the Team was summoned to the mission room for a face-to-face meeting with members of the League, Superman was among them. Batman informed them that they would now operate side by side with the Justice League from the Watchtower. Not because Mount Justice was destroyed, but because they earned the right to do so. The League then left the Team to its own devices.[47]
2017[]
Clark's son Jonny Kent was born in 2017.[50] Shortly afterwards, Clark introduced Conner to his nephew.[7]
Superman and other Leaguers responded to a raid on an Nth Metal refinery. Hro Talak was suspicious of the Leaguers, though he admitted the human bio-signs he had detected did not match the League. Guy Gardner detected an ion trail leaving the planet, and the League set off to follow it.[51]
As the Javelin provided cover fire, Superman, Wonder Woman and Hawkwoman tried to sneak aboard. They soon found a large number of meta-teens and realized this was the hub where all Apokolips's metas were sent. Their boarding had not gone unnoticed though, and the Furies attacked them, with Superman squaring off against Big Barda. Granny Goodness activated the partially completed Ghost Dimension device, catching the Leaguers and Furies in its field. Despite the pain, Superman was able to pull himself and Barda outside of the field, and used his heat vision to destroy the control device, shutting off the field. The Leaguers then charged at Granny, but she boom tubed them into space before they got a good look at her. In space near the station, they were rescued by Guy Gardner, and watched as the Orphanage disappeared into a massive boom tube.[51]
Parademons attacked local miners to distract the League while the Furies boom tubed away with rare minerals. Superboy, Forager and Black Lightning boom tubed in mid-fight and helped Superman defeat the Parademons. After Superman explained what was going on, Metron appeared, warning that the stolen minerals were the last component Granny needed for her device. While Forager and Jeff asked Metron to help Vic Stone, Conner asked Superman to be the best man at his wedding. Superman immediately accepted before he processed what Conner had asked. He then watched bewildered as Conner and the others boom tubed back to Earth with Metron.[52]
Superman took part in the Justice League's raid on the Orphanage, but he and the others were all exposed to the Anti-Life Equation, placing them all under Granny's control.[53]
Superman helped to restrain the Team's Beta Squad as they tried to liberate Halo from Granny's control. Granny then placed the whole Team under her control, despite Miss Martian's attempt to brain blast her.[53]
Superman and the other thralls stood by as Gretchen Goode appeared and merged back together with Granny. Vic Stone then boom tubed in and freed Halo, who in turn cleansed Manhunter and everyone else of the Equation. They then destroyed Granny's Ghost Dimension device, took her minions into custody, and liberated the captive meta-teens.[54]
Superman attended a meeting of the Justice League, the Team, the Outsiders and Batman's team on the Watchtower. After the "Anti-Light"'s activities were officially revealed, he was part of the unanimous vote to make Black Lightning the League's new leader.[55]
Superman contacted the Martian Science Center to confirm the Watchtower had been moved above the Zeta-Shield in anticipation of the imminent test of Mars's first Zeta-Tube.[8]
Martian Manhunter safely arrived on the Watchtower unharmed, but the Watchtower lost contact with Mars. Superman contacted Steel, asking him to bring back the Javelin, which would take two days. They managed to get back in contact with Em'ree J'onzz, who explained the Zeta-Tube exploded during the test. Cyborg was locking in on their signal to boom tube to Mars until the connection between Mars and the Watchtower was cut off again when the M'arzz-Earth Communications Satellite was destroyed.[56]
Sometime the next day, Superman relaxed in the Watchtower garden, talking on the phone with Lois Lane. After assuring her he was confident Conner, M'gann and Gar could look after themselves on Mars and expressing hope that he and J'onn might make it there in time for the wedding, they spoke about Jonny's potty training. A poor connection led Superman to worry that Jonny's Kryptonian powers were awakening, and in a panic he had Cyborg boom tube him to his and Lois's apartment in Metropolis,[10] where he was somewhat embarrassed to find nothing wrong.[57]
Superman and Martian Manhunter arrived on Mars on the Javelin and were greeted by Em'ree who was ready to take them to meet Superboy, Miss Martian and Beast Boy. However, they arrived too late and found that Superboy had perished after he sacrificed himself to stop Ma'alefa'ak's gene-bomb. Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian carried Superman away from the bomb site, as he was weakened due to the Kryptonite traces in the air. Back at the Royal Arena, Martian Manhunter comforted Superman.[58]
Clark, Lois and Jonny visited the Kent Farm. Clark helped his father with a tractor, until his mother called them in for dinner. Everyone was shocked when Jonny asked if Conner was coming to dinner. Though Clark and Lois had told Jonny that Conner had "passed away", Jonny misunderstood and believed that meant he would no longer come to their home. Clark explained Conner's death in careful but more explicit terms.
That evening, Clark sat alone on the porch, crying, when Lois approached him to tell him she had put Jonny to bed and that he seemed okay. Lois comforted her husband, as he beat himself up over not getting to Mars in time to save Conner, and for not accepting him in the first months of his life.[9]
Clark sat reading the Daily Planet at Bibbo's Diner when he was approached by Chameleon Boy and Saturn Girl, posing as regular humans. They called him Superman and asked for his help, with Chamelon Boy briefly shape-shifting to his true form.
