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{{quote|'''AKA:''' Clark Kent / Kal-El}}
{{quote|'''AKA:''' Clark Kent / Kal-El}}


{{Quote|You '''needn't''' be afraid of me. I '''won't''' harm you
Born on the planet Krypton, Kal-El was sent to Earth as a baby shortly before his planet [[Earthshattering Kaboom|exploded]]. Discovered and adopted by a couple living in the town of Smallville, Kal-El, now named Clark Kent, discovers his superpowers as he grew up. Learning of his Kryptonian heritage, Clark decides to dedicate his life to [[For Great Justice|truth, justice, and the American way]]. Clark currently lives a double life in the city of Metropolis, as a mild-mannered reporter for the ''Daily Planet'', and as Superman, the Man of Steel.
''~ Superman Action Comics #1''}}


Rocketed away from Krypton as it was destroyed by its own internal pressures a small ship carried an infant across the stars. Eventually this ship would land in Kansas in the middle of America's heartland where it would be found by a loving couple, Johnathan and Martha Kent. And so the legend of the worlds greatest hero began. The child, Kal-El, was sent to earth by his father to escape Krypton's destruction. Earth was chosen as its yellow sun would empower young Kal-El, named Clark Kent by his adoptive parents, while giving his powers and abilities beyond normal human beings.
From the late [[The Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age of Comic Books]] through [[The Bronze Age of Comic Books]], Superman started his heroic career as Superboy in Smallville. This was [[Retcon]]ned out of history thanks to [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]], and later recanonized after ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' in ''[[Superman Secret Origin]]''. The current [[New 52]] origin in [[Superman And The Men Of Steel]] has decanonized this once again.


