Supermanica - User contributions [en]

Karate Kid

2009-12-23T20:02:29Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Karate-kid.gif|left]]

'''Karate Kid'''

Val Armorr, an orphan from 30th century Tokyo, is an expert on all types of martial arts and the various sciences of hand-to-hand combat. Taking the name Karate Kid, Val is inducted into the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] after a try-out where he not only shows his power by slicing through metal beams, but, ultimately, by challenging [[Superboy]] himself. Using uncanny quickness and weight-shifting, Karate Kid is able to evade attacks and throw the [[Boy of Steel]] into a wall with tremendous force. Even after Val is eventually defeated, Superboy, deeply impressed what the applicant can do to him with skill alone, says, "anyone who can give '''me''' that kind of a tussle belongs in the Legion!" (Adv No. 346, Jul 1966: "One of Us is a Traitor!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate_Kid_%28comics%29 Wikipedia Entry on Karate Kid]
*[http://www.studiosanning.shawbiz.ca/legion_of_super-heroes/membership/karate_kid/index.htm Val's Bio at the LSH Clubhouse]
*[http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/1271.htm/ Hero History: Karate Kid]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=534 Karate Kid Index by Mike]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Zoo Crew of Earth-C

2009-10-14T13:14:23Z

Kchishol1970: /* Members of the Zoo Crew */

[[Image:zoocrew_issue1.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The cover to ''Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew'' No. 1 (Mar 1982). Art by Scott Shaw!.]]
'''The Zoo Crew (of Earth-C)'''

The '''Zoo Crew''' is the foremost team of superheroes who fight crime on the [[Parallel-Worlds|parallel Earth]] known as [[Earth-C]], a world populated by sentient animals instead of humans.

The Zoo Crew is discovered when [[Superman]] is investigating a strange phenomenon causing the citizens of [[Metropolis]] to begin acting like their primate ancestors. Superman soon finds the source of this odd behavior was a ray striking the Earth from outer space, forming a strange energy barrier around [[Earth-1]]. Seeing the ray had a weakening effect on him similar to that of [[Green Kryptonite]], Superman grabs a meteorite which he hopes to use as a shield while attempting to pierce the energy barrier. However, when striking the strange rays, the meteorite explodes, with both Superman and the meteorite's fragments being hurled from Earth-1 into the Earth-C universe. There, Superman meet several of that world's residents, who have gained superpowers when they were struck by the various, newly-irradiated meteor fragments. Superman also discovers that the same mysterious ray was also striking at Earth-C, causing its populace to revert to behaving like their primitive, non-sentient ancestors.

The now-superpowered animals and Superman soon team up to stop the source of the ray, which originates from [[Pluto]] of Earth-C's universe, where it is being fired at Earth-C by Starro, an old [[Justice League of America]] foe. Eventually, the animals and Superman stop Starro's scheme to conquer Earth-C. The animals decide to band together as a new superteam whose name, the "Zoo Crew", comes from an off-handed comment Superman made earlier; Superman wishes the new team luck, and returns to Earth-1. (The New Teen Titans No. 16/2, Feb 1982: "This Bunny Unbound!"; Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew No. 1, Mar 1982: "The Pluto Syndrome!"; Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew No. 2, Apr 1982: "The Macabre Menace of the Mammal Called Armordillo")

==Members of the Zoo Crew==

The Zoo Crew's founding members consist of:

* [[Captain Carrot of Earth-C|Captain Carrot]]: Rodney Rabbit of "Gnu York" (Earth-C's version of New York City); a rabbit. Captain Carrot's powers consist of super-leaps, super-strength, limited invulnerability and enhanced speed. In his alter-ego, Rodney Rabbit is a cartoonist for his Earth's version of DC Comics, where he writes and draws the comic ''Just'a Lotta Animals'', a super-team that includes Earth-C's fictional version of Superman, named "[[Super-Squirrel]]".
* Alley-Kat-Abra: Felina Furr of "Mew Orleans" (Earth-C's version of New Orleans); a cat who works as a martial arts instructor. Alley-Kat-Abra possesses a wide range of mystical powers, enhanced by her "Magic Wanda" (a magic wand).
* Fastback: Timmy Joe Terrapin of the American South; a turtle. As Fastback, Timmy possesses various superspeed powers similar to those of [[The Flash|the Flash]].
* Rubberduck: Byrd Rentals of "Follywood, Califurnia" (Earth-C's version of Hollywood, California); a duck. Rubberduck possesses the ability to stretch any portion of his body.
* Yankee Poodle: Rova Barkitt, also of Follywood; a poodle. Yankee Poodle possesses the ability to shoot powerful electromagnetic stars and stripes from her hands.
* Pig-Iron: Peter Porkchops of "Piggsburgh" (Earth-C's version of Pittsburgh); a pig. Pig-Iron possesses vast superstrength and invulnerability.

A seventh member, Little Cheese (Chester Cheese, a mouse with shrinking powers) eventually joins the team as its first member to not gain powers from the meteorite fragments, but rather from a piece of cheese brought back from Earth-C's [[moon]]. (Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew No. 20, Nov 1983: "The Naked Ape").

==External links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Carrot_and_His_Amazing_Zoo_Crew Wikipedia article on the Zoo Crew]
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/carrot.htm Toonopedia article on the Zoo Crew]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Jupiter/3981/carrotindex.htm The Annotated Captain Carrot, featuring annotations of the first half-dozen ''Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew'' issues]
*[http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/cosmic/xyz.html#zoo DC Cosmic Teams: Zoo Crew]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Super-Animals]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2009-06-23T18:58:44Z

Kchishol1970: /* Other Vulnerabilities */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''

A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]

''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said to derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==

[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]

With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==

Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]

Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==

[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]

Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonian survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He can be held or destroyed by some aliens and alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Superman's. One example includes [[Darkseid]]'s Gravi-Guards, ponderous beings able to summon great gravity from heavy mass galaxies (see The Forever People No. 1, Feb/Mar 1971: "In Search of a Dream!").

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman Under the Green Sun!"). Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Lex Luthor, using lifelike android duplicates of [[the Flash]] and [[Batman]] as children, once successfully convinces Superman that he has found a way to reduce his age. Superman is subconsciously convinced enough that his body literally de-ages until he realizes the deception (Act Nos. 465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: "Think Young and Die" and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy").

Superman has been infected with other Kryptonian biological threats like the deadly [[Bloodmorel]] spore from the [[Scarlet Jungle]] of Kryption which nearly kills him. However in this case, it was successfully countered by the heroic plant monster, [[Swamp Thing]], who uses his power over plants to stop the infection and cure Superman (DCCP No. 85, Sep 1985: "The Jungle Line!").

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, "...despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!").

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructible as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision. This partially by design so if a robot goes rogue, Superman can defeat it with reasonable ease.(WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).

In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante â€œmystery-manâ€ (Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).

Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€; and others).

Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Supermanâ€™s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.

In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governorâ€™s home just before midnight, manhandles the governorâ€™s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curryâ€™s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. â€œGentlemen,â€ exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, â€œI still canâ€™t believe my senses! Heâ€™s not human! Thank heaven heâ€™s apparently on the side of law and order!â€ (Act No. 1).

In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.

''â€œItâ€™s not entirely your fault that youâ€™re delinquent,â€ remarks Superman, â€œ...itâ€™s these slumsâ€”your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!â€œ''

Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Supermanâ€™s eye. â€œCyclone Hits Florida,â€ it screams. â€œCities Laid Waste!â€ The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.

Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the cityâ€™s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like â€œa one-man cyclone,â€ singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. â€œSo the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?â€ says Superman to himself. â€œThen hereâ€™s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€

Supermanâ€™s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally â€œa squadron of aerial- bombersâ€ are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Supermanâ€™s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.

''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''

And then finally, his task completed, â€œSUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...

Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. â€œEmergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€

Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. â€œ... Weâ€™ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,â€ vows the police chief, â€œ- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)

In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office â€œto witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€

''â€œIâ€™ll come to the point at once!â€ he remarks. â€œAs you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''

â€œGood for him!â€ cries one reporter.
â€œWhat the world needs is a couple more guys like him!â€ exclaims another.

â€œRegardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,â€ scolds the police chief, â€œthe fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€

In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a â€œconceited windbagâ€ who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Supermanâ€™s â€œsuper-toughâ€ skin (Act No. 9).

In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])

In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. â€œAttention, citizens of this city!â€ he proclaims to the cityâ€™s stunned radio audience. â€œA warning from Superman...pay close heed!â€ And then, Superman issues the following announcement:

''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! Itâ€™s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!

From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''

Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on â€œthe great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€

â€œYes-sir-ee!â€ exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. â€œI think Iâ€™m going to enjoy this private little war!â€

Next, Superman visits â€œa used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these â€˜carsâ€™?â€ he cries to the horrified lot owner. â€œTheyâ€™re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they werenâ€™t so dangerous theyâ€™d actually be funny!â€ And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, â€œSorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but Iâ€™m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€

Soon afterward, â€œ...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Companyâ€™s great factoryâ€ and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. â€œ... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!â€ accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, â€œGleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factoryâ€™s manufacturing equipmentâ€ with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.

A short while later, Superman abducts the cityâ€™s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. â€œBy not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,â€ intones Superman, â€œyou doomed many to death!â€

Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see â€œthe bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,â€ remarks Superman grimly, â€œare men you killed!â€

Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the cityâ€™s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates â€œa great traffic improvement drive...!â€œ (Act No. 12).

In September 1939, convinced that â€œgambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,â€ Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czarâ€™s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of â€œfluttering billsâ€ raining down on the grateful inhabitants of â€œa poor section of the city.â€

When he learns that the cityâ€™s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (â€œCommissioner, youâ€™re a clever man,â€ threatens Superman, â€œand so I wonâ€™t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolisâ€™s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his officeâ€”and the gamblers into leaving townâ€”by threatening to track down any man who remains behind â€œ... and end his life with my own hands!â€ (Act No. 16).

In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. â€œRemember!â€ warns Superman as he makes his exit. â€œIf you donâ€™t confess, Iâ€™ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!â€ (S No. 2/3: â€œSuperman and the Skyscrapersâ€).

In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly â€œpurple plagueâ€ unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. â€œHere are the chemicals. . .â€œ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. â€œNever mind how I got them! Get to work!â€ (Act No. 19).

In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).

In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).

In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).

In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).

In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).

In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).

In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailantâ€™s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )

In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaireâ€™s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. â€œIt would be useless to attempt to reason with them!â€ thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2).

During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, â€œIf we could only draft you into the force!â€ (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).

In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the cityâ€™s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1).

Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).

In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:

â€œHow fortunate we are here in America,â€ he remarks, â€œto have someone of Supermanâ€™s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, heâ€™s worth several armies and navies!â€ (S No. 15/2).

In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bankâ€™s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: â€œPowerstoneâ€).

In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).

In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthorâ€™s henchmen and turns them over to the police. â€œIf you keep up this super crook- catching,â€ remarks one officer, â€œthe force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!â€ replies Superman (S No. 17/4: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€).

In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]â€™s having copyrighted the English alphabet. â€œ... What can I do?â€ thinks Clark Kent helplessly. â€œThe Prankster has the law on his side, and I wonâ€™t flout justice at any cost!...â€ (S No. 22/3: â€œThe Great ABC Panic!â€).

In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. â€œ... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!â€ thinks Superman proudly. â€œItâ€™s the grandest tribute Iâ€™ve ever had!â€ (S No. 23/1: â€œAmericaâ€™s Secret Weapon!â€).

In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of â€œweird raysâ€ from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:
â€œWhen Stars Collide!â€).

In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: â€œThe People vs. Superman!â€).

In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: â€œThe City That Exiled Superman!â€).

In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: â€œMuscles for Moneyâ€).

In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: â€œSuperman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).

In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earthâ€™s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steelâ€™s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a â€œJekyll-Hyde personalityâ€ that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: â€œThe Two Faces of Superman!â€).

In July-August 1956, Superman is an â€œhonored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual police ball (WF No. 83: â€œThe Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).

In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical â€œfuturemenâ€ from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive â€œrenegade scientistâ€ from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€).

When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemenâ€™s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: â€œThe Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).

In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€).

In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into â€œthe most feared and hated person on Earthâ€ when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical â€œtelepathic-hypnotic weaponâ€ beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: â€œSuperman Goes Wild!â€).

In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolisâ€™s police force (S No. 160/2: â€œThe Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).

In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: â€œThe Trial of Superman!â€).

In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:
â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a â€œpower-hungry madmanâ€ as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: â€œKing Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)

(''See also'' [[Superman of Earth-2]])

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=1 Earth-1 Superman Index by Mike]
*[http://www.supermanartists.comics.org/superwhoswho/Superframe.htm Who's Whose in DC Comics: Superman]
*[http://alankistler.squarespace.com/journal/2007/11/26/alan-kistlers-superman-files.html Alan Kistler's Superman Files]
*[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php Superman Homepage: Pre-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews]
*[http://www.supermanfan.net/main/ Confessions of a Superman Fan]
*[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/yeung/actioncomics/cover.html Read Action Comics #1 Online]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/selections/ Read More Superman Comics Stories Online at Superman Through the Ages]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes Named Superman]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:House of El]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2009-06-23T18:57:16Z

Kchishol1970: /* Other Vulnerabilities */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''

A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]

''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said to derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==

[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]

With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==

Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]

Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==

[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]

Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonian survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He can be held or destroyed by some aliens and alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Superman's. One example includes [[Darkseid]]'s Gravi-Guards, ponderous beings able to summon great gravity from heavy mass galaxies (see The Forever People No. 1, Feb/Mar 1971: "In Search of a Dream!").

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman Under the Green Sun!"). Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Lex Luthor, using lifelike android duplicates of [[the Flash]] and [[Batman]] as children, once successfully convinces Superman that he has found a way to reduce his age. Superman is subconsciously convinced enough that his body literally de-ages until he realizes the deception (Act Nos. 465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: "Think Young and Die" and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy").

Superman has been infected with other Kryptonian diseases like the deadly Bloodmorel from the [[Scarlet Jungle]] of Kryption which nearly kills him. However in this case, it was successfully countered by the heroic plant monster, [[Swamp Thing]], who uses his power of plants to stop the infection and cure Superman (DCCP No. 85, Sep 1985: "The Jungle Line!").

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, "...despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!").

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructible as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision. This partially by design so if a robot goes rogue, Superman can defeat it with reasonable ease.(WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).

In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante â€œmystery-manâ€ (Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).

Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€; and others).

Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Supermanâ€™s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.

In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governorâ€™s home just before midnight, manhandles the governorâ€™s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curryâ€™s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. â€œGentlemen,â€ exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, â€œI still canâ€™t believe my senses! Heâ€™s not human! Thank heaven heâ€™s apparently on the side of law and order!â€ (Act No. 1).

In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.

''â€œItâ€™s not entirely your fault that youâ€™re delinquent,â€ remarks Superman, â€œ...itâ€™s these slumsâ€”your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!â€œ''

Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Supermanâ€™s eye. â€œCyclone Hits Florida,â€ it screams. â€œCities Laid Waste!â€ The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.

Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the cityâ€™s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like â€œa one-man cyclone,â€ singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. â€œSo the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?â€ says Superman to himself. â€œThen hereâ€™s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€

Supermanâ€™s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally â€œa squadron of aerial- bombersâ€ are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Supermanâ€™s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.

''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''

And then finally, his task completed, â€œSUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...

Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. â€œEmergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€

Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. â€œ... Weâ€™ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,â€ vows the police chief, â€œ- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)

In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office â€œto witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€

''â€œIâ€™ll come to the point at once!â€ he remarks. â€œAs you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''

â€œGood for him!â€ cries one reporter.
â€œWhat the world needs is a couple more guys like him!â€ exclaims another.

â€œRegardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,â€ scolds the police chief, â€œthe fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€

In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a â€œconceited windbagâ€ who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Supermanâ€™s â€œsuper-toughâ€ skin (Act No. 9).

In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])

In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. â€œAttention, citizens of this city!â€ he proclaims to the cityâ€™s stunned radio audience. â€œA warning from Superman...pay close heed!â€ And then, Superman issues the following announcement:

''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! Itâ€™s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!

From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''

Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on â€œthe great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€

â€œYes-sir-ee!â€ exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. â€œI think Iâ€™m going to enjoy this private little war!â€

Next, Superman visits â€œa used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these â€˜carsâ€™?â€ he cries to the horrified lot owner. â€œTheyâ€™re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they werenâ€™t so dangerous theyâ€™d actually be funny!â€ And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, â€œSorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but Iâ€™m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€

Soon afterward, â€œ...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Companyâ€™s great factoryâ€ and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. â€œ... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!â€ accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, â€œGleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factoryâ€™s manufacturing equipmentâ€ with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.

A short while later, Superman abducts the cityâ€™s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. â€œBy not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,â€ intones Superman, â€œyou doomed many to death!â€

Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see â€œthe bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,â€ remarks Superman grimly, â€œare men you killed!â€

Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the cityâ€™s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates â€œa great traffic improvement drive...!â€œ (Act No. 12).

In September 1939, convinced that â€œgambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,â€ Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czarâ€™s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of â€œfluttering billsâ€ raining down on the grateful inhabitants of â€œa poor section of the city.â€

When he learns that the cityâ€™s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (â€œCommissioner, youâ€™re a clever man,â€ threatens Superman, â€œand so I wonâ€™t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolisâ€™s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his officeâ€”and the gamblers into leaving townâ€”by threatening to track down any man who remains behind â€œ... and end his life with my own hands!â€ (Act No. 16).

In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. â€œRemember!â€ warns Superman as he makes his exit. â€œIf you donâ€™t confess, Iâ€™ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!â€ (S No. 2/3: â€œSuperman and the Skyscrapersâ€).

In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly â€œpurple plagueâ€ unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. â€œHere are the chemicals. . .â€œ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. â€œNever mind how I got them! Get to work!â€ (Act No. 19).

In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).

In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).

In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).

In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).

In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).

In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).

In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailantâ€™s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )

In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaireâ€™s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. â€œIt would be useless to attempt to reason with them!â€ thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2).

During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, â€œIf we could only draft you into the force!â€ (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).

In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the cityâ€™s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1).

Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).

In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:

â€œHow fortunate we are here in America,â€ he remarks, â€œto have someone of Supermanâ€™s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, heâ€™s worth several armies and navies!â€ (S No. 15/2).

In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bankâ€™s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: â€œPowerstoneâ€).

In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).

In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthorâ€™s henchmen and turns them over to the police. â€œIf you keep up this super crook- catching,â€ remarks one officer, â€œthe force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!â€ replies Superman (S No. 17/4: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€).

In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]â€™s having copyrighted the English alphabet. â€œ... What can I do?â€ thinks Clark Kent helplessly. â€œThe Prankster has the law on his side, and I wonâ€™t flout justice at any cost!...â€ (S No. 22/3: â€œThe Great ABC Panic!â€).

In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. â€œ... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!â€ thinks Superman proudly. â€œItâ€™s the grandest tribute Iâ€™ve ever had!â€ (S No. 23/1: â€œAmericaâ€™s Secret Weapon!â€).

In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of â€œweird raysâ€ from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:
â€œWhen Stars Collide!â€).

In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: â€œThe People vs. Superman!â€).

In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: â€œThe City That Exiled Superman!â€).

In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: â€œMuscles for Moneyâ€).

In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: â€œSuperman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).

In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earthâ€™s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steelâ€™s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a â€œJekyll-Hyde personalityâ€ that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: â€œThe Two Faces of Superman!â€).

In July-August 1956, Superman is an â€œhonored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual police ball (WF No. 83: â€œThe Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).

In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical â€œfuturemenâ€ from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive â€œrenegade scientistâ€ from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€).

When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemenâ€™s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: â€œThe Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).

In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€).

In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into â€œthe most feared and hated person on Earthâ€ when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical â€œtelepathic-hypnotic weaponâ€ beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: â€œSuperman Goes Wild!â€).

In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolisâ€™s police force (S No. 160/2: â€œThe Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).

In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: â€œThe Trial of Superman!â€).

In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:
â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a â€œpower-hungry madmanâ€ as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: â€œKing Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)

(''See also'' [[Superman of Earth-2]])

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=1 Earth-1 Superman Index by Mike]
*[http://www.supermanartists.comics.org/superwhoswho/Superframe.htm Who's Whose in DC Comics: Superman]
*[http://alankistler.squarespace.com/journal/2007/11/26/alan-kistlers-superman-files.html Alan Kistler's Superman Files]
*[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php Superman Homepage: Pre-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews]
*[http://www.supermanfan.net/main/ Confessions of a Superman Fan]
*[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/yeung/actioncomics/cover.html Read Action Comics #1 Online]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/selections/ Read More Superman Comics Stories Online at Superman Through the Ages]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes Named Superman]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:House of El]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Uncle Marvel of Earth-S

2009-06-23T18:48:48Z

Kchishol1970:

"Uncle" Dudley is [[Mary Batson of Earth-S|Mary Batson]]'s supposed uncle (first appearance: Wow Comics No. 18, Oct 1943: "Mary Marvel Meets Her Uncle Marvel"). He has no super-powers to speak of, nevertheless he is part of the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S|Marvel Family]] along with [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S|Captain Marvel]], [[Captain Marvel, Jr. of Earth-S|Captain Marvel, Jr.]], [[Mary Marvel of Earth-S|Mary Marvel]], and [[Hoppy the Marvel Bunny of Earth-C|Hoppy the Marvel Bunny]], who are happy to humor his pretense. (DCCP No. 34, Jun 1981 "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

[[Image:Unclemarvel.jpg|thumb|The World's Funnest Uncle and the Marvel Family meet Mxyzptlk. Image by Jaime Hernandez.]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Marvel Wikipedia Entry on Uncle Marvel]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=10 Uncle Marvel entry at the Marvel Family Web]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/shazam_index.html SHAZAM! Index by Dark Mark]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

The Flash

2009-06-23T18:44:27Z

Kchishol1970:

'''The Flash'''

Real Name: Barry Allen
[[Image:Superman199.jpg|thumb|right| First race! Art by Carmine Infantino]]

Late one stormy night in [[Central City]], a stray lighting-bolt crashes into the lab of police scientist, Bartholomew Henry (Barry) Allen. Bouncing off a shelf of chemicals, Barry is struck by this lightning and becomes the fastest man alive, the Flash (Showcase No. 4, Sep/Oct 1956: "Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt").

Significantly, he also discovered the existence of [[parallel worlds]] when he inadvertently crossed over to Earth 2 and met his childhood comic book hero, [[Flash of Earth-2]] (The Flash No. 123, Sep 1961: "Flash of Two Worlds!").

A founding member of the [[Justice League of America]], Barry is capable of running many times the speed of light, and has reflexes to match his speed. He has demonstrated this by moving his arms with enough momentum to break through the trunks of trees. He can also vibrate the molecules of his body to pass through solid objects or even become invisible.

This Scarlet Speedster has raced [[Superman]] several times over the years:

*(S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!")
*(The Flash No. 175, Dec 1967: "A Race to the End of the Universe")
*(WF No. 198, Nov 1970: "Race to Save the Universe" [part 1])
*(WF No. 199, Dec 1970: "Race to Save Time" [part 2])
*(DCCP No. 1, Jul/Aug 1978: "Chase to the End of Time!" [part 1])
*(DCCP No. 2, Sep/Oct 1978: "Race to the End of Time!" [part 2])

Superman and the Flash work together to defeat a complicated plan of the [[Weather Wizard]] to destroy the Flash after he first first attacks [[Metropolis]] (Act No. 441, Nov 1974: "Weather War Over Metropolis!").

In May 1977, Superman and the Flash combine forces to combat the spread of a so-called "journalists disease" that inflicts members of the press gathering for a convention in Central City. In reality a plot by [[Amalak]] and [[Nam-Ek]] to infect Earth with an alien plague carried by young [[Steve Lombard|Jamie Lombard]]'s dog, the disease infects [[Lois Lane]] and [[Lola Barnett]] before Superman and [[Supergirl]] are able to stop its progress. In the course of their battle, the Flash is knocked into orbit by Nam-Ek and only survives due to the intercession of [[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)|Green Lantern]] who nurses the Speedster back to health in the JLA's satellite headquarters (S No. 311: "Plague of the Antibiotic Man!"; S No. 312, Jun 1977: "Today the City... Tomorrow the World"; S No. 313, Jul 1977: "The Only Way You'll Save the Earth Is Over My Dead Body!"; S No. 314, Aug 1977: "Before This Night Is Over, Superman Will Kill!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_%28Barry_Allen%29 Wikipedia entry on the Flash]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=16 Earth-1 Flash Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/flashind.html Flash Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/barry.html Barry Allen Profile at Flash: Those Who Ride the Lightning]
*[http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/races.html Article on the Superman/Flash Races at Flash: Those Who Ride the Lightning]
*[http://speedforce.org/ Speed Force Blog]
*[http://thefastestmanalive.blogspot.com/ Crimson Lightning Blog]

[[Category:Entries|Flash (The)]]
[[Category:People|Flash (The)]]
[[Category:Heroes|Flash (The)]]
[[Category:Scientists|Flash (The)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Flash (The)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Flash (The)]]

The Flash

2009-06-23T18:44:11Z

Kchishol1970:

Parallel-Worlds

2009-06-23T18:42:12Z

Kchishol1970:

'''Parallel-Worlds'''

[[Image:Parallel_Worlds.gif|right|]]

Parallel worlds exist in parallel, alternate universes where, although there are a great many similarities to our known universe, as in the case of [[Earth-1]] with our [[Superman]] and the [[Superman of Earth-2]].

