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Übermensch

Perhaps it would be correct to have the Übermensch entry here under Superman? What is the correct English nomenclature for that philosophical construct? --Anders Törlind

I would imagine that "superman" is correct, after G.B. Shaw's 1903 play, Man and Superman.

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I disagree. The concept of the Übermensch ("Uebermensch" in 7 bits) is an important one in Nietzsche's philosophy. Also, thanks in no small part to the tremendous cultural impact of the "Superman" character, most philosophers prefer the more literal translation of "Overman" these days. See, e.g., the translations of -- and biography of -- Nietzsche by Walter Kaufmann. -- Branden

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Right, "overman" is more common among philosophers.

Wonder Mike

What the hekck does this mean? "During the 1980s, the rapper Wonder Mike was styled as being the romantic rival of Superman for the affections of the Lois Lane." --Larry Sanger

It's a humorous reference to the seminal hip-hop song Rapper's Delight, which included the lyrics, sung by Wonder Mike:

A reporter stopped me for a interview,
She said she's heard stories and she's heard fables
That I'm vicious on the mike and the turntables.
This young reporter I did adore,
So I rocked a vicious rhyme like I never did before.
She said "Damn! Fly guy, I'm in love with you,
The Casanova legend must have been true."
I said, "By the way baby, what's your name?"
She said, "I go by the name of Lois Lane
And you could be my boyfriend, you surely can,
Just let me quit my boyfriend called Superman."
I said "He's a fairy, I do suppose,
Flyin' through the air in pantyhose.
He may be very sexy or even cute,
but he looks like a sucker in a blue and red suit."
I said, "You need a man who's got finesse
And his whole name across his chest.
He may be able to fly all through the night,
But can he rock a party 'til the early light?
He can't satisfy you with his little worm,
But I can bust you out with my super sperm!

[1]

--Superman and Judasim

 Why was this section removed?  ecoli

--TheCunctator

Links to people in Superman legend

I suggest we make all the links to people in the Superman legend as subpages, as it is unlikely one would search directly for them. What is the will of the group?

I'll weigh in with an opinion that any major (and many minor) pop culture figures should have their own page, linking back to a more central concept in most cases, but nonetheless a standalone page. Wiki is not paper as they say. Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, Lois Lane from Superman, Kosmo Kramer from Seinfeld -- all are part of a bigger cultural phenomenon, but all are likely to be searched for separately as well. --Jimbo Wales

American Way

Does anyone besides me feel that the Superman's transition from, "Truth, justice, and the American way," to just, "Truth and justice," is significant/worth mentioning? Perhaps to show how Superman has changed over the years to reflect the changes in American culture.--BlackGriffen

Absolutely. I'm not a comic fan, but I would be interested to see the development from patriotism to a more philosophical view of "truth and justice". --Stephen Gilbert

Supreme character

There was a mention of "Supreme"... maybe there should also be a mention of "Mr.Majestic" from Image comics.

There are many Superman pastiche characters out there of varying importance. I'm not sure it would be practical to list every single one. Kaijan 04:43, 23 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Superboy section

A section in this article specifically for the character Superboy is necessary. Kaijan 03:11, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)

I think there's probably enough of the topic to justify a separate Superboy article, actually. —Paul A 06:59, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)

You may be right -- I've now written a Superboy section that can easily be turned into a separate article (and added to, of course) if it's justified. -- Kaijan 08:12, 22 Aug 2003 (UTC)

I've moved the Superboy section into a separate article, but I think the creation of Superboy as a separate character should be mention in the History section of the Superman article. -- Kaijan 01:02, 29 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Image Copyright

Has the image copyright? Llull 12:50, 25 Oct 2003 (UTC) The image is small and low resolution so we can probably call it fair use. Gbleem 06:23, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC) I see it's priced at 10 cents so it may be old enough to not be under copyright. If that is the case then we just have to be concerned about trademark issues. Gbleem 06:26, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Moses, Jesus comparisons

I get the comparison to Moses. Spaceship equals reed basket. I don't get the Jesus comparison. Gbleem 06:23, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)

• It's less literal: a savior hidden in infancy to escape death (for Jesus, by hiding from King Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents; for Superman, by rocket to avoid an exploding planet, Krypton). - Nunh-huh 06:29, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)
• Also, probably more apt since the Doomsday/Death of Superman series. Doomsday is, basically, the manifestation of evil and I suppose you could consider him analogous to the sins of the universe. Superman fights Doomsday, dies, and then is resurrected. Does that help? :) --Wolf530 07:15, Mar 31, 2004 (UTC)
  • I also want to make the point that the Jesus comparison really only makes sense, as I said, after Doomsday. The creators of Superman were "notably" Jewish, and it is often said that they based numerous elements of his persona on Jewish mythology. So, the comparison to Moses was likely intended from early on. --Wolf530 07:18, Mar 31, 2004 (UTC)
    • On the other hand, you'd be hard-pressed to use much Moses imagery without also using Jesus imagery, as the latter is based on the former.... - Nunh-huh
      • Superman is of the house of El, implying he is angelic in nature ala Michael, Gabriel etc. True comic geeks suspected that the Spectre (an avenging angel) shared a soul with Superman. - Sparky 23:56, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Nazi and Soviet Supermen

There have been stories speculating what would happen had the Kryptonian fall in Germany (ending as a Nazi Übermensch), this was by the Anno Dracula author, I think, or Ukraine (ending as a Soviet hero) (published by DC?). Should these be mentioned?

I added info about Red Son, the one about him ending up in the Ukraine. Feel free to copyedit it to your heart's delight. Rei

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Are Siegel and Shuster both of German & Jewish origin ? Thinking of the concept & the era this could bring new light on Superman character. Ericd 11:13, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Both were Jewish. - Sparky

Q-Radiation

Weaknesses: I recall something about something called 'Q-Radiation' from the silver age, but I can't recall specifics. ~~

Mostly appeared in the Lois Lane books when Kryptonite was eliminated for a while - Sparky

Misc.

FYI: Doc Savage had an arctic refuge first. - Sparky 01:54, 1 Apr 2004 (UTC)
FYI: Superman celebrates his birthday on February 29. - Sparky 01:59, 1 Apr 2004 (UTC)

POV in Recommended Reading

This Recommended Reading section is inherently POV. If you want something like that, put this list up on Amazon.com and respect the NPOV principle here.

