Powers and abilities of Superman

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The powers of DC Comics fictional character Superman have changed a great deal since his introduction in the 1930s. The extent of his powers peaked during the 1970s and 1980s to the point where various writers found it difficult to create suitable challenges for the character. As a result his powers were significantly reduced when his story was rebooted by writer John Byrne after the Crisis on Infinite Earths series. After Byrne's departure, Superman's powers were gradually increased again, although he still remains weaker than his Pre-Crisis incarnation.

Contents 1 Golden Age Superman 2 Silver/Bronze Age Superman 3 Modern era 4 List of Super-Heroes in the DC Universe who have Similar or the Same Powers 5 Alternate versions 6 Film and television 6.1 Fleischer Superman cartoons 6.2 Adventures of Superman 6.3 Superman films 6.4 Smallville 6.5 DC Animated Universe 7 Video games 8 Novels 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Golden Age Superman

As presented in the original 1930's comic strip, Superman's powers were inherent in all indigenous Kryptonians because of their advanced evolution. In the origin stories of the comic books and comic strip, Kryptonians were shown using the same powers that Superman would have on Earth. Krypton's larger size and gravity was also given as an explanation for the character's powers.

Superman powers mainly consisted of enhanced strength, speed, senses and durability. When introduced in 1938, he was considerably weaker than even the Modern Era Superman. Superman was only strong enough to lift a support beam or lift a car with only one hand. He was only fast enough to pass an express train. He couldn't fly, he could only make powerful leaps. He could only withstand bullets and smaller artillery. This means that larger, heavier weapons, or a speeding train, could kill him.

Originally in the early comics, Superman had the ability to change his facial features by using his somewhat superhuman control of his face muscles. However, this ability eventually phased out and never used again.

[edit] Silver/Bronze Age Superman

Superman's powers were subject to expansion and revision from the 1940s. His powers were explained as a result of the weaker gravity of Earth and the intensity of Earth's yellow sun. Superman's powers were negated if he entered an environment similar to that of Krypton, such as the bottle city of Kandor, or if he was exposed to the solar energy of a red sun. In Silver Age stories, the powers and limitations of Superman were instantly possessed by any Kryptonians exposed to Earth or Earth-like conditions.

Superman's strength is so great that he can move entire planets and is able to fly at speeds faster than light. He can use this power to travel through time as well as fly to other worlds, solar systems and galaxies and even to other universes with relative ease. By the 1970s, Superman was able to withstand the explosion of nuclear weapons with no risk whatsoever and fly unharmed through the core of a star. Superman was also able to survive without air, water, or food. Superman was immune to everything except for Kryptonite radiation and magic.

Superman possessed x-ray vision, allowing him to see through solid objects (except through lead), as well as telescopic vision (seeing great, even interstellar distances) and microscopic vision (seeing small things, even subatomic particles). These powers could be used individually or in conjunction with one another. His eyes could also perceive the full electromagnetic spectrum including infrared and ultraviolet frequencies of radiation. Originally depicted as a by-product of his x-ray vision, Superman's "heat vision" allowed him to generate energy beams which could be used to melt or vaporize almost any substance.

Superman could hear sound at almost any wavelength and at vast distances. Superman's breath was capable of freezing objects (because his lungs were able to put air under tremendous pressure, thus super-cooling it) and generating hurricane-force winds. Superman could throw his voice across great distances. This power was used to confuse enemies or protect his secret identity by tricking others into believing that he (or Clark Kent) was in a different location.

Superman possessed genius-level intelligence and an eidetic memory. These enhanced mental capabilities were a direct result of his exposure to a yellow sun. Superman also possessed the mental ability to screen out the enormous amount of information received by his enhanced senses and to focus on a single detail such as a particular voice or location.

Writers of Superman experimented with new powers for the character. The abilities that proved popular became part of his regular repertoire, while others were discarded after a single use. In addition to his other super senses, Superman was occasionally shown as having highly-enhanced senses of touch and smell.

[edit] Modern era

John Byrne's post-Crisis on Infinite Earths revision of the Superman character in 1986 reduced the character's abilities. This was designed to make it easier for writers to come up with suitable challenges for the hero and to eliminate or reduce those powers that were "too sensational or unbelievable for modern audiences".^[1] Emphasis was placed on yellow sun energy as a source for the character's powers. Superman's origin story was altered so that his powers developed gradually as his body absorbed yellow sunlight, and stories such as the Final Night series depicted the character gradually losing his powers when deprived of the sun's energy. Conversely, Superman can expose himself to increased solar radiation to temporarily increase his power.

