Superman

Superman: Abilities and Equipment - The powers and abilities of the last son of Krypton.
Superman: Bibliography - The secret origin and evolution of the Superman character.
Superman: Biography/Profile - The origin and biography of Superman.
Superman: Glossary - Glossary of the friends and enemies of Superman.

Personal Details

Status: Active
Alter Ego: (birth name) Kal-El, (adopted name) Clark Kent
Marital Status: Married to Lois Lane Kent
Known Relatives: Don-EL (biological paternal great-great-grandfather, deceased), Jor-El (biological father, deceased), Jonathan and Martha Kent (adoptive parents), Harry Kent (adoptive uncle, deceased), Sarah Kent (adoptive aunt), Kon-EL I ("cousin", deceased), Kon-EL II ("cousin", alias Superboy), Lois Lane (wife), Sam and Ella Lane (father and motherin-law), Lucy Lane (sister-in-law), Lara (biological mother, deceased), Nara (biological maternal great-grandmother, deceased), Seyg-El (biological paternal grandfather, deceased), Ter-El (biological paternal great-grandfather, deceased), Van-L (founder of the House of El)
Group Affiliation: Justice League America (JUSTICE LEAGUE SPECTACULAR - JLA (second series) #70); Justice League of America (JLA MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE #3 - present)
Base of Operations: Metropolis, USA and the Fortress of Solitude
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 225 lbs
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue

Overview

First Impressions

Your first meeting with Superman will be one of the greatest moments of your life. He'll descend from the sky like a messenger of the gods. His very presence will make people stand up straighter, it makes them feel safer and grants them a sense of hope. Yet he won't float idly above you, he will walk amongst you, perhaps even swapping light banter with the local law enforcement officials. His voice is deep with a sense of benevolent authority, his expression is serious, but attentive and his actions are considered, but decisive. The overall impression is like meeting Moses, King Arthur and Abraham Lincoln all rapped together into one person. Then before your mind can process all this his supersenses detect an emergency and he leaps into the air and is gone.

Brief

The infant Kal-El of Krypton was rocketed to Earth to avoid the destruction of his homeworld. He was discovered and raised by Martha and Jonathan Kent as their own son, Clark. They instilled in him the principals of honor and justice. During his teenage years he discovered that he had incredible powers beyond those of mortal men. He resolved to use those powers to help the world and created the costumed identity of Superman to protect his private life. In the last twelve years Superman has transformed the world. His shear presence has caused scientists, politicians, philosophers and theologians to rethink their world views. He has saved the planet countless times, helped build bridges between peoples and created an example that we can all follow.

Recent Developments

When the Justice League reformed Superman found himself chosen by his allies to be their natural leader. He has seen his city transformed by the B13 Virus and has seen his arch-enemy, Lex Luthor, become the President of the United States. However Superman has never faltered in his commitment to the people of Earth. He is strengthened by forging closer bonds with his chief allies, most notably Batman and Wonder Woman.

Abilities

Vast superstrength, speed and stamina. Almost invulnerable - he can easily withstand a nuclear explosion. Hypersenses allow him to see the entire electromagnetic spectrum and to see through solid objects. Can fly by sheer effort of will and can project intense heat from his eyes.

Tactics

He has often been derided by Lex Luthor for lacking finesse, but the fact is that then your as powerful as Superman you don't always need fancy tactics. Superman only used to use one of his powers at a time, but with experience (plus training from some unlikely sources) he is beginning to be more creative. When he's inspired or when prompted by others (i.e. Batman) Superman can be truly frightening in what he can achieve. He is however prone to holding back. He has become so use to limiting his abilities to protect normal mortals that totally unleashing against a foe takes a lot of mental effort.

Relationships

Connections

Superman's closest allies on the Justice League are Batman and Wonder Woman. There is a chemistry between Wonder Woman and Superman that they are hesitant to admit, she is his friend and confidant and understands him better than almost anybody else. Batman and Superman's relationship was originally based on a mutual professional respect and distrust. However over the years they have become true friends and trusted allies. Of the other Leaguers both Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter know that he is also Clark Kent. He sometimes has problems with Aquaman's attitude.

Allies

Superboy (Kon-El - a clone "based" on Superman, a member of Young Justice), Supergirl (Linda Danvers - the last refugee from a parallel universe), Steel (Dr John Henry Irons - an engineer who was inspired by Superman to become a superhero, a reserve member of the League).

Enemies

Lex Luthor (President of the United States and leader of the Injustice Gang), Cyborg II (Hank Henshaw - the destroyer of Coast City), Brainiac (an alien intelligence who seeks to destroy Superman).

[Return to Team Superman and the Superman Dynasty]

The Captain's Unofficial JLA Homepage X. December 2000. WEBMASTER: Jason Kirk (jmkprime@yahoo.co.uk). The Justice League, the Justice Society, related icons and images are copyright DC Comics or their original creators/artists and are used without permission. This site is non-profit making and in no way exists to defraud the original artist/writers/owners of the discussed material - it is a work in homage and it is hoped that it is seen as such. Displayed on a reusable monitor.