Additional reading

Here are a few trade paperbacks, available at most bookstores that shed an important light on the character:

• A Superman for All Seasons - w. Jeph Loeb a. Tim Sale l. Bjarne Hanssen

written just a year before Smallville, this book tells the tale of Superman as a young man in a timeless, Rockwellian america from confused lad to superpowered metropolite. Sale + Loeb are at the top of their form in this book, with an amazing script and gorgeous watercolors beyond compare.

• Kingdom Come - w. Mark Waid a. Alex Ross

A fully painted epic in the style of Watchmen, this is the story of Superman the day after tommorow. Superman has retired, along with many of the greats of the DC universe and given way to a new breed of reckless, feckless superheroes. What happens when superman comes out of retirement?

• The Death of Superman/World Without a Superman/The Return of Superman - w. various a. various

The DC stable is out in full force as it tells the story of Superman's death and the world's (and his loved ones') reaction as well as his eventual return.

Excuse me, but it doesn't say "recommended reading" - that was changed to make it NPOV. As was mentioned before, there is a lot of good information about other variants of Superman here. If you don't like them being here, make them into their own, linked articles, but do NOT delete valid, factual, relevant information to the subject at hand. --Rei

Excuse me, but I did move Superman: Red Sun to its own article. If you don't want to bother to notice something obvious, that is your own lookout. As for the list, It is partially redundant considering Kingdom Come, and now A Superman For All Seasons already have their own articles and the whole list is more efficiently linked in the What links here section of this article and in List of DC Comics publications and has very little relevance here.

BTW what kind of idea do you think NPOV is if you think this quote, "Sale + Loeb are at the top of their form in this book, with an amazing script and gorgeous watercolors beyond compare", possibly qualifies as that? That line is the primarily reason I removed this list considering it indicated that NPOV was not a serious consideration with the creation of this list

The flattering terms should be toned down, but the basic summaries should be retained. Also, how was I to know that you created Red SON (you misspelled it) when you didn't even link it? If things like Kingdom Come already have articles, by the way, they should be linked from here. I have no problem, so long as there are links. Is this not a reasonable expectation? Rei

They are, in the What links here section of the article. Also, I examined the revision history of Red Son and List of DC Comics Publications. According to the evidence, there was no misspelling on my part and no correction by anyone, including you, at least in those articles.

My error, changing the Red Son title now.

Few people ever click on "What Links Here", because it often gives tons of extraneous references. How much would it hurt you to just put in the couple of links? Rei

How about we compromise and add a separate article for Notable Superman Stories?

Deal.  :) Rei

"(Kent is probably a reference to the Earl of Kent from King Lear, who shaves his beard and is no longer reconized, as when Superman puts on his glasses to become Clark Kent nobody recognizes him)" Actually, I was under the impression that the name "Clark Kent" was derived from the real names of Doc Savage (Clark Savage, Jr) and The Shadow (Kent Allard). -Sean 22:11, 27 May 2004 (UTC)

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There is a duplicate article at Superman Biography that any new info needs to be merged. Dunc_Harris|☺ 21:29, 5 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Theory on Superman's powers

This is a write-up on Superman's abilities that had its own page, however it was deleted for copyright violations. Personally, when I first saw the page I thought it was interesting and highly informative. So here it is.

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Informative, yes, but not canonical.

Overview

The cellular structure of a Kryptonian is similar to that of all humanoids. However, a certain chemical makeup in the ribosomes is capable of absorbing solar energy and storing it. Once the ribosomes achieve saturation levels of this radiation, they begin to re-radiate the energy in the form of a bioelectric forcefield. Each individual cell within the field's radius becomes reinforced in such a way that the cells are not only protected from external harm, but internal forces as well. It is this last which is key to the great powers of Superman. Since the individual cells are wholly invulnerable, they are capable of operating at levels of efficiency that would destroy normal humanoid cells. These "super-cells" lend an enhancing effect to all bodily systems...muscular, metabolic, nervous, and so forth. The continual absorption of solar energy provides a constant power source for these enhanced systems. Thus, Superman is capable of incredible feats.

Strength

His physical strength is greatly magnified by the combination of his more-efficient muscular system and the enhancement of his skeletal system's structural integrity, but is primarily augmented by the sheer force of his solar forcefield. He can lift 100,000 tons with serious effort. The conjectured upper limit of his physical strength has been determined to be approximately 250,000 tons with great effort, and causing strain damage to himself equivalent to a normal man lifting 500 pounds. Continual exertion will deplete his solar energy, and greatly exceeding his normal lift will drain him more rapidly. At the level of complete solar depletion, Superman can lift/exert no more than 100 tons of weight or force.

Speed

Similarly, Superman's enhanced metabolic rate, muscular speed, and nervous system grant him incredible speed. His Kryptonian structure and the solar energy paths that course along his neurophysical structure allow him to react at many times normal human speed. He can read a complete encyclopedia set in seconds, wash a sink full of dishes in the blink of an eye, or run from New York City to Paris in a matter of minutes. He can move faster than the human eye can perceive if necessary, but this requires extra effort. His reflexes are quick enough to allow him to dodge incoming automatic laser fire.

Superman's perceptions are similarly rapid, allowing him to see individual bullets fired from high-speed automatic weaponry in flight and outrace them easily. Moving at extreme speeds for extended periods of time rapidly drains his solar reserves. In a full drained state, his reflexes are only sufficient enough to dodge semi-automatic projectile weapons and read the encyclopedia set in under 10 minutes.

Invulnerability

Naturally, the basic forcefield effect renders him invulnerable to large amounts of damage. He can withstand a 1-megaton nuclear explosion without ill effect, and has been able to tolerate the molten conditions in the Earth's core with only discomfort. A 40 Megaton nuclear explosion knocked him unconscious for over an hour. He could not, however, survive the conditions inside a star, but can safely approach to within several miles of Earth's sun, probably due to a feedback loop of solar energy powering his bioelectric field.

Superman can easily survive conditions in deep space, but he does need to breathe, eat, sleep, and excrete. Superman can hold his breath for a maximum of 12 hours, and requires 2 hours of sleep a night to function at peak mental efficiency, as well needing to dream at least half an hour a night, or experience the psychological effects of sleep deprivation as would any other person who missed a night of sleep. When his solar energy is depleted, his resistance to physical punishment drops to approximately one-quarter the normal amount. Withstanding large amounts of damage continuously over time will rapidly deplete his solar reserves.

Due to the highly charged nature of his solar storage systems, his immune system deals with most normal poisons and diseases quickly and with no ill effect. Radiation and similar harmful energies are similarly neutralized.