Superman's strength was reduced to the point where he could only move smaller planets but can still move tremendous amounts. Superman's sight, stamina and breath powers were also similarly reduced, and the character also required an oxygen mask for prolonged travel in space or underwater. His mental abilities were also curtailed to the point where intelligent humans, like geniuses Lex Luthor or Batman, could outsmart him. The powers of super-ventriloquism and super-hypnosis were not generally used during this period, although it was never stated whether they had been eliminated or not.

Superman's ability to fly under his own power was explained with the pseudo-scientific concept of "self telekinesis", an invisible telekinetic field that allows him to lift himself off the ground. Any objects that Superman touches are also enveloped by the field and this allows him to move them with the force of his will. In addition, the idea that of a supercharged bioelectric "aura" which acts as an invisible "force field" around and within his body was introduced to provide an explanation for his invulnerability.

Unlike previous versions, Superman's hair and beard grows normally, requiring the requisite grooming task using his heat vision, carefully reflected off a piece of the ship that brought him to Earth, to burn off unwanted growth.

After Byrne's departure from the series, Superman's powers and abilities were once again increased over time (though still far weaker than the silver age version). He regained the ability to travel interstellar distances and to hold his breath for the amount of time required to make such journeys, and move dwarf planets such as Pluto (when super-charged by immersing himself within a yellow sun). During the "Up, Up and Away!" storyline he regained his eidetic memory. He still retains his weakness to kryptonite, but instead of stripping him of his abilities, it causes extreme nausea, confusion, and pain. Superman cannot defend against magic, however if he were to be hit with a magical fireball, the magical flame wouldnt burn him, but anything that caught fire would, as the flames would be non-magical in nature.

Exposure to the light of a younger blue sun provides Superman with increased physical abilities, and the power of "Superman Vision", which allows him to bestow his abilities on other beings for a limited time.^[2]

[edit] List of Super-Heroes in the DC Universe who have Similar or the Same Powers

Supergirl (Kara Zor-El): Supergirl has all of the same powers as Post-Byrne Superman.

Power Girl (Karen Starr/Kara Zor-L): Power Girl is Superman of Earth-2's cousin, and thus has all of the classical Kryptonian powers.

Krypto the Super-Dog: Being a Kryptonian canine, Krypto has all of the same powers as Superman (post-Byrne), but his powers are proportionate for a canine (i. e., since a dog's hearing is much better than a human's, then Krypto's super-hearing is better than Superman's super-hearing, and so on).

Eradicator (David Connor): a Kryptonian esque being, David has similar powers to post-Byrne Superman, but can withstand kryptonite.

Flamebird (Thara Ak-Var): A New Krypton citizen, she has the normal Superman powers and is the latest person to take the moniker of Flamebird.

Nightwing (Chris Kent (comics)): Superman's adoptive son, and General Zod's true son, Chris Kent (his alias), is the latest hero to take the name of Nightwing. As he was born in the Phantom Zone, he has tactile telekinesis but possesses weaker versions of Superman's post-Byrne powers.

Supergirl (Cir-El): Superman's daughter of an alternate future, Cir-El has some of the powers of Superman, but is immune to red sun radiation taking away her powers, and has red sun blasts.

Mon-El (Lar Gand): Mon-El has all of the same abilities as Superman but is immune to Kryptonite (being a Daxamite), and is hurt by lead. He exists in the 31st century as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Superboy (Connor Kent/Kon-El): He carries the power of tactile telekinesis and some of Superman's Kryptonian powers, being half-cloned from Superman.

Streaky the Super-Cat: Before the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Streaky has some Kryptonian powers in his system from Kryptonite-X, that he accidentaly came in contact with when Supergirl tossed her failed expirement out the window. Currently, Streaky is just a normal cat owned by Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) but Streaky might become "super" once more.

Beppo the Super-Monkey: Beppo was a Kryptonian monkey before the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and afterward, he no longer exists. But in pre-Crisis Earth-1 he had the same powers as Superman and was a member of the Legion of Super-Pets.

