Superman

Jerry Siegel in Uniform ca1943 cropped

Joe Shuster

Reign of the Superman

Siegel Shuster Superman 1933 concept

Superman concept art 1934

Action Comics 1

Superman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, a comic book published on April 18, 1938. The character regularly appears in various comic books, television shows, films, and other media.

Origin and Background

Superman was born on the planet Krypton and was given the name Kal-El at birth. As a baby, his parents, Jor-El and Lara, sent him to Earth in a small spaceship moments before Krypton was destroyed in a natural cataclysm. His ship landed in the American countryside, near the fictional town of Smallville. He was found and adopted by farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent, who named him Clark Kent. As Clark grew up, he discovered that he possessed various superhuman abilities, such as incredible strength and impervious skin. His adoptive parents advised him to use his abilities for the benefit of humanity, and he decided to fight crime as a vigilante.

Powers and Abilities

Superman possesses a wide array of superhuman abilities, including:

• Superhuman strength
• Invulnerability
• Flight
• Super speed
• Heat vision
• X-ray vision
• Superhuman hearing
• Super breath

These abilities are attributed to his Kryptonian physiology, which reacts to the yellow sun of Earth differently than the red sun of Krypton.

Alter Ego

Superman's alter ego is Clark Kent, a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, a fictional newspaper based in Metropolis. His colleagues include Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White. Clark Kent's persona is characterized by his glasses, conservative clothing, and reserved demeanor, which contrasts sharply with Superman's bold and confident nature.

Supporting Characters

Superman is often associated with a rich cast of supporting characters, including:

• Lois Lane - A fellow reporter and Superman's primary love interest.
• Jimmy Olsen - A young photojournalist and Superman's friend.
• Perry White - The editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet.
• Lex Luthor - Superman's arch-nemesis, a brilliant but evil scientist and businessman.
• Supergirl - Superman's cousin, who also possesses similar powers.

Enemies

Superman has a vast rogues' gallery, including:

• Lex Luthor
• General Zod
• Brainiac
• Doomsday
• Darkseid

Cultural Impact

Superman is widely considered an American cultural icon. He has been adapted into numerous television series, films, radio serials, and video games. The character's emblem, a stylized "S" shield, is one of the most recognizable symbols in popular culture.

Related Pages

• DC Comics
• Justice League
• Batman
• Wonder Woman
• Green Lantern
• The Flash