Senses

The enhanced structure of Superman's sensory organs combined with the increased capacity of his nervous system provides for the greatly enhanced senses. His range of hearing extends from the subsonic through to the point where signal modulation in broadcast communications can be sensed and demodulated into "sounds". His visual reception range covers the entirety of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The difference between human and Superman's vision is that Superman has the capability to see a much wider band of the electromagnetic spectrum; while humans sense a very narrow band of the spectrum we call visible light. Superman can change the spectrum he perceives at any given time, by changing the chemical receptors in the rods and cones of his retinas. Typically, Superman perceives visible light. He can adjust his photovoltaic detection as an act of will to sense longer wavelengths down to the infrared, and higher energy light, up to X-ray and gamma radiation.

Flight

Kryptonian muscle tissue when super-charged with solar-energy, can generate a powerful gravity field. These fields in combination with Superman's personal bioelectric field give him the ability to negate gravity, allowing him to fly. When in flight, he's fully suspended by this energy, almost completely repelling earth's gravimetric influence over him. He becomes his own center of gravity, and no longer has to physically leverage against the gravity of whatever planetary body he's on, or any object. By emitting a jet of rapidly moving particle/electron interaction by-products, Superman is capable of Mach speeds in excess of Mach 10 in atmosphere. He can fly to the moon in minutes, but faster than that outside of atmospheric interference. His control of his flight is perfect and he can perform aerobatic feats such as hovering, flying backwards and even lifting great weights while flying.

X-Ray Vision

Superman can use the gravitational fields generated by the muscles in his eyes to produce a gravity lens, allowing him to focus far beyond the range of the human eye. Combined with Superman's sensitivity to light, he can magnify an image a virtually countless number of times. Superman can see through solids objects by using a combination of these telescopic and microscopic visual abilities to see through the atomic structure of an object and focus past it, as a camera focuses beyond the dust on a lens. Certain dense materials, notably lead, obstruct this ability.

Heat Vision

Superman has the ability to expel stored (solar/electromagnetic) internal energy in the form of focused beams of radiation from his eyes. He emits light along various frequencies in high energy bursts that flash-melts materials in seconds, weaken structural integrity over a smaller area, such as melting the barrel of a gun but leaving the handle untouched. Superman can control his heat vision and direct it wherever he wants to. He directs it with his eyes.

In actuality, Superman could not emit the directly from his eyes. The energy is actually built up on the surface of the bio-energetic field surrounding his body and emitted from there. This allows his body to be protected from the energy and absorbing stray electromagnetic energy back into his body. Superman's energy reclamation aura is so efficient that any radiation, even those emitted from him, once in the environment are able to be reabsorbed.

The heat beams are psionically controlled and that control is reflexive, so he can shut it off without accidentally damaging anything that he does not want to. He can emit the radiation visibly or invisibly at lower settings. His energy has a high visibility profile if emitted at higher levels.

Recall

Both Superman's Kryptonian physiology and the fact that his engrams are stabilized by a solar-frequency hologram reinforcing his neural matrix allow him near-perfect recall of events he pays specific attention to or that have emotional significance or are particularly striking.

Mimic

Superman is a talented mimic, and can reproduce most sounds that he can hear. He can modulate his voice to transmit on radio or microwave/radar frequencies, and can expel a minute amount of air in space at a warm enough temperature and speed to carry sub-vocalized sound directly to one or more targets.

Power Source

Superman requires solar energy to function at peak capacity, or his powers fade to greatly reduced levels, some disappearing entirely if his solar reserves are empty. Superman cannot absorb energy from the lower frequency orange O-class stars and cannot process the higher-frequency White K or blue M classes. Blue B and yellow G type stars are ideal. (Edit: Actually, this does not coincide with the actual stellar classification. Assuming the information here is generally correct, his operation range should be from White A to Yellow G.)

Superman's body stores and processes solar energy at a rapid rate and for a variety of effects, which are explained in his other powers. His storage capacity is sufficient to let him function at full capacity for up to 14 days depending on his physical condition and state of rest. While under a star of the right class (G-type dwarfs in the blue-white through yellow spectrum are ideal) and within a planetary atmosphere, he replenishes energy at a constant rate.

If forced to expend large amounts of energy over a relatively short time, or to maintain constant exertion over longer periods of time, he tires and his power begins to diminish. Constant exertion will revert him to normal humanoid levels after 14 days without rest. The power recovers at the rate of normal rest, and a full recharge can be accomplished with two days of no more than moderate, normal-level exertion. A process of solar recharge is also known, but requires massive amounts of fusion energy of solar/light-based superpowers.

Weaknesses

The fatal flaw in Kryptonian cellular physiology is the unique radiation given off by kryptonite. In the most minute amounts, the radiation waveforms and high-energy particles emitted by kryptonite can react catastrophically with the very ribosomal chemical that grant a Kryptonian powers. The briefest contact can strip these powers, and further begin a fatal poisoning that totally shuts down cellular activity in the affected areas.

As kryptonite radiation makes its way through the bloodstream, a Kryptonian becomes instantly weak and ill in its unshielded presence, and prolonged exposure will render him or her unconscious (after 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the sample, and the current state of his solar reserves), and will eventually (after two to four hours) reach all parts of his body and bring death, usually as the body's immune system attempts to expel the deadly toxin. However, the rate of recovery once removed from the emissions is as rapid as the rate of damage, and the Kryptonian will be back to normal in under an hour after exposure in optimal conditions. Kryptonite emissions can be blocked by lead and other super-dense materials.

Further, the radiation signature of the red sun of the Krypton system (and similar F-class stars) instantly causes the ribosomal structures to lose their stored energy, reducing a Kryptonian to normal humanoid levels.

I question whether the information regarding Superman's ability to donate blood or sire a child should be better moved out of "weaknesses" and into a more apt heading. Comments? Dyslexic agnostic 09:16, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

We have ONE, modern picture

I could take some early photos myself, but it is absurd that the only superman picture we have is a fairly modern (i'd say late 90s) one. There are no comic book or TV show pictures. For shame! Lockeownzj00 20:26, 25 Aug 2004 (UTC)

If I'm not mistaken, the current picture is from the cover of Superman #204, a comic published in 2004. --Lowellian 22:29, Sep 26, 2004 (UTC)

Superman category

Since Superman is such an icon, there are numerous things that related to him. Should we create a Superman category? [[Category:Superman]] All the related articles could be included in the category. — Frecklefoot | Talk 16:06, Aug 30, 2004 (UTC)

Huge paragraph under "Superman's abilities" heading

That huge paragraph under "Superman's abilities" heading needs to be cleaned up. —Lowellian (talk)[[]] 02:44, Oct 13, 2004 (UTC)

"Featured article"?