Clark's adoptive parents would instill within him a strong sense of compassion, decency, and an understanding of right and wrong. Though his childhood was difficult, as a virtual god moving among men, Clark never let life's challenges get him down. By the time he had come of age and decided to leave his home, Smallville, he was resolved to use his incredible gifts to help as many people as he could.
* [[Adorkable]]: It's almost comical how someone as powerful as he is so earnest, sweet and sincere.
* [[Appropriated Appellation]]: Got his superhero name from the press.
* [[Badass]]: There's a reason he's considered by many to be the greatest superhero of all time.
* [[Beware the Nice Ones]]: He's one of the nicest, most easy-going guys you could ever wish to meet... but on the rare occasions someone ''really'' sets him off, he's [[Unstoppable Rage|downright terrifying.]]
* [[Big Good]]: Most people in and out of universe accept him as being the leader of the whole superhero community of the [[DC Universe]].
* [[Big Eater]]: In ''Action Comics #454'', Toyman siphoned off his energy using a device, leaving him constantly hungry. He had to [http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345158e369e20111683a4743970c-popup eat constantly], or else he'll "'''[http://www.comicbookdaily.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/act454cover.jpg starve]''' [http://www.comicbookdaily.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/act454cover.jpg to] '''[http://www.comicbookdaily.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/act454cover.jpg death!]'''"
* [[Boring Invincible Hero]]: When written poorly
* [[Bow Ties Are Cool]]: Played straight and averted, Clark ''likes'' bowties and will rock on occasion, but everyone makes fun of them when he does.
* [[Boxing Lessons for Superman]]: [[Trope Namer]], where he took boxing lessons from [[Muhammad Ali]]. He has also had combat training courtesy of [[Batman]] and [[Wonder Woman]].
* [[Brains Evil, Brawn Good]]: Not that he is dumb, but he does tend to rely on his strength more so than villains like [[Lex Luthor]] do; they in comparison seem to rely more so on intellect.
* [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]: Given how long-running the series has been this trope has cropped up a few times.
* [[Cannot Talk to Women]]: As Clark, but not (usually) as Superman.
* [[The Cape (trope)]]: The [[Ur Example]].
* [[Catch Phrase]]: "Great Krypton!", "Up, up, and away!", "This looks like a job for Superman!"
** Those are some of the older ones, "Great Scott!" is one he uses these days.
* [[Chick Magnet]]: His {{spoiler|former}} wife Lois, his old girlfriend Lana, his other girlfriend Lori, Wonder Woman from time to time, the alien Maxima and many others all show interest in him.
** Oddly, he seems to attract ''more'' women [[Nerds Are Sexy|as Clark than he does as Superman.]]
* [[Cincinnatus]]: Practically everyone in-universe considers him the most powerful hero in the [[DC Universe]], and is generally the one to lead the whole superhero community when a [[Crisis Crossover]] occurs, but he still prefers to be accepted as the mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent over Superman.
* [[Clark Kenting]]: [[Trope Namer|Duh]].
* [[Deadpan Snarker]] Especially in the [[Post-Crisis]] stories where "Clark Kent" was established as the "real" personality and Superman was a mask he wore to protect his normal life.
* [[Determinator]]: He just doesn't stay down, not until he saves the day.
* [[Farm Boy]]: Was raised as one. Depending on the continuity, he did superhero work during this point on his life (Pre-[[Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]] and Post-[[Infinite Crisis]])
* [[Gentle Giant]]
* [[A God I Am Not]]: He has lots of followers that worship him as a god, much to his discomfort.
* [[Good Is Not Soft]]: He tries to use as little force as possible, but he's still not soft on bad guys.
* [[Guile Hero]]: When he can't solve his problems with his [[Super Strength]], he will often have to resort to outsmarting the enemy.
* [[Happily Married]]: To Lois {{spoiler|pre-reboot of Flashpoint}}.
* [[The Hero]]: Of the whole [[DC Universe]].
** [[Ideal Hero]]: Supes is pretty much the platonic ideal of superheroism. No other hero radiates goodness and justice like he does.
* [[Human Alien]]
* [[I Am Not Left-Handed]]: He holds back against most opponents because of his strict [[Thou Shall Not Kill]] policy, but if he doesn't, [[Curb Stomp Battle|curb stomping]] usually ensues.
* [[Intrepid Reporter]]: Because it's a job that he cannot automatically do with his superpowers.
* [[Last of His Kind]]: At first and from time to time, depending on the writer and/or the continuity.
* [[The Messiah]]