The Legionnaires met up with Superman later in the sky, with Superman claiming his friend Clark had sent him. Saturn Girl revealed they were from the future and traveled back to the past to prevent Superboy's death. Chameleon Boy admitted their failure to protect him on Mars, expressing their deepest apologies and alongside Saturn Girl further explained the destruction of their Time-Sphere, the loss of Phantom Girl, and their acquaintance with Bio-Ship. Superman agreed to help. Saturn Girl asked for Superman to take Superboy's place at a crucial moment in Happy Harbor at 12 noon exactly 10 years from that day, but cannot reveal anything more to preserve the timeline. They advised him to ask himself when the time comes what would Superboy do in the situation. Superman then got a call from Black Lightning, summoning him to Agra.[59]
Superman responded to the chaos created by Child alongside Black Lightning, Nightwing and Garth. Once the threat had been dealt with, Superman suggested to Lightning that the Justice League should create an official reserve system for future large-scale crises, not content to rely on the help of villains like Wizard again.[20]
On or around August 26, Superman met with Black Lightning on the Watchtower, and proposed a number of candidates to be considered for the Justice League reserves. He admitted there was a question over Markovia, as they had heroes there but he was not sure they could be trusted to uphold the League's standards.[60]
Clark had coffee and read the Daily Planet at Bibbo's when he was approached by Dick and Zatanna. They asked him about the two strangers he had spoken with at Bibbo's on May 14, which had been captured on security camera, in connection with Kid Flash's disappearance. Clark refused to give any details, but when pressed admitted that they were people he had reason to trust.[5]
Superman was summoned after J'emm J'axx and Phantom Girl suggested Superboy was still alive. He listened to Phantom Girl's story, and, seeing she had a Legion ring, believed her. Though it was clear to everyone that Superman knew more than he was saying, he refused to offer any details. After some false starts, a plan was made to open a boom tube to the Phantom Zone on the planet Trombus.[4]
The group boom tubed to Trombus, where Superman was immediately weakened by the red sunlight. Danny and the Motherbox opened a boom tube to the Zone. Miss Martian reached out to Conner psychically, but he refused to come out. She went to lead the group into the Zone to get him, but Ma'alefa'ak took control of the Kaizer-Thrall and used it to subdue Superman and the others. He was helpless as Conner and three other Kryptonians exited the boom tube, and Conner collapsed due to his injuries.[4]
Superman and the others remained pinned as Lor-Zod introduced himself to his parents. Green Lantern Forager was able to overcome the Thrall and make a brief attack, before being taken down by Ma'alefa'ak. The Zods retreated via boom tube, taking Conner and the Thrall with them.
Superman and the others eventually recovered. Superman freed Kid Flash from his inhibitor collar. M'gann was distraught about the state she had found Conner in, telling Clark he had reverted to his Cadmus programming. The group boarded Bio-Ship and headed for Earth, the most likely place the Zods had gone.[61]
Powered by both the Cosmic Treadmill and Forager's ring, the Bio-Ship flew at incredible speed. Black Lightning checked up on Superman, asking how he was handling finally finding some other Kryptonians. Clark admitted he did not know what to feel, except that he was glad Conner was alive, and that rescuing him was their top priority.[61]
The Bio-Ship arrived, and the group quickly detected boom tube activity at the Fortress of Solitude. Superman worried that the Fortress's sensors would warn the Zods of their approach, but M'gann had Bio-Ship interface with its systems to hide them. However, Ursa Zod, now empowered by the Eye of Ekron, sensed them and blasted them out of the sky as they approached.