Gosh, if this refers to the main article on which I've been working, and not this discussion page, it's an embarrassment.Sfahey 15:07, 16 Oct 2004 (UTC)

It looks to me like you've been removing some content, although I'll grant that the article was 45 kb long. Everyking 15:28, 16 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Yes, I saw the note asking for shortening when the article was over 50kb, and started whittling. I mostly just condensed the verbiage; now it needs duplications removed, and (most of) whole sections moved out. I'm reluctant to take that second step myself, since I'm a fan, but no expert, on the Man of Steel and contributed little of the original material myself.Sfahey 22:23, 17 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Edits of 10/18/04

Aiming to streamline and get "Superman under 30kb, I removed some items which were too "far out" for a "lead" paragraph or the "synopsis" section. Other apparent deletions and de-linkings were, as you notice if you labor through the whole article, redundant material. The music section probably needs its own page.Sfahey 22:17, 19 Oct 2004 (UTC)

About the "How It Works" section; Alternate Theories

Is the "How It Works" section in the main article the offical opinion from DC comics, or is it a fan's theory? If it is the latter, then that section should mention that the explaination is unofficial.

I had my own guesses, similar to what's given in the "How It Works" section. I supposed that the environment on Krypton was very harsh; maybe a very large planet close to its sun with lots of radiation exposure, like in the first (1970s) movie. Superman's powers on Earth are an over-reaction to Krypton's environmental challenges on a planet that doesn't have those challenges. The high radiation lead to Kyrptonian cells using that radiation as a type of fuel (solar power) and for generating a toughness aura (invulnerability). The higher gravity gave body densities higher than similar creatures on Earth, further increasing the toughness factor. The aura also had to help counter gravity in general (flight capable) and tidal forces (precision flight). The sun had a wider range of brightly-emitted frequencies (wide specturm vision). A sparser atmosphere made vibration and chemical detection more difficult than on Earth (other super senses).

--69.37.220.12 18:24, 22 Oct 2004 (UTC)

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If this is the "official" explanation, then DC's editors aren't paying much attention. I suggest that all details about Superman's powers, especially the "vital statistics," be removed; a simple list of the accepted powers (super-strength, super-speed, heat vision) and those possessed by previous iterations (super-ventriloquism) replace it. The vital statistics are particularly eggregious, since Superman has (in JLA) evidenced at least 1/3 of the strength necessary to move the moon from its orbit. The writers simply don't know how strong he is; he's as strong as the story demands, and any attempt to establish a number here will just make us look foolish when contradicted in print.

Final tuneup?

There is still much overlap in the "Synopsis" and "History" sections. One should be Superman's story and the other should be the story of Superman's story. Any takers? Sfahey 20:22, 22 Oct 2004 (UTC)

The Death and Life Of...

The complete umbrella title for the epic storyline in which Superman dies and is "reborn" is "The Death And Life Of Superman". What you call simply "The Death Of Superman" is actually only part of the storyline as it is the title of the comic book that "kills off" Superman.

There was a novel version of the storyline also called "The Death And Life Of Superman" that came out around the time of the storyline in the comics.

So "The Death And Life Of..." is what we will call it since it emcompasses the entire storyline of Superman's death and "resurrection".

Hiphats 19:44, 7 Nov 2004 (UTC)

It seems both times the title "The Death And Life Of Superman" is mentioned it refers to Doomsday killing Supes, which would be the first part of the whole trilogy, "The Death Of Superman". That's the name of the book it's collected in, anyway, so I'll go by that. And just like you would mention specific events in any trilogy (like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars) by the name of which part it took place in, I say leave it at "The Death Of Superman". More accurate. Maestro25 21:44, Nov 7, 2004 (UTC)

Page Size

This page is still too large. Usually I try to create spin-off articles from sections that are too large within specific pages. But no section in this article is particularly large. Maybe the story of Superman and the story of the story of Superman could be covered in separate articles? The article on the story of Superman could contain the synopsis, his abilities and his weaknesses. The meta-article could contain the history, cultural influences and parodies. What do people think about ways of trimming the article? --Susurrus 03:00, 9 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I whacked this thing down from >50 to 32 kb last month, but it creeps back up. See my previous suggestions re other ideas to shrink it.Sfahey 23:53, 9 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Apology--apparent reversion fuckup

I think my version of the history is cached. I tried to revert an apparent copyvio which was notified, but my edit has done nothing of the sort. Evidently I either am screwing up or my browser is. Apologies, this is one thing I will not attempt any more to revert lest I do more damage. --Tony Sidaway 20:59, 26 Nov 2004 (UTC)

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big picture missing?

I kind of have a problem conceptually with this page. I can't tell if the "explanations" for superman's powers and weaknesses are the official DC line, or if it's a writer or fan's attempt to introduce continuity to decades of stories written by hundreds of different writers.

Factually, I can dispute several points, for example that different colored kryptonite was rectconned out of existence after 1986. Crisis of the Crimson Kryptonite took place just prior to his "death", and the story featured superman losing his powers from being exposed to "red kryptonite". Other problems are that multiple post-crisis stories state explicitly that Kryptonians are physiologically the same as humans, save that they are denser. Density is the stated reason that kryptonians are susceptible to kryptonite, which has higher-velocity radiation particles that "travel through" normal humans. Ignoring that the explanation is scientific gobbledygook, these explanations have been held up within the last 10 years and dispute the contents of this article.

I probably sound like a huge nerd. Ironically, this is just crap I remember from the occasional superman comic book I'd read maybe once a year. I don't care which story is "right" or which one is "wrong". But it strikes me as problematic to try to enforce continuity on something that really doesn't have any. DC clearly doesn't have a "Superman steering committee" (ha), they just make shit up as they go along. Maybe the article should be shorter on specific details which change with each new Superman writer. Personally, I find it boring to read dwelling on the excruciating and frankly misleading minutiae of superman's powers this week. I'd rather know stuff like how many languages Superman comics are published in, the types of influences that shaped his creation, his influence on the comics industry, which cannot be overestimated.