This profound cosmological discovery was first made on Earth by The [[Flash]] when he inadvertently crossed over to Earth 2 and met his childhood comic book hero, [[Flash of Earth-2]] (The Flash No. 123, Sep 1961: "Flash of Two Worlds!").

Often the [[Justice League of America]] would team with their dimensional counterparts, the [[Justice Society of Earth-2]], in battling other evil dimensional variations.

[[Superboy]] once faced marauding intruders from not only the future 30th Century but a parallel world as well.

Some of the parallel-words are:

*[[Earth-1]]
*[[Earth-2]]
*[[Earth-3]]
*[[Earth-E]]
*[[Earth-Prime]]
*[[Earth-S]]
*[[Earth-T]]
*[[Earth-X (Freedom Fighters)]]
*[[Earth-X (Steelman)]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_worlds Wikipedia entry on parallel worlds]
*[http://blaklion.best.vwh.net/time_links.html The Cosmology Compendium]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Theoretical Concepts]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Captain Marvel of Earth-S

2009-01-07T21:23:47Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Bluecheese.jpg|thumb|All New Collectors' Edition No. C-58: Superman Vs. Captain Marvel]]

'''Captain Marvel of Earth-S'''

When the young boy [[Billy Batson of Earth-S|Billy Batson]] says the name of the ancient wizard [[Shazam of Earth-S|Shazam]], he is transformed into the mighty Captain Marvel (first appearance: Whiz Comics No. 2, Feb 1940: "Introducing Captain Marvel"). Captain Marvel is the greatest hero on [[Earth-S]]. Captain Marvel's nicknames include "The World's Mightiest Mortal" and "The Big Red Cheese". Captain Marvel is part of the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S|Marvel Family]] along with [[Captain Marvel, Jr. of Earth-S|Captain Marvel, Jr.]], [[Mary Marvel of Earth-S|Mary Marvel]], [[Uncle Marvel of Earth-S|Uncle Marvel]], and [[Hoppy the Marvel Bunny]]. His greatest enemies include [[Doctor Sivana of Earth-S|Dr. Sivana]], [[Mr. Mind of Earth-S|Mr. Mind]] and [[Black Adam of Earth-S|Black Adam]].

Captain Marvel derives his powers from the following gods and heroes:

*'''S'''olomon: Wisdom
*'''H'''ercules: Strength
*'''A'''tlas: Stamina
*'''Z'''eus: Power
*'''A'''chilles: Courage
*'''M'''ercury: Speed

As such, his set of powers are very similar to Superman's basic ones such as great strength, speed, flight and resistance to injury, but are based on magic. [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] took advantage of this by magically exchanging the costumes and powers of the two heroes. Thus he creates a situation where Superman is confused at this change, but his new powers are familiar enough for him to set out to meet Captain Marvel on Earth-S about this siuation with little difficulty as the imp intended. (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!")

== Captain Marvel has appeared in the following Superman Tales ==

'''With [[Superman]] of [[Earth-1]]'''
*(All New Collectors Edition No. C-58, May 1978 "When Earths Collide!")
*(DCCP No. 33, May 1981 "Man and Supermarvel!")
*(DCCP No. 34, Jun 1981 "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!")
*(DCCP No. 49, Sep 1982 "Black Adam!")
*(DCCPA No. 3, 1984 "With One Magic Word")
*(Act No. 583, Sep 1986 "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?")

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Marvel_%28DC_Comics%29 Wikipedia article on Captain Marvel]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=1 Cap's entry at the Marvel Family Web]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=271 Captain Marvel Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/shazam_index.html SHAZAM! Index by Dark Mark]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Earth-S

2009-01-07T21:17:41Z

Kchishol1970:

'''Earth-S'''

Earth-S is one of many [[Parallel-Worlds]] that exist in the [[Multiverse]] of possible realities. It can only by accessed by circling in flight a specific number of times around the mystic Rock of Eternity where the wizard [[Shazam]] resides.

Earth-S is the version of Earth that is home to the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S|Marvel Family]] and [[Shazam of Earth-S|Shazam]]'s Squadrom of Justice which consists of the heroes Ibis, Spy Smasher, Bulletgirl, Bulletman, Mr. Scarlet, and Pinky (Justice League of America No. 135, Oct 1976: "Crisis in Eternity!").

Earth-S first appears in the Chronicles in the account of a May 1981 encounter between [[Superman]] and [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S|Captain Marvel]] (DCCP No. 33, "Man and Supermarvel!").

==External Link==

*[http://blaklion.best.vwh.net/timelineS.html Earth-S Timeline]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2008-12-14T05:47:15Z

Kchishol1970: /* Dummies, Robots, and Androids */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]

''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said to derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==

[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]

With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==

Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]

Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==

[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]

Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonian survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He can be held or destroyed by some aliens and alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Superman's. One example includes [[Darkseid]]'s Gravi-Guards, ponderous beings able to summon great gravity from heavy mass galaxies (see The Forever People No. 1, Feb/Mar 1971: "In Search of a Dream!").

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman Under the Green Sun!"). Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Lex Luthor, using lifelike android duplicates of [[the Flash]] and [[Batman]] as children, once successfully convinces Superman that he has found a way to reduce his age. Superman is subconsciously convinced enough that his body literally de-ages until he realizes the deception (Act Nos. 465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: "Think Young and Die" and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy").

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, "...despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!").

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructible as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision. This partially by design so if a robot goes rogue, Superman can defeat it with reasonable ease.(WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).

In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante â€œmystery-manâ€ (Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).

Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€; and others).

Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Supermanâ€™s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.

In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governorâ€™s home just before midnight, manhandles the governorâ€™s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curryâ€™s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. â€œGentlemen,â€ exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, â€œI still canâ€™t believe my senses! Heâ€™s not human! Thank heaven heâ€™s apparently on the side of law and order!â€ (Act No. 1).

In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.

''â€œItâ€™s not entirely your fault that youâ€™re delinquent,â€ remarks Superman, â€œ...itâ€™s these slumsâ€”your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!â€œ''

Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Supermanâ€™s eye. â€œCyclone Hits Florida,â€ it screams. â€œCities Laid Waste!â€ The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.

Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the cityâ€™s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like â€œa one-man cyclone,â€ singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. â€œSo the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?â€ says Superman to himself. â€œThen hereâ€™s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€

Supermanâ€™s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally â€œa squadron of aerial- bombersâ€ are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Supermanâ€™s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.

''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''

And then finally, his task completed, â€œSUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...

Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. â€œEmergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€

Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. â€œ... Weâ€™ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,â€ vows the police chief, â€œ- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)

In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office â€œto witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€

''â€œIâ€™ll come to the point at once!â€ he remarks. â€œAs you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''

â€œGood for him!â€ cries one reporter.
â€œWhat the world needs is a couple more guys like him!â€ exclaims another.

â€œRegardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,â€ scolds the police chief, â€œthe fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€

In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a â€œconceited windbagâ€ who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Supermanâ€™s â€œsuper-toughâ€ skin (Act No. 9).

In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])

In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. â€œAttention, citizens of this city!â€ he proclaims to the cityâ€™s stunned radio audience. â€œA warning from Superman...pay close heed!â€ And then, Superman issues the following announcement:

''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! Itâ€™s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!

From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''

Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on â€œthe great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€

â€œYes-sir-ee!â€ exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. â€œI think Iâ€™m going to enjoy this private little war!â€

Next, Superman visits â€œa used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these â€˜carsâ€™?â€ he cries to the horrified lot owner. â€œTheyâ€™re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they werenâ€™t so dangerous theyâ€™d actually be funny!â€ And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, â€œSorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but Iâ€™m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€

Soon afterward, â€œ...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Companyâ€™s great factoryâ€ and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. â€œ... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!â€ accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, â€œGleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factoryâ€™s manufacturing equipmentâ€ with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.

A short while later, Superman abducts the cityâ€™s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. â€œBy not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,â€ intones Superman, â€œyou doomed many to death!â€

Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see â€œthe bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,â€ remarks Superman grimly, â€œare men you killed!â€

Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the cityâ€™s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates â€œa great traffic improvement drive...!â€œ (Act No. 12).

In September 1939, convinced that â€œgambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,â€ Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czarâ€™s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of â€œfluttering billsâ€ raining down on the grateful inhabitants of â€œa poor section of the city.â€

When he learns that the cityâ€™s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (â€œCommissioner, youâ€™re a clever man,â€ threatens Superman, â€œand so I wonâ€™t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolisâ€™s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his officeâ€”and the gamblers into leaving townâ€”by threatening to track down any man who remains behind â€œ... and end his life with my own hands!â€ (Act No. 16).

In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. â€œRemember!â€ warns Superman as he makes his exit. â€œIf you donâ€™t confess, Iâ€™ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!â€ (S No. 2/3: â€œSuperman and the Skyscrapersâ€).

In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly â€œpurple plagueâ€ unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. â€œHere are the chemicals. . .â€œ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. â€œNever mind how I got them! Get to work!â€ (Act No. 19).

In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).

In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).

In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).

In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).

In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).

In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).

In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailantâ€™s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )

In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaireâ€™s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. â€œIt would be useless to attempt to reason with them!â€ thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2).

During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, â€œIf we could only draft you into the force!â€ (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).

In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the cityâ€™s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1).

Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).

In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:

â€œHow fortunate we are here in America,â€ he remarks, â€œto have someone of Supermanâ€™s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, heâ€™s worth several armies and navies!â€ (S No. 15/2).

In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bankâ€™s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: â€œPowerstoneâ€).

In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).

In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthorâ€™s henchmen and turns them over to the police. â€œIf you keep up this super crook- catching,â€ remarks one officer, â€œthe force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!â€ replies Superman (S No. 17/4: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€).

In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]â€™s having copyrighted the English alphabet. â€œ... What can I do?â€ thinks Clark Kent helplessly. â€œThe Prankster has the law on his side, and I wonâ€™t flout justice at any cost!...â€ (S No. 22/3: â€œThe Great ABC Panic!â€).

In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. â€œ... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!â€ thinks Superman proudly. â€œItâ€™s the grandest tribute Iâ€™ve ever had!â€ (S No. 23/1: â€œAmericaâ€™s Secret Weapon!â€).

In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of â€œweird raysâ€ from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:
â€œWhen Stars Collide!â€).

In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: â€œThe People vs. Superman!â€).

In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: â€œThe City That Exiled Superman!â€).

In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: â€œMuscles for Moneyâ€).

In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: â€œSuperman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).

In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earthâ€™s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steelâ€™s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a â€œJekyll-Hyde personalityâ€ that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: â€œThe Two Faces of Superman!â€).

In July-August 1956, Superman is an â€œhonored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual police ball (WF No. 83: â€œThe Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).

In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical â€œfuturemenâ€ from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive â€œrenegade scientistâ€ from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€).

When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemenâ€™s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: â€œThe Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).

In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€).

In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into â€œthe most feared and hated person on Earthâ€ when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical â€œtelepathic-hypnotic weaponâ€ beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: â€œSuperman Goes Wild!â€).

In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolisâ€™s police force (S No. 160/2: â€œThe Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).

In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: â€œThe Trial of Superman!â€).

In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:
â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a â€œpower-hungry madmanâ€ as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: â€œKing Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=superman Superman Index by Mike]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes Named Superman]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Black Mercy

2008-12-12T20:55:40Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Black-Mercy.jpg|left]]

'''The Black Mercy'''

Name given to a plant-like alien parasitic entity that functions similarly to a fungus. The non-sentient creature appears as a collection of reddish discs with a number of brown, sinewy tentacles that radiate outward from its center. The Black Mercy attaches itself to a victim's chest while wrapping its tendrils around the torso, and subsists by feeding on its prey's bio-aura. The entity keeps its victim docile by placing him/her in a trance-like state while filling the host's mind with visions of his/her strongest desires being fulfilled. The entity must be handled with specialized gauntlets that negate its powerful influence, as it can affect even the most invulnerable of potential hosts. Apparently, the only means of escape is through subconscious resistance of the delusion, corrupting it into something causing traumatic emotional distress to allow the victim to shake off the parasite.

[[Mongul]] employs Black Mercy as an instrument of revenge against [[Superman]] by disguising it as an anonymous birthday gift, but the [[Man of Steel]] is freed from the creature's clutches by the combined efforts of [[Batman]], [[Robin (Jason Todd)|the second Robin]] and [[Wonder Woman]]. In the end, Mongul himself falls victim to the creature's influence when Robin affixes it to the alien tyrant's chest (SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Black Mercy

2008-12-12T20:55:01Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Black-Mercy.jpg|left]]

'''The Black Mercy'''

Name given to a plant-like alien parasitic entity that functions similarly to a fungus. The non-sentient creature appears as a collection of reddish discs with a number of brown, sinewy tentacles that radiate outward from its center. The Black Mercy attaches itself to a victim's chest while wrapping its tendrils around the torso, and subsists by feeding on its prey's bio-aura. The entity keeps its victim docile by placing him/her in a trance-like state while filling the host's mind with visions of his/her strongest desires being fulfilled. The entity must be handled with specialized gauntlets that negate its powerful influence, as it can affect even the most invulnerable of potential hosts. Apparently, the only means of escape is through subconscious resistance of the delusion, corrupting it into something causing traumatic emotional distress to allow the victim to shake of the parasite.

[[Mongul]] employs Black Mercy as an instrument of revenge against [[Superman]] by disguising it as an anonymous birthday gift, but the [[Man of Steel]] is freed from the creature's clutches by the combined efforts of [[Batman]], [[Robin (Jason Todd)|the second Robin]] and [[Wonder Woman]]. In the end, Mongul himself falls victim to the creature's influence when Robin affixes it to the alien tyrant's chest (SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Phantom Zone

2008-08-28T16:17:16Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:P-zone.jpg|left]]

'''The Phantom Zone'''

A weird "twilight dimension"—first discovered by [[Superman]]â€™s father, [[Jor-El]]—to which [[Kryptonian]] criminals were banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Adv No. 283, Apr 1961: "The Phantom Superboy"; and many others). Inside the Phantom Zone, its exiled inhabitants exist in a "phantom state" (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!"), unaging, requiring no food, air, or water (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"; and others), communicating with one another telepathically (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!"; and others), able to observe everything that takes place in the physical universe—either on Earth (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"; and others), or in outer space (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!"; and others)—even though they cannot be seen or heard themselves (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"; and others). By observing Superman from inside the Phantom Zone, all its inhabitants have learned that he is secretly [[Clark Kent]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!").

Before Jor-Elâ€™s discovery of the Phantom Zone, Kryptonians who perpetrated serious crimes were exiled into outer space in a state of suspended animation inside specially-constructed space capsules (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"; and others). The criminals imprisoned inside these "prison satellites" were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineral—capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred yearsâ€™ time—were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. I-III—"The Girl of Steel": "The Lost Super-Powers"; "Supermanâ€™s Return to Krypton").

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated after Jor-El discovered the Phantom Zone, to which convicted felons could be banished by means of an ingenious "[[Phantom Zone Projector]]" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"; and many others), or "Phantom Zone Ray Projector" (Act No. 311, Apr 1964: "Superman, King of Earth!"), of Jor-Elâ€™s own invention. Exile into this twilight world proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Phantom Zone outlaws, however, for it enabled them to survive when the planet Krypton exploded. To this day, these villains hover invisibly in their twilight dimension, waiting their opportunity to escape from the Zone and "take over the Earth," which makes the Zone the only way Superman can practically contain them short of forcibly stripping them of their powers. (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"; and others).

Once projected into the Phantom Zone, "all inhabitants gain the power to converse one another via telepathy" (S No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III—"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"; and others). For a time, however, their only means of communicating with the physical world was by beaming telepathic messages to individuals outside the Zone who possessed telepathic powers, such as [[Saturn Girl]], and [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Supermanâ€™s Last Day of Life!"), although, on at least one occasion, they succeeded in communicating with Superman by concentrating, in unison, on a single telepathic message (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!"). Similarly, Supermanâ€™s only means of contacting the Phantom Zone outlaws was through his telepathic friends (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Supermanâ€™s Last Day of Life!").

By November 1962, however, Superman has invented the "[[zone-o-phone]]," a large television-type picture tube equipped with a microphone and speaker which enables him to peer into the Phantom Zone while communicating orally with the Phantom Zone prisoners. "Wonderful! My zone-o-phone works!" thinks Superman after his device has passed its maiden test. "I can communicate with Phantom Zone prisoners. The inventionâ€™s screen enables me to look into the Zone!" (S No. 157/1: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!"). By February 1964 this device, here referred to as "the Phantom Zone viewer and Zone-O-Phone," has come to consist of a television-like viewing screen equipped with a headset and microphone for verbal communication (S No. 167: "The Team of Luthor and Brainiac!" pts. I-III—"The Deadly Duo!"; "The Downfall of Superman!"; "The Hour of Kandorâ€™s Vengeance!"; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!").

By August 1963, Superman has developed a raygun-like Phantom Zone "view-finder," with which he can peer into the Phantom Zone to assure himself that all the Zoneâ€™s inhabitants are present and accounted for (S No. 163/1: "Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis!").

Once each year, in [[Kandor]]â€™s majestic Hall of Justice, the [[Phantom Zone Parole Board]] meets to consider the pleas of Phantom Zone prisoners seeking parole. A giant "monitor screen equipped with a zone-o-phone" is used by the parole board members to communicate with the prisoners, and those inmates deemed worthy of parole are released from the Phantom Zone to begin new lives as Kandorian citizens (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!").

Superman is also able to release inmates from the Phantom Zone by means of the "Phantom Zone ray-gun" he keeps in his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. In November 1962, Superman uses the device to free [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone after verifying—with the aid of a surviving cache of "radio-visual tapes" from the files of the Kryptonian police—that Quex-Ul has served out the full sentence meted out to him by Kryptonian authorities (S No. 157/1: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!").

The decision to release an inmate from the Phantom Zone is an extremely grave matter, however, for the inmates of the Zone, like all surviving Kryptonians, acquire super-powers identical to Supermanâ€™s in the environment of Earth and could easily turn these awesome powers toward the pursuit of villainous ambitions. When Superman releases [[Jax-Ur]] from the Phantom Zone for a twenty-four hour period in March 1964, he uses a special "release ray" to make the villain materialize in his Fortress of Solitude, and then clamps an ingenious metal bracelet—called a "zone-shackle"—on the convict's wrist. "Should you refuse to let me return you to the Phantom Zone after 24 hours," explains Superman, "it will dissolve your atomic structure and automatically return you there anyway!" In addition, if Jax-Ur attempts to tamper with or remove the zone-shackle, he will find himself automatically banished to "a fiery, barren planet under a red sun," where, like any Kryptonian, he would instantly be deprived of his super-powers (Act No. 310: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!").

The Phantom Zone outlaws have an abiding hatred of Superman and, almost to a man, they pray for the day when they can escape the Zone and "take over the Earth" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"). According to Superman No. 157/1, "These invisible villains hate Superman because he possesses mighty super-powers which they, too, would have if they werenâ€™t prisoners in the twilight dimension!" (Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!"), but a more plausible explanation for the enmity they bear Superman lies in the fact that Superman is the most visible surviving representative of the society that exiled them; that, in large measure, he holds the key to keeping them prisoner or setting them free; and that it was the testimony of his father, Jor-El, that was instrumental in dooming many of their number to long terms in the Phantom Zone (S No. 153/3, May 1962: "The Town of Supermen!"; and others).

Over the years, a number of occurrences, both natural and man-made, have enabled Phantom Zone outlaws to escape the Zone. By May 1962, for example, a "50-megaton atomic test blast on Earth [has] ripped open a hole in the Phantom Zone," allowing eight criminals to escape before finally closing up again (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"). In October 1963, the explosion in outer space of an atomic missile from a Polaris submarine causes a temporary gap in the Phantom Zone through which the villain [[Ras-Krom]] escapes to freedom (S No. 164/2: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!") A hole in the Phantom Zone caused by "the electrical ions of the Aurora Borealis" in January 1962 is closed by Superman, [[Supergirl]], and [[Krypto]] before it becomes large enough to allow any of the imprisoned "super-villains" to escape (Act No. 284: "The Babe of Steel!").

[[Image:PZLBB.jpg|thumb|Superman Little Big Book with Phantom Zone Villians]]
Over the years, the inhabitants of the Phantom Zone have included [[General Zod]] (Adv No. 283, Apr 1961: "The Phantom Superboy"; and others), Jax-Ur and [[Professor Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"; and others); [[Dr. Xadu]], a "villainous scientist" (SA No. 5, Sum 1962) sentenced to thirty years in the Phantom Zone for doing "a forbidden experiment in suspended animation" (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: "The One Minute of Doom!"); [[Ral-En]], the son of [[Mag-En]] (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: "Krypton's First Superman!"); [[Quex-Ul]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!"); Ras-Krom (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!"); [[Faora Hu-Ul]] (Act No. 471/1, May 1977: "One of Our Phantoms Is Missing"; and others), and the eight unidentified Phantom Zone escapees whom Superman encounters in the town of [[Drywood Gulch]] in May 1962 (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"). [[Mon-El]], a close friend of Superman, is the only inhabitant of the Phantom Zone who was not sent there for any crime (SB No. 89/1, Jun 1961: "Superboy's Big Brother"; and others). A complete "microfilm gallery of Phantom Zone criminals, a gift [to Superman] from law officials in the miniature city of Kandor," is kept for safekeeping in the Fortress of Solitude (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!").

In January 1962, the Phantom Zone prisoners seem on the verge of escaping from the Phantom Zone after "the electrical ions of the Aurora Borealis have opened a small hole in the Phantom Zone which is steadily widening," threatening to release the exiled "super-villains" into the earthly dimension as soon as it becomes "big enough for the Phantom Zone criminals to squeeze through!" Alerted to the threat, however, by their friend Mon-El, Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto the Superdog use the combined power of their X-ray vision to burn up the Aurora Borealis, thereby sealing up the opening through which the villains had hoped to make their escape (Act No. 284: "The Babe of Steel!"). During this same period, the Phantom Zone outlaws, like all other Kryptonian survivors, bow their heads in silence in solemn commemoration of "the anniversary of the destruction of Krypton..." (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: "The One Minute of Doom!").

In October 1962, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily transformed Superman into two separate individuals, a mature, responsible Clark Kent and an unprincipled, irresponsible Superman, the arrogant Superman imprisons Krypto the Superdog, Supergirl, and the entire city of Kandor in the Phantom Zone in order to prevent them from interfering with his plan to keep the personalities of Clark Kent and Superman separate forever. Ultimately, however, Clark Kent frees his friends from the Phantom Zone, and soon afterward he succeeds in bringing about the reuniting of Clark Kent and Superman into a single individual (Act No. 293: "The Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent!"). During this same period, when Superman is believed to be dying of exposure to [[Virus X]], an incurable Kryptonian malady, Mon-El beams a telepathic message to Saturn Girl from inside the Phantom Zone informing her that Superman is not suffering from exposure to Virus X at all, but merely from the effects of a kryptonite nugget that has become accidentally lodged in [[Jimmy Olsen]]â€™s camera (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Supermanâ€™s Last Day of Life!").

In November 1962, Superman releases Quex-Ul from the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!").

In January 1963, in order to hide from the cohorts of the "fanatic scientist" [[Than-Ol]], Superman and Jimmy Olsen project themselves into the Phantom Zone, then materialize in the Fortress of Solitude one hour later, when the coast is clear. "On the chance that some day Iâ€™d have to hide out in the Phantom Zone," explains Superman, "I recently equipped this [Phantom Zone] projector with a timing device that would automatically release anyone it had sent into the Zone after a period of one hour!" (S No. 158: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III—"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!").

In October 1963, Superman battles the Phantom Zone escapee Ras-Krom (S No. 164/2: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!").

In March 1964, Superman thwarts an elaborate scheme by the Phantom Zone outlaw Jax-Ur to blackmail him into setting free all the Phantom Zone convicts (Act No. 310: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"). (TGSB)

While valuing the Zone as a method of practical containment for existing Kryptonian inmates as well as its utility in sheltering Mon-El while he was dying of lead poisoning, Superman may harbor some concerns about the justness of its use as punishment. For example, when the villain [[Mongul]] snares him in the grip of the [[Black Mercy]] plant he dreams of an ideal life on Krypton. As this fantasy decays into a nightmare, he imagines [[Kara Zor-El]] being severely wounded in an attack by a militant opposed to the Phantom Zone. With her is literature denouncing the the penal use of the Zone saying, "Just because it doesn't hurt, doesn't mean it isn't torture. Release all Phantom Zone prisoners at once!" (SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything").