Saturn Girl warned the others about the coming attack, and Superman and Orion rushed forward to take the brunt of the blast. The Bio-Ship crashed, and M'gann and Saturn Girl created a psychic illusion to make it appear everyone else died, while Superman stood up to sell the illusion.[7] He confronted Dru-Zod, who admitted he would prefer not to fight Superman, despite him being an El, as there were so few Kryptonians left, and offered Superman the chance to kneel before him and join his conquest of Earth. When Superman refused, Zod had Ma'alefa'ak pin a box of Kryptonite to Superman's chest. Superman called for Conner to help him, but Superboy refused, saying Clark was already dead.[61]
Dru-Zod had Superboy carry the unconscious Superman as they boom tubed to Planet Circle, where Dru addressed the world, claiming it as his. As proof of his dominance, he showed the defeated Superman and servile Superboy, and prepared to order Superboy to kill Superman.[61]
Zod ordered Superboy to kill Superman, but he could not go through with it. Zod prepared to kill them both using Kryptonite, but Kid Flash arrived and snatched it from his hand. As several heroes arrived to fight the Zods, Conner still defended Zod, until Miss Martian psychically linked with him and restored his full memories. Meanwhile, Zatannamagically healed Superman. Superman and Superboy teamed up to take on Dru- and Lor-Zod. Eventually, Lor was taken down by Miss Martian, and Superboy and Superman punched Dru into a boom tube to the Phantom Zone. The battle was won, but Lor was able to escape in a Time-Sphere, leading the Legion of Super-Heroes to fear they had not won the war.[7]
Clark watched Beast Boy on Stargirl in his apartment, until Lois and Jonny arrived. They told Jonny that they had been wrong about Conner dying, and showed him Conner and M'gann's video wedding invitation.[7]
The wedding was held in the Carr house's garden, with Clark as best man. Clark arrived with Conner in a black limousine. They joined an ongoing conversation, and agreed with Kaldur that the Kryptonians could not be held in the Phantom Zone forever, and a plan was hatched to release them on Trombus, under observation. After the Legionnaires returned to their own time, Clark still refused to offer any more details about why Conner was so important.[7]
Superman, Miss Martian, Nightwing and Superboy discussed the outcome of the mission to rescue Perdita Vladek, as Conner and Match recovered in solar suits and solar pods in the medical bay. Though Nightwing was disappointed they had lost the Kryptonite Perdita had been carrying, Superman was confident they could deal with the loss, and Conner was glad they had recovered not only Perdita, but Match as well.[49]
Kryptonian physiology: Superman absorbs the solar energy from Earth's yellow sun which manifests as a number of abilities. His powers may fluctuate according to the amount of exposure, voluntary or involuntary.[16] Under a red sun, his power will be dampened and will gradually weaken the longer he is exposed to such solar radiation, until they are lost completely. A return to exposure of solar radiation from a yellow sun, however, can restore Superman's powers to full strength.[61]
Super strength: Superman is incredibly strong, as he could support a damaged bridge and easily lift a bus over his head.[3]
Kryptonite: Superman weakens considerably if he is exposed to the radiation emitted by Kryptonite.[39] This extends to trace amounts of Kryptonite in the atmosphere.[58]
Red sun radiation: Under a red sun, Superman is quickly drained of his superpowers.[4]
Superman first met his clone after his liberation. Although Superboy appeared hopeful about the meeting, Superman was shocked by the existence of a clone. This caused some tension between the two of them. After the matter had been explained, Superman attempted to talk to Superboy, saying that the League would figure something out for him, but he clearly found it uncomfortable and quickly excused himself.[16]
Superman was troubled by the existence of Superboy and since their first meeting has actively avoided Superboy and tried to push responsibility of him onto Batman and Red Tornado. Even when Superboy directly asked Superman to help him figure out the extent of his powers, Superman refused and quickly left. Batman, having experience of raising Robin as a son, spoke to Superman privately. Superman claimed that he was just a constant reminder of what Superboy was not, but Batman said that Superman was wrong and that the boy needed "his father". This angered Superman, who insisted he was not the boy's father and stormed away.[3]
Following being saved from Vandal Savage's mind control of the Justice League, Superman has come to accept Superboy. He revealed his secret identity, and approved of Superboy taking on his last name "Kent".[39] As of 2016, they have bonded further, though Superman considers Superboy a younger brother rather than a son. They have trained together and now use coordinated attack moves in battle. Clark has also given Conner the Kryptonian name, "Kon-El".[15]
Following Martian customs, Miss Martian asked for Superman's blessing to marry Conner, implying that Superman is a paternal figure to the latter.[8] When Superboy dies after sacrificing himself to save the Martian race, Superman becomes grief-stricken and blames himself for Superboy's death, believing if he'd only gotten to Mars sooner than he might still be alive. Superman also expresses his deep regret and remorse for how he treated Superboy in the beginning of his life all those years ago and for all the time he wasted during that period.[9]
When Superboy is revealed to be alive, Superman is greatly relieved and is determined to rescue him from the House of Zod. They later work together to battle against Dru-Zod and Lor-Zod, successfully sending General Zod back to the Phantom Zone whilst the rest of the Zod family flees. In the aftermath, Superman finally fulfills his duty as Superboy's best man to his wedding to Miss Martian.[7]
Superman was the only season one character outside the main cast of 6 that was auditioned. This was because the producers wanted the same actor to play Superman and Superboy, his clone. Both parts are played by Nolan North.[2]
Background information[]
Superman needs little introduction, being one of DC Comics' big three, and the center of movies and television series since the 1940s.
This is Superman's 16th animated appearance. He first appeared in the 1940s Fleischer serials, followed by Filmation's The New Adventures of Superman (later rebranded as The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure), the various Hanna-Barbera Super Friends series, and the 1988 Ruby-Spears Superman series. He was a main hero in the DC Animated Universe, first as the star of Superman: The Animated Series and later in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited (with guest appearances in The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, and Static Shock). He also appeared in The Batman, Legion of Super-Heroes, Krypto the Superdog and Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and many direct-to-video movies: Superman: Doomsday, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (and its sequel, Apocalypse), Justice League: The New Frontier, All-Star Superman, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Superman/Shazam!: Return of Black Adam.