--Alan D (haven't been here in a while, just stopped by)

this newcomer to "Superman" makes several good points, which are among the many things that argue for this article to be removed from "featured article" status. i don't feel that strongly about it, but it would be embarrassing for the current "Superman" to hit the front page.Sfahey 23:28, 28 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Copyvio

Moved from Wikipedia:Copyright problems

• Superman (old edition) from [2]. From "Krypton, a distant planet so far advanced ..." up to "... proof-reader neglected to correct." - Vague | Rant 08:30, Nov 26, 2004 (UTC)

End moved text

As Vague Rant reverted the offending addition, I've removed the article's listing. An intrepid admin with the patience to click 600 checkboxes can use the new "undelete revisions" feature to selectively remove the three unwanted revisions if they wish, but it's not considered entirely necessary. -- Cyrius|✎ 05:25, 27 Dec 2004 (UTC)

re: cultural influences of "superman"

regarding the "cultural influences" section for the "superman" page:

readers of philip wylie's "gladiator" will find no similarities between that character and friedrich nietzsche's concept of the ubermensch and george bernard shaw's presentation is completely beside the point of the "superman" character.

those readers will also tell you that misters siegel and shuster did not incorporate doc savage, the shadow or "the savage gentleman" into the "superman" character. "superman" is drawn, fully developed, from "gladiator".

wylie's character strives to have his moral accomplishments to society equal his innate and alienating super-human powers.

whereas, nietzsche's and shaw's concept is of a self-appointed "elite" (with, in fact, no special abilities - aside from sociopathology) that imagines it has risen above banal moral constraints to the conceit of ethical egotism. which is, certainly, the anti-thesis of the "superman" character.

lester dent's characters, doc savage and the shadow, have no influence on the "superman" character (aside from doc's "fortress of solitude").

actually, the character of "doc savage" is derived from a later wylie book, "the savage gentleman", and so would not have influenced the development of "superman", an earlier character.

what doc savage and the shadow do have in common: bob kane used elements from both to create "the batman".

i hesitated to submit these comments as your "superman" page is quite wonderful and complete.

Original Superman running speed

Are you sure the original Superman could run at a mere speed of 30 miles per hour (or 48 km/h)?? If so, even a small car can travel three times faster than him. A Ferrari (one of the fastest cars) could reach a peak speed of 400 km/h and the fastest train 515 km/h.

Now could Superman fly is space faster than light (299,792 km/sec)?

Not saying it isn't possible (we all wish it was) but according to Einstein's theory of relativity the speed of light is the front velocity for transfering information. A very rough explanation is that 'anything' that travels faster than light in a vacuum doesn't carry energy. See also speed of light, faster-than-light and starship.

E.g, take a laser pointer and make a spot on the moon. Then turn your wrist to make a spot on the earth. It takes over a second for light to travel from the moon to the earth, yet I can move that little spot the same distance in far less than one second but no information was transfered.

Better explanations:

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SpeedOfLight/FTL.html#3 http://www.phy.duke.edu/research/photon/qelectron/proj/infv/fast_tut.ptml http://www2.abc.net.au/science/k2/stn-archive1/posts/topic42526.shtm http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=73321 http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/scissors.html

First image

Anyone have an image where he's facing to the left? – flamurai (t) 21:52, Feb 14, 2005 (UTC)

Ok the history section of this article is completely Itis totally biased towards the Jon Byrne era Superman. when in fact the 1960's Superman sold more copies. Yet The john Byrne era is written up as being more succesful!! This is a gross example of bias. The Mort Weisinger era deserves its proper respect. Not only because it sold more copies. But also because it was imaginative storytelling. Ridiculously imaginative. Unlike the John Byrne Superman which was a rip off of the Marvel Style.

Request for references

Hi, I am working to encourage implementation of the goals of the Wikipedia:Verifiability policy. Part of that is to make sure articles cite their sources. This is particularly important for featured articles, since they are a prominent part of Wikipedia. The Fact and Reference Check Project has more information. Thank you, and please leave me a message when you have added a few references to the article. - Taxman 16:53, Apr 22, 2005 (UTC)

This follows from this. I'm curious as to where "Siegel and Shuster sold the rights to the company for $130 and 3 free nights at a popular New York brothel." comes from. The brothel detail is certainly not in any history of the character I've ever read, and it's not in Gerard Jones' Men of Tomorrow GraemeB 03:46, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

Lara article name?

Any suggestions what Lara should be linked to as? So far, I've seen "Lara (kryptonian)" (never mind that should probably be with a capital-"K"), and "Lara (Superman)". Wondering if "Lara Lor-Van" would be the most suitable option, since it was traditionally given as Superman's mother's full name and character names seem to be listed using their full names if available (e.g., "Velma Dinkley" instead of just "Velma" or "Velma (Scooby-Doo)"), though the argument against this might be that Kryptonian women apparently dropped their last name upon marriage, AFAIK...otherwise, "Lara (Superman)" sounds the more appealing of the pre-existing two... Anthony Dean 00:44, May 29, 2005 (UTC)

IMHO it should be her full name or Lara (comics). -Sean Curtin 05:12, May 29, 2005 (UTC)

Übermensch negative?

Not to pick knits, but why was this line included:

"Superman is a loan translation from the German Übermensch (literally "over-man" or "super-man"), which has a distinct meaning and a more negative connotation."

My specific issue is the "a more negative connotation" bit. I can only assume that we're discussing the Nietzschian Übermensch. A blanket negative characterization of Nietzsche's Übermensch is a bit unfair and highly inaccurate. It is a result of the common acceptance of Nazi propaganda and not Nietzsche's actual writings. Nietzsche was no more an advocate of racist facisim than Winston Churchill. He was a bit nationalistic in The Birth of Tragedy, but winds up beating on Germans the most in his later writings.

You should read the Übermensch entry. ... and also Thus Spake Zarathustra. It's a great book that's chocked full-o-wisdom... although I disagree with the Wikipedia article. It should be read in order. "The Other Dancing Song" section makes much more sense that way.

Sorry for the interjection.