Kristin Wells: Kristin Wells used to be known as Superwoman in Pre-Crisis Earth-1, and became known in Post-Crisis Earth as being someone who survived the Kryptonian explosion and became the "Third Kryptonian of Earth". She has powers closely similar to Superman (post-Byrne.)

Supergirl (Linda Danvers): Supergirl, Linda Danvers, is a combination of Matrix (comics) (a past Supergirl, technically the first Supergirl in post-Crisis continuity), and Linda Danvers. She has telekinesis, invisibility, and various other Kryptonian-esque abilities, but she also is an Earth-bound Fire Angel.

Andromeda (Laurel Gand): A legacy hero of Mon-El in the 31st century, Laurel is a Daxamite hero in the 31st century, and a member of the Legion. So, as a Daxamite, Laurel is able to do everything a Kryptonian can, but is poisoned by lead and not kryptonite.

Laurel Kent: In Pre-Crisis 31st century, Laurel was the descendant of Superman, passing his powers along to his half-human children, but eventually most of the Kryptonian genes were lost and she only has invulnerability. Post-Crisis pre-Zero Hour, she was made to be a thousand year old Manhunter android and possesses invulnerability, flight, and heat-vision. After Zero Hour, she was erased from existence.

[edit] Alternate versions

Over the years, many alternate versions of Superman have appeared, in Elseworlds books or other timelines. Many of these were limited series and one shot stories, so the extent of Superman’s abilities is not always explored in great detail.

Frank Miller's Dark Knight continuity, which includes The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, and All-Star Batman and Robin, has depicted Superman's powers in a variety of ways. All-Star Batman and Robin, for instance, depicts a younger Superman traveling from the U.S. to Paris by means of running fast enough to cross the ocean surface, possibly implying that he has not yet developed the power of flight. The Dark Knight Returns depicts him as having the usual super speed, heat vision, flight, and strength.

The Grant Morrison penned Elseworlds book All-Star Superman features a massively powerful Superman, akin to his Silver Age version. Superman: Red Son features a Superman somewhat more powerful than his current incarnation, as does the limited series Kingdom Come, due to prolonged exposure to solar radiation. Other series such as War of the Worlds portray a Superman with the comparatively limited powers of his original golden age appearances.

[edit] Film and television

[edit] Fleischer Superman cartoons

Superman's powers depicted in the classic Fleischer cartoons were very much like at the time then with the powers that appeared in 1938: strong to lift heavy objects, leap an 1⁄8th of a mile, and run faster than an express train. With the addition two new powers that were introduced around the time the cartoons were made: flight and x-ray vision. Some of the limitations that were shown in the cartoons were that an increase in the energy of an energy cannon would push Superman back to the ground (though he eventually overcomes the beam), ramming into a meteor or comet would knock him out for a bit, and tear gas would do to him what it does to normal humans, but only for a little while.

[edit] Adventures of Superman

On the TV series The Adventures of Superman, in addition to his conventional powers, Superman also demonstrated some one-time-only powers; in the first season episode "Rescue", he develops the ability to split himself into two (slightly weaker) Supermen. In the sixth season's "The Mysterious Cube", Superman learns how to walk through solid matter. The source of Superman's powers was stated to be his dense molecular structure, a trait that was occasionally mentioned in the comics.

The episode "Through the Time Barrier" showed that, unlike the contemporary Silver Age comic book version, Superman was unable to travel through time under his own power.

[edit] Superman films

In the first movie, Superman's speed was shown as fast enough to travel backwards in time. In Superman II, he possessed the ability to hypnotize Lois Lane with a kiss. He also possessed the ability to create apparent 'holograms' of himself that could interact independently. Presumably, because the three Kryptonian villains of the movie had the ability to shoot beams from their hands, Superman would have the same ability. In the fourth film, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, he demonstrates the ability to repair damaged structures with a telekinetic beam from his eyes, and to levitate several falling people. In the most recent film, Superman Returns, Superman is shown to possess enough strength to stare unblinkingly as a gun is fired point blank at his eye and recieve no damage at all. Kryptonite does not lower his strength as he was able to lift Lex Luthor's kryptonite-based sub-continent beyond the Earth's atmosphere and into space, though this severely weakens him and he falls back down to Earth in a coma. It should be noted, however, that Superman was still suffering from the effects of kryptonite exposure, as evidenced by the fact that a doctor removed shards of the lethal substance from an open wound on his back, which most likely weakened his physical stamina, not to mention the kryptonite pillars falling out from under the sub-continent.

