ComicBooks, DC Comics

DC Showcase Series – Superman: The Man of Steel

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Superman: The Man of Steel

Since Action Comics #1 1938, Superman has been a constant figure in the world of comic books and movies. The Last Son of Krypton may no longer be the most popular comic character – that title belongs to Batman – but he is without a doubt one of the recognizable and still a huge profit for Warner Bros. and DC Comics. The Superman ‘S’ is probably second to only the Christian Cross. It can be seen all around the world from lunch boxes to shirts to tattoos.

Superman has been in ten films including four of them starring Christopher Reeve who made his debut in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. Henry Cavill took over the role in 2013’s Man of Steel. He has since starred in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. He has been in countless animated films and TV shows from Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman to Smallville. Superman has even appeared on CW’s Supergirl played by Tyler Hoechlin.

Many of you know the origin story of Kal-El a.k.a Clark Kent. The only son of Jor-EL and Laura, sent to Earth to avoid the pending doom of Krypton. From there he is raised on a farm in Smallville, Kansas by the Kents, Jonthan and Martha. As an adult, Clark joins the Daily Planet as mild mannered reporter. You also know of his love life with fellow journalist Lois Lane and sometimes Amazonian Princess – Wonder Woman.

Superman draws his powers from Earth yellow sun. The sun grants Superman powers beyond imagination ranging from Heat Vision to Flight. He is nearly indestructible which has earned him the nickname the ‘Man of Steel’. Superman alongside Batman formed the Superhero ensemble known as the Justice League. Of course what kind of hero would Superman be without his rogues gallery of villains. The most notable villains Superman has faced are Lex Luthor and the Kryptonian monster – Doomsday. Some other villains Superman has squared off with include his clone gone wrong Bizarro, Brainiac, Metallo, and General Zod.

The facts about Superman most of us know. But what if I told you there are some facts that even I did not know about and I am a huge fan of the character. So lets take this time to showcase some of the unknown facts about Superman.

Superman has Super Flare Power – Superman can self-combust and release a power and radiation as powerful as a nuclear bomb.
In the comics pink kryptonite will turn Superman gay
Henry Cavill nearly lost out on being in the Man of Steel because he was too busy playing World of Warcraft.
In 1958 Superman gained a very interesting power – he could project a miniature version of himself complete with all his powers.
During a JLA/Avengers crossover series, Superman was able to wield the might hammer of Thor.
Marvel Comics also has a Clark Kent – he too is a reporter but that is where the similarities end.
In the Kryptonian language the S really is not depicted as an S, it is a figure 8.
Kryptonite did not originate in the comics, it actually debuted in 1943 during Bud Collyer’s radio show. This was introduced so Collyer who voiced Superman could take some time off.
There are several characters in the Superman universe with the initials L.L. – Lex Luthor, Lucy Lane, Lana Lang, Lois Lane.
In the comics one of the reasons Lex Luthor hates Superman is because he blames him for making him bald.
In an alternate universe, Kal-El is adopted by the Waynes and becomes Batman when they are murdered.
During one point in the comics, Jor-El was talked into sending Kal-El to Earth by Thomas Wayne
In the comics there are at least 13 versions of Superman ranging from Ultraman to Cyborg Superman
There are at least 22 versions of Kryptonite
Action Comics #1 is the most most valuable comic book in history – selling for over $3.2 million

So there you have it Superman fans and even non Superman fans. I feel that Superman has gotten a bad rap over the years because of his ‘boy scout’ image but many fans fail to see just how deep the character can be. Yes he lost his parents like other heroes, in some cases he has lost both Jor-El and Jonathan Kent, but he also lost his home planet. His entire race minus a few survivors are all he has left. Superman was not sent to Earth just to survive but he was sent to be its greatest hero and protector. That alone is a weight and burden too great for many to carry on the shoulders. Superman always will be Superman, he cannot turn the sun off. As long as there is a yellow sun then there will always be a Superman.

I think the best explanation I have read heard about Superman came from the 2004 film, Kill Bill Vol. 2. In that movie David Carridine’s Bill is speaking with Uma Thurman’s Beatrix Kiddo when he delivers this monologue,

“Take my favorite superhero, Superman. Not a great comic book, not particularly well-drawn, but the mythology. The mythology is not only great, it’s unique…Now, a staple of the superhero mythology is, there’s the superhero and there’s the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When that character wakes up in the morning, he’s Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic Superman stands alone. Superman didn’t become Superman. Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he’s Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent.”

Superman has given his life for Earth on more than one occasion. He is a selfless hero through and through. Most of the critiques against Superman are that he is too powerful, he is boring, and his villains are not that great. True Superman has been depicted almost God-like in the comics but at times he has needed such feats of strength to continue to protect Earth. Just because Superman has these powers it does not make him a boring character. Many fans gravitate towards Batman because of his rogues gallery and his dark tone. Superman at times has had many dark tones but where Batman uses the night and the shadows to bring justice to Gotham, Superman shines as brightly as the sun that gives him his powers.

Superman started as a dream in 1938 for two Jewish artists and writers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Since then Superman has grown leaps and bounds beyond what they probably ever imagined. Superman is the ‘Grandfather’ of comic book heroes and he will continue to be a beacon of hope for fans all over the world.

I truly hope you enjoyed this DC Comics Showcase: Superman edition. I hope to bring more in the coming weeks including villains of the DC universe. If there is a certain character from DC you would like to know more about then please comment below.

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