--Jrbennett 17:55, 1 Jun 2005 (UTC)

"Suspension of Disbelief"

I'm not sure why there needs to be any explanation of Clark Kent's effective disguise: I seriously doubt he's the ONLY black-haired, blue-eyed, 6 foot two athletic guy in a suit in Metropolis. Not EVERYONE who wears a suit is skinny or fat. So being tall and strong does not guarantee a puncture in his alter-ego. My take is that he does just fine with nothing but glasses. Glasses make the geek. I'm speaking from experience. Tom in VA

The story referenced was a late 70's attempt to explain the "how his glasses disguise" worked---since of course, in reality, anyone would probably recognize someone in glasses vs. the same guy sans glasses. However, it was unpopular enough that it was quickly retconned away/ignored ever since, as, like you said, it didn't *need* an explanation. Hence, my use of the phrase "suspension of disbelief" with this being a comic book and all (just as we can believe that he can fly, that Batman can jump from rooftop to rooftop without breaking his knees, etc.). :-) Anthony Dean 01:24, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC)

--CDTM

You don't think there needs to be any explanation? Superman doesn't wear a mask, he just wears glasses as Clark Kent. That "disguise" is unbelievably and unrealistically effective in the DC universe. In real life Lois Lane would have caught on pretty quickly don't you think? A "suspension of disbelief" is quite necessary here. --Wade A. Tisthammer 22:23, 25 January 2006 (UTC)

This's my first time editing a page, and I don't see a conventional "post" button, so bear with me if this comes out wrong ^_^;

On post crisis info, a few minor things:

1. While characters like Superman, and other speedsters like Flash, are called Light Speed in the comics, should that take precedence over proven feats? I speak of when Supes does things like fly past Jupiter within 5 minutes or so, which would take more then light speed travel (I can't recall a specific issue offhand, but could look up some references if one insists. However, it's pretty much common knowledge among comic book message boards like the Comicbookresources Rumbles board and Alvaro's Comicboards.com site.)

Also, as far as nukes hurting Superman after his revival from the dead, it was actually more pre death that nukes harmed him.. Afterwards, stories like Ending Battle had him taking a nuke at ground zero while up to his neck in leeching sand laced with Kryptonite.

I'm not sure exactly how much feats or power levels are relevent to an encyclopediac summory of Supes, but stuff like that stands out when you spend enough time arguing on niche community boards.

How it works, again

Can we have a source for this? No original research. If this was thought up by one person and others ran with it, or if it is some sort of "hard-core fan consensus" (i.e. fanon), we surely must be able to give external references that confirm this is at least a well-respected theory. I doubt it's canon in any sense, but that's not necessarily a problem—it does have to be pretty wide-spread to be included in an encyclopedia, though. We can't engage in speculation, even plausible speculation. 82.92.119.11 28 June 2005 11:43 (UTC)

--[[User:CDTM|CDTM] There's one more thing.. The Superman article claims that Superman needs to eat and drink, as stated under weaknesses: " Like humans, he needs food and water to survive." I haven't seen such examples myself, and this quote from DC editor Eddie Berganza seems to contradict this:

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/inter-action/inter-action.php?topic=ask-eddie/ask-eddie-0704

" Eddie's Answers Christina (nrgyzrbunni@yahoo.com) asks: Okay, compared to all of the other questions, this is rather simplistic but I when asked this question by my co-worker, I couldn't answer it with any degree of certainty. Does Superman NEED to eat? I know he DOES eat but is it a necessity? Eddie: He derives a lot of power from the sun, so techinically he could probably do without, but since he grew up eating Ma's home cooking, he wouldn't enjoy not actually eating."

Now, maybe once upon a time he did literately "need" to eat, but I'd like to see a reference of this being a necessity.

I just cleaned up some spelling typos in the "How Superman's Powers Work" section, and I was dismayed at the entire section. First, the attempts to rationalize what are basically magical powers are fairly humorous, but the whole thing reads as one person's speculation, and not something at all that belongs in a Wikipedia article. I agree with the above: show a source, or remove it. Turnstep 23:55, 14 September 2005 (UTC)

Actually it came up back in John Byrne's run. It's more of an instinct ot eat just as we all have the involuntary instinct to eat at a certain time of day. Even if we didn't really need the energy at the time, the subconscious trigger that it's "lunchtime" makes us react that we need to eat at that time of day. This is more a psycological need to eat rather than a physical one since his solar conversion is much more efficient source of nutrition than eating anything.

Superhearing Nitpick

I have a nitpick with Superman's hearing being compared to a dogs. Superman has detected sound far into the infrasonic range and much higher in the ultrasonic range. I'd say his hearing is more comparable to a Blue Whale's. Although it could be stretched to say an Elephant's at the low end (1 hertz) to a Noctuid Moth's at the high end (240 kilohertz). Like I said, just a nitpick.

Last edit summary

Please ignore the rather strange summary of the last edit; it was intended as a vandalism reversion. -- Kirill Lokshin July 5, 2005 01:17 (UTC)

--CDTM

If no one's against it, I'm gonna ommit the line "Like humans, he needs food and water to survive", as I still haven't come across or found a bedrock example of him literately needing the stuff, so much as simply prefering it. I figure I'll do it within a week, and let this post sit in case anyone objects first.

It's the last line in this bigger except:

Weaknesses There are some things Superman cannot do. Since he is not human, he cannot donate blood, tissue, or organs. Procedures like surgery are impossible without special equipment. He does not sweat under earthly conditions, as no temperatures are high enough to make him secrete liquid to cool himself down. Like humans, he needs food and water to survive.

Talk:Clark Kent

As per a discussion on Talk:Clark Kent, I have merged the info from the Clark Kent article into this article and made it a redirect here. Here is the Clark Kent talk page for archival purposes --DropDeadGorgias (talk) July 8, 2005 18:36 (UTC)

Does Mr. Kent have a middle name? I think it's important. Because I belive it inspired Hirohiko Araki in his manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure with Superman's human father to name the first two generations of heroes.

why is this article not actually about Clark Kent? Adam

Because that character is covered in the Superman article. I figure the Clark Kent entry would be the best place for his adoptive family's history.

If you want to change it, I look forward to see what you have in mind. User:Kchishol1970

I also think this article should be moved, maybe to Clark Kent's family or even added into the existing Smallville article. (in both cases, it should give more data on recent family, like Jonathan/¿Jonathon? and Martha.--Erri4a 01:28, 25 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Merge

I'm thinking that this article should be merged with Superman.

1. All other superhero alter-egos, such as Bruce Wayne, are redirects to their superhero articles (Batman).
2. A lot of information is duplicated between these two articles.
3. It is really difficult to decide which article to link to. For example, in Lois Lane's infobox, should I say that she is married to Clark Kent or Superman?