[edit] Smallville

In the television series Smallville, most of Clark Kent's powers develop over his teenage years. In the first episode of the series, he is aware of his superhuman strength and speed, and first experiences his invulnerability when Lex Luthor hits him with a Porsche at 60 miles an hour. Clark's body is bruised (but not pierced) by bullets and does not immediately heal in early episodes, but by the fifth season episode 'Hidden', Clark is capable of surviving atmospheric reentry without sustaining any physical damage. Any wound he suffers appears to heal within seconds. Clark's super-strength also increased over the course of the series to the point where in the sixth season episode 'Combat', Clark exhibited the ability to set off powerful shockwaves with his punches in which he successfully dispatched a powerful intergalactic foe. Similarly, his speed has also increased as he ages. Clark has also run from Kansas to Central America, which are hundreds of miles apart, in a matter of seconds. His healing rate is greater than normal; for instance, a head wound gained while his powers had been lost closed immediately upon his powers' return. Kryptonite exposure can inhibit this healing.

Clark developed X-ray vision in the first season episode X-Ray, heat vision in the second season episode Heat and super hearing in the third season episode Whisper. He discovers super breath in the sixth season episode Sneeze. Clark's breath can create powerful winds, but as of yet, has not shown any freezing abilities. Flight is developed very gradually over time. The first mention is in the first season episode Metamorphosis, where Clark first "defies gravity"; however, this is not really controlled. He is shown to be hovering over his bed while sleeping, but falls and destroys his bed once he wakes up. The first real controlled flight is in the second season episode Vortex, although this is with the help of a tornado. In the third season finale Covenant, his "floating" in the air is assisted by Kara, a human who has been empowered and brainwashed by Jor-El. In the fourth season episode Crusade, he flies properly, but only in his Kal-El persona (brainwashed by Jor-El into being a Kryptonian warrior). The limitation on this power is due to the "No Tights, No Flights" rule made by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar to make Smallville more believable. Within the continuity of the show, it is explained^{[citation needed]} that he will not be able to fly until he embraces his Kryptonian destiny. Clark also exhibits a healing factor seen rarely in the comics.in addition to supermans rare powers he can also age slower than human beings.

In addition to these, Smallville also features a number of abilities not seen in other incarnations, not all of which find their source in Clark's Kryptonian origin^{[citation needed]}. In the first season episode "Hourglass", he was able to see the same visions seen by a precognitive named Cassandra Carver while she held his hand, who stated that this had never happened with anyone else whose future she had foretold. The third season episode "Hereafter", explores Clark's immortality and his ability to alter the destiny of others. Later in Season 3, in the episode "Resurrection", it is said Clark's blood has the power, when treated by an unknown process, to revive the dead. However, it is explained that this can only work on someone who has died of a certain liver disease, due to the blood's healing properties, and the fact that the liver has the most resilient cells in the human body. In addition, his spirit itself is accredited with special healing properties in season four's "Transference", in which he temporarily inhabits the body of Lionel Luthor. Even after the transfer is reversed, Lionel says that he feels different, and his previously amoral behavior changes for an extended period in later episodes. Clark has also shown to have limited defenses against psionic powers; The first season episode "Stray" had a character unsuccessfully try to read Clark's mind.

As with most versions of Superman, he is vulnerable to Kryptonite in several forms. He is also vulnerable to magic, as first revealed in the fourth season episode "Spell" and later again in the season eight episode "Hex". The sonic cry of Black Canary also causes him intense pain due to the sensitivity of his super-hearing; in the episode "Siren", the sound actually causes Clark's ears to bleed.

[edit] DC Animated Universe

In the animated series Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and its sequel Justice League Unlimited, Superman is depicted with power levels similar to those he possessed immediately following his 1986 reboot in the comics, though the writers had admitted^{[citation needed]} to what extent does vary depending on plot requirements. Superman possesses the powers of flight, superhuman strength, x-ray vision, heat vision, cold breath, super-speed, enhanced hearing, and incredible resistance to harm, though he seldom uses his heat vision, freeze breath or hearing. While Superman is immensely strong both in terms of muscle power and ability to take physical punishment, he is not all-powerful.