* [[Nature Versus Nurture]]: Brought up in most depictions of the character. Superman is [[Human Alien|Kryptonian]], but was raised by kindly old adoptive parents. In older stories, it was usually implied that his superior Kryptonian heritage and abilities were the cause of his strict moral compass, but in latter stories (especially after other, villainous, Kryptonians were introduced), it's outright stated that Superman's upbringing is responsible for creating who he is.
* [[Nice Guy]]: Devout Christian, Chivalrous Gentleman, Vegetarian.
* [[Nice Hat]]: As Clark Kent, he occasionally wears a fedora.
* [[Papa Wolf]]
* [[The Paragon]]: Ask any hero in the [[The DCU]] who their greatest hero and example is, their answer will be Superman. Any superhero who tells you otherwise is either [[Blatant Lies|blatantly lying]] or [[Batman|operates out of Gotham]].
** Heck, Batman may not say it, but he certainly ''thinks it''.
* [[Physical God]]: At his highest power levels.
** Really, at any point after the early Golden Age. Even after his [[Post-Crisis]] power down, he could move mountains and change the course of mighty rivers and wrestle Thor.
* [[The Power of the Sun]]: Earth's yellow sun is what makes him and other Kryptonians [[Flying Brick]]s with [[Eye Beams]]. Inverted with red stars, which take away his powers.
* [[Red Eyes, Take Warning]]: Tends to use this more as an intimidation tactic... or if he's ''really'' mad.
* [[Science Hero]]: Taking after his father, this is Superman's real aptitude.
* [[Secret Identity]]: [[Sarcasm Mode|Don't tell anyone]], [[Captain Obvious|but]] [[Superman]] [[Clark Kenting|is actually]] [[You Should Know This Already|mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent]].
* [[Showy Invincible Hero]]: When written well.
* [[Sobriquet]]/[[Superhero Sobriquets]]: The Man Of Steel, The Man Of Tomorrow, The Big Blue Boyscout, The Last Son Of Krypton.
** In some continuities, e.g. the Christopher Reeve [[Superman (film)|film]], "Superman" is a title bestowed by someone else, too.
* [[Story-Breaker Power]]: Very much so during the [[The Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]] due to all the [[New Powers as the Plot Demands]]. Mostly averted post-Crisis.
* [[Superhero]]: Practically [[Trope Namer|named the trope]], as he was the one who [[Trope Codifier|codified]] modern use of the "super" prefix.
* [[Superpower Lottery]]: The undisputed champion of this trope. Only immensely powerful mystic entities or cosmic beings come close.
** [[Eye Beams]]: [[For the Man Who Has Everything|''Burn'']].
** [[Flying Brick]]: The [[Ur Example]].
** [[Hypnotic Eyes]]: Especially in the [[Golden Age]] and [[Silver Age]].
** [[In a Single Bound]]: During the [[Golden Age]], but this has mostly been made redundant by his [[Flight]]
** [[New Powers as the Plot Demands]]: Super-weaving, super-muscular control, broadcasting his voice through police radio, '''[[Running Gag|super-coffee making]]''', you name it.
** [[Nigh Invulnerable]]: Artillery shells don't even scratch him. In fact, he's one of the very few number of beings in the [[DC Universe]] who can take a direct hit from [[Darkseid]]'s otherwise all-disintegrating [[Eye Beam|Omega Beams]], ''survive it for more than an instant'', and come out with only intense pain, exhaustion and a few "shallow injuries".
** [[Super Breath]]: Can be hurricane-force winds or arctic cold.
** [[Super Speed]]: An absurdly fast flier, and a fast runner, too.
** [[Super Strength]]: In the last episode of [[Justice League Unlimited]], which [[Word of God|DC comics]] consider [[Canon Immigrant|canon]], he explains that he never use all his strength. He is [[Person of Mass Destruction|SO POWERFUL]] that he NEVER can give himself the opportunity to loose the control, because, if that happens, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywo6F4xYTvA&feature=related ''someone could die''].
** [[Super Senses]]
** [[X-Ray Vision]]
* [[Thou Shalt Not Kill]]: Though at times circumstances may force him to break this personal credo, such as what to do with three Kryptonians from an alternate universe who committed genocide on a global scale, or with dealing with a killing machine like Doomsday.
* [[Underwear of Power]]: Certainly a [[Trope Codifier]]. This is averted after the post-[[Flashpoint]] [[New 52]] reboot, where there's a red belt where it once was.
* [[Upbringing Makes the Hero]]: No [[Death by Origin Story]] (for the Kents), no [[Freudian Excuse]], he was just too well-raised to ''not'' be a hero.
* [[Wonder Child]]: For Jonathan and Martha Kent.
* [[World of Cardboard Speech]]: The [[Trope Namer]].
* [[Written-In Absence]]: Many stories feature his friends getting into trouble while he is away. A common excuse is that he is "on a space mission". And then, of course, there were those radio show episodes where he crosses paths with [[Kryptonite Factor]]...