Please chime in with your opinions. --DropDeadGorgias (talk) July 6, 2005 15:53 (UTC)

This is obvious. If you left them seperate, then you'd need to seperate out all non-superhero identities from the original article. Just split the Superman page out into 'Clark Kent' and 'Superman', put this article in 'Clark Kent' and delete repeated info--Jamdav86 6 July 2005 16:19 (UTC)

• Concur. With all the seperate identies that heroes and villains have, this would end up being overkill. The two articles need to be merged.--Mitsukai 6 July 2005 18:39 (UTC)
• Concur Hiding 6 July 2005 19:44 (UTC)
• I'm going to break rank and disagree here, though the concern is certainly understandable. I added in the sentence in the article's opening that mentions Clark Kent's place in popular culture on his own (not to mention a good rewrite of the first section of the article). I don't think this article should primarily stand as an explanation of Clark Kent in the comics' world, but rather our world. I've tried to fix it as such, but I've admittedly had some difficulty.

As per DropDeadGorgias's points:

1. I would consider Clark Kent unique in superherodom; while Bruce Wayne is beginning to get a voice of his own (particularly through Batman Begins), at the moment he doesn't particularly stand out against Batman -- as they say, Bruce Wayne died along with his parents, and Batman was born. On the other hand, the concept of Kent -- the glasses, the phrase "mild-mannered" -- has become iconic in itself. Even when not directly referencing Superman, if you were to liken someone to Clark Kent, I believe a certain idea would come to mind without having to consider the Man of Steel.
2. Agree with this one. The "history" isn't so much about Clark Kent as a character so much as Superman's origin story. Couldn't think of a way to properly fix it, so I set it aside. Encourage removal, but it should be replaced with something. Not sure what.
3. If one were to go by "canon" rules, Lois is married to Kent -- the character's "real" identity is now considered to be Clark Kent, not Superman or Kal-El. However, when dealing with more ambiguous links, as mentioned previously, I believe this article should be an explanation of Kent and his (non-fictional) rationale. Just my two cents. Captain Yesterday 7 July 2005 01:22 (UTC)

There is very little info in this article that isn't covered or couldn't be easily covered in existing sections of the Superman article. I think that making an exception for Clark is a huge mistake and sets a bad precedent for other articles. I don't want separate Peter Benjamin Parker, Wally West, Selina Kyle, and Billy Batson articles floating around. Captain Yesterday, would you be okay with the information specific to Clark being moved into a Clark Kent section of the Superman article? --DropDeadGorgias (talk) July 7, 2005 14:36 (UTC)

Point certainly well taken. I'm seriously opposed to fancruft, and looking at all the minor, individual pages for all the minor, individual characters of all the minor, individual television series that permeate Wikipedia, it's better to prevent more unnecessary granularity. I'll say go ahead and merge 'em, if only for the sake of preventing others from creating pages on secret identities. Captain Yesterday 7 July 2005 15:15 (UTC)

I'll try to get to this this weekend. --DropDeadGorgias (talk) July 7, 2005 15:46 (UTC)

Superman and Liberalism

Apparently my post on here yesterday was lost, but no big deal. The words "traditional" and "edgy" are more accurate and less evocative than "liberal" or "conservative". Karmafist 05:14, 25 July 2005 (UTC)

Superman

I have a comic book that says Kryptonians used a levitation belt, thus hinting that superman's belt is what enables him to fly.

Stalin

An interesting note. Some people have noted that superman is a translation of the "übermensch" concept. Similarly, "Man of Steel" is a literal translation of Stalin's taken name.

EDIT- These are both true, but the term "übermensch" was coined by Karl Marx, not Stalin.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it was coined by Nietzche.--Solasis 21:58, 29 January 2006 (UTC)

No Change in store for this online document-

Like the subject headline states and because the change is POV, besides being part of the regular mainstream DC Comics' Superman continuity. What am I talking about? Why, Kent/Superman being married to Lois Lane, that's what. I personally can't stand her for one, unless she is acting in her time honored capacity as Damsel In Distress. She can be strong, capable and all, but she still has to be reduced, for all that, to a helpless Damsel in Distress...

Michael 15:59, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

Article length

I see someone has placed an article length warning on the top of the article, as has been done with Batman. I have yesterday done some reduction to the Batman article by creating subtopic articles for Batman in other media and Supporting characters of Batman, to go with the previously created Enemies of Batman and List of Batman comics. These changes reduced Batman from 84 to 57 kb, and cut the article by a third. As far as Superman goes, the same concept should be followed: so far today I have only created Superman in other media. Superman is still 100 kb long (down from 105 kb with my one change). I do agree with the above discussion that "Clark Kent" should NOT be moved to a subtopic (or at least should only be moved after all other changes are exhausted) Dyslexic agnostic 18:52, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

Down to 88kb after creating subarticles for Supporting characters of Superman and Enemies of Superman! Dyslexic agnostic 21:41, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

I strongly disagree with those changes, spetially since the characters is one of the most important things on any literay work, so please put them back. Please, try better taking out less relevant issues. As well as myself you seem to be new to this article, if you chec the top of the discussion page, you'll notice that this page has won many awards. So plase if it isn't broken, don't fix it.--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 01:36, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

I'm not sure what your point is... the fact that Superman is important is all the more reason to divide his info into subarticles, for an easier read and better classification Dyslexic agnostic 01:35, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

I appreciate the good intentions, but please, wait to hear at least five opinions ageeing with you. You can't go put lipstick on the Mona Lisa just because you think it'd be better--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 01:39, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

It's not something to vote on, it's standard Wikipedia policy. Please read Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles#Long article layout before you do anyhting else. Dyslexic agnostic 01:56, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

And that superman enemies page isn't big enough. Not big enough to be an article and not even big enough to save significant space on this article. Even the list of villains has more superman villains. If there are like two paraghaph of forgetable Blue superman I don´t see what the big deal about 4 dedicated to the main villains and a little info abuot their importance and hierarchy. which by the way, i added to my word files, so don't bother erasing it. you can make sintax, facts, or spelling corrections if you want, i don't mind, but don't the whole thing you are not saving any space--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 02:00, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

Look, Armand, if you have it so nicely saved in Word, then get cracking on the Enemies of Superman page and make it better! Dyslexic agnostic 02:04, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

I added a link from List of villains#Superman to Enemies of Superman. Dyslexic agnostic 02:07, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

look, for what saving 5k? Or making this page one paragraph and not even a big one shorter. and please, what are you stalking me? dont be a wiseass (and i said don't be)i put my name on my page myself, stick with T-man, you're not getting anywhere by researching me. --T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 02:13, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

T-man, what does it say at the top of the Superman edit page? It says, "This page is 54 kilobytes long. This may be longer than is preferable; see article size." So, be part of the solution, not the problem. I managed to carve Batman down substantially, but haven't gotten time to do the same to Superman yet. Every kilobyte helps.

