Superman (DC Comics character)

Superman
Biographical Information
Real Name	Clark Kent
Home country	United States of America
Homeworld	Krypton
Physical Information
Species	Kryptonian
Gender	Male
Hair colour	Black
Chronological / Political Information
Affiliation(s)	The Daily Star
Citizenship	American
Occupation(s)	Newspaper reporter
Fictional Information
Created by	Jerry Siegel Joe Shuster

“	Reports have been streaming in that a fellow with gigantic strength named Superman actually exists. I'm making it your steady assignment to cover these reports. Think you can handle it, Kent?	”
–George Taylor, to Clark Kent

Clark Kent was an extraterrestrial orphan sent to the planet Earth by his scientist father to escape the destruction of his home world. After being taken to an orphanage, attendants discovered the infant was possessed of fantastic strength. After reaching maturity, Kent discovered yet more of his fantastic innate abilities, and used them to become a costumed crimefighter - Superman.

Weapons and Abilities

Superman's race had a physical structure millions of years in advance of humanity.

Inherent Abilities

• Durability: Superman was impervious to gunshot wounds and stabbings; it would take an artillery shell to pierce his skin. (COMIC: Superman)
• Super Hearing: Superman could hear far better than a human. (COMIC: Superman on the High Seas)
• Speed: Superman was able to outrun cars and express trains. (COMIC: Superman)
• Strength: Superman was able to carry people, smash through steel doors, and throw cars with ease, and to leap over 1/8th of a mile. (COMIC: Superman) Superman was also able to physically pull an ocean liner through a storm from the open ocean to the shore. (COMIC: The Return of the Ultra-Humanite)
• Heat Vision: Superman used it to melt through a brick wall. (COMIC: Superman's Super-Campaign)

Skills

• Archery: Superman was able to perfectly aim an arrow at an electric sign across a street and hit a lightbulb dead on. (COMIC: Superman's Super-Campaign)

Notes

Behind the Scenes

• Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
• American author Jeff Rovin noted inconsistencies and retcons in Superman's origins from the Golden Age onwards.
• While Superman later gained the ability to fly, he did not have this ability in his early appearances. The ability to fly and the popular phrase, "Up, up, and away!" came from the 1940 radio show.

Trivia

• Superman has been featured three times on the web series "DEATH BATTLE!".

Links

• Superman on Wikipedia
• Superman on Encyclopædia Britannica