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_Zone Wikipedia Entry on the Phantom Zone]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Dimensional Realms]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Mon-El

2008-08-28T16:13:48Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Mon-elwhite.jpg|left|]]

'''Mon-El'''

Real name: Lar Gand.

Mon-El first arrives on Earth suffering from amnesia during [[Superboy]]'s time in [[Smallville]]. Mistakenly believing he is from [[Krypton]], Mon-El is originally thought of as "Superboy's Big Brother" (SB No. 89, Feb 1961).

However, with his memory restored, Superboy and Mon-El discover that he is actually a native of the planet [[Daxam]], a Krypton-like world, and like Superboy, Mon-El has super powers under a yellow sun. He however had an encounter with [[Jor-El]] when arrived on Krypton shortly before the planet's destruction. The scientist warned Mon-El of the impending explosion and he escaped with a map to Earth, but fell into suspended animation in the trip until he arrived. A Daxamite's one weakness is [[lead]], which is abundant on Earth. Unlike exposure to Kryptonite in Superboy's case, lead exposure to a Daxamite is fatal. To save his friend's life, Superboy projects Mon-El into the [[Phantom Zone]].

Mon-El remains trapped in that twilight dimension for over a thousand years until [[Brainiac 5]] of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] concocts a final antidote for Mon-El's lead poisioning.

Fully cured, Mon-El becomes a member of that heroic teen brigade of the future, the Legion of Super-Heroes.

When Superman visits the [[Adult Legion of Super-Heroes]], he learns that Mon-El was roaming the spaceways as an explorer, clearing the way for intergalactic settlers.

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Phantom Zone Inhabitants]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lar_Gand Wikipedia entry on Mon-El]
*[http://www.studiosanning.shawbiz.ca/legion_of_super-heroes/membership/mon-el/index.htm Lar's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]

Tag-Along

2008-03-04T01:04:51Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Sgtrock.jpg|thumb|''DCCP'' No. 10 cover by Ross Andru]]
An alias employed by [[Superman]] after a powerful bomb explodes that not only sends Superman back into the past during WWII but also gave him total amnesia.

In this past, he finds an American soldier uniform and dons it to hide his regular costume since he is no position to explain it. Unfortunately, he soon encounters [[Sgt. Rock]] and [[Easy Company]] who had just dealt with Germans impersonating US soldiers and suspected that this stranger was one of those imposters considering he has no identification such as military dog-tags. As it happens, this confrontation was interrupted by Sgt. Rock spotting Germans lying in ambush and Easy Company defeats them which leads them to believe that the stranger is not one of them since the enemy made no attempt to give him preferential treatment.

After the incident, Easy Company takes Clark along and question him with American culture trivia like baseball results and are satisfied when he answered correctly. As a result, Rock follows the company's tradition and dubs the stranger a distinctive nickname, Tag-Along. Their new addition becomes a mixed blessing for Easy Company, one example being when a German tank attacks them. Tag-Along has the unit's anti-tank weapon, but Clark's forgotten vow never to take a life subconciously prevents him from firing it despite the fact that his comrades are in deadly peril. Fortunately, when Clark pounds the ground in frustration, he inadvertantly creates an earthquake with the shockwaves, creating a fissure that the tank falls into which allows Easy Company to destroy it.

Shortly, Superman's memory returns and he resolves to protect Easy Company for a short time, first from an attacking war plane and then, by destroying a Nazi outpost before faking his death to fool the company. Allowing himself to be buried, Superman digs himself out and returns to the present day.

(DCCP No. 10, Jun 1979: "The Miracle Man of Easy Company!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliases]]
[[Category:Superman's Aliases]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2007-11-18T16:18:13Z

Kchishol1970: /* Other Vulnerabilities */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]

''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said the derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==

[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]

With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==

Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]

Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==

[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]

Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonian survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He could be destroyed by alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Superman's in the alien environment of Earth. For instance, the villainous New God, [[Darkseid]], once arranges a trap for the [[Forever People]] and Superman using his Gravi-Guards. These ponderous beings draw gravity from heavy mass galaxies and claim to be capable of holding any being. They make good their boast by seizing Superman and wrestling him down while he is unable to resist the crushing imposed weight. The Kryptonian is saved only when the Forever People summon the Infinity Man who defeats the brutes by applying anti-gravity to hurl them away. (The Forever People No 1, February-March 1971: "In Search of a Dream!")

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman Under the Green Sun!"). Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Lex Luthor, using lifelike android duplicates of [[the Flash]] and [[Batman]] as children, once successfully convinces Superman that he has found a way to reduce his age. Superman is subconsciously convinced enough that his body literally de-ages until he realizes the deception (Act Nos. 465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: "Think Young and Die" and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy").

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, "...despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!").

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).

In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante â€œmystery-manâ€ (Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).

Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€; and others).

Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Supermanâ€™s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.

In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governorâ€™s home just before midnight, manhandles the governorâ€™s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curryâ€™s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. â€œGentlemen,â€ exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, â€œI still canâ€™t believe my senses! Heâ€™s not human! Thank heaven heâ€™s apparently on the side of law and order!â€ (Act No. 1).

In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.

''â€œItâ€™s not entirely your fault that youâ€™re delinquent,â€ remarks Superman, â€œ...itâ€™s these slumsâ€”your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!â€œ''

Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Supermanâ€™s eye. â€œCyclone Hits Florida,â€ it screams. â€œCities Laid Waste!â€ The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.

Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the cityâ€™s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like â€œa one-man cyclone,â€ singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. â€œSo the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?â€ says Superman to himself. â€œThen hereâ€™s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€

Supermanâ€™s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally â€œa squadron of aerial- bombersâ€ are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Supermanâ€™s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.

''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''

And then finally, his task completed, â€œSUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...

Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. â€œEmergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€

Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. â€œ... Weâ€™ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,â€ vows the police chief, â€œ- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)

In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office â€œto witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€

''â€œIâ€™ll come to the point at once!â€ he remarks. â€œAs you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''

â€œGood for him!â€ cries one reporter.
â€œWhat the world needs is a couple more guys like him!â€ exclaims another.

â€œRegardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,â€ scolds the police chief, â€œthe fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€

In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a â€œconceited windbagâ€ who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Supermanâ€™s â€œsuper-toughâ€ skin (Act No. 9).

In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])

In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. â€œAttention, citizens of this city!â€ he proclaims to the cityâ€™s stunned radio audience. â€œA warning from Superman...pay close heed!â€ And then, Superman issues the following announcement:

''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! Itâ€™s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!

From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''

Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on â€œthe great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€

â€œYes-sir-ee!â€ exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. â€œI think Iâ€™m going to enjoy this private little war!â€

Next, Superman visits â€œa used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these â€˜carsâ€™?â€ he cries to the horrified lot owner. â€œTheyâ€™re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they werenâ€™t so dangerous theyâ€™d actually be funny!â€ And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, â€œSorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but Iâ€™m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€

Soon afterward, â€œ...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Companyâ€™s great factoryâ€ and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. â€œ... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!â€ accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, â€œGleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factoryâ€™s manufacturing equipmentâ€ with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.

A short while later, Superman abducts the cityâ€™s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. â€œBy not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,â€ intones Superman, â€œyou doomed many to death!â€

Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see â€œthe bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,â€ remarks Superman grimly, â€œare men you killed!â€

Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the cityâ€™s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates â€œa great traffic improvement drive...!â€œ (Act No. 12).

In September 1939, convinced that â€œgambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,â€ Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czarâ€™s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of â€œfluttering billsâ€ raining down on the grateful inhabitants of â€œa poor section of the city.â€

When he learns that the cityâ€™s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (â€œCommissioner, youâ€™re a clever man,â€ threatens Superman, â€œand so I wonâ€™t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolisâ€™s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his officeâ€”and the gamblers into leaving townâ€”by threatening to track down any man who remains behind â€œ... and end his life with my own hands!â€ (Act No. 16).

In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. â€œRemember!â€ warns Superman as he makes his exit. â€œIf you donâ€™t confess, Iâ€™ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!â€ (S No. 2/3: â€œSuperman and the Skyscrapersâ€).

In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly â€œpurple plagueâ€ unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. â€œHere are the chemicals. . .â€œ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. â€œNever mind how I got them! Get to work!â€ (Act No. 19).

In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).

In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).

In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).

In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).

In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).

In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).

In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailantâ€™s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )

In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaireâ€™s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. â€œIt would be useless to attempt to reason with them!â€ thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2).

During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, â€œIf we could only draft you into the force!â€ (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).

In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the cityâ€™s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1).

Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).

In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:

â€œHow fortunate we are here in America,â€ he remarks, â€œto have someone of Supermanâ€™s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, heâ€™s worth several armies and navies!â€ (S No. 15/2).

In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bankâ€™s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: â€œPowerstoneâ€).

In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).

In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthorâ€™s henchmen and turns them over to the police. â€œIf you keep up this super crook- catching,â€ remarks one officer, â€œthe force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!â€ replies Superman (S No. 17/4: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€).

In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]â€™s having copyrighted the English alphabet. â€œ... What can I do?â€ thinks Clark Kent helplessly. â€œThe Prankster has the law on his side, and I wonâ€™t flout justice at any cost!...â€ (S No. 22/3: â€œThe Great ABC Panic!â€).

In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. â€œ... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!â€ thinks Superman proudly. â€œItâ€™s the grandest tribute Iâ€™ve ever had!â€ (S No. 23/1: â€œAmericaâ€™s Secret Weapon!â€).

In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of â€œweird raysâ€ from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:
â€œWhen Stars Collide!â€).

In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: â€œThe People vs. Superman!â€).

In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: â€œThe City That Exiled Superman!â€).

In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: â€œMuscles for Moneyâ€).

In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: â€œSuperman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).

In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earthâ€™s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steelâ€™s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a â€œJekyll-Hyde personalityâ€ that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: â€œThe Two Faces of Superman!â€).

In July-August 1956, Superman is an â€œhonored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual police ball (WF No. 83: â€œThe Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).

In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical â€œfuturemenâ€ from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive â€œrenegade scientistâ€ from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€).

When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemenâ€™s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: â€œThe Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).

In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€).

In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into â€œthe most feared and hated person on Earthâ€ when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical â€œtelepathic-hypnotic weaponâ€ beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: â€œSuperman Goes Wild!â€).

In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolisâ€™s police force (S No. 160/2: â€œThe Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).

In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: â€œThe Trial of Superman!â€).

In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:
â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a â€œpower-hungry madmanâ€ as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: â€œKing Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=supes Superman Index by Mike]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2007-09-02T04:23:29Z

Kchishol1970: /* Other Vulnerabilities */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]

''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said the derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==

[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]

With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==

Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]

Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==

[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]

Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonians survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He could be destroyed by alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Supermanâ€™s in the alien environment of Earth.

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[Lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun. (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman under the Green Sun!") Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Luthor, using lifelike child age android duplicates of [[The Flash]] and [[Batman]], once successfully convinced Superman that the scientist had found a way to reduce his age to a child, and thus vulnerable to the adult villain. Although Luthor did not actually have that ability, Superman was subconsciously convinced enough to have his body literally deaged to a child. However, when Superman realizes that he is being manipulated, he instantly returns to his true age. ((Act No.465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: â€œThink Young and Dieâ€ and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy")

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, â€œâ€¦ despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!â€ (S No. 146, Jul 1961: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Feats!â€)

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).

In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante â€œmystery-manâ€ (Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).

Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€; and others).

Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Supermanâ€™s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.

In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governorâ€™s home just before midnight, manhandles the governorâ€™s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curryâ€™s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. â€œGentlemen,â€ exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, â€œI still canâ€™t believe my senses! Heâ€™s not human! Thank heaven heâ€™s apparently on the side of law and order!â€ (Act No. 1).

In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.

''â€œItâ€™s not entirely your fault that youâ€™re delinquent,â€ remarks Superman, â€œ...itâ€™s these slumsâ€”your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!â€œ''

Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Supermanâ€™s eye. â€œCyclone Hits Florida,â€ it screams. â€œCities Laid Waste!â€ The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.

Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the cityâ€™s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like â€œa one-man cyclone,â€ singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. â€œSo the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?â€ says Superman to himself. â€œThen hereâ€™s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€

Supermanâ€™s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally â€œa squadron of aerial- bombersâ€ are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Supermanâ€™s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.

''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''

And then finally, his task completed, â€œSUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...

Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. â€œEmergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€

Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. â€œ... Weâ€™ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,â€ vows the police chief, â€œ- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)

In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office â€œto witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€

''â€œIâ€™ll come to the point at once!â€ he remarks. â€œAs you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''

â€œGood for him!â€ cries one reporter.
â€œWhat the world needs is a couple more guys like him!â€ exclaims another.

â€œRegardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,â€ scolds the police chief, â€œthe fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€

In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a â€œconceited windbagâ€ who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Supermanâ€™s â€œsuper-toughâ€ skin (Act No. 9).

In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])

In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. â€œAttention, citizens of this city!â€ he proclaims to the cityâ€™s stunned radio audience. â€œA warning from Superman...pay close heed!â€ And then, Superman issues the following announcement:

''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! Itâ€™s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!

From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''

Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on â€œthe great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€

â€œYes-sir-ee!â€ exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. â€œI think Iâ€™m going to enjoy this private little war!â€

Next, Superman visits â€œa used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these â€˜carsâ€™?â€ he cries to the horrified lot owner. â€œTheyâ€™re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they werenâ€™t so dangerous theyâ€™d actually be funny!â€ And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, â€œSorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but Iâ€™m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€

Soon afterward, â€œ...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Companyâ€™s great factoryâ€ and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. â€œ... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!â€ accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, â€œGleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factoryâ€™s manufacturing equipmentâ€ with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.

A short while later, Superman abducts the cityâ€™s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. â€œBy not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,â€ intones Superman, â€œyou doomed many to death!â€

Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see â€œthe bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,â€ remarks Superman grimly, â€œare men you killed!â€

Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the cityâ€™s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates â€œa great traffic improvement drive...!â€œ (Act No. 12).

In September 1939, convinced that â€œgambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,â€ Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czarâ€™s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of â€œfluttering billsâ€ raining down on the grateful inhabitants of â€œa poor section of the city.â€

When he learns that the cityâ€™s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (â€œCommissioner, youâ€™re a clever man,â€ threatens Superman, â€œand so I wonâ€™t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolisâ€™s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his officeâ€”and the gamblers into leaving townâ€”by threatening to track down any man who remains behind â€œ... and end his life with my own hands!â€ (Act No. 16).

In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. â€œRemember!â€ warns Superman as he makes his exit. â€œIf you donâ€™t confess, Iâ€™ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!â€ (S No. 2/3: â€œSuperman and the Skyscrapersâ€).

In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly â€œpurple plagueâ€ unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. â€œHere are the chemicals. . .â€œ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. â€œNever mind how I got them! Get to work!â€ (Act No. 19).

In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).

In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).

In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).

In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).

In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).

In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).

In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailantâ€™s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )

In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaireâ€™s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. â€œIt would be useless to attempt to reason with them!â€ thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2).

During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, â€œIf we could only draft you into the force!â€ (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).

In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the cityâ€™s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1).

Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).

In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:

â€œHow fortunate we are here in America,â€ he remarks, â€œto have someone of Supermanâ€™s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, heâ€™s worth several armies and navies!â€ (S No. 15/2).

In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bankâ€™s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: â€œPowerstoneâ€).

In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).

In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthorâ€™s henchmen and turns them over to the police. â€œIf you keep up this super crook- catching,â€ remarks one officer, â€œthe force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!â€ replies Superman (S No. 17/4: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€).

In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]â€™s having copyrighted the English alphabet. â€œ... What can I do?â€ thinks Clark Kent helplessly. â€œThe Prankster has the law on his side, and I wonâ€™t flout justice at any cost!...â€ (S No. 22/3: â€œThe Great ABC Panic!â€).

In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. â€œ... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!â€ thinks Superman proudly. â€œItâ€™s the grandest tribute Iâ€™ve ever had!â€ (S No. 23/1: â€œAmericaâ€™s Secret Weapon!â€).

In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of â€œweird raysâ€ from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:
â€œWhen Stars Collide!â€).

In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: â€œThe People vs. Superman!â€).

In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: â€œThe City That Exiled Superman!â€).

In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: â€œMuscles for Moneyâ€).

In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: â€œSuperman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).

In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earthâ€™s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steelâ€™s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a â€œJekyll-Hyde personalityâ€ that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: â€œThe Two Faces of Superman!â€).

In July-August 1956, Superman is an â€œhonored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual police ball (WF No. 83: â€œThe Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).

In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical â€œfuturemenâ€ from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive â€œrenegade scientistâ€ from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€).

When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemenâ€™s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: â€œThe Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).

In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€).

In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into â€œthe most feared and hated person on Earthâ€ when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical â€œtelepathic-hypnotic weaponâ€ beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: â€œSuperman Goes Wild!â€).

In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolisâ€™s police force (S No. 160/2: â€œThe Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).

In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: â€œThe Trial of Superman!â€).

In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:
â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a â€œpower-hungry madmanâ€ as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: â€œKing Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]
*[http://fortress.supermanthrutheages.com/welcome.php Superman Thru the Ages!]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/newindexes.php?character=supes Superman Index by Mike]

==Links to Online Comics==

Read the greatest stories of Superman at: [http://supermanthrutheages.com/superman-comics Superman Thru The Ages!]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Power Girl of Earth-2

2007-08-03T05:53:25Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Powergirlwhite.jpg|thumb|left|Power Girl of Earth-2 by artist Bill 9000]]

*Real Name: [[Kara Zor-L]]
*Alter Ego: [[Karen Starr]]
*First Appearance: All-Star Comics No. 58, Jan/Feb 1976: "All-Star Super-Squad".

The daughter of [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Zor-L of Krypton-2|Zor-L]] and his wife [[Allura of Krypton-2|Allura]], Power Girl is also the cousin of the [[Superman of Earth-2]]. Her [[Earth-1]] counterpart is [[Supergirl]].

Aside being having the expected relative power level with her Earth-1 counterpart, the real difference with Power Girl is in her personality. Namely, she is far more aggressive and strong willed in her manner, which extends to being more prone to use more directly forceful methods in the face of challenges.

In 1983, a powerful god-like being named [[Maaldor]] is bored since he has no challenges and therefore seeks amusement. He deems and seeks out the two most powerful beings in the [[Multiverse]]: [[Superman]] and Power Girl. Maaldor tells them that if they don't entertain him, he'll order the deaths of trillions of beings. They agree and then find themselves in a combat arena. They battle him but are unable to defeat him in straight combat, until Superman tricks him into battling and destroying himself, creating a new dimension of madness that Superman and Power Girl seal before returning back to [[Earth-1]] and [[Earth-2]] respectfully (DCCP No. 56, Apr 1983: "Death in a Dark Dimension!").

Kara is a member of the [[Justice Society of America of Earth-2|Justice Society of America]] and has been an honorary member of [[Infinity Inc.]]

==Canonical Appearances of Power Girl==

*DCCP No. 56, Apr 1983: "Death in a Dark Dimension"
*DCCP No. 72, Jul 1984: "Madness in a Dark Dimension" (cameo)

== Links ==

*[http://superman.ws/tales4/pg/ Introducing POWER GIRL! excerpt from All-Star Comics No. 58]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
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[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-2]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Black Adam of Earth-S

2007-07-21T02:09:11Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Blackadam.jpg|left]]

'''Black Adam of Earth-S'''

The ancient Egyptian hero turned villain who is the sworn enemy of [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S|Captain Marvel]] (first appearance: The Marvel Family No. 1, Dec 1945: "The Mighty Marvels Join Forces!").

Actually Teth-Adam, son of Ramses II, Black Adam gains the powers of seven Egyptian gods,
'''S'''hu, '''H'''eru, '''A'''mon, '''Z'''ehuti, '''A'''ton and '''M'''ehen, when he speaks the name of the wizard [[Shazam of Earth-S|Shazam]]. The wizard bestowed the powers on Teth-Adam to become his champion, Mighty Adam. However, Mighty Adam soon abused his power and seized the throne of Egypt, forcing Shazam to punish his champion by dubbing him Black Adam to match his evil nature and exiling him far away into space. Eventually returning to Earth in the 20th Century, Black Adam becomes the sworn enemy of Captain Marvel, the current champion of Shazam.

[[Superman]] encounters Black Adam in September 1982, when "the slayer of pharaohs" crosses the "lightning barrier" between the [[Parallel-Worlds]] and attempts to conquer [[Earth-1]]. Evenly matched, the [[Man of Steel]] must rely on Captain Marvel and his alter ego [[Billy Batson of Earth-S|Billy Batson]], with whose aid the villain is tricked into saying "Shazam", reducing him to his "puny mortal self" (DCCP No. 49: "Black Adam!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Adam Wikipedia entry on Black Adam]
*[http://www.marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.aspx?castID=9 Black Adam Profile at the Marvel Family Web]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Mr. Mind of Earth-S

2007-07-21T02:08:06Z

Kchishol1970:

'''The most evil mind in the universe!'''

[[Image:Shazam.gif]]

An evil alien that has bedevilled the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S]] since the 1940s, Mr. Mind is a worm from a distant planet. Mr. Mind possesses extraordinary mind powers which allow him to control the minds of others. Mr. Mind uses a special amplifier that he wears around his body and uses it to talk to other beings not of his species (first appearance: [as a radio voice only] Captain Marvel Adventures No. 22, Mar 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 1: The Pearl of Peril"; and Captain Marvel Adventures No. 26, Aug 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 5: Marvel Meets Mr. Mind").

Despite his diminutive size, Mr. Mind is a master manipulator and leader who easily commands the respect of powerful associates like [[Doctor Sivana of Earth-S|Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana]] and [[Black Adam]] as part of various incarnations of the Monster Society of Evil.

Although the Marvel Family is the primary focus of the worm's enmity, Mind has targeted Superman as well in association with the Kryptonian's enemies such as [[Lex Luthor]] (Shazam! No. 15 Nov-Dec 1974: "Captain Marvel Meets Lex Luthor"), and [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!" and DCCP No. 34, Jun 1981: "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mind_and_the_Monster_Society_of_Evil Wikipedia Entry on Mr. Mind]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=154 Mr. Mind's entry at the Marvel Family Web]

[[category:Entries|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Animals|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Aliens|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Villains|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Earth-S|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]

Mr. Mind of Earth-S

2007-07-21T02:04:13Z

Kchishol1970:

'''The most evil mind in the universe!'''

[[Image:Shazam.gif]]

An evil alien that has bedevilled the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S]] since the 1940s, Mr. Mind is a worm from a distant planet. Mr. Mind possesses extraordinary mind powers which allow him to control the minds of others. Mr. Mind uses a special amplifier that he wears around his body and uses it to talk to other beings not of his species (first appearance: [as a radio voice only] Captain Marvel Adventures No. 22, Mar 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 1: The Pearl of Peril"; and Captain Marvel Adventures No. 26, Aug 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 5: Marvel Meets Mr. Mind").

Despite his diminutive size, Mr. Mind is a master manipulator and leader who easily commands the respect of powerful associates like [[Doctor Sivana of Earth-S|Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana]], Oggarr, and [[Black Adam]] as part of various incarnations of the Monster Society of Evil.

Although the Marvel Family is the primary focus of the worm's enmity, Mind has targeted Superman as well in association with the Kryptonian's enemies such as [[Lex Luthor]] (Shazam! No. 15 Nov-Dec 1974: "Captain Marvel Meets Lex Luthor"), and [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!" and DCCP No. 34, Jun 1981: "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mind_and_the_Monster_Society_of_Evil Wikipedia Entry on Mr. Mind]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=154 Mr. Mind's entry at the Marvel Family Web]

[[category:Entries|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Animals|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Aliens|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Villains|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Earth-S|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]

N'Gon

2007-07-20T19:42:17Z

Kchishol1970:

'''N'Gon''' is an evil alien whom in the past had mysteriously split into two separate beings; each immediately vowing to kill the other.

To enable this, N'Gon attacks individuals to assume their form in order to gain increased fighting ability. The specific attack is an eye blast that creates a distinctive flash in his eyes. Eventually, N'Gon's quest leads to the logical goal of stealing the power ring of a member of the [[Green Lantern Corps]]. However, his first attempt is thwarted when he attacks [[Green Lantern (Archon Z'gmora)]] in another dimension and the mortally wounded Lantern orders his ring to self-destruct so that the villain cannot use it.