As for stalking you... what the %^$#? Dyslexic agnostic 02:19, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

It's not the fact that you are reducing the articles what bothers me, is the way you are doing it. I've read how to reduce articles way before, and you are not saving anithing by eliminating the little paragraphs, you have to think of Batman and superman not only as characters, but also as franchises and literary work, so a good summary of characters and villains is necesary. four paragraphs at least(i've sum up this one into 3 pharagrphs just for your whim). I think the best way to go is to leeve decent summaries. But instead you leave, stupid sections abuot batman being gay, unnecessary batcave details and opinionated comentaries about Batman being like lex just because he is suspicios of Hal and Supergirl (who, then again he is partially raising). So I think you have a lot of work to do. and YES YOU HAVE TO ASK HERE BEFORE making big changes, don't ask permition to correct Le Luthor to Lex Luthor, but don't do whatever you like with significant changes without asking, that's why this space exists. I know about the be bold thing, but at this scale you are jus going to p**s everyone if you just thake whatever you like of.--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 02:56, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

Eddie, I think you need a long vacation... Dyslexic agnostic 04:19, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

...yeah--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 04:27, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

The warning on the top of the edit page speaks for itself. The article needs to be shorter, not longer. Lesfer ☎ 13:41, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

it's not like the warnig was from some oficial editor... anyways the issue here have become not if we'need o reduce the article, but how to do it... Probably this page is going to end up as a Superman "summary" with introductive links. My point is that they should catch the interest of the reader, by projecting interesting bits of what is the link about. Villains names is always a very interesting hook. I shortened other sections and put a litle spice to the characters. You have to remember a section with only 4 or 3 paragrabphs is not an issue; one or 2 less sentences or words neither... on the other hand useless info or 7 paragraphs about lawsuits or gay or not topics are just a waste. Then again is all relative and a mattero of criteria.--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 23:19, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

Handicap

A while ago, I saw a t-shirt that was meant to look like a Superman shirt, but instead of a superman logo, it had a handicapped wheelchair logo. Can anybody help me find it? --daunrealist 19:19, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

Big Change...Unless sombody could please disagree with me

Ok, so now it´s done. After fighting a guy that was doing a masacretive downsizing, I've turned the page into a regular size "summary article". With several seccions each one serving as an introduction to sub articles, so that the overall thig has like 3 to 4 paragraphs long and thus some justice to all Superman's aspects is made. I did that to every secction except the history section. So you have your regular superheroes page with links of every aspect that makes superman's world biguer than regular superheroes. Personally i thik either that or go back to the full article an say screw you whenever someone, probaly not familiarized with the work, probably without any real "authority" and probably just expresing very own and very screw-able personal opinion either. This page had meny awards in the past and i feel like puting lipstick on the mona lisa. But if we are going to do this, lets do it right--T-man, the Wise Scarecrow 01:23, 24 December 2005 (UTC)

Changes by User:Anthony Dean

Great work on this page, nice to have a fresh perspective - Dyslexic agnostic 17:19, 27 December 2005 (UTC)

External links

I've been cleaning out the external links section and some keep getting added back in so I figure a rationale is neccesary. There are so many fam pages on the web devoted to Superman that I think it is unfair to choose any one, and we can't list them all, since Wikipedia is not a web directory. Therefore, as per guidance at Wikipedia:External links, I have added a link to an open directory's listing of Superman related pages. Since the site is an open one, it is perhaps better practise that people add their links to that project rather than this one. I also removed a link to a site which appears to violate copyright, as per Wikipedia:Copyrights#Linking to copyrighted works. Hiding talk 16:45, 16 January 2006 (UTC)

When did Superman first learn to fly?

It's a somewhat well known fact that superman could not originally fly, but only "leap tall buildings in a single bound." But does anyone know when he actually flew for the first time? I know alot of artwork looks like he's flying but has been stated he was in the motion of jumping. Elijya 16:31, 21 January 2006 (UTC)

According to a previous, longer version of the Wikipedia article Superman gained this ability in the year 1942. --Wade A. Tisthammer 22:32, 25 January 2006 (UTC)

Golden Age Supes Question

From the article: "This Superman wasn't seen again until the miniseries The Kingdom, where it was revealed that he had found a means of exiting his dimension, but chose not to at that time." Where does it mention that Kal-L can escape the "heaven"? I can see from the first couple of pages of The Kingdom #1 what is (presumably) Kal-L attempting to escape, but nowhere do I see anything that states that he could if it he wanted to. Thanks to anyone who can enlighten me. Dlong 03:19, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

I don't have the copy handy, but the narration at the end of Kingdom #2 indicates that he could, "but not today." --Joe Sewell (talk) 21:52, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

i *do* have it handy. he's pounding on an invisible barrier abovea presumably fake golden age metropolis. he looks out into hypertime and sees Kingdom Come-Superman, Modern Superman etc. and he somehow comes to the conclusion he can escape "but not today." i'm not sure how looking through the sky at different versions of himself helps him suddenly know how to leave, but okay. Exvicious 06:56, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Image

I was wondering what people thought about changing the image of Superman. I like the Jim Lee pic, but I thought maybe one of the classic Superman, Golden or possibly Silver Age, would be better.

i'd like to see the alex ross versions on all the comics pages, but that's just me. Exvicious 06:57, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

I don't think it matters who draws it, but I'd like an image with a more frontal perspective. We take it for granted that everyone knows what Superman looks like, but the current image is too shadowed for my tastes. --Rocketgoat 07:31, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Legal Battles

Although there are biref mentions in the listings for Siegel and Shuster there have been numerous legal disputes between the two creators and DC Comics over ownership of Superman. In addition to DC's succesful lawsuit against the publishers of Captain Marvel for copyright infringement of Superman.

Kal-L as a relative

why is Kal-L listed as a relative. We don't list Golden Age Batman as a "alternate dimensinal version." we can't list alternate versions otherwise why not mention Superboy-Prime, earth prime superboy, silver age superman, superman-prime etc as relatives.Exvicious 01:10, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

Infobox powers section

In regards to the edit of this character's "Notable Powers" section of the Infobox, please see revelant topics at Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics/templates and Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Comics#Infobox: Powers section. Essentially, consensus is that the infobox should be kept brief; descriptions of powers belong in the article body text. And in Supes case, he even has a separate article for his powers. If you have concerns, please feel free to discuss them here or at the talkspace in the two aforementioned links. Thanks. dfg 21:56, 1 April 2006 (UTC)