Superman derives his power from the yellow sun of Earth. Forced under a red sun akin to the red sun of his homeworld, Krypton, or exposed to red sun radiation, Superman rapidly loses his powers, reverting to the stature of a normal human.^[3] This version of Superman also needs to breathe, taking a deep breath in "Apokalips Now... Part 2" before plunging into the ocean, and having a special suit for when he needs to operate in outer space.

However, in the Justice League Unlimited finale, "Destroyer", Superman said that he hasn't shown his full power because "he feels like he lives in a world full of cardboard" and the risk he could kill someone. Darkseid, as a formidable and lethal villain, forces Superman to decide to "cut loose", fighting Darkseid at full strength. At full power, Superman was shown to be either on even terms with Darkseid or superior.^[4]

The episode "The Late Mr. Kent" reveals that Superman doesn't need to eat, though he does out of habit.

In the Batman Beyond episode "The Call" set fifty years in the future of the DCAU, Superman is shown to have aged far slower than the average human, looking somewhere in his late forties to early fifties as opposed to Bruce Wayne's late seventies or early eighties. This prompts Bruce to mention that he "Could use some of that Kryptonian DNA." Superman retains all of his previously shown powers at the same level despite his age. He is said to be still active fifteen years later in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue".

[edit] Video games

Superman has been portrayed in many video games.^[5]

As seen in the game Justice League Heroes, Superman had super strength, freezing breath, invulnerability, heat vision, and flight.

In Superman Returns, based on the film, his powers consist of flight, super strength, super speed, invulnerability, heat vision, super breath, freeze breath, x-ray vision, and super hearing (in the game, health is measured in property damage, not damage to Superman).

In the Nintendo 64 version of Superman, Superman is given the abilities of flight, super strength and invulnerability. The additional powers of heat vision, super breath and super speed could be unlocked for brief periods by collecting power icons.^[6]

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe features Superman displaying the powers of heat vision, freezing breath, super breath, flight, super strength and super speed.^[7] Superman's invulnerability is not on display, explained as a combination of his weakness to magic and the effects of the "combat rage" reducing his powers.

[edit] Novels

In Tom DeHaven's book It's Superman!, Superman's powers were depicted as decreased to the levels similar to both 1938 and the Fleischer Superman cartoons, and complete with hard science^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

v • d • e Superman Creators Jerome "Jerry" Siegel · Joseph "Joe" Shuster Superman Family Superman (Clark Kent) · Superboy (Kal-El; Kon-El) · Supergirl (Kara Zor-El; Matrix; Linda Danvers; Cir-El) Chris Kent · Eradicator · Gangbuster · Guardian · Krypto · Maxima · Mon-El · Power Girl · Steel · Superwoman (Kristin Wells) Supporting Characters Alura · Bibbo Bibbowski · Cat Grant · Jimmy Olsen · Jor-El · Lana Lang · Lara · Lois Lane · Lori Lemaris · Lucy Lane · Lyla Lerrol · Ma and Pa Kent · Perry White · Pete Ross · Professor Emil Hamilton · Ron Troupe · Sam Lane · Steve Lombard · Zor-El Villains Atlas · Atomic Skull · Bizarro · Black Zero · Bloodsport · Brainiac · Bruno Mannheim · Codename: Assassin · Composite Superman · Conduit · Darkseid · Doomsday · Equus · Encantadora · Faora · General Zod · Gog · Hank Henshaw · Imperiex · Intergang · Jax-Ur · Kryptonite Man · Lex Luthor · Livewire · Lobo · Mala · Metallo · Mongul · Morgan Edge · Mr. Mxyzptlk · Non · Parasite · Prankster · Quex-Ul · Silver Banshee · Solomon Grundy · Superboy-Prime · Titano · Toyman · Ultra-Humanite · Ultraman · Ursa Locations Daily Planet · Fortress of Solitude · Kandor · Krypton · Metropolis · Phantom Zone · Smallville · Suicide Slum History and themes Origin · History of Superman · Symbol · Powers · Kryptonite · Character and cast · Relationship of Clark Kent and Lois Lane Publications Current: Action Comics · Adventure Comics (vol. 2) · Superman · Superman/Batman · Superman: World of New Krypton Former: Adventure Comics · All Star Superman · DC Comics Presents · Superman (vol. 2) · Superman: The Man of Steel · World's Finest Comics Miscellanea Storylines · Fictional character biography · Alternate versions · Superman in other media · Superman (film series) · Smallville