Based in Metropolis, the city of tomorrow, Clark would create the identity of Superman and while Metropolis was his new home, he would travel around the world helping people in need, stopping catastrophes and natural disasters, and bringing those who would harm others out of their own selfish desires to justice. In time Superman would become the standard by which every hero is measured. Beloved by the world, he would gladly lay down his life to save to earth and it's people.



* [[100% Heroism Rating]]:
* [[The Ace]]:
* [[Action Hero]]:
* [[Afraid of Their Own Strength]]:
* [[The Ageless]]:
* [[All Loving Hero]]:
* [[Arch Enemy]]:
* [[Back from the Dead]]:
* [[Bash Brothers]]:
* [[Battle Trophy]]:
* [[Beware the Nice Ones]]:
* [[Big Damn Heroes]]:
* [[Big Good]]:
* [[The Big Guy]]:
* [[Blessed with Suck]]:
* [[Boxing Lessons for Superman]]:
* [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]:
* [[Brought Down to Badass]]:
* [[Bruiser with a Soft Center]]
* [[Bully Hunter]]:
* [[The Cape]]:
* [[Chick Magnet]]:
* [[Chronic Hero Syndrome]]:
* [[Clark Kenting]]:
* [[Combat Pragmatist]]:
* [[The Determinator]]:
* [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?]]:
* [[Does Not Know His Own Strength]]:
* [[Doomed Hometown]]:
* [[Emotional Bruiser]]:
* [[Eternal Hero]]:
* [[Famed in Story]]:
* [[Farm Boy]]:
* [[Fatal Flaw]]:
* [[The Fettered]]:
* [[Foil]]:
* [[Friend to All Children]]:
* [[Genius Bruiser]]:
* [[Gentle Giant]]:
* [[A God I Am Not]]:
* [[Good Feels Good]]:
* [[Good Is Not Dumb]]:
* [[Good Is Not Soft]]:
* [[Good Old Fisticuffs]]:
* [[Good Parents]]:
* [[Guile Hero]]:
* [[The Hero]]:
* [[Happily Adopted]]:
* [[Happily Married]]:
* [[The Heart]]:
* [[Heroes Love Dogs]]:
* [[Heroic Build]]:
* [[Heroic Resolve]]:
* [[Heroic Sacrifice]]:
* [[Heroic Self-Deprecation]]:
* [[Heroic Spirit]]:
* [[Heroic Willpower]]:
* [[Hope Bringer]]:
* [[Human Alien]]:
* [[Humble Hero]]:
* [[I Am Not Left-Handed]]:
* [[Ideal Hero]]:
* [[I Gave My Word]]:
* [[I Just Want to Be Normal]]:
* [[Implacable Man]]:
* [[Incorruptible Pure Pureness]]:
* [[Interspecies Adoption]]:
* [[Interspecies Romance]]:
* [[Interspecies Friendship]]:
* [[Intrepid Reporter]]:
* [[Invincible Hero]]:
* [[I Should Have Been Better]]:
* [[The Jailer]]:
* [[Kryptonite Factor]]:
* [[Last of His Kind]]:
* [[Lightning Bruiser]]:
* [[Mr. Fanservice]]:
* [[My Greatest Failure]]:
* [[Mundane Utility]]:
* [[Nature vs. Nurture]]:
* [[Nice Guy]]:
* [[Nigh Invulnerability]]:
* [[Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond]]:
* [[Not So Different]]:
* [[Official Couple]]:
* [[One-Man Army]]:
* [[Papa Wolf]]:
* [[The Paragon]]:
* [[Patrick Stewart Speech]]:
* [[Physical God]]:
* [[The Pollyanna]]:
* [[The Power of the Sun]]:
* [[The Power of Trust]]:
* [[Pure Of Heart]]: There have been many instances where Superman's purity of spirit and noble heart have been a decisive factor in saving the day.
** When Zauriel relocates to earth, the renegade angel Asmodel follow to silence him as Zauriel knew of Asmodel's plans to usurp the Presence and take the throne of existence. Asmodel brought forth his angelic armies and sealed off New York with the justice league in it. Things go poorly for the heroes until Superman arrives and engages Asmodel directly to allow the other heroes the chance to send Asmodel and his army back. Superman not only stands toe-to-toe with Asmodel, but when Asmodel gets desperate, he blasts Clark with heavenly fire. [[Evil Cannot Comprehend Good|Asmodel is them baffled]] as to why it did nothing to Superman.
{{quote|'''Asmodel''': How?! How can you withstand the scouring light of heaven?! Only the purest of souls can gaze upon this flame and not be driven mad!!}}
**In Action comics #773, Ra's Al Ghul tried to use alchemy involving the Lazurus pit and the earth's Ley Lines to conjure up the spirit and embodiment of Gaia herself. His plan was to use her to cull humanity and force them to submit to nature's power. Gaia was not happy with Ra's plans and noted that he was hollow and empty inside while not being a fit vessel for her spirit and power. She casts him out before turning her attention to Superman and she almost sounds like she's found her soul mate. Superman was later able to send her back into the earth and resolve the situation.
{{quote|'''Ra's Al Ghul''': I have served you loyally since the dawn of civilization!! Betrayed my own world to free you!! I am your perfect mate!!
'''Gaia''': You are empty. Empty, save for a void that would consume me as it has consumed you.
'''Ra's Al Ghul''': NOOOO!!
'''Gaia''': (talking to Superman) But you...rarest of elements...Pure. Full...Loving and loved. You can heal me...}}
* [[Reasonable Authority Figure]]:
* [[Reluctant Warrior]]:
* [[Respected by the Respected]]:
* [[Secret Identity]]:
* [[Showy Invincible Hero]]:
* [[Small Steps Hero]]:
* [[Story-Breaker Power]]:
* [[Stronger with Age]]:
* [[Superhero]]:
* [[Super Intelligence]]:
* [[Superman Stays Out of Gotham]]:
* [[Superpower Lottery]]:
* [[Strong and Skilled]]:
* [[Technical Pacifist]]:
* [[Terror Hero]]:
* [[Thou Shalt Not Kill]]:
* [[Upbringing Makes the Hero]]:
* [[Willfully Weak]]:
* [[World's Strongest Man]]:
* [[Would Hit a Girl]]:


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Revision as of 20:11, 19 March 2021


Characters from Superman include:

Superman

Superman / Superboy I

AKA: Clark Kent / Kal-El

You needn't be afraid of me. I won't harm you
~ Superman Action Comics #1

Rocketed away from Krypton as it was destroyed by its own internal pressures a small ship carried an infant across the stars. Eventually this ship would land in Kansas in the middle of America's heartland where it would be found by a loving couple, Johnathan and Martha Kent. And so the legend of the worlds greatest hero began. The child, Kal-El, was sent to earth by his father to escape Krypton's destruction. Earth was chosen as its yellow sun would empower young Kal-El, named Clark Kent by his adoptive parents, while giving his powers and abilities beyond normal human beings.

Clark's adoptive parents would instill within him a strong sense of compassion, decency, and an understanding of right and wrong. Though his childhood was difficult, as a virtual god moving among men, Clark never let life's challenges get him down. By the time he had come of age and decided to leave his home, Smallville, he was resolved to use his incredible gifts to help as many people as he could.

Based in Metropolis, the city of tomorrow, Clark would create the identity of Superman and while Metropolis was his new home, he would travel around the world helping people in need, stopping catastrophes and natural disasters, and bringing those who would harm others out of their own selfish desires to justice. In time Superman would become the standard by which every hero is measured. Beloved by the world, he would gladly lay down his life to save to earth and it's people.


Asmodel: How?! How can you withstand the scouring light of heaven?! Only the purest of souls can gaze upon this flame and not be driven mad!!

    • In Action comics #773, Ra's Al Ghul tried to use alchemy involving the Lazurus pit and the earth's Ley Lines to conjure up the spirit and embodiment of Gaia herself. His plan was to use her to cull humanity and force them to submit to nature's power. Gaia was not happy with Ra's plans and noted that he was hollow and empty inside while not being a fit vessel for her spirit and power. She casts him out before turning her attention to Superman and she almost sounds like she's found her soul mate. Superman was later able to send her back into the earth and resolve the situation.

Ra's Al Ghul: I have served you loyally since the dawn of civilization!! Betrayed my own world to free you!! I am your perfect mate!!
Gaia: You are empty. Empty, save for a void that would consume me as it has consumed you.
Ra's Al Ghul: NOOOO!!
Gaia: (talking to Superman) But you...rarest of elements...Pure. Full...Loving and loved. You can heal me...

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