Using his Z'gmora's form, N'Gon sends a fake distress call to Earth's [[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)]] who is on monitor duty at the [[Justice League of America]] headquarters. Although suspicious of this call because he is not on good terms with Z'gmora, Jordan travels to the other dimension to render assistance. Once there, N'Gon attacks Jordan and almost kills him, but the Lantern separates his consciousness into a ghost-like being at just the proper moment. While Jordan desperately attempts to assert remote mental control of his now-stolen ring, N'Gon grows accustomed to the ring enough to attempt to get the next level of personal power, that of [[Superman]].

Back on Earth, Superman is in the middle of rescuing a falling construction worker when he is whisked away by N'Gon to the other dimension. Although Superman is momentarily fooled by N'Gon's impersonation of Jordan, the real Jordan re-enters his own body and warns Superman of the imposter's ruse. With the deception revealed, N'Gon attacks Superman with the power ring while Superman attempts a defense against it by wrapping his cape around one of his arms and uses its yellow '''S''' symbol as a crude shield, taking advantage of the ring's inability to directly affect the color yellow.

N'Gon uses the ring to create a massive boulder of [[Green Kryptonite]] to incapacitate the [[Kryptonian]] in an attempt to steal Superman's form. However, Jordan manages to throw a rock at N'Gon to break his concentration enough to dispel the kryptonite and allow Superman to recover and fight back. Finally, Superman manages to grab N'Gon and drag him to a safe distance from Jordan. The [[Man of Steel]] breaks through the alien's power ring's personal force field with a mighty punch. The resulting blow creates a loud sonic boom that stuns Hal Jordon. Superman apprehends the barely conscious N'Gon in his true form and returns Jordan's ring.

While Jordan contains N'Gon for delivery to justice, Superman broods about how his abduction at the time he was saving an innocent may have caused his demise. Jordan calmly suggests that they might have a chance to save him because different dimensions have different rates of time progression. As the superheroes return to Earth, this proves to be the case and they emerge just in time to save the falling man (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Mr. Mxyzptlk

2007-07-20T19:19:54Z

Kchishol1970:

'''Mr. Mxyzptlk'''

[[Image:Mxyztplk.jpg|thumb|left|The Fifth Dimensional imp circa 1954]]

An imp from the Fifth Dimension of [[Land of Zrfff|Zrfff]] with magical abilities that easily affect [[Superman]]. He can be forced back to his home dimension (most chronicles say for a period of one month to ninety days) if he says his name backwards ("[[Kltpzyxm]]"). His many pranks have impacted the Superman family for decades and yet all his topsy-turvy magical, nightmarish alterations of reality return completely to normal once he has been banished.

In October 1944, he appears on Earth doing countless pranks and meets Superman when he is bandaging the mayor at a council meeting after making him appear ill by making him speak "like a jackass". He later explains how he is from another dimension where his full-time activity is a court-jester. After "poking his nose into the secret volumes of a brilliant scholar" (he's depicted holding a book named "Mxyztplkology") he learns "two magic words, one of which would transport him to this dimension and the other word if spoken aloud would return him to his world for a time" (S No. 30/3, Sep/Oct 1944: "The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk!").

The imp comes back to plague Superman repeatedly, a few examples include adventures where he: becomes mayor of [[Metropolis]] (S No. 96, Mar 1955: "Mr. Mxyztplk--Mayor of Metropolis!"), concocts a spell to relegate Superman to his weird dimension (Act No. 208, Sep 1955: "The Magic of Mr. Mxyzptlk!"), has an alarm in his hat to warn him when he begins to say his name backwards (S No. 131, Aug 1959: "The Menace of Mxyzptlk!"), comes up with an idea to remain underwater to prevent himself from speaking (S No. 154, Jul 1962: "The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk!"), and resolves to curse Superman with powers similar to his own (S No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!"). Later, Mxyzptlk is also one of Superman's most powerful foes summoned by [[Mr. Xavier]] to distract the Man of Steel (S No. 299, May 1976: "The Double-or-Nothing Life of Superman!"). In addition, Mxyzptlk forms a temporary partnership with [[Mr. Mind of Earth-S]] as part of a scheme to bedevil both the Kryptonian and [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S]] in which Mxyzptlk switches the powers and costumes of both heroes in an effort to lure Superman to Earth-S as he investigates the situation. (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!" and DCCP No. 34, June 1981: "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

[[Superboy]] meets a younger Mxyzptlk (not yet mostly bald and with red hair, and referred to as "Master Mxyzptlk") earlier in his career (for example, SB No. 83, Sep 1960: "The Dreams of Doom!", SB No. 120, Apr 1965: "The Invulnerable Imp!"; SB No. 131, Jul 1966: "Lex Luthor, Imp!").

In July 1980, Superman returns from an interstellar mission to discover that the world he knows has been replaced by one in which everyone has been reversed with a counterpart of the opposite gender. Instead of a female [[Lois Lane]] this world's [[Daily Planet]] has a male reporter named [[Louis Lane]]. Instead of [[Jimmy Olsen]] there is Jenny Olsen. [[Wonder Woman]] is replaced by Wonder Warrior, and so on. And the greatest hero on this world is Superwoman. There is also a Clara Kent who strangely is not the same person as Superwoman. In fact unlike her male counterpart in the real world, [[Clark Kent]], Clara Kent is just an ordinary person. Based on this fact, as well as the fact that a file on Superwoman's enemies shows a male Mxyzptlk, Superman is able to deduce that Mxyzptlk is behind this madness. Mxyzptlk is too vain to alter himself in any way so even in this world of reversed genders he is still male. Superwoman and Clara Kent are different people because Mxyzptlk, despite his incredible powers, has never discovered that Superman and Clark Kent are one and the same. Superman confronts Mxyzptlk, and uses the magic lasso taken from Wonder Warrior to force Mxyzptlk to say his name backwards causing him to return to the 5th dimension and undo his spell over the earth. When Superman returns to the Daily Planet, he is shocked to meet a Louis Lane, but its not the same person from the gender reversed Earth--it's Lois's cousin from [[Pittsdale]] (S No. 349: "The Turnabout Trap!").

Mxy's 30th Century descendant, [[Mxyzptlk 5]], is a member of the [[Adult Legion of Super-Heroes]].

(See also [[Mr. Mxyztplk of Earth-2]])

[[category:Entries|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Pests|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[Category:Magic|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mxyzptlk Mr. Mxyzptlk entry at Wikipedia]
*[http://www.tgfa.org/comics/superman/superman.htm Read The Turnabout Trap!]

Mr. Mxyzptlk

2007-07-20T19:19:15Z

Kchishol1970:

'''Mr. Mxyzptlk'''

[[Image:Mxyztplk.jpg|thumb|left|The Fifth Dimensional imp circa 1954]]

An imp from the Fifth Dimension of [[Land of Zrfff|Zrfff]] with magical abilities that easily affect [[Superman]]. He can be forced back to his home dimension (most chronicles say for a period of one month to ninety days) if he says his name backwards ("[[Kltpzyxm]]"). His many pranks have impacted the Superman family for decades and yet all his topsy-turvy magical, nightmarish alterations of reality return completely to normal once he has been banished.

In October 1944, he appears on Earth doing countless pranks and meets Superman when he is bandaging the mayor at a council meeting after making him appear ill by making him speak "like a jackass". He later explains how he is from another dimension where his full-time activity is a court-jester. After "poking his nose into the secret volumes of a brilliant scholar" (he's depicted holding a book named "Mxyztplkology") he learns "two magic words, one of which would transport him to this dimension and the other word if spoken aloud would return him to his world for a time" (S No. 30/3, Sep/Oct 1944: "The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk!").

The imp comes back to plague Superman repeatedly, a few examples include adventures where he: becomes mayor of [[Metropolis]] (S No. 96, Mar 1955: "Mr. Mxyztplk--Mayor of Metropolis!"), concocts a spell to relegate Superman to his weird dimension (Act No. 208, Sep 1955: "The Magic of Mr. Mxyzptlk!"), has an alarm in his hat to warn him when he begins to say his name backwards (S No. 131, Aug 1959: "The Menace of Mxyzptlk!"), comes up with an idea to remain underwater to prevent himself from speaking (S No. 154, Jul 1962: "The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk!"), and resolves to curse Superman with powers similar to his own (S No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!"). Later, Mxyzptlk is also one of Superman's most powerful foes summoned by [[Mr. Xavier]] to distract the Man of Steel (S No. 299, May 1976: "The Double-or-Nothing Life of Superman!"). In addition, Mxyzptlk forms a temporary partnership with [[Mr. Mind of Earth-S]] as part of a scheme to bedevil both the Kryptonian and [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S]] in which Mxyzptlk switches the powers and costumes of both heroes in an effort to lure Superman come to Earth-S as he investigates the situation. (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!" and DCCP No. 34, June 1981: "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

[[Superboy]] meets a younger Mxyzptlk (not yet mostly bald and with red hair, and referred to as "Master Mxyzptlk") earlier in his career (for example, SB No. 83, Sep 1960: "The Dreams of Doom!", SB No. 120, Apr 1965: "The Invulnerable Imp!"; SB No. 131, Jul 1966: "Lex Luthor, Imp!").

In July 1980, Superman returns from an interstellar mission to discover that the world he knows has been replaced by one in which everyone has been reversed with a counterpart of the opposite gender. Instead of a female [[Lois Lane]] this world's [[Daily Planet]] has a male reporter named [[Louis Lane]]. Instead of [[Jimmy Olsen]] there is Jenny Olsen. [[Wonder Woman]] is replaced by Wonder Warrior, and so on. And the greatest hero on this world is Superwoman. There is also a Clara Kent who strangely is not the same person as Superwoman. In fact unlike her male counterpart in the real world, [[Clark Kent]], Clara Kent is just an ordinary person. Based on this fact, as well as the fact that a file on Superwoman's enemies shows a male Mxyzptlk, Superman is able to deduce that Mxyzptlk is behind this madness. Mxyzptlk is too vain to alter himself in any way so even in this world of reversed genders he is still male. Superwoman and Clara Kent are different people because Mxyzptlk, despite his incredible powers, has never discovered that Superman and Clark Kent are one and the same. Superman confronts Mxyzptlk, and uses the magic lasso taken from Wonder Warrior to force Mxyzptlk to say his name backwards causing him to return to the 5th dimension and undo his spell over the earth. When Superman returns to the Daily Planet, he is shocked to meet a Louis Lane, but its not the same person from the gender reversed Earth--it's Lois's cousin from [[Pittsdale]] (S No. 349: "The Turnabout Trap!").

Mxy's 30th Century descendant, [[Mxyzptlk 5]], is a member of the [[Adult Legion of Super-Heroes]].

(See also [[Mr. Mxyztplk of Earth-2]])

[[category:Entries|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Pests|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[Category:Magic|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mxyzptlk, Mr.]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mxyzptlk Mr. Mxyzptlk entry at Wikipedia]
*[http://www.tgfa.org/comics/superman/superman.htm Read The Turnabout Trap!]

Mr. Mind of Earth-S

2007-07-20T19:13:58Z

Kchishol1970:

'''The most evil mind in the universe!'''

[[Image:Shazam.gif]]

This evil worm has bedevilled the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S]] since the 1940s. Mr. Mind is an alien worm from an distant planet. Mr. Mind possesses extraordinary mind powers which allow him to control the minds of others. Mr. Mind uses a special amplifier that he wears around his body which he uses to talk to other beings not of his species.

Despite his diminutive size, Mr. Mind is a master manipulator and leader who easily commands the respect of powerful associates like Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, Oggarr, and [[Black Adam]] as part of various incarnations of the Monster Society of Evil.

(first appearance: (As a radio voice only) Captain Marvel Adventures No. 22, Mar 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 1: The Pearl of Peril"; (Full Appearance) Captain Marvel Adventures No. 26, Aug 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 5: Marvel Meets Mr. Mind") .

Although the Marvel Family is the primary focus of the worm's enmity, Mind has targeted Superman as well in association with the Kryptonian's enemies such as [[Lex Luthor]] (Shazam! No. 15 November-December 1974: "Captain Marvel Meets Lex Luthor"), and [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!" and DCCP No. 34, June 1981: "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mind_and_the_Monster_Society_of_Evil Wikipedia Entry on Mr. Mind]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=154 Mr. Mind's entry at the Marvel Family Web]

[[category:Entries|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Animals|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Aliens|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Villains|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Earth-S|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]

Mr. Mind of Earth-S

2007-07-20T18:52:37Z

Kchishol1970:

'''The most evil mind in the universe!'''

[[Image:Shazam.gif]]

This evil worm has bedevilled the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S]] since the 1940s. Mr. Mind is an alien worm from an distant planet. Mr. Mind possesses extraordinary mind powers which allow him to control the minds of others. Mr. Mind uses a special amplifier that he wears around his body which he uses to talk to other beings not of his species.

Despite his diminutive size, Mr. Mind is a master manipulator and leader who easily commands the respect of powerful associates like Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, Oggarr, and [[Black Adam]] as part of various incarnations of the Monster Society of Evil.

(first appearance: (As a radio voice only) Captain Marvel Adventures No. 22, Mar 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 1: The Pearl of Peril"; (Full Appearance) Captain Marvel Adventures No. 26, Aug 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 5: Marvel Meets Mr. Mind") .

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mind_and_the_Monster_Society_of_Evil Wikipedia Entry on Mr. Mind]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=154 Mr. Mind's entry at the Marvel Family Web]

[[category:Entries|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Animals|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Aliens|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Villains|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Earth-S|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]

Mr. Mind of Earth-S

2007-07-20T18:52:12Z

Kchishol1970:

'''The most evil mind in the universe!'''

[[Image:Shazam.gif]]

This evil worm has bedevilled the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S]] since the 1940s. Mr. Mind is an alien worm from an distant planet. Mr. Mind possesses extraordinary mind powers which allow him to control the minds of others. Mr. Mind uses a special amplifier that he wears around his body which he uses to talk to other beings not of his species.

Despite his diminutive size, Mr. Mind is a master manipulator and leader who easily commands the respect of powerful associates like Dr. Thaddeus Bodog Sivana, Oggarr, and [[Black Adam]] as part of various incarnation of the Monster Society of Evil.

(first appearance: (As a radio voice only) Captain Marvel Adventures No. 22, Mar 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 1: The Pearl of Peril"; (Full Appearance) Captain Marvel Adventures No. 26, Aug 1943: "The Monster Society of Evil Ch. 5: Marvel Meets Mr. Mind") .

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Mind_and_the_Monster_Society_of_Evil Wikipedia Entry on Mr. Mind]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=154 Mr. Mind's entry at the Marvel Family Web]

[[category:Entries|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Animals|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Aliens|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Villains|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Earth-S|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Mister Mind of Earth-S]]

Black Adam of Earth-S

2007-07-20T18:47:15Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Blackadam.jpg|left]]

'''Black Adam of Earth-S'''

The ancient Egyptian hero turned villain who is the sworn enemy of [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S|Captain Marvel]] (first appearance: The Marvel Family No. 1, Dec 1945: "The Mighty Marvels Join Forces!").

Actually Teth-Adam, son of Ramses II, Black Adam gains the powers of seven Egyptian gods,
'''S'''hu, '''H'''eru, '''A'''mon, '''Z'''ehuti, '''A'''ton and '''M'''ehen, when he speaks the name of the wizard [[Shazam of Earth-S|Shazam]]. The wizard bestowed the powers on Teth-Adam to become his champion, Mighty Adam. However, Mighty Adam soon abused his power and seized the throne of Egypt, forcing Shazam to punish him by exiling him far away into space. Eventually returning to Earth in the 20th Century, Black Adam becomes the sworn enemy of Captain Marvel, the current champion of Shazam.

[[Superman]] encounters Black Adam in September 1982, when "the slayer of pharaohs" crosses the "lightning barrier" between the [[Parallel-Worlds]] and attempts to conquer [[Earth-1]]. Evenly matched, the [[Man of Steel]] must rely on Captain Marvel and his alter ego [[Billy Batson of Earth-S|Billy Batson]], with whose aid the villain is tricked into saying "Shazam", reducing him to his "puny mortal self" (DCCP No. 49: "Black Adam!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Adam Wikipedia entry on Black Adam]
*[http://www.marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.aspx?castID=9 Black Adam Profile at the Marvel Family Web]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

N'Gon

2007-04-06T12:07:51Z

Kchishol1970:

'''N'Gon''' is an evil alien whom in the past had mysteriously split into two separate beings; each immediately vowing to kill the other.

To enable this, N'Gon attacks individuals to assume their form in order to gain increased fighting ability. The specific attack is an eye blast that creates a distinctive flash in his eyes. Eventually, N'Gon's quest leads to the logical goal of stealing the power ring of a member of the [[Green Lantern Corps]]. However, his first attempt is thwarted when he attacks [[Green Lantern (Archon Z'gmora)]] in another dimension and the mortally wounded Lantern orders his ring to self-destruct so that the villain cannot use it.

Using his Z'gmora's form, N'Gon sends a fake distress call to Earth's [[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)]] who is on monitor duty at the [[Justice League of America]] headquarters. Although suspicious of this call because he is not on good terms with Z'gmora, Jordan travels to the other dimension to render assistance. Once there, N'Gon attacks Jordan and almost kills him, but the Lantern separates his consciousness into a ghost-like being at just the proper moment. While Jordan desperately attempts to assert remote mental control of his now-stolen ring, N'Gon grows accustomed to the ring enough to attempt to get the next level of personal power, that of [[Superman]].

Back on Earth, Superman is in the middle of rescuing a falling construction worker when he is whisked away by N'Gon to the other dimension. Although Superman is momentarily fooled by N'Gon's impersonation of Jordan, the real Jordan re-enters his own body and warns Superman of the imposter's ruse. With the deception revealed, N'Gon attacks Superman with the power ring while Superman attempts a defense against it by wrapping his cape around one of his arms and uses its yellow '''S''' symbol as a crude shield, taking advantage of the ring's inability directly affect the color yellow.

N'Gon uses the ring to create a massive boulder of [[Green Kryptonite]] to incapacitate the [[Kryptonian]] in an attempt to steal Superman's form. However, Jordan manages to throw a rock at N'Gon to break his concentration enough to dispel the kryptonite and allow Superman to recover and fight back. Finally, Superman manages to grab N'Gon and drag him to a safe distance from Jordan. The [[Man of Steel]] breaks through the alien's power ring's personal force field with a mighty punch. The resulting blow creates a loud sonic boom that overwhelms the field. Superman apprehends the barely conscious N'Gon in his true form and returns Jordan's ring.

While Jordan contains N'Gon for delivery to justice, Superman broods about how his abduction at the time he was saving an innocent may have caused his demise. Jordan calmly suggests that they might have a chance to save him because different dimensions have different rates of time progression. As the superheroes return to Earth, this proves to be the case and they emerge just in time to save the falling man (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Captain Marvel, Jr. of Earth-S

2006-12-09T00:48:11Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Cheesejr.jpg|left]]

Captain Marvel, Jr. is secretly [[Freddy Freeman of Earth-S]], a paper boy in [[Fawcett City of Earth-S|Fawcett City]] on [[Earth-S]] who was badly injured and lost the use of his legs during a battle between [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S|Captain Marvel]] and [[Captain Nazi of Earth-S|Captain Nazi]]. Feeling bad about what happened, Captain Marvel gave up a portion of his super-powers to the now handicapped Freddy Freeman, and so, when Freddy Freeman says "Captain Marvel", he is magically transformed into the mighty super-hero Captain Marvel, Jr. His super-hero costume is a blue version of Captain Marvel's costume. Identifying himself is an awkward situation for him considering speaking his own name would trigger the change.

Captain Marvel, Jr. is part of the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S|Marvel Family]] along with Captain Marvel, [[Mary Marvel of Earth-S|Mary Marvel]] , [[Uncle Marvel of Earth-S|Uncle Marvel]], and [[Hoppy the Marvel Bunny]] (DCCP No. 34, Jun 1981 "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!").

==External Links==

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Marvel%2C_Jr. Wikipedia entry on Captain Marvel, Jr.]

[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=3 Junior's entry at the Marvel Family Web]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

2006-11-25T04:08:48Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Hal.jpg|right]]

When test pilot Hal Jordan aided a stricken alien who was a member of the [[Green Lantern Corps]], he assumed the alien's role as protector of Earth and of sector 2814, the sector of the galaxy which contains Earth.

Hal's power is in his ring which must be recharged by a power battery, at least once every 24 hours, and it cannot directly affect anything colored yellow. Superman has a deep respect for the might of this weapon which can be extremely effective against him. For instance, the ring can used to instantly create [[Green Kryptonite|green kryptonite]] to incapacitate Superman immediately, although maintaining the effect requires concentration (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

As a member of the [[Justice League of America]], Green Lantern has teamed with [[Superman]] many times.

==Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) appearances in the Chronicles==

*SGLL No. 74, May 1967: "Superman's Unbeatable Rival"
*Act No. 350/2, May 1967: "The Anti-Supergirl Plot"
*S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race with the Flash"
*Act No. 365, Jul 1968: "Superman's Funeral"
*Act No. 366, Aug 1968: "Substitute Superman"
*WF No. 189, Nov 1969: "The Man with Superman's Heart"
*WF No. 201, Mar 1971: "A Prize of Peril"
*SPJO No. 151, Jul 1972: "Attack of the Locust Creatures"
*Adv No. 423, Sep 1972: "Treachery"
*SGLL No. 128, Dec 1972: "Death Waits to Kiss the Bride"
*Act No. 29, Nov 1973: "The Man Who Wrote Superman's Obituary"
*SG No. 8, Nov 1973: "A Head-Full of Snakes"
*Act No. 437, Jul 1974: "Magic Is Bustin' Out All Over"
*Act No. 443/1, Jan 1975: "At Last! Clark Kent--Superhero!"
*Act No. 444/1, Feb 1975: "Beware the Hero-Killers!"
*SF No. 171/1, Jun/Jul 1975: "Cleopatra, Queen of America"
*SF No. 172/1, Aug/Sep 1975: "The Cheat the Whole World Cheered"
*Act No. 470, Apr 1977: "Even a Superman Must Die Sometime"
*Act No. 473, Jul 1977: "The Great Phantom Peril"
*S No. 311, May 1977: "Plague of Antibiotic Man"
*S No. 312, Jun 1977: "Today the City, Tomorrow the World"
*S No. 314, Aug 1977: "Before This Night Is Over, Superman Will Kill"
*WF No. 246, Aug/Sep 1977: "The Prisoner of the Kryptonite Asteroid"
*Act No. 480, Feb 1978: "Amazo's Big Breakthrough"
*Act No. 481, Mar 1978: "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Supermobile"
*Act No. 483, May 1978: "Sleep No More"
*Act No. 489, Nov 1978: "Krypton Dies Again"
*DCCP No. 6, Feb 1979: "The Fantastic Fall of Green Lantern"
*DCCP No. 26/1, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe"
*S No. 352, Oct 1980: "Superman's Day of Destiny"
*NSB No. 13, Jan 1981: "Superboy's Wild Weekend Out West" (as a teenaged Hal Jordan only)
*S No. 367, Jan 1982: "The Revengers Strike Back"
*DCCP No. 43, Mar 1982: "In Final Battle"
*WF No. 300, Feb 1984: "A Tale of Two Worlds" or, "Planets in Peril"
*WF No. 302, Apr 1984: "No Rest for Heroes"

==External Link==

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Jordan Wikipedia entry on Hal Jordan]

[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/newindexes.php?character=glan Earth-1 Green Lantern Index by Mike]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

2006-11-25T04:07:20Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Hal.jpg|right]]

When test pilot Hal Jordan aided a stricken alien who was a member of the [[Green Lantern Corps]], he assumed the alien's role as protector of Earth and of sector 2814, the sector of the galaxy which contains Earth.

Hal's power is in his ring which must be recharged by a power battery, at least once every 24 hours, and it cannot directly affect anything colored yellow. Superman has a deep respect for the might of this weapon which can be extremely effective against him. For instance, the ring can used to instantly create [[green kryptonite]] to incapacitate Superman immediately, although maintaining the effect requires concentration (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

As a member of the [[Justice League of America]], Green Lantern has teamed with [[Superman]] many times.

==Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) appearances in the Chronicles==

*SGLL No. 74, May 1967: "Superman's Unbeatable Rival"
*Act No. 350/2, May 1967: "The Anti-Supergirl Plot"
*S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race with the Flash"
*Act No. 365, Jul 1968: "Superman's Funeral"
*Act No. 366, Aug 1968: "Substitute Superman"
*WF No. 189, Nov 1969: "The Man with Superman's Heart"
*WF No. 201, Mar 1971: "A Prize of Peril"
*SPJO No. 151, Jul 1972: "Attack of the Locust Creatures"
*Adv No. 423, Sep 1972: "Treachery"
*SGLL No. 128, Dec 1972: "Death Waits to Kiss the Bride"
*Act No. 29, Nov 1973: "The Man Who Wrote Superman's Obituary"
*SG No. 8, Nov 1973: "A Head-Full of Snakes"
*Act No. 437, Jul 1974: "Magic Is Bustin' Out All Over"
*Act No. 443/1, Jan 1975: "At Last! Clark Kent--Superhero!"
*Act No. 444/1, Feb 1975: "Beware the Hero-Killers!"
*SF No. 171/1, Jun/Jul 1975: "Cleopatra, Queen of America"
*SF No. 172/1, Aug/Sep 1975: "The Cheat the Whole World Cheered"
*Act No. 470, Apr 1977: "Even a Superman Must Die Sometime"
*Act No. 473, Jul 1977: "The Great Phantom Peril"
*S No. 311, May 1977: "Plague of Antibiotic Man"
*S No. 312, Jun 1977: "Today the City, Tomorrow the World"
*S No. 314, Aug 1977: "Before This Night Is Over, Superman Will Kill"
*WF No. 246, Aug/Sep 1977: "The Prisoner of the Kryptonite Asteroid"
*Act No. 480, Feb 1978: "Amazo's Big Breakthrough"
*Act No. 481, Mar 1978: "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Supermobile"
*Act No. 483, May 1978: "Sleep No More"
*Act No. 489, Nov 1978: "Krypton Dies Again"
*DCCP No. 6, Feb 1979: "The Fantastic Fall of Green Lantern"
*DCCP No. 26/1, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe"
*S No. 352, Oct 1980: "Superman's Day of Destiny"
*NSB No. 13, Jan 1981: "Superboy's Wild Weekend Out West" (as a teenaged Hal Jordan only)
*S No. 367, Jan 1982: "The Revengers Strike Back"
*DCCP No. 43, Mar 1982: "In Final Battle"
*WF No. 300, Feb 1984: "A Tale of Two Worlds" or, "Planets in Peril"
*WF No. 302, Apr 1984: "No Rest for Heroes"

==External Link==

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Jordan Wikipedia entry on Hal Jordan]

[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/newindexes.php?character=glan Earth-1 Green Lantern Index by Mike]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Justice League of America

2006-11-13T19:52:44Z

Kchishol1970:

'''Justice League of America'''

[[Image:Action-Comics-443.gif|thumb|Action Comics No. 443 Jan 1975 Cover art by Nick Cardy]]
A super-team comprised of the world's greatest superheroes.

The JLA's senses-shattering battles and eventual triumph over evil are truly the stuff of heroic legend.

In addition to participating in battles and investigations, members of the League are obliged to perform monitor duty on a rotating schedule at the team's headquarter's communications room in order to receive and response to any calls for help.(DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!")

First Appearance: ''The Brave and the Bold'' No. 28, Feb 1960: "Starro the Conqueror!"

==The Members of the Justice League of America==

Founding Members:

*[[Superman]]
*[[Batman]]
*[[Wonder Woman]]
*[[The Flash]]
*[[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)]]
*[[Aquaman]]
*[[Martian Manhunter]]
* teenaged mascot/honorary member [[Snapper Carr]]

Later Members:

*[[Green Arrow]]
*[[Atom]]
*[[Hawkman]]
*[[Black Canary]]
*[[Elongated Man]]
*[[Red Tornado]]
*[[Hawkwoman]]
*[[Zatanna]]
*[[Firestorm]]
*[[Vixen]]
*[[Steel]]
*[[Vibe]]
*[[Gypsy]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League Wikipedia entry on the JLA]
*[http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/indexes/newindexes.php?character=jla JLA Index by Mike]

== Justice League of America appearances in the Superman Chronicles ==

*(S No. 149, Nov 1961: "The Death of Superman!")
*(SGLL No. 29/3, Nov 1961: "The Irresistible Lois Lane")
*(Act No. 314, Jul 1964: "The Day Superman Became the Flash!")
*(S No. 173, Nov 1964: "The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac!")
*(S No. 192, Jan/Feb 1967: "The Brat of Steel!" and "Once There Was a Superman!")
*(SGLL No. 74, May 1967: "Superman's Unbeatable Rival")
*(Act No. 350/2, May 1967: "The Anti-Supergirl Plot")
*(S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!")
*(Act No. 365, Jul 1968: "Superman's Funeral")
*(Act No. 366, Aug 1968: "Substitute Superman")
*(WF No. 189, Nov 1969: "The Man with Superman's Heart")
*(WF No. 201, Mar 1971: "A Prize of Peril")
*(Adv No. 423, Sep 1972: "Treachery")
*(SGLL No. 128, Dec 1972: "Death Waits To Kiss the Bride")
*(Act No. 429, Nov 1973: "The Man Who Wrote Superman's Obituary")
*(SG No. 8, Nov 1973: "A Head-Full of Snakes")
*(Act No. 437, Jul 1974: "Magic Is Bustin' Out All Over")
*(Act No. 443, Jan 1975: "At Last! Clark Kent--Superhero!")
*(SF No. 171, Jun/Jul 1975: "Cleopatra, Queen of America")
*(WF No. 246, Aug/Sep 1977: "The Prisoner of the Kryptonite Asteroid")
*(Act No. 480, Feb 1978: "Amazo's Big Breakthrough")
*(Act No. 481, Mar 1978: "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Supermobile")
*(Act No. 483, May 1978: "Sleep No More")
*(S No. 327, Sep 1978: "The Sandstorm That Swallowed Metropolis!")
*(Act No. 489, Nov 1978: "Krypton Dies Again")
*(Adv No. 462, Mar 1979: "Voyage of the Sorcerers Lost")
*(Adv No. 464, Jul/Aug 1979: "Slave of the Queen Bee")
*(DCCP No. 43, Mar 1982: "In Final Battle")
*(Act No. 535, Sep 1982: "The Saucerer's Apprentice!")
*(WF No. 286, Dec 1982: "When Hell Breaks Loose")
*(WF No. 287, Jan 1983: "Within My Heart, the Enemy")
*(WF No. 288, Feb 1983: "To Hell and Back")
*(DCCPA No. 2, 1983: "The Last Secret Identity")
*(Act No. 546, Aug 1983: "Showdown!")
*(S No. 387, Sep 1983: "The Conqueror from the Past")
*(WF No. 300, Feb 1984: "A Tale of Two Worlds", or, "Planets In Peril")
*(WF No. 302, Apr 1984: "No Rest for Heroes")
*(SG2 No. 20 , Jun 1984: "Celebration")

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Clark Kent

2006-10-31T18:23:45Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Clark.jpg|right]]

'''Clark Kent''' aka [[Superman]]

The chief protagonist of the [[Superman]] chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for more than thirty years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with a chest measurement of 44" and a waist measurement of 34".

The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field on the outskirts of [[Smallville]]. The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name.

Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville. By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store.

According to Superman No. 46, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High School, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's quietest boy. However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store. His high school principal thought of him as the shyest boy in his graduating class, but his senior class yearbook describes him this way: "highest grades - boy most likely to become famous"

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]]. He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity, and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team.

He had already decided upon a career in journalism. Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]].

Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville. Not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark on his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis.

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to investigate criminals without their suspecting that he's really Superman and provides him with the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December, 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!"

Over and above his usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," he exclaims in 1945, "A good reporter gets the news - and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!"

"He lives by the deadline! The thunder of the presses is the pounding of his heart! And most important - all his personal feelings remain in the background! It's his story that counts! Always remember that!"

Clark Kent is the [[Daily Planet]]'s star reporter. Renowned for his ability to root out local news, particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption, he has performed in numerous other capacities for the Daily Planet, including that of war correspondent, lovelorn editor, editor of the Daily Planet's Bombay edition, and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of editor [[Perry White]].

In pursuit of a news story, Clark Kent has worked as a private detective, a fireman, and a policeman; he has joined the Marines; and he has become a skid row bum. He has been a police commissioner, a department store clerk, a sheriff, a vacuum cleaner salesman, and a disc jockey. He has even gone to prison voluntarily in order to investigate a series of prison riots and to learn where a hardened convict hid his $1,000,000 in stolen loot.

To the readers of the Daily Planet, the name of Clark Kent signed over a story means integrity and honesty. His newspaper reporting on crime has won him countless awards.

In addition to wearing ordinary street clothes and slightly altering his facial appearance with eye-glasses to conceal the fact that he is secretly Superman, Clark Kent exhibits qualities of personality far removed from the ones he displays as Superman. The chronicles repeatedly describe Clark Kent as meek, mild-mannered, sickly, weak, submissive, and even spineless.

Clark Kent is afraid of dogs, afraid of heights, and willing to let almost anyone push him around.

In his own words, "My meek behavior is the perfect disguise for my real identity as Superman!"

Clark Kent lives in apartment 3-B at 344 Clinton Street, a high-rise apartment building in the midtown area. A fake wall in the apartment, which slides open at the touch of a secret button mounted on the apartment wall, conceals a secret closet housing a number of Superman's sophisticated robots, several numbered boxes of Superman trophies and samples of [[kryptonite]], and various other Superman mementos. When he is not wearing his [[Superman#The_Costume|Superman costume]], Clark Kent sometimes hangs it in this secret closet. Clark Kent's Social Security Number is 092-09-6616 (Act No. 340, Aug 1966: letter column).

Clark Kent's closest friends are [[Lois Lane]], [[Jimmy Olsen]], and [[Perry White]].

Because Clark Kent is widely known as Superman's best friend, people often contact Kent, usually at the Daily Planet, as the most reliable means of getting in touch with Superman.

In January 1971, the president of the [[Galaxy Broadcasting System]], which owns the Daily Planet, removed Clark Kent from the Planet staff and installed him as a full-time newscaster on another Galaxy property, Metropolis television station WGBS-TV.

As chronicled in the title, ''Superman Family,'' Superman has had numerous adventures in situations that he felt were inappropriate to appear in costume and remained Clark Kent to handle them more subtly in a series of stories called "The Private Life of Clark Kent."

[[Category:Entries|Kent, Clark]]
[[Category:People|Kent, Clark]]
[[Category:Journalists|Kent, Clark]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Kent, Clark]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Kent, Clark]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Kent, Clark]]

Green Kryptonite

2006-10-27T13:51:48Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Kfear.jpg|right]]

'''Green Kryptonite'''

â€œWhat poison is to the average human being, green kryptonite is to [[Superman]]? Indeed, the only thing the [[Man of Steel]] has to fear in the entire universe is the ghastly green substance which was flung into space when the planet [[Krypton]] exploded!â€ (Act No. 291, Aug 1962: â€œThe New Superman!â€).

When the planet Krypton exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planetâ€™s core, all of Kryptonâ€™s atomic elements â€œfused to become one deadly compound,â€ a compound later to become known as [[Kryptonite]] (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€). Sent hurtling into outer space by the force of the cataclysm, these â€œdazzling particlesâ€ of the demolished planet, all â€œladen with cosmic energy,â€ were scattered throughout the far reaches of the universe in the form of meteors and meteoric fragments, emitting a deadly radiation to which only Kryptonian survivors are vulnerable (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€), â€œWhen a radioactive chain reaction exploded my native planet Krypton, long ago,â€ notes Superman in August 1960, â€œchunks of green kryptonite were formed! They scattered throughout space as meteors â€œTheir peculiar radioactive rays can bring kryptonite-fever and death to any person from Kryptonâ€¦ but are harmless to Earth people!â€ (S No. 139/3: â€œThe Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!â€).

In the texts, green kryptonite is referred to as â€œthe strange element given off by the explosion of the planet Kryptonâ€ (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€); â€œthe deadly rock-like element from the exploded planet Krypton whose radiations can paralyze Supermanâ€ (Act No. 142, Mar 1950 â€œThe Conquest of Superman!â€); â€œthe one substance.., that can overpower the Man of Steelâ€ (Act No. 152, Jan 1951: â€œThe Sleep That Lasted 1000 Yearsâ€); â€œthe rare element, whose mysterious radiation is the only known force capable of overcoming Supermanâ€ (WF No. 50, Feb/Mar 1951: â€œSuperman Super-Wreckerâ€); â€œa baleful new element whose rays affect only natives of Kryptonâ€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€); â€œthe meteor metal caused by the explosion of Supermanâ€™s native planetâ€ (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: â€œThe Superman Pageant!â€); â€œthe rare element from the shattered planet Krypton whose radiations have a deadly effect on Supermanâ€ (Act No. 174, Nov 1952: â€œThe Man Who Shackled Superman!â€); the â€œone element in all the universe can overcomeâ€ Superman (Act No. 181, Jun1953: â€œThe New Supermanâ€); â€œthe one substance that can destroyâ€ Superman (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: â€œThe Super-Prisoner of Amazon Islandâ€); â€œthe one substance in the universe feared by Supermanâ€ (Act No, 236, Jan 1958: â€œSupermanâ€™s New Uniform!â€) and â€œSupermanâ€™s one fatal flawâ€ (S No, 136/2, Apr 1960: â€œThe Secret of Kryptonite!â€).

In the words of Superman No. 84/2 -- "Kryptonite, the radioactive particles of the former planet Krypton on which '''Superman''' was born, and which later exploded, is the one substance in the universe that can affect the mighty '''Man of Steel'''! Since kryptonite fragments still float in space after the explosion of the planet, some particles often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors" [Sep/Oct 1953: â€œA Doghouse for Superman!â€].

â€œBullets! ... Fire! ... Bombs!... Acid! Iâ€™m immune to them all!â€ muses Superman ruefully in July 1959. â€œBut kryptonite is my Achilles heel ... the only substance in the universe that can harm me! It was originally formed years ago...when the planet Krypton, the world on which I was born, blew up! A nuclear chain-reaction converted every chunk of the exploding world into glowing green kryptonite!â€ (S No. 130/1: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

Recent texts assert that the entire planet Krypton and every single thing on it was transformed into kryptonite by the force of the cataclysm (Act No.314, Jul 1964: â€œThe Day Superman Became the Flash!â€; and many others). Numerous earlier texts, however, maintain that whereas the planet itself was transformed into kryptonite, its buildings and other artifacts of civilization were not (S No. 74/1, Jan/Feb 1952: â€œThe Lost Secrets of Krypton!â€; and many others).

Green kryptonite is a radioactive (S No. 89/3, May 1954: â€œOne Hour to Doom!â€) metal (WF No.56, Jan/Feb 1952: â€œThe Superman Pageant!â€) which is characterized by a distinctive â€œgreenish glowâ€ (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: â€œThe Super-Prisoner of Amazon Islandâ€; and others) and â€œhas certain properties similar to [[radium]]â€ (Act No. 167, Apr 1952: â€œThe Machines of Crime!â€). Colored red in its initial textual appearance (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€), green kryptonite has been colored green in every text since then. Although Action Comics No. 158 states flatly that â€œNo substance will screen kryptoniteâ€™s raysâ€¦ not even [[Supermanium]]â€ (Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€), innumerable texts have maintained since then that green kryptonite radiations are unable to penetrate [[lead]] (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Hour!â€; and many others). It is interesting that though Superman may not be able to resist the effects of green kryptonite, or make himself generally immune to it as a substance, one account tells of [[Superboy]] gathering very specific pieces of green kryptonite so that he gains immunity to at least those particular chunk's deadliest effects -- in this case so he might use them to later battle Kryptonian criminals exiled in space before the Phantom Zone was used (SB No. 58, Jul 1957: "The Great Kryptonite Mystery").

In March-April 1954, Superman neutralizes the radioactivity of a green-kryptonite meteor merely by plunging it into the ocean (WF No. 69: â€œJor-Elâ€™s Last Will!â€), but the notion that the baleful effects of kryptonite can be neutralized by seawater is contradicted by numerous other texts: â€œAh! My X-ray vision shows a kryptonite meteor that fell to the sea bottom!â€ muses Superman in December 1958. â€œBut to pick it up, Iâ€™ll need the protection of lead, which alone can stop the deadly radiations!â€ (Act No. 247: â€œSupermanâ€™s Lost Parents!â€; and many others).

According to Action Comics No. 158, powerful acids and even man-made lightning cannot destroy green kryptonite (Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€), but Superman has successfully melted the substance with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Menace of Metallo!â€; and others) and green kryptonite meteors dissolve completely when subjected to the searing heat at the core of the sun (WF No. 61, Nov/Dec 1952: â€œSupermanâ€™s Blackout; see also Act No. 161, Oct 1951: â€œExitâ€”Superman!â€). The reason green-kryptonite meteors do not burn up from air friction when they enter Earthâ€™s atmosphere is that â€œkryptonite canâ€™t combine chemically with oxygen, which causes combustion!â€ (S No, 130/1, Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€; see also Act No. 267, Aug 1960: â€œHercules in the 20th Century!â€).

Assuming that the necessary advanced technology were available to utilize it, green kryptonite could become an invaluable source of atomic power. It retains its radioactivity â€œfor centuriesâ€ (Act No. 161, Oct 1951: â€œExitâ€”Superman!â€) and is described as a more potent power source than uranium (Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Menace of Metallo!â€). Its principal drawback appears to be that it â€œcrumbles and destroys any generatorâ€ in which it is utilized (Act No. 224, Jan 1957: â€œThe Secret of Superman Island!â€), but this has not prevented at least one group of extraterrestrial aliens from developing a powerful â€œrocket fuel composed of liquid green kryptoniteâ€ (Act No. 296: â€œThe Invasion of the Super-Ants!â€). Green kryptonite also has properties that nourish the development of certain forms of plant life (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: â€œCaveman Clark Kent!â€). It also proves to be a key ingredient in the formula devised by [[Brainiac 5]] for a serum that helps [[Mon-El]] survive exposure to lead (Adv No. 316, Jan 1964: "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes!").

[[Image:Yumsyums.gif|thumb|Superman eats a now inert piece of kryptonite.]]

[[Professor Bolder]] attempts to harness a "super chain-reaction" in kryptonite in order to to generate electrical power. He fails and the uncontrolled feedback changes much of the green kryptonite on Earth to iron (S No. 233/1, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose"). However, synthesized kryptonite and the many fragments of the material still in space remain.

Although numerous texts describe green kryptonite as an exceedingly rare substance (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: â€œThe New Supermanâ€; and many others), noting that â€œKryptonite meteors that [fall] on Earth are rareâ€ (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€), other texts, admittedly fewer in number, maintain that â€œKryptonite meteors often fall from spaceâ€ (S No. 134, Jan 1960: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€) and that â€œparticles [of kryptonite] often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors!â€ (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: â€œA Doghouse for Superman!â€). On balance, however, the evidence of the texts is that green kryptonite is â€œvery rareâ€ and not easily acquired (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€; and others).

It is presumably the scarcity of green kryptonite, combined with its crushingly debilitating effect on Superman, that has motivated a number of villains to find ways to synthesize it. [[Lex Luthor]] creates the 1st synthetic kryptonite in February 1950 by ingeniously fusing together â€œa mammoth pearl from one of the giant oysters miles down under the seaâ€; â€œa couple of handfuls of dust from the dark side of the moonâ€; â€œpollen from the man-eating homocessandi plant deep in the Asiatic junglesâ€; and â€œa bit of the rare chemical binarium, preserved in the soil by a thousand years of glacial frostâ€ (Act No. 141: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€).

[[Dr. Vallin]] devises a formula for synthesizing green kryptonite in January-February 1952 that calls for stockpiling gold, silver, lead, and bismuth and then â€œfusing the... ore with acid and crackling electricityâ€ (WF No. 56: â€œThe Superman Pageant!â€).

A third method of synthesizing kryptonite, successfully employed by Lex Luthor in August 1953, is based on Luthorâ€™s observation that:

''Each piece of metal that strikes Supermanâ€™s invulnerable body undergoes a slight chemical change! To a minute degree, it acquires the properties of kryptonite, but its presence is so faint that it can only be detected by means of a spectroscope!''

''Kryptonite is the one material that can harm Superman! By refining tons of this metal, Iâ€™ll be able to extract kryptonite---just as [[radium]] is obtained by refining tons of uranium ore!'' [Act No. 183: â€œThe Perfect Plot to Kill Superman!â€].

In addition, a [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring can create green kryptonite, but maintaining its existance and its radioactivity requires concentration by the ring's wielder (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Image:Green-Kryptonite.jpg|thumb|Green Kryptonite Rocks]]

Whether the kryptonite is natural or synthetic, however, its effects on Superman are devastating, although they do vary according to the amount of kryptonite involved and Supermanâ€™s distance from it. Large meteors produce the worst effects, but close proximity to even a small quantity of green kryptonite, such as a piece the size of a large decorative gem, is sufficient to make Superman feel â€œlike a feeble old man,â€ incapable of even touching the kryptonite without losing consciousness (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

â€œAs soon as I approach kryptonite,â€ observes Superman in April 1952, â€œI become weak!â€ (Act No. 167: â€œThe Machines of Crime!â€). Other texts refer to such symptoms as â€œdizzy spells,â€ exhaustion, and grogginess (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: â€œCaveman Clark Kent!â€; and many others); nausea (S No. 81/2, Mar/Apr 1953: â€œ20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Supermanâ€); loss of consciousness (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€; and many others); and temporary impairmentâ€”or even complete lossâ€”of memory (S No. 71/1, Jul/Aug 1951: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Super-Masquerade!â€; and others). Typically, Supermanâ€™s pupils become dilated, his pulse rate falls below normal, and his respiratory rate is reduced by half (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€).

If lured to within close proximity of a fairly large chunk of green kryptonite, such as a meteoric fragment about the size of a basketball, Superman suffers a nearly total loss of his super-strength accompanied by an agonizing semi-paralysis, referred to in the texts as a â€œkryptonite paralysisâ€ (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others) and the drastic diminution of all his super-powers.

For the effects of the kryptonite to prove fatal may take hours (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Hour!â€; and others) or even days, but gradually, under â€œconstant exposureâ€ to the kryptonite radiations, Supermanâ€™s â€œmighty body becomes emaciated and his keen mind grows dim.. .â€œ (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Greatest Pitcher in the World!â€; and others).

As the last vestiges of his mighty powers begin slowly waning, Superman â€œbegins to feel pain from the steady exposure to the kryptonite,â€ and he lapses into a potentially fatal â€œkryptonite fever,â€ similar in many respects to that which afflicts ordinary people who have been â€œover-exposed to radium rays!â€ Even if drugs were available to treat the illness, they could not be injected, for â€œthe hypodermic needles [would] only bendâ€ against Supermanâ€™s invulnerable skin.

â€œThe kryptonite radiations will soon penetrate my otherwise invulnerable skin and change the red corpuscles of my bloodstream to green!â€ thinks Superman desperately in July 1959 as he suffers the agonizing effects of exposure to a green-kryptonite meteor. â€œIâ€™ll become a victim of blood-poisoning!â€ (S No. 130/1: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

Indeed, if Superman were not rescued from the baleful radiations in time, his body would begin to exude a greenish glow, like that of the deadly kryptonite itself, and he would lapse into a coma and die. Superman has never succumbed to this terrible fate, but other Kryptonian survivors have, including [[King Krypton]] (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€) and virtually all the inhabitants of [[Argo City]] (Supergirl story in Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Supergirl from Krypton!â€).

Superman has, however, amazing recuperative powers. Although, on a number of occasions, he has remained physically weak for a short time after having suffered the effects of kryptonite exposure (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€; and others), in the vast majority of cases he recovers his full powers within moments after the debilitating kryptonite has been removed from his presence (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€; and many others).

The texts are divided, however, on the question of whether green-kryptonite radiations are capable of weakening Superman to the point of robbing of him of his invulnerabilityâ€”thereby rendering him vulnerable to guns, bombs, and other ordinary weapons (WF No. 87, Mar/Apr 1957: â€œThe Reversed Heroes!â€; and others), or whether, as most texts dealing with this question contend, Superman retains his invulnerability despite prolonged exposure to kryptonite and can only be killed by the kryptonite itself (Act No. 299, Apr 1963: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Experimental Robots!â€; and many others).

In situations in which Superman has no superpowers, such as that which exists in October 1964, after the Man of Steel has been stripped of his powers by the baleful radiations of a mysterious green comet, he becomes immune to green-kryptonite radiations until such time as his super-powers have been restored to him (S No. 172: pts. I-IIIâ€”â€The New Superman!â€; â€œClark Kentâ€”Former Superman!â€; â€œThe Struggle of the Two Supermen!â€; and others).

Once having been lured into a kryptonite deathtrap, Superman has coped with the deadly substance in a variety of ways, such as by using his waning Xray vision to melt an object containing lead around the kryptonite, thereby shielding himself from its radiations (S No. 145/1, May 1961: â€œThe Secret Identity of Superman!â€), or by burning a hole in the floor with his weakened X-ray vision in order to make the kryptonite fall safely out of life-threatening range (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Greatest Pitcher in the World!â€). On one occasion, Superman successfully wards off the agonizing pain induced by greenkryptonite exposureâ€”albeit only for a few crucial moments, by literally hypnotizing himself into not feeling the pain (Act No. 278, Jul â€˜61: â€œThe Super Powers of Perry White!â€).

Superman has had some success with melting small chunks of kryptonite with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Menace of Metallo!â€), but this technique is inadequate for dealing with larger masses of the substance, such as, for example, an entire kryptonite meteor or meteorite (Act No.254, Jul 1959: â€œThe Battle with Bizarro!â€; S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Image:GreenKimmunity.jpg|left]]

Because green kryptonite is the bane of his existence, Superman has conducted numerous experiments in search of an antidote, but all his efforts have ended in failure (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others). He has also experimented with building up an immunity to the substance through controlled exposure to it, but these attempts, too, have been unsuccessful (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: â€œA Doghouse for Superman!â€). Superman has, however, successfully devised a suit of special lead armor to enable him to experiment with the substance (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Supermanâ€; Act No. 249, Feb 1959: â€œThe Kryptonite Man!â€) as well as a special â€œkryptonite detectorâ€ (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€), also referred to as a â€œK-detectorâ€, which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does uraniumâ€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€).

For handling green kryptonite without his special lead armor, Superman has employed remote- controlled robots (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€), gigantic shovels (S No.71, Jul/Aug 1951: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Super-Masquerade!â€) and tongs (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others), and other special tools (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Lost Palâ€; and others) designed to enable him to handle, or dispose of, the kryptonite without venturing too close to it. According to Superman No. 130/1, Superman remains safe from harm as long as he remains â€œat least 100 feet from the radiations ...â€œ (Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Green Kryptonite

2006-10-27T13:51:32Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Kfear.jpg|right]]

'''Green Kryptonite'''

â€œWhat poison is to the average human being, green kryptonite is to [[Superman]]? Indeed, the only thing the [[Man of Steel]] has to fear in the entire universe is the ghastly green substance which was flung into space when the planet [[Krypton]] exploded!â€ (Act No. 291, Aug 1962: â€œThe New Superman!â€).

When the planet Krypton exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planetâ€™s core, all of Kryptonâ€™s atomic elements â€œfused to become one deadly compound,â€ a compound later to become known as [[Kryptonite]] (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€). Sent hurtling into outer space by the force of the cataclysm, these â€œdazzling particlesâ€ of the demolished planet, all â€œladen with cosmic energy,â€ were scattered throughout the far reaches of the universe in the form of meteors and meteoric fragments, emitting a deadly radiation to which only Kryptonian survivors are vulnerable (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€), â€œWhen a radioactive chain reaction exploded my native planet Krypton, long ago,â€ notes Superman in August 1960, â€œchunks of green kryptonite were formed! They scattered throughout space as meteors â€œTheir peculiar radioactive rays can bring kryptonite-fever and death to any person from Kryptonâ€¦ but are harmless to Earth people!â€ (S No. 139/3: â€œThe Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!â€).

In the texts, green kryptonite is referred to as â€œthe strange element given off by the explosion of the planet Kryptonâ€ (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€); â€œthe deadly rock-like element from the exploded planet Krypton whose radiations can paralyze Supermanâ€ (Act No. 142, Mar 1950 â€œThe Conquest of Superman!â€); â€œthe one substance.., that can overpower the Man of Steelâ€ (Act No. 152, Jan 1951: â€œThe Sleep That Lasted 1000 Yearsâ€); â€œthe rare element, whose mysterious radiation is the only known force capable of overcoming Supermanâ€ (WF No. 50, Feb/Mar 1951: â€œSuperman Super-Wreckerâ€); â€œa baleful new element whose rays affect only natives of Kryptonâ€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€); â€œthe meteor metal caused by the explosion of Supermanâ€™s native planetâ€ (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: â€œThe Superman Pageant!â€); â€œthe rare element from the shattered planet Krypton whose radiations have a deadly effect on Supermanâ€ (Act No. 174, Nov 1952: â€œThe Man Who Shackled Superman!â€); the â€œone element in all the universe can overcomeâ€ Superman (Act No. 181, Jun1953: â€œThe New Supermanâ€); â€œthe one substance that can destroyâ€ Superman (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: â€œThe Super-Prisoner of Amazon Islandâ€); â€œthe one substance in the universe feared by Supermanâ€ (Act No, 236, Jan 1958: â€œSupermanâ€™s New Uniform!â€) and â€œSupermanâ€™s one fatal flawâ€ (S No, 136/2, Apr 1960: â€œThe Secret of Kryptonite!â€).

In the words of Superman No. 84/2 -- "Kryptonite, the radioactive particles of the former planet Krypton on which '''Superman''' was born, and which later exploded, is the one substance in the universe that can affect the mighty '''Man of Steel'''! Since kryptonite fragments still float in space after the explosion of the planet, some particles often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors" [Sep/Oct 1953: â€œA Doghouse for Superman!â€].

â€œBullets! ... Fire! ... Bombs!... Acid! Iâ€™m immune to them all!â€ muses Superman ruefully in July 1959. â€œBut kryptonite is my Achilles heel ... the only substance in the universe that can harm me! It was originally formed years ago...when the planet Krypton, the world on which I was born, blew up! A nuclear chain-reaction converted every chunk of the exploding world into glowing green kryptonite!â€ (S No. 130/1: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

Recent texts assert that the entire planet Krypton and every single thing on it was transformed into kryptonite by the force of the cataclysm (Act No.314, Jul 1964: â€œThe Day Superman Became the Flash!â€; and many others). Numerous earlier texts, however, maintain that whereas the planet itself was transformed into kryptonite, its buildings and other artifacts of civilization were not (S No. 74/1, Jan/Feb 1952: â€œThe Lost Secrets of Krypton!â€; and many others).

Green kryptonite is a radioactive (S No. 89/3, May 1954: â€œOne Hour to Doom!â€) metal (WF No.56, Jan/Feb 1952: â€œThe Superman Pageant!â€) which is characterized by a distinctive â€œgreenish glowâ€ (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: â€œThe Super-Prisoner of Amazon Islandâ€; and others) and â€œhas certain properties similar to [[radium]]â€ (Act No. 167, Apr 1952: â€œThe Machines of Crime!â€). Colored red in its initial textual appearance (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€), green kryptonite has been colored green in every text since then. Although Action Comics No. 158 states flatly that â€œNo substance will screen kryptoniteâ€™s raysâ€¦ not even [[Supermanium]]â€ (Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€), innumerable texts have maintained since then that green kryptonite radiations are unable to penetrate [[lead]] (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Hour!â€; and many others). It is interesting that though Superman may not be able to resist the effects of green kryptonite, or make himself generally immune to it as a substance, one account tells of [[Superboy]] gathering very specific pieces of green kryptonite so that he gains immunity to at least those particular chunk's deadliest effects -- in this case so he might use them to later battle Kryptonian criminals exiled in space before the Phantom Zone was used (SB No. 58, Jul 1957: "The Great Kryptonite Mystery").

In March-April 1954, Superman neutralizes the radioactivity of a green-kryptonite meteor merely by plunging it into the ocean (WF No. 69: â€œJor-Elâ€™s Last Will!â€), but the notion that the baleful effects of kryptonite can be neutralized by seawater is contradicted by numerous other texts: â€œAh! My X-ray vision shows a kryptonite meteor that fell to the sea bottom!â€ muses Superman in December 1958. â€œBut to pick it up, Iâ€™ll need the protection of lead, which alone can stop the deadly radiations!â€ (Act No. 247: â€œSupermanâ€™s Lost Parents!â€; and many others).

According to Action Comics No. 158, powerful acids and even man-made lightning cannot destroy green kryptonite (Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€), but Superman has successfully melted the substance with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Menace of Metallo!â€; and others) and green kryptonite meteors dissolve completely when subjected to the searing heat at the core of the sun (WF No. 61, Nov/Dec 1952: â€œSupermanâ€™s Blackout; see also Act No. 161, Oct 1951: â€œExitâ€”Superman!â€). The reason green-kryptonite meteors do not burn up from air friction when they enter Earthâ€™s atmosphere is that â€œkryptonite canâ€™t combine chemically with oxygen, which causes combustion!â€ (S No, 130/1, Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€; see also Act No. 267, Aug 1960: â€œHercules in the 20th Century!â€).

Assuming that the necessary advanced technology were available to utilize it, green kryptonite could become an invaluable source of atomic power. It retains its radioactivity â€œfor centuriesâ€ (Act No. 161, Oct 1951: â€œExitâ€”Superman!â€) and is described as a more potent power source than uranium (Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Menace of Metallo!â€). Its principal drawback appears to be that it â€œcrumbles and destroys any generatorâ€ in which it is utilized (Act No. 224, Jan 1957: â€œThe Secret of Superman Island!â€), but this has not prevented at least one group of extraterrestrial aliens from developing a powerful â€œrocket fuel composed of liquid green kryptoniteâ€ (Act No. 296: â€œThe Invasion of the Super-Ants!â€). Green kryptonite also has properties that nourish the development of certain forms of plant life (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: â€œCaveman Clark Kent!â€). It also proves to be a key ingredient in the formula devised by [[Brainiac 5]] for a serum that helps [[Mon-El]] survive exposure to lead (Adv No. 316, Jan 1964: "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes!").

[[Image:Yumsyums.gif|right|Superman eats a now inert piece of kryptonite.]]

[[Professor Bolder]] attempts to harness a "super chain-reaction" in kryptonite in order to to generate electrical power. He fails and the uncontrolled feedback changes much of the green kryptonite on Earth to iron (S No. 233/1, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose"). However, synthesized kryptonite and the many fragments of the material still in space remain.

Although numerous texts describe green kryptonite as an exceedingly rare substance (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: â€œThe New Supermanâ€; and many others), noting that â€œKryptonite meteors that [fall] on Earth are rareâ€ (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€), other texts, admittedly fewer in number, maintain that â€œKryptonite meteors often fall from spaceâ€ (S No. 134, Jan 1960: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€) and that â€œparticles [of kryptonite] often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors!â€ (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: â€œA Doghouse for Superman!â€). On balance, however, the evidence of the texts is that green kryptonite is â€œvery rareâ€ and not easily acquired (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€; and others).

It is presumably the scarcity of green kryptonite, combined with its crushingly debilitating effect on Superman, that has motivated a number of villains to find ways to synthesize it. [[Lex Luthor]] creates the 1st synthetic kryptonite in February 1950 by ingeniously fusing together â€œa mammoth pearl from one of the giant oysters miles down under the seaâ€; â€œa couple of handfuls of dust from the dark side of the moonâ€; â€œpollen from the man-eating homocessandi plant deep in the Asiatic junglesâ€; and â€œa bit of the rare chemical binarium, preserved in the soil by a thousand years of glacial frostâ€ (Act No. 141: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€).

[[Dr. Vallin]] devises a formula for synthesizing green kryptonite in January-February 1952 that calls for stockpiling gold, silver, lead, and bismuth and then â€œfusing the... ore with acid and crackling electricityâ€ (WF No. 56: â€œThe Superman Pageant!â€).

A third method of synthesizing kryptonite, successfully employed by Lex Luthor in August 1953, is based on Luthorâ€™s observation that:

''Each piece of metal that strikes Supermanâ€™s invulnerable body undergoes a slight chemical change! To a minute degree, it acquires the properties of kryptonite, but its presence is so faint that it can only be detected by means of a spectroscope!''

''Kryptonite is the one material that can harm Superman! By refining tons of this metal, Iâ€™ll be able to extract kryptonite---just as [[radium]] is obtained by refining tons of uranium ore!'' [Act No. 183: â€œThe Perfect Plot to Kill Superman!â€].

In addition, a [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring can create green kryptonite, but maintaining its existance and its radioactivity requires concentration by the ring's wielder (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Image:Green-Kryptonite.jpg|thumb|Green Kryptonite Rocks]]

Whether the kryptonite is natural or synthetic, however, its effects on Superman are devastating, although they do vary according to the amount of kryptonite involved and Supermanâ€™s distance from it. Large meteors produce the worst effects, but close proximity to even a small quantity of green kryptonite, such as a piece the size of a large decorative gem, is sufficient to make Superman feel â€œlike a feeble old man,â€ incapable of even touching the kryptonite without losing consciousness (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

â€œAs soon as I approach kryptonite,â€ observes Superman in April 1952, â€œI become weak!â€ (Act No. 167: â€œThe Machines of Crime!â€). Other texts refer to such symptoms as â€œdizzy spells,â€ exhaustion, and grogginess (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: â€œCaveman Clark Kent!â€; and many others); nausea (S No. 81/2, Mar/Apr 1953: â€œ20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Supermanâ€); loss of consciousness (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€; and many others); and temporary impairmentâ€”or even complete lossâ€”of memory (S No. 71/1, Jul/Aug 1951: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Super-Masquerade!â€; and others). Typically, Supermanâ€™s pupils become dilated, his pulse rate falls below normal, and his respiratory rate is reduced by half (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€).

If lured to within close proximity of a fairly large chunk of green kryptonite, such as a meteoric fragment about the size of a basketball, Superman suffers a nearly total loss of his super-strength accompanied by an agonizing semi-paralysis, referred to in the texts as a â€œkryptonite paralysisâ€ (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others) and the drastic diminution of all his super-powers.

For the effects of the kryptonite to prove fatal may take hours (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Hour!â€; and others) or even days, but gradually, under â€œconstant exposureâ€ to the kryptonite radiations, Supermanâ€™s â€œmighty body becomes emaciated and his keen mind grows dim.. .â€œ (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Greatest Pitcher in the World!â€; and others).

As the last vestiges of his mighty powers begin slowly waning, Superman â€œbegins to feel pain from the steady exposure to the kryptonite,â€ and he lapses into a potentially fatal â€œkryptonite fever,â€ similar in many respects to that which afflicts ordinary people who have been â€œover-exposed to radium rays!â€ Even if drugs were available to treat the illness, they could not be injected, for â€œthe hypodermic needles [would] only bendâ€ against Supermanâ€™s invulnerable skin.

â€œThe kryptonite radiations will soon penetrate my otherwise invulnerable skin and change the red corpuscles of my bloodstream to green!â€ thinks Superman desperately in July 1959 as he suffers the agonizing effects of exposure to a green-kryptonite meteor. â€œIâ€™ll become a victim of blood-poisoning!â€ (S No. 130/1: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

Indeed, if Superman were not rescued from the baleful radiations in time, his body would begin to exude a greenish glow, like that of the deadly kryptonite itself, and he would lapse into a coma and die. Superman has never succumbed to this terrible fate, but other Kryptonian survivors have, including [[King Krypton]] (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€) and virtually all the inhabitants of [[Argo City]] (Supergirl story in Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Supergirl from Krypton!â€).

Superman has, however, amazing recuperative powers. Although, on a number of occasions, he has remained physically weak for a short time after having suffered the effects of kryptonite exposure (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€; and others), in the vast majority of cases he recovers his full powers within moments after the debilitating kryptonite has been removed from his presence (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: â€œLuthorâ€™s Secret Weaponâ€; and many others).

The texts are divided, however, on the question of whether green-kryptonite radiations are capable of weakening Superman to the point of robbing of him of his invulnerabilityâ€”thereby rendering him vulnerable to guns, bombs, and other ordinary weapons (WF No. 87, Mar/Apr 1957: â€œThe Reversed Heroes!â€; and others), or whether, as most texts dealing with this question contend, Superman retains his invulnerability despite prolonged exposure to kryptonite and can only be killed by the kryptonite itself (Act No. 299, Apr 1963: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Experimental Robots!â€; and many others).

In situations in which Superman has no superpowers, such as that which exists in October 1964, after the Man of Steel has been stripped of his powers by the baleful radiations of a mysterious green comet, he becomes immune to green-kryptonite radiations until such time as his super-powers have been restored to him (S No. 172: pts. I-IIIâ€”â€The New Superman!â€; â€œClark Kentâ€”Former Superman!â€; â€œThe Struggle of the Two Supermen!â€; and others).

Once having been lured into a kryptonite deathtrap, Superman has coped with the deadly substance in a variety of ways, such as by using his waning Xray vision to melt an object containing lead around the kryptonite, thereby shielding himself from its radiations (S No. 145/1, May 1961: â€œThe Secret Identity of Superman!â€), or by burning a hole in the floor with his weakened X-ray vision in order to make the kryptonite fall safely out of life-threatening range (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Greatest Pitcher in the World!â€). On one occasion, Superman successfully wards off the agonizing pain induced by greenkryptonite exposureâ€”albeit only for a few crucial moments, by literally hypnotizing himself into not feeling the pain (Act No. 278, Jul â€˜61: â€œThe Super Powers of Perry White!â€).

Superman has had some success with melting small chunks of kryptonite with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252, May 1959: â€œThe Menace of Metallo!â€), but this technique is inadequate for dealing with larger masses of the substance, such as, for example, an entire kryptonite meteor or meteorite (Act No.254, Jul 1959: â€œThe Battle with Bizarro!â€; S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Image:GreenKimmunity.jpg|left]]

Because green kryptonite is the bane of his existence, Superman has conducted numerous experiments in search of an antidote, but all his efforts have ended in failure (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others). He has also experimented with building up an immunity to the substance through controlled exposure to it, but these attempts, too, have been unsuccessful (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: â€œA Doghouse for Superman!â€). Superman has, however, successfully devised a suit of special lead armor to enable him to experiment with the substance (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Supermanâ€; Act No. 249, Feb 1959: â€œThe Kryptonite Man!â€) as well as a special â€œkryptonite detectorâ€ (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€), also referred to as a â€œK-detectorâ€, which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does uraniumâ€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€).

For handling green kryptonite without his special lead armor, Superman has employed remote- controlled robots (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€), gigantic shovels (S No.71, Jul/Aug 1951: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Super-Masquerade!â€) and tongs (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others), and other special tools (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Lost Palâ€; and others) designed to enable him to handle, or dispose of, the kryptonite without venturing too close to it. According to Superman No. 130/1, Superman remains safe from harm as long as he remains â€œat least 100 feet from the radiations ...â€œ (Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

N'Gon

2006-10-15T02:46:52Z

Kchishol1970:

'''N'Gon''' is an evil alien whom in the past had mysteriously split into two separate beings; each immediately vowing to kill the other.

To enable this, N'Gon attacked individuals to assume their form to gain increased fighting ability. This attack is an eye blast that creates a distinctive flash in the eyes just before firing. Eventually, N'Gon's quest led to the logical goal of stealing the power ring of a Lantern of the [[Green Lantern Corps]]. However, his first attempt was thwarted when he attacked Green Lantern [[Archon Z'gmora]] in another dimension when the mortally wounded Lantern ordered his ring to self-destruct so the villain cannot use it.

Using his Z'gmora's form, N'Gon sends a fake distress call to [[Green Lantern]] Hal Jordan who is on monitor duty at the [[JLA]] headquarters. Although suspicious of this call when he is not on good terms with Z'gmora, Jordan travels to the other dimension to render assistance. Once there, N'Gon attacks and would have killed Jordan if the Lantern had not separated his consciousness into a ghost like being at the moment of the attack. While Jordan desperately attempts to assert remote mental control of his now stolen ring, N'Gon grows accustomed to the ring enough to attempt to get the next level of personal power, [[Superman]].

Back on Earth, Superman is in the middle of rescuing a falling construction worker when he is whisked away by N'Gon to the other dimension. Although Superman is momentarily fooled by N'Gon with his impersonation of Jordan, the real Jordan reenters his own body and warns Superman of the imposter convincingly enough for the Man of Steel to recognize him. With his cover blown, N'Gon attacks Superman with the power ring while Superman attempts a defense against the powerful weapon by wrapping his cape around one of his arms to use his cape's all yellow '''S''' symbol as a crude shield.

However, N'Gon uses the ring to create a massive boulder of green [[kryptonite]] to incapacitate the Kryptonian so he can use his personal attack to steal Superman's form. However, Jordan manages to throw a rock at N'Gon to break his concentration enough to dispel the kryptonite to allow Superman to recover and counter-attack. After more fighting, Superman manages to grab N'Gon, drag him a safe distance from Jordan and attempt to break through the alien's power ring created personal force field with a full strength punch. The resulting blow creates a loud sonic boom like sound and evidentally overwhelms the field as Superman immediately brings back a barely conscious N'Gon in his true form while returning Jordan's ring.

While Jordan contains N'Gon for delivery to justice, Superman brooded how he was abducted just as he was saving an innocent man from certain death and now there seems nothing he could do for him. Jordan calmly suggests they might have a chance to save him since different dimensions have different rates of time progression. As the superheroes return to Earth, this proves to be the case as they emerge just in time to save the falling man (DCCP No.26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2006-09-21T20:28:59Z

Kchishol1970: /* Dummies, Robots, and Androids */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable secret sanctuary, craved out of a mountainside amid the barren Arctic wastes, which serves both as a retreat and a headquarters for [[Superman]]. It is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctum. It is far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, housing the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, and a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the pacing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said the derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==
With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==
Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==
Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from Magic. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonians survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He could be destroyed by alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Supermanâ€™s in the alien environment of Earth.

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[Lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun. (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman under the Green Sun!") Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, â€œâ€¦ despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!â€ (S No. 146, Jul 1961: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Feats!â€)

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they go rogue, Superman deliberately makes them significantly weaker than himself so he can defeat in battle if necessary. (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity.

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

=External Links=

*[http://theages.superman.ws/welcome.php Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/supes/ Superman Index by Mike]

==Links to Online Comics==

Read the greatest stories of Superman at: http://superman.ws/superman-comics/

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Krypton

2006-09-21T18:24:58Z

Kchishol1970: /* Daily Life */

__TOC__

[[Image:Old-world.jpg|thumb|left|Old World" Hemisphere]][[Image:New-world.jpg|thumb|"New World" Hemisphere]]
'''Krypton''', (pronounced Krip'ton) the doomed planet where Superman was born.

The far-distant planet which was the home world of [[Superman]] until it exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planet's core. It was as the doomed planet shuddered and rumbled in its dying moments that the Kryptonian scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]] placed their infant son in an experimental rocket ship and launched him into the void, eventually to arrive on the planet Earth and to grow to maturity there as Superman (S No.53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!; and others)(TGSB).

== Overview ==

Its capital city was [[Kryptonopolis]], where [[Jor-El]], [[Lara]] and their infant, Kal-El, lived. In its original depiction, Krypton was shown as being inhabited by a race of super-beings.

In later depictions, Krypton had a super-scientific advanced civilization of non-super beings who only gained their super powers on Earth and/or under a yellow sun.

Among Krypton's natural wonders were the [[Jewel Mountains]], the [[Scarlet Jungle]], the [[Fire Falls]], [[Gold Volcano]] and the [[Rainbow Canyon]]. Other than Kryptonopolis, major cities on the planet included [[Kandor]] and [[Argo City]].

== Astronomical and Planetary Details==

Krypton was "a planet of giant size" (S No.146/1, July 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life; and others), located somewhere "in the outer reaches of trackless space" (S No.53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"; and others). Described as "an unusual planet," with a "unique atmosphere" and a "tremendous gravitational pull" far greater than that of Earth (S No.113, May 1957: "The Superman of the Past"; and others). Krypton had a massive uranium core (S No.53/1) and was occasionally swept by windstorms so violent that the planet's tallest skyscrapers had to be lowered into the ground to prevent their being toppled by the powerful gales (S No.123, Aug 1958: "The Girl of Steel"; and others).

Although a number of texts seem to place Krypton in the same solar system as that of Earth (WF No.57, Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€; and others), somewhere â€œpast Mars, Jupiter and Saturnâ€ (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: â€œThe Return of Planet Krypton!â€), the vast preponderance of textual evidence places the planet of Supermanâ€™s birth â€œin a distant solar systemâ€ (S No. 137, May 1960: chs. I-III â€œThe Super Brat from Kryptonâ€; â€œThe Young Super-Bullyâ€; â€œSuperman vs. Super-Menace!â€; and others), revolving about a red sun (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSuper. manâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others), as distinguished from Earthâ€™s yellow sun, at the rate of approximately one revolution per 1.39 Earth years (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€)(TGSB).

"Born almost six billion time-cycles ago" (S No.170/2, July 1964: pts I-II --"If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!"; "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!") --six billion time-cycles being the equivalent of approximately 8.3 billion Earth years if one assumes that the term "sun-cycle" and "time-cycle" are synonymous (S No.157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!") --the planet Krypton occupied the same solar system as the planet [[Thoron]] (S No.80/1, Jan/Feb 1953: "Superman's Big Brother!") and was orbited, at various times in its history, by two, three, an perhaps even four natural satellites. When, in November 1960, Superman makes a time-journey to Krypton in the period immediately preceeding its destruction, he romances lovely [[Lyla Lerrol]] "under the soft radiance of Krypton's two moons..." (S No.141,: "Superman's Return to Krypton", pts I-III); but it is firmly established in the chronicles that the renegade Kryptonian scientist [[Jax-Ur]] destroyed one of Krypton's moons [see [[Wegthor]]] prior to this period, a heinous crime for which Jax-Ur was banished into the [[Phantom Zone]] (Act No.310, Mar 1964: "Secret of the Kryptonite Six!"; and others), clear evidence that Krypton had three moons - one of which was evidently named [[Koron]] (S No.78/1, Sept/Oct 1952: "The Beast from Krypton!") --in the not-too-distant past. In addition, the planet [[Xenon]], the so-called "twin world of Krypton," was evidently Krypton's fourth moon, sometime in the ancient past, until it "spun out of its orbit and left Krypton forever" (S No.119, Feb 1958: "The Second Superman!" chs 1-3).

Although the planet Krypton was much like Earth in a multitude of ways --it is even called Earth's "sister world" in Superman No.53/1 (Jul/Aug 1958)-- Krypton's atmosphere and solar radiation were substanially different from Earth's (WF No.57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artifical Superman!"; and others), and the weight of its gravity was so much greater that [[Professor William Enders]] could move about with only the utmost difficulty when he visited the planet at the behest of Jor-El (S No.77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Man Who Went to Krypton!"). The distance from Earth to Krypton has never been measured with absolute certainty, but scientist [[Mel Evans]] has estimated the "probable distance at 0.317 light years" (S No.136/2, Apr 1960: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

== Krypton's Natural Wonders ==

Krypton was a planet of staggering richness and incomparable natural beauty. Among its many scenic wonders were the [[Fire Falls]], a magnificent flaming cataract teeming with â€œmutant fishâ€ (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€; and others); the [[Gold Volcano]], which erupted gold instead of lava (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€); the [[Jewel Mountains]], whose â€œfascinating beauty entrance[dl all beholdersâ€ (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Was Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€; and others); [[Meteor Valley]], a scenic valley â€œcreated by a monstrously gigantic meteor that glanced off the surfaceâ€ of the planet during Kryptonâ€™s prehistoric past, and [[Rainbow Canyon]], a deep natural gorge traversed by a breathtaking rainbow (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€); the [[Scarlet Jungle]], a â€œweird wildernessâ€ teeming with red and purple flora (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€; and others); and the [[Three Sisters of Krypton]], a trio of â€œgreat fire-geysersâ€ so named because they always erupted simultaneously (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIâ€”no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

Other â€œnatural wondersâ€ of Krypton included [[Shrinkwater Lake]], whose waters contained â€œsome strange chemicalâ€ that could â€œshrink ordinary men down to ant sizeâ€ (Act No. 325, Jun 1965: â€œThe Skyscraper Superman!â€); [[Great Krypton Lake]], which was ultimately contaminated by the evil [[Professor Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€); and the [[Great Krypton Sea]], whose waters were once the home of a highly advanced civilization (S No. 170/2, Jul â€˜64: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€). Others of Kryptonâ€™s geographical features are enumerated on the '''map of Krypton''' that accompanies this article below.

== Map of Krypton ==

[[Image:Map-logo.jpg|center]]
[[Image:Mapoldworld.jpg|left|thumb|Old World Hemisphere, please click on the picture to see the full size version]]

'''Old World Hemisphere'''
*1. [[Striped River]]
*2. [[Erkol]]: The Oldest City of Krypton
*3. [[Fungus Caverns]]
*4. [[Boiling Sea]]
*5. Ruins of Ancient City of [[Xan City|Xan]]
*6. [[Mt. Mudru]]: The Highest Peak on Krypton
*7. [[Glass Forest]]
*8. [[Jerat]]: The Ghost City
*9. [[Vathlo Island]]: The Home of the Highly Developed Black Race
*10. [[Antarctic City]]: Built Under the Ice

[[Image:Mapnewworld.jpg|thumb|New World Hemisphere, please click on the picture to see the full size version]]
'''New World Hemisphere'''
*1. [[Kandor]]: The Capital City of Krypton until it was stolen by Brainiac
*2. [[Kryptonopolis]]: Superman's Birthplace; Krypton's 2nd Capital
*3. [[Undersea Palace]]
*4. [[Fort Rozz]]: The Main Defense Center
*5. [[Atomic Town]]
*6. [[Jewel Mountains]]
*7. [[Rainbow Canyon]]
*8. [[Gold Volcano]]
*9. [[Fire Falls]]
*10. [[Scarlet Jungle]]
*11. [[Meteor Valley]]
*12. [[Argo City]]: Supergirl's Birthplace
*13. [[Bokos]]: The Independent Island of Thieves
*14. [[Magnetic Mountain]]
*15. Lost Valley of [[Juru]]: Unexplored (No Picture Available)

== Kryptonâ€™s Animal Life ==

[[Image:ThoughtBeast.jpg|center]]
Kryptonâ€™s animal life was exceedingly varied. Indeed, although Kryptonian fauna included a number of animals, such as dogs (See: [[Krypto]]) (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others), monkeys (See: [[Beppo]] (S No. 173/2, Nov 1964: â€œTales of Green Kryptonite No. 1â€; and others), and great apes (See: [[King Krypton]], [[Super-Ape]], and [[Yango]]) (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others), which are also common to Earth, it also included numerous exotic species unique to Krypton, including the â€œ[[Snagriff]]", a winged dinosaur-like creature (S No. 78/1, Sep/Oct 1952: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€); the â€œ[[Flame Beast]],â€ which looked as though it were literally on fire (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Girl of Steelâ€; â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€); the â€œ[[Krypton Beast]],â€ the â€œ[[Living Wheel]],â€ the â€œ[[Winged Cat]],â€ and the â€œ[[Balloonie]],â€ a large froglike creature that fled danger by inflating itself like a balloon and floating out of harmâ€™s way (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3â€”â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€); the â€œ[[Flame Dragon]]â€, a gigantic, bat-winged, dragonlike creature that belched flame â€œfrom its nostrils and gaping jawsâ€ (S No. 142/3, Jan 1961: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€; and others); the â€œ[[Fish-Snake]],â€ an eel-like â€œmutant fishâ€ from Kryptonâ€™s Fire Falls whose venomous bite was potentially fatal to humans (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€); â€œ[[Rondors]],â€ exceedingly rare creatures whose single large horns emit strange radiations that â€œcould cure many deadly illnessesâ€ (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€); the â€œ[[Drang]],â€ a colossal flying snake, purple in color, which had a head like a dinosaur and a single white horn protruding from its forehead (S No. 303, Aug 1963: â€œThe Monster from Krypton!â€); the â€œnightwingâ€ (see [[Nightwing]]), a Prussian-blue bird resembling a magpie; the â€œflamebirdâ€ (see [[Flamebird]]), a red, yellow, orange, and green bird with a bright red crest; and the â€œ[[Telepathic Hounds]]â€ of [[Kandor]], â€œstrange beasts,â€ yellow in color, with tails like wolves and snouts like wild boars, â€œthat can locate people at any distance by reading their minds to learn where they areâ€ (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandorâ€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€; and others); the â€œ[[Thought-Beasts]],â€ large, primitive, rhinoceros-like creatures, with spiked tails and a single large horn protruding from their snouts, whose most distinctive feature was a televisionlike â€œthought-screenâ€ atop their head which flashed picture-images of whatever they were thinking; and â€œa huge [[Crystal Bird]],â€ long since extinct, â€œwhich once filled the skies of ancient Kryptonâ€ and whose crystalline skeletons, heaped up by the millions, created the beautiful [[Jewel Mountains]] (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€); the â€œ[[Metal-Eating Mole]],â€ one specimen of which survives to this day in the Kandor City Zoo (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: â€œThe Super-Duel in Spaceâ€); and the â€œ[[Metal-Eater]],â€ sometimes hyphenated and sometimes not, a large metal-eating animal resembling a giant tapir (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3 â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€; see also S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€). When Superman makes a time-journey to Krypton in November 1960, he encounters a â€œ[[Fire-Breathing Space Creature]]â€, a pink, leopardlike animal, with a horn like that of a unicorn protruding from its forehead, which â€œbreathes super-powerful flames when angeredâ€, on display in a Kryptonian zoo. It is unclear, however, whether this animal is indigenous to Krypton, or whether the Kryptonians merely collected the specimen on some far-distant planet (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964:â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

== Kryptonian Flora ==
[[Image:ScarletJungle2.jpg|center]]
Kryptonian flora included the gigantic, maroon, mushroomlike fungi native to the [[Scarlet Jungle]] (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€); the gigantic â€œmoving forests,â€ red in color and vaguely humanoid in form, also indigenous to the Scarlet Jungle, which literally advanced across the face of the planet â€œin their yearly migration,â€ forcing Kryptonians in their path to seek refuge in subterranean tunnels until they had passed (S No. 164, Oct 1963: pts. I-IIâ€”â€The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!â€; â€œThe Super-Duel!â€); and the â€œsinging flowers,â€ which would â€œsoftly serenadeâ€ guests at Kryptonian dinner parties (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€” â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lam Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; see also S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3â€”â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super- Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€).

== Kryptonian Metals ==

Kryptonâ€™s â€œstrongest metalâ€ was â€œ[[Kryptium]],â€ a â€œsuper-metalâ€ described as â€œharder and stronger than any Earth metalâ€ (Act No. 329, Oct 1965: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€). Kryptonâ€™s most precious metal was â€œ[[Boradium]]â€ (S No.78, Sep/Oct 1952: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€). [[Gold]] was so commonplace on Krypton as to be literally worthless (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-III â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€).

== Civilization ==
[[Image:Math.jpg|right]]
Krypton was "an advanced civilization," with "people of great intelligence and physical perfection!"(S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"). The planet was apparently divided into a series of separate nations (Act No. 216, May 1956: "The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"), but these nations had long since combined to form a planet-wide union, uniting all Kryptonians under a single flag, a single government, a single constitution (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!") and a single planet-wide language, [[Kryptonese]] (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton" Pts 1-3).

"Possessed of high intelligence," the people of Krypton "had built a super-scientific civilization far beyond that of Earth..." (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"). Crime was virtually unknown on Krypton (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The We4dding of Lara and Luthor!")) and there had been no war on the planet "for thousands of years" (Act No. 216, May 1956: "The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"). Capital punishment was unknown, and Kryptonians were bound, in all their dealings with each other, by a strict Kryptonian Code of Honor. Indications are that they were a freedom-loving people who would have preferred death to dictatorship (S No. 65, Jul/Aug 1950: "The Three Supermen from Krypton!").

Perhaps one explanation for the comparative lack of strife on Krypton lay in the relative sparseness of the population, for despite the vast size of the planet, its population may have numbered only in the millions (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton" Pts 1-3).

According to Superman No. 53, Krypton's inhabitants were "humans of high intelligence and magnificent physical perfection..." (Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!") Although several early texts refer to them as Kryptonites (S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!" and others), the vast majority of texts refer to them as Kryptonians, describing them as "a super-scientific, intelligent people" (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!") and as "a great people, physically perfect and of immense intelligence and science!" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"). On the planet Krypton, explains Action Comics No. 233, even three-year-olds could solve complex mathematical equations (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!").

On the question of exactly how the people of Krypton differed from the people of the planet Earth, however, the texts are inconsistent. Early texts describe the Kryptonians as a â€œsuper-raceâ€ (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: â€œThe Mighty Mite!â€) who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were â€œthousands of eonsâ€ ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

â€œ[Clark] Kent had come from a planet,â€ explains Action Comics No. 1, â€œwhose inhabitantsâ€™ physical structure was millions of years advanced our own. Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became gifted with titanic strength!â€ (Jun 1938).

According to Superman No.33,â€. . . Superman... a native of the ill-fated planet Krypton... is of a different structure than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influence that can overcome other human beings!â€ (Mar/Apr 1945: â€œDimensions of Danger!â€).

â€œWhere we come from,â€ gloats the Kryptonian villain [[U-Ban]] in July-August 1950, â€œeveryone has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!â€ (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€).

Since the early 1950s, however, the texts have described the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings, albeit as the brilliant custodians of a â€œhighly advanced super-scientific civilizationâ€ (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€). Similarly, the super-powers possessed by Superman and other Kryptonian survivors have been explained as deriving from a combination of several factors, such as being free of Kryptonâ€™s tremendous gravitational pull, and living under Earthâ€™s yellow sun as opposed to Kryptonâ€™s red one, rather than as powers normally possessed by every Kryptonian living on Krypton (see [[Superman]]).

== Government ==
[[Image:Flagofkrypton.jpg|right|thumb|The flag of Krypton]]
The Kryptonian system of government is never cleary described in the chronicles, but it is clear that the scientific establishment commanded wide respect and exerted considerable influence on political and social policy. The Council of Five, a body of distinguished scientists who, if they did not actually govern the planet themselves, obviously carried much weight with those who did, is mentioned in Superman No. 53 and there are numerous references in other texts to the Council (S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!" and others), the [[Science Council]] (S No. 113, May 1957: "The Superman of the Past!" and others), and the Council of Scientists (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Superman No. 65 makes reference to Krypton's ruling council, which consisted of the planet's ten leading scientists, a clear suggestion that Krypton's leading scientific body governed the planet (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€), but Action Comics No. 223 distinguishes between the Council of Science and Krypton's highest officials, suggesting that the Council, while influential, was not really charged with the responsibility of ruling the planet (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!"). Superman No. 154, however, contains a brief reference to a Supreme Council, a title clearly suggestive of supreme political authority (Jul 1962: "Krypton's first Superman!"). All in all, then, it is probably safest to infer that Krypton was ruled by a political body, probably elected, which was counseled and advised by a body of distinguished scientists exercising considerable influence over political decision making (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€; and others).

The capital of Krypton was the city of [[Kandor]]. Several years before Krypton exploded, however, Kandor was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]], and a new world capital was established in the city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (Act. No. 243, Jul/Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others), the city which would later become Superman's birthplace (Act No. 325, Jun 1965: â€œThe Skyscraper Superman!â€).

Fluttering from the flagstaff atop the World Capitol Building - which, like the city of Kryptonopolis itself, had been designed by Superman's ancestor [[Gam-El]], the father of modern Kryptonian architecture - was the flag of Krypton, a multicolored banner consisting of pale rays of blue, yellow, lavender, white, green, orange, pink, light green, and red radiating outward from a circular center featuring a green and pale blue design suggestive of a body of water all but encircled by lush green land Act No. 246, Nov 1958: "Krypton on Earth!"; and others).

Maintaining public order was the role of the [[Krypton Security Force]] (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!"), while the task of maintaining internal security and apprehending criminals was entrusted to the [[Krypton Bureau of Investigation]] (S No. 123, Aug 1958: Pts 1-3 "The Girl of Steel!"; The Lost Super-Powers!"; "Superman's Return to Krypton!").

Crime was only a minor problem on Krypton. Indeed, the research of the Kryptonian scientist [[Raf Arlo]] had established that most of the crimes on the planet "were perpetrated by an unknown race of invisible people" (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!"). When malefactors were apprehended, they were placed on trial in Kryptonian courtrooms where verdicts were handed down by Kryptonian justice councils, deliberate bodies analogous to American juries (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

Because Kryptonians were opposed to capital punishment, and, in fact, had never in their history practiced it, the perpetrators of serious crimes were exiled into space in a state of suspended animation inside space capsules constructed specially for the purpose. According to Superman No. 65, the space capsules were made of transparent plastic and shaped like rocket ships (S No. 65, Jul/Aug 1950: "The Three Supermen from Krypton!"), but according to Superman No. 123, the so-called "prison satellites" were of a spherical shape. The criminals imprisoned inside them were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineral - capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred years' time - were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: Pts 1-3 "The Girl of Steel!"; The Lost Super-Powers!"; "Superman's Return to Krypton!").

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated, however, after Superman's father, [[Jor-El]], discovered the [[Phantom Zone]], a twilight dimension to which criminals could be banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others).

One of the most important government departments was the [[Krypton Record Bureau]], where complete records of every Kryptonian's life were maintained on ingenious thought-projection discs. According to Action Comics No. 149, such important events as courtship and marriage were recorded astro-electricly, from each person's memory.

"By concentrating on one of those discs, in a darkened room, anybody could cause a complete image of remembered events to appear!" (Act No. 149, Oct 1950: The Courtship of Krypton!").

== Science and Technology ==

Scientifically and technologically, Kryptonian civilization was far advanced over that of Earth. Although the science of space travel was still in its infancy and true spaceships did not yet exist (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others), Kryptonian scientists - most notably Jor-El - had experimented with both manned (Act No. 238: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton") and unmanned (S No.119, Feb 1958: "The Second Superman!" chs 1-3) satellites and had launched monkeys (Act No. 218, Jul 1956 "The Super-Ape from Krypton!"), at least one dog (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€), and perhaps other test animals into outer space in small experimental rockets.

Astronomy on Krypton was highly advanced, enabling Kryptonian scientists to study Earth and presumably other planets with excruciating clarity by means of "super-powerful telescopes", even to the extent of being able to tune in on selected alien individuals and monitor and translate their private conversations (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others).

Pure Kryptonian scientific research is not as thoroughly documented in the chronicles as the feats of technology and engineering. Some of the great science feats included Jor-El's discovery of the [[Phantom Zone]] and his geophysical observations of the planet's core and its ultimate instability. Nevertheless, the role of science must have been well-respected, given the influence of the Council of Science on planetary politics.

Technology was extremely well-developed, the knowledge behind the planet's transportation systems, city operations, and robotic services (for example, Fire Fighting Robots) was astounding.

== Travel ==

Despite the lack of spaceships for interplanetary travel, transportation on Krypton was highly developed. People voyaged about the planet aboard sleek, rocketlike airships, or flitted about Krypton's picturesque metropolises - such as Kandor, Kryptonopolis, and [[Argo City]] - in bubble-topped jet-taxis or by means of jetlike devices called solo-rocket tubes which, strapped to an individual's back, enabled him or her to fly through the air.

While not space travelers as people, the scientist Jor-El and his colleagues were able to construct a duplicate planet (see [[Krypton-II]]) by accumulated meteorites, fashion the artificial satellite into an exact replica, and fill it with booby-trapped replicas of their technology and android duplicates of themselves, in order to protect Krypton proper from suspected invaders.

Travel underwater was by means of a small rocket-powered craft known as an aqua-cone, and virtually every Kryptonian family owned its own "Jor-El," an all-purpose, mass-produced vehicle, invented by Superman's father, which could travel on land, sea, or air, and even underground.

== Daily Life ==

Sophisticated weather control towers enabled the people of Krypton to purify their air and control their weather, while an advanced solar energy tower enabled them to store and utilize the solar energy emanating from their planet's red sun. In homes that were apparently heated by atomic power, Kryptonian families entertained themselves by watching 3-D TV while, outside in the streets, other Kryptonians moved along the city's moving sidewalks, gazing at the public news monitor a billboard sized color-TV screen - to keep abreast of current events, watching other Kryptonians queuing up for emotion-movies, or visiting the incredible Mind-Art Center, where, by means of a complex apparatus called a "mento-ray," designed to freeze the artist's mental pictures on canvas, Kryptonian artists created art masterpieces by merely envisioning them in their minds.

Man-made landmarks and places of interest on Krypton included:

The Hall of Worlds, containing replica scenes of strange planets in faraway solar systems that Kryptonians had observed via super-space telescope;

The Red Tower of Kryptonopolis, one of Krypton's great architectural landmarks;

The Grotto of Images, a huge chamber of mirrors that is said to magnify the love of sweethearts who visit by as many times as there are reflections;

Krypton's famous Floating City, a city of approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants floating on the surface of a river atop gigantic pontoons;

The Cloud Castle, a vaporous confection of turrets and bridges where it is said "only lovers may enter";

The Cosmic Clock, a gigantic timepiece, measuring time in billions of years, which showed how Krypton was born almost six billion time-cycles ago and which, tragically, lulled the people of Krypton into a false sense of complacency concerning the future of their planet by predicting, incorrectly, that Krypton would remain safe from all harm for endless years into the future.

The most important Kryptonian literary achievement was the [[Kryptoniad]], a great epic chronicling the struggle of ancient Kryptonians to transform their planet into a civilized world.

On Krypton, robots performed all hard labor and could be bought at small cost. Heavy construction work was accomplished by means of sophisticated building machines.

Although Kryptonians had at least one serious disease, [[Virus X]], for which there was no known cure, childhood diseases were not a problem: filing through a health cabinet on their first day of school, Kryptonian children were immunized against all childhood diseases by means of an ingenious microbe ray. Injuries were apparently not a problem either, as even potentially fatal wounds could be healed almost instantaneously by means of a miraculous healing ray employed by Kryptonian surgeons.

In Kryptonian schools, lessons were taught with the aid of sophisticated telepathy helmets which enabled teachers to transmit knowledge to their pupils telepathically at phenominal speed. The treatment of psychological problems - as well as the investigation of misconduct of all kinds was facilitated by an ingenious mind-reading device known as a mind prober machine, and mental retardation had all but ceased to be a problem thanks to the pioneering work of scientist [[Lon Gorg]], whose supra-psyche treatments successfully transformed morons into geniuses.

When an Kryptonian male comes of age at 12, he is generally expected to take special manhood classes that teach practical skills such as first aid and wilderness survival under the tutalage of a citizen-trainer. Upon completion, the male is given his own headband which is the mark of a mature male citizen of Krypton. While it is not mandatory to take such training, one who refused it, [[Kar-Lu]], later learns how invaluable it is in times of danger and agrees to learn it to the citizen-trainer's satisfaction. It is not revealed if female Kryptonians go through something similiar. (S #352 DC, October 1980, "The Mark of a Citizen")

Historically, famine apparently had afflicted certain areas of Krypton, but an amazing growth ray for plants, invented by Superman's father and capable of growing vegetables 100 times bigger than their normal size, promised to end the problem of hunger forever within a very short time.

== Family Names ==

In Kryptonian society, descent and inheritance were patroclinous. The names of most - but by no means all - Kryptonian males were duosyllabic, with the first syllable being the given name, the second the surname. Thus, [[Jor-El]] was the brother of [[Zor-El]] and the father of [[Kal-El]], Kal-El being Superman's Kryptonian name (Act No. 252, May 1959:"The Supergirl from Krypton"; and others). [[Than-Ar]] was the brother of [[Jhan-Ar]] (WF No. 143, Aug 1964:"The Feud Between Batman and Superman!" ptsI-III --no title; "The Manhunters from Earth!"), and [[Mag-En]] was the father of [[Ral-En]] (S No 154/2, Jul 1962:"Krypton's First Superman").
Sometimes first and last names were linked by a hyphen (e.g., Jor-El, [[Quex-Ul]], Mag-En). Just as often, however, they were not (e.g., [[Val Arn]], [[Khai Zor]], [[Than Ol]]). And some names, it must be noted, appear to have defied the system entirely (e.g., [[Mala]], [[Kizo]], [[General Zod]]).

Many of the most revered figures in Kryptonian history were members of the so-called [[House of El]] and were, therefore, ancestors of Superman. Among them were Val-El, who launched his planet's Age of Exploration and discovered islands and continents; Sul-El, who invented Krypton's first telescope and charted many far off stars, including Earth's sun; Tala-El, a great lawyer and statesman who authored Krypton's planet-wide constitution; and Hatu-El, who discovered the nature of electricity, proved that lightning was electrical, and invented Krypton's first electric motor.

Each female child on Krypton was given a special feminine first name (e.g., [[Kara]], Lara, Joenne), which, when followed by her father's name, formed her own full name, so that Kara Zor-El, for example, was Kara, the daughter of Zor-El. When a woman married, she dropped her father's name and assumed her husband's: when Lara married Jor-El, for example, she became Lara Jor-El, or, more formally, Mrs. Jor-El (S No. 179/2, Aug 1965: "The Menace of Gold Kryptonite!"; and others).

== Tradition ==

Weddings took place in the Palace of Marriage (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton!"), with the betrothed couple mounting the Jewel of Honor (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor was Superman's Father"), or Jewel of Truth and Honor (S No. 179/2, Aug 1965: "The Menace of Gold Kryptonite") - a low pedestal carved from a single, huge, multifaceted jewel - and exchanging vows, accompanied either by an exchange of wedding rings or by the donning of marriage bracelets of a color variation all their own, which no other couple was allowed to duplicate. In accordance with an old Kryptonian custom, statues of the parents of both the bride and the groom adorned the wedding hall. According to the [[Supergirl]] story in Action Comics No. 289, marriage between cousins was prohibited on Krypton (Jun 1962: "Superman's Super-Courtship").

Although the Kryptonians were, by and large, an intellectually sophisticated people, they were not without their superstitions. According to Superman No. 164/2, which enumerates four Kryptonian superstitions, it was considered bad luck for a bride to wear jewels from the Jewel Mountains at her wedding; the killing of birds was regarded as extremely unlucky, hence the absence of bird hunting on Krypton; an old Kryptonian belief dictated that upon seeing a comet, a person must hide in a cave for 24 hours or he'd die; and Kryptonian criminals believed that if they experienced failure, drawing a picture of a Kryptonian mythological creature known as a "one-eyed grompus" would cause Krypton's demons to bring them good luck (Oct 1963: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!).

A holiday of great importance on Krypton was the Day of Truth, celebrated annually, on which Kryptonians spoke nothing but the truth to one another - even though the truth might be abrasive and undiplomatic - in order to honor the memory of [[Val-Lor]], a valiant Kryptonian of ancient times, who, by courageously speaking out against the ruthless swarm of alien invaders - known as Vrangs - who had invaded Krypton and enslaved its people, inspired his fellow Kryptonians to revolt against the Vrangs and drive them from Krypton, albeit at the cost of his own life. The Day of Truth is still celebrated each April in the bottle city of Kandor (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!)

== Religion ==

[[Image:Statues.jpg|center]]

Although Krypton was an advanced scientific civilization, it was originally a religious society made up of conflicting faiths. Initially a grouping of polytheistic states, Krypton eventually transformed itself into a united, essentially secular state. Ultimately, the vestiges of Krypton's religious past survive in the small number of mild oaths and observed traditions practiced by [[Superman]] and his extended family.

Chief among the ancient Kryptonian deities was [[Rao]], god of the sun.

[[Yuda]] was the goddess of love and also of Krypton's two moons (KC No. 3, Nov 1981: "The Race to Overtake the Past").

When [[Supergirl]] visits her family in the Bottle City of [[Kandor]], she encounters three statues on the "Boulevard of Legendary Heroes" bearing the likeness of "mythical gods of ancient Krypton". These are [[Telle]], god of wisdom; [[Mordo]], god of strength; and [[Lorra]], goddess of beauty (Act No. 299, Apr 1963: "The Fantastic Secret of Superbaby II"). According to Supergirl, Lorra is the "image of Lyla, the girl Superman fell in love with when he made a time-journey into the past and visited Krypton". [see [[Lyla Lerrol]]]

In addition to the ancient worship of these deities, Kryptonians also practice a form of ancestor worship. In October 1963, [[Superboy]] discovers five statues of his ancestors which he is required to manipulate as part of the Father-Son test, a ritual of Kryptonian Father's Day. Similar statues are kept in the family crypts of all Kryptonians (Adv No. 313, Oct 1963: "Father's Day on Planet Krypton"). These same statues are encountered again when Superman and Supergirl engage in some research into the [[House of El]] for a TV miniseries on [[WGBS]] (KC No. 1, Sep 1981: "The Search for Superman's Roots").

Both Superman and Supergirl honour their ancestors through similar displays in the [[Fortress of Solitude]].

== Krypton's Day of Doom ==

[[Image:Krypton001.jpg|right|thumb|Animated Max Fleischer Cataclysm]]
By the time Kryptonâ€™s day of doom arrived, Kryptonian civilization was 10,000 years old (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€). Action Comics No. 1 observes only that Supermanâ€™s
home planet â€œwas destroyed by old ageâ€ (Jun 1938), but Action Comics No. 182 explains, with far gerater accuracy, that Krypton's destruction was caused by "gathering atomic pressure at the core of the planet!" (Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

Jor-El had correctly predicted that the end was coming, but he had been unable either to prevent its occurrence or to persuade the scientific community to adopt his proposal for the construction of a fleet of â€œrocket-driven space arksâ€ to enable Kryptonâ€™s population to flee the coming cataclysm (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).

'''''â€œ...[T]he core of Krypton,â€ Jor-El had warned, â€œis composed of a substance called uranium. . . which, for untold ages, has been setting up a cycle of chain-impulses, building in power every moment! Soon. very soon.. .every atom of Krypton will explode in one final terrible blast!. . . Krypton is one gigantic atomic bomb!â€''''' (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

But the people of Krypton would not believe Jor-El, not even when the quakes began, not even when â€œa rumble of mighty forcesâ€ erupted from deep inside Krypton that shook the home of every Kryptonian (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

And then finally, on a fateful day either in December (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. 1-2 no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€) or in January (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€), â€œthe rumblings inside Krypton became a roar and the planet shook wildly!â€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€). As the edifices of a once-proud civilization collapsed like building blocks amid choking clouds of dense black smoke, â€œnatureâ€™s fury gathered for one final cataclysmic eruptionâ€ and â€œthe once mighty planet Krypton exploded into stardust!â€ (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€). (See also [[Jor-El]])

The titanic interstellar explosion that destroyed Krypton transformed the hurtling remnants of the shattered planet into [[Kryptonite]], a glowing, green, radioactive substance which is toxic, and potentially fatal, to all Kryptonian survivors (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; and many others). â€œWhen Krypton exploded,â€ explains Superman No. 61/3, â€œall the atomic elements fused to become one deadly compound! That compound gives off rays which apparently can only affect Kryptonites...!â€œ (Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

== Krypton's Survivors ==

[[Superman]] remains the most famous survivor of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, but over the years the texts have revealed the existence of a great many others, including [[Krypto]] The Superdog (S No. 130/1; Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€; and others) and [[Beppo]] The Super-Monkey (Act No.309, Feb 1964: â€œThe Superman Super-Spectacular!â€; and others); the people of [[Kandor]] (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: â€œThe Super-Duel in Space!â€; and others) and the inhabitants of the [[Phantom Zone]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others); [[Mala]] and his brothers, [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€; Act No. 194, Jul 1954: â€œThe Outlaws from Krypton!â€); the â€œsnagriff" (see [[Snagriff]]) that runs amok on Earth in September-October 1952 (S No. 78/1: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€); [[Super-Ape]] and the other experimental apes launched into outer space by the Kryptonian scientist [[Shir Kan]] (Act No. 218, Jul â€˜56: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€); [[King Krypton]], whom Superman encounters in March 1958 (Act No. 238: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€); the Kryptonian [[Super Caveman]] who arrives on Earth in a state of suspended animation in June 1959 (see [[Jo-Jo Groff]]) (WF No. 102: â€œThe Caveman from Krypton!â€); and the â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]) that runs amok on Earth in January 1961 (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€), and the offspring, hatched from one of its eggs, that menaces Earth in February 1962 (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€). The inhabitants of [[Argo City]] survived for more than fifteen years following the death of Krypton after their city had been hurled into outer space by the force of the cataclysm. Virtually the entire population, however, ultimately succumbed to kryptonite poisoning, the only survivors of the calamity apparently having been [[Supergirl]]. and her parents, [[Zor-El]] and [[Alura]] (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; and others).

Far from perished Krypton, in the alien environment of Earth, any Kryptonian survivor acquires mighty super-powersâ€”including X-ray vision, invulnerability, super-strength, and the power of flight, and all things Kryptonian become indestructible (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€; and many others). In Jor-Elâ€™s words, â€œ... Krypton is such an unusual planet that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Kryptonâ€™s unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a superman!â€ (S No.113, May 1957: chs. 1-3 The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€).

The relative physical strength of two Kryptonian survivors on Earth appears to be proportional to what it wasâ€”or would have beenâ€”on Krypton, so that a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth is more powerful than Superman, just as an ordinary Kryptonian gorilla would have been more powerful than an ordinary Kryptonian man (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others).

Of course the vast majority of Kryptonians perished with their planet, but a number of these have nevertheless played important roles in the chronicles, among them [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]] (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€; and many others); lovely â€œemotion-movie actressâ€ [[Lyla Lerrol]] (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 "Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others); and â€œfamous psychologistâ€ [[Mag-En]] and his unscrupulous son [[Ral-En]] (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€). According to Action Comics No. 243, the legendary enchantress [[Circe]] was herself a native of the planet Krypton (Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€).

== Krypton Historians ==

â€œThe famous lost world of Krypton is of intense interest to everyone on Earth, for that great planet was the birthplace of mighty Superman!â€ (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€).

[[Dr. Charles Corlin]], the father of [[Vance Corlin]], discovered the planet Krypton sometime prior to its destruction and made an extensive spectroscopic analysis of its gravity, atmosphere, and solar radiation (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€).

[[Professor William Enders]], author of '''The Planet Krypton''', observed Krypton through his telescope, communicated with Jor-El by radio, and even journeyed to Krypton via â€œmatter-radioâ€ (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€), as did another scientist, [[Professor Amos Dunn]] (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€).

â€œBrillian tyoung college teacherâ€ [[Mel Evans]], Who has since become a â€œrenowned scientist,â€ calculated the â€œprobable distance from Earth to Kryptonâ€ at 0.317 light years (S No. 136/2, Apr 1960: â€œThe Secret of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Dr. Thomas Ellison]] carried on an extensive study of Krypton by means of a â€œmonitor-type telescopeâ€ of â€œunprecedented power.â€ When Ellison learned that Krypton faced imminent extinction due to an atomic chain-reaction building up within the core of the planet, he beamed an â€œatomic-neutralizing rayâ€ at the distant world in hopes of neutralizing the atomic reaction and thereby averting the cataclysm, but Krypton exploded anyway, in spite of his efforts (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-II no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

In addition, Superman has made an extensive study of his home planet â€œby overtaking and photographing light rays that had left Krypton before it explodedâ€ (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pta. 1-3 â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo: Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€; and others). He has donated exhaustive notes on the Kryptonese language to [[Metropolis University]] (Act No. 329, Oct 1965: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€).

Superman has memorialized the lost world of Krypton in other ways as well: he has set aside an entire Krypton Room in his [[Fortress of Solitude]], complete with an exact scale model of Krypton (Act No. 278, Jul 1961: â€œThe Super Powers of Perry White!â€) and a â€œ3-dimensional tableau of the exact moment that the planet Krypton exploded!â€ (Act No. 261, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Fortress of Solitude!â€), and with the aid of Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog, he has transformed an uninhabited planet in a â€œdistant solar systemâ€ into an exact duplicate of Krypton, a so-called â€œmemorial planetâ€ inhabited by android duplicates of the entire Kryptonian population (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€). A statue of Superman holding aloft a globe of Krypton adorns the grounds of Metropolis's [[Superman Museum]] (S No. 169/1, May 1964: â€œThe Infernal Imp!â€). The â€œanniversary of the destruction of Kryptonâ€ is commemorated annually by the people of Kandor and all the remaining Kryptonian survivors (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; see also WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pta. I-II no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

== The Texts ==

In June 1938, in the premiere text of the Superman chronicles, Supermanâ€™s home planet is referred to only as â€œa distant planet [that] was destroyed by old age,â€ and its actual name is never stated (Act No. 1).

In Summer 1939, the planet of Supermanâ€™s birth is referred to by name, as '''Krypton''', for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 1).

In July-August 1948, the causes of Kryptonâ€™s destruction and the events leading up to it are recounted in detail for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 53/1: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

In November-December 1949, Superman Journeys through the time-space barrier to the planet Krypton and actually witnesses the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet (S No.61/3: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

In July-August 1950, Superman battles three evil Kryptonlan survivors: [[Mala]] and his brothers [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€).

In October 1950, three Kryptonian â€œthought-projection discsâ€ containing a detailed account of the courtship of Supermanâ€™s parents, which have been whirling about in space since the explosion of Krypton, are returned to Earth by a U.S. experimental rocket and retrieved by the ever-curious [[Lois Lane]] (Act No. 149: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€). (See also [[Lara]].)

In January-February 1952, a vault containing some of [[Jor-El]]â€™s greatest inventions, which had been hurled into outer space by the force of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, is drawn to Earth by a â€œmagnet-ray machineâ€ devised by the diabolical [[Lex Luthor]] (S No. 74/1: â€œThe Lost Secrets of Krypton!â€).

In September-October 1952, a Kryptonian â€œsnagriffâ€ (see [[Snagriff]]) runs amok on the planet Earth (S No. 78/1: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€).

In March-April 1954, on the site where the rocket carrying the infant Superman landed upon its arrival on Earth, Superman finds his fatherâ€™s last will and testament, a thin sheet of super-hard metal inscribed with detailed descriptions of three of Joe-Elâ€™s greatest inventions (WF No. 69: â€œJor-Elâ€™s Last Will!â€). (See [[Jor-El]].)

In July 1954, Superman battles the same three evil Kryptanian survivors whom he fought four years previously, viz., [[Mala]] and his brothers [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (Act No. 194: â€œThe Outlaws from Krypton!â€).

In December 1955, the town of [[Smallville]] holds a celebration marking the anniversary of Supermanâ€™s arrival on Earth from the planet Krypton (Act No. 211: â€œThe Superman Spectacularsâ€). The precise month when the infant Superman actually arrived on Earth is impossible to determine, however, because the anniversary of the event is also commemorated, in a later text, in June 1958 (Act No. 241: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Supermanâ€).

In January 1956, in outer space, Superman locales the tiny fragment of the exploded planet Krypton that contains, still intact, the family home he shared with his parents, Jor-El and Lara (Act No. 212: â€œThe Superman Calendarâ€).

In May 1956, the city of Metropolis is besieged by an armada of colossal â€œwar weaponsâ€ hurled into outer space years ago by the explosion that destroyed Krypton (Act No. 216: â€œThe Super-Menace of Metropolisâ€).

In June 1956, Superman encounters an infant who has become temporarily endowed with super-powers as the result of having ingested some â€œcondensed foodâ€ from the planet Krypton (Act No. 217: â€œThe Amazing Super-Babyâ€). (See [[Roger Bliss]] )

In July 1956, Superman encounters [[Super-Ape]], a Kryptonian survivor (Act No. 218: â€œThe â€œSuper-Ape from Krypton!â€).

In December 1956, â€œfar out in space,â€ Superman comesâ€™ upon â€œa mass of cosmic wreckageâ€ from the doomed planet Krypton, including Joe-Elâ€™s journal and laboratory desk, and some films which Jor-El made of himself using â€œautomatic camerasâ€ (Act No. 223: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€).

In May 1957, Superman recovers a Kryptonian â€œmind-tapeâ€ dictated by Joe-El, and a helmet-like apparatus for playing it backâ€”after the objects have fallen to Earth embedded in a kcyptonite meteor (S No. 113: chs. 1-3â€”The Superman of thePastâ€;â€The Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€). (See [[Queen Latora]])

In February 1958, Superman views dramatic film footage chronicling the death of Krypton after successfully recovering, far out in interstellar space, an unmanned camera, carrying space satellite that had been sent aloft by Kryptonian scientists prior to their planetâ€™s destruction. During this same period, Superman rescues the planet [[Xenon]], evidently once a moon of Krypton, from suffering the same fate that befell its native planet (S No. 119: â€œThe Second Superman!â€ chs. 1-3â€”The World That Was Kryptonâ€™s Twinâ€; â€œA Double far Supermanâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Mightiest Questâ€).

In March 1958, Superman meets [[King Krypton]], a Kryptonian survivor (Act No. 238: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Krypton!â€).

In July 1958, Superman discovers that the Kryptonian city of [[Kandor]] survived the cataclysm that destroyed the planet as the result of having been stolen prior to the disaster by the space villain [[Brainiac]] (Act No. 242: â€œThe Super-Duel in Space!â€).

In August 1958, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton at a time predating the marriage of his parents (see [[Kil-Lor]]) (S No. 123: chs, 1-3 The Girl of Steelâ€; â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€). During this same period, Superman encounters [[Circe]], a descendant of the legendary enchantress of the same name, who, according to this text, was a native of Krypton (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€).

In May 1959, the [[Supergirl]] story in Action Comics No.252 recounts the first meeting between Superman and Supergirl, the teen-aged offspring of two Kryptonian survivors (â€œThe Supergirl from Krypton!â€).

In June 1959, Superman encounters a Kryptonian caveman who arrives on Earth in a state of suspended animation (WF No. 102: â€œThe Caveman from Krypton!â€). (See [[Jo-Jo Groff]] and [[Super Caveman]])

In November 1960, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton on the day of his parentsâ€™ wedding and remains on the planet for what is probably several weeks thereafter, during which time he pursues a passionate romance with lovely actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts- I-III Superman Meets Joe-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Keyptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€).

In January 1961, Earth is menaced by a fearsome Kryptenian â€œ[[Flame Dragon]]â€ (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€)

In February 1962, Earth is menaced by a second Kryptonian Flame Dragon, the offspring of the creature that Superman battled thirteen months previously (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€).

In July 1962, Superman struggles to overcome the compulsion to obey the sinister â€œhypnotic commandâ€ implanted in his unconscious mind while he was still an infant by the Kryptonian psychologist [[Mag-En]] (S 154/2: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€).

In October 1962, when Superman is believed to be dying as the result of exposure to [[Virus X]], an
incurable Kryptonian malady, Supergirl journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton in the faint hope that Kryptonian scientists may have found a cure for the virus before their planet exploded. Kryptonâ€™s scientists never did perfect a cure for Virus X and thus Supergirlâ€™s mission ends in failure, but Superman turns out to be suffering only from exposure to a nugget of green kryptonite, and he recovers his health fully as soon as the kryptonite is removed from his presence (S No. 156: â€œThe Last days of Superman!â€)

In November 1962, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton to verify his hunch that the Kryptonian scientist [[Quex-Ul]] may have been innocent of the crime of which he was convicted by a Kryptonian court and for which he was sentenced to a term in the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

In August 1963, exposure to red kryptonite temporarily transforms Superman into a fearsome Kryptonian â€œ[[Drang]],â€ a colossal flying snake, purple in color, with a head like a dinosaur and a single white horn protruding from its forehead. Unaware that the hideous monster is actually Superman, but fully aware that it is Kryptonian and therefore vulnerable to kryptonite, the U.S. Armed Forces are on the verge of destroying it with kryptonite bullets when finally, with some crucial assistance from Supergirl, Superman succeeds in alerting his attackers to his true identity and in getting them to hold their fire. Soon afterward, the effects of the red kryptonite fade and vanish, and Superman is restored to his normal form (Act No. 303: â€œThe Monster from Krypton!â€).

In March 1964, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton with the villain [[Jax-Ur]] in hopes of finding a cure for the â€œghastly spotted plagueâ€ that is sweeping [[Atlantis]] (Act No. 310: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In July 1964, Superman views a Kryptonian â€œvideo-recordingâ€ narrated by his father, [[Jor-El]]. Originally affixed to the exterior of the rocket that brought the infant Superman to Earth, the video-recording and accompanying â€œrecord playback machineâ€ somehow became detached from the rocket after it had entered Earthâ€™s atmosphere and lay on the ocean floor until they were discovered there many years later (Act No.314: â€œThe Day Superman Became the Flash!â€). During this same period, [[Lex Luthor]] journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton at a time predating the marriage of Jor-El and Lara as part of his bizarre scheme to marry Lara himself and thus become the father of Superman (S No. 170/2, Jul pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€).

In December 1964, Superman witnesses the death of the planet Krypton by means of a special â€œtime-
space viewer,â€ a superscientific device, given him by the scientists of a distant planet, that â€œpicks up light and sound waves from the pastâ€ and thus enables one to view selected historical events (WF No. 146: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIâ€”no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

In October 1965, Superman matches wits with [[Jon Smatten]], a â€œrenegade scientistâ€ who, having come
into possession of a supply of kryptium, Kryptonâ€™s â€œstrongest metal,â€ has fashioned the metal into an ingenious robot designed to destroy Superman (Act No. 329: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€) (TGSB).

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:Krypton]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Krypton

2006-09-21T18:18:28Z

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[[Image:Old-world.jpg|thumb|left|Old World" Hemisphere]][[Image:New-world.jpg|thumb|"New World" Hemisphere]]
'''Krypton''', (pronounced Krip'ton) the doomed planet where Superman was born.

The far-distant planet which was the home world of [[Superman]] until it exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planet's core. It was as the doomed planet shuddered and rumbled in its dying moments that the Kryptonian scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]] placed their infant son in an experimental rocket ship and launched him into the void, eventually to arrive on the planet Earth and to grow to maturity there as Superman (S No.53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!; and others)(TGSB).

== Overview ==

Its capital city was [[Kryptonopolis]], where [[Jor-El]], [[Lara]] and their infant, Kal-El, lived. In its original depiction, Krypton was shown as being inhabited by a race of super-beings.

In later depictions, Krypton had a super-scientific advanced civilization of non-super beings who only gained their super powers on Earth and/or under a yellow sun.

Among Krypton's natural wonders were the [[Jewel Mountains]], the [[Scarlet Jungle]], the [[Fire Falls]], [[Gold Volcano]] and the [[Rainbow Canyon]]. Other than Kryptonopolis, major cities on the planet included [[Kandor]] and [[Argo City]].

== Astronomical and Planetary Details==

Krypton was "a planet of giant size" (S No.146/1, July 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life; and others), located somewhere "in the outer reaches of trackless space" (S No.53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"; and others). Described as "an unusual planet," with a "unique atmosphere" and a "tremendous gravitational pull" far greater than that of Earth (S No.113, May 1957: "The Superman of the Past"; and others). Krypton had a massive uranium core (S No.53/1) and was occasionally swept by windstorms so violent that the planet's tallest skyscrapers had to be lowered into the ground to prevent their being toppled by the powerful gales (S No.123, Aug 1958: "The Girl of Steel"; and others).

Although a number of texts seem to place Krypton in the same solar system as that of Earth (WF No.57, Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€; and others), somewhere â€œpast Mars, Jupiter and Saturnâ€ (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: â€œThe Return of Planet Krypton!â€), the vast preponderance of textual evidence places the planet of Supermanâ€™s birth â€œin a distant solar systemâ€ (S No. 137, May 1960: chs. I-III â€œThe Super Brat from Kryptonâ€; â€œThe Young Super-Bullyâ€; â€œSuperman vs. Super-Menace!â€; and others), revolving about a red sun (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSuper. manâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others), as distinguished from Earthâ€™s yellow sun, at the rate of approximately one revolution per 1.39 Earth years (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€)(TGSB).

"Born almost six billion time-cycles ago" (S No.170/2, July 1964: pts I-II --"If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!"; "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!") --six billion time-cycles being the equivalent of approximately 8.3 billion Earth years if one assumes that the term "sun-cycle" and "time-cycle" are synonymous (S No.157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!") --the planet Krypton occupied the same solar system as the planet [[Thoron]] (S No.80/1, Jan/Feb 1953: "Superman's Big Brother!") and was orbited, at various times in its history, by two, three, an perhaps even four natural satellites. When, in November 1960, Superman makes a time-journey to Krypton in the period immediately preceeding its destruction, he romances lovely [[Lyla Lerrol]] "under the soft radiance of Krypton's two moons..." (S No.141,: "Superman's Return to Krypton", pts I-III); but it is firmly established in the chronicles that the renegade Kryptonian scientist [[Jax-Ur]] destroyed one of Krypton's moons [see [[Wegthor]]] prior to this period, a heinous crime for which Jax-Ur was banished into the [[Phantom Zone]] (Act No.310, Mar 1964: "Secret of the Kryptonite Six!"; and others), clear evidence that Krypton had three moons - one of which was evidently named [[Koron]] (S No.78/1, Sept/Oct 1952: "The Beast from Krypton!") --in the not-too-distant past. In addition, the planet [[Xenon]], the so-called "twin world of Krypton," was evidently Krypton's fourth moon, sometime in the ancient past, until it "spun out of its orbit and left Krypton forever" (S No.119, Feb 1958: "The Second Superman!" chs 1-3).

Although the planet Krypton was much like Earth in a multitude of ways --it is even called Earth's "sister world" in Superman No.53/1 (Jul/Aug 1958)-- Krypton's atmosphere and solar radiation were substanially different from Earth's (WF No.57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artifical Superman!"; and others), and the weight of its gravity was so much greater that [[Professor William Enders]] could move about with only the utmost difficulty when he visited the planet at the behest of Jor-El (S No.77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Man Who Went to Krypton!"). The distance from Earth to Krypton has never been measured with absolute certainty, but scientist [[Mel Evans]] has estimated the "probable distance at 0.317 light years" (S No.136/2, Apr 1960: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

== Krypton's Natural Wonders ==

Krypton was a planet of staggering richness and incomparable natural beauty. Among its many scenic wonders were the [[Fire Falls]], a magnificent flaming cataract teeming with â€œmutant fishâ€ (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€; and others); the [[Gold Volcano]], which erupted gold instead of lava (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€); the [[Jewel Mountains]], whose â€œfascinating beauty entrance[dl all beholdersâ€ (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Was Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€; and others); [[Meteor Valley]], a scenic valley â€œcreated by a monstrously gigantic meteor that glanced off the surfaceâ€ of the planet during Kryptonâ€™s prehistoric past, and [[Rainbow Canyon]], a deep natural gorge traversed by a breathtaking rainbow (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€); the [[Scarlet Jungle]], a â€œweird wildernessâ€ teeming with red and purple flora (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€; and others); and the [[Three Sisters of Krypton]], a trio of â€œgreat fire-geysersâ€ so named because they always erupted simultaneously (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIâ€”no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

Other â€œnatural wondersâ€ of Krypton included [[Shrinkwater Lake]], whose waters contained â€œsome strange chemicalâ€ that could â€œshrink ordinary men down to ant sizeâ€ (Act No. 325, Jun 1965: â€œThe Skyscraper Superman!â€); [[Great Krypton Lake]], which was ultimately contaminated by the evil [[Professor Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€); and the [[Great Krypton Sea]], whose waters were once the home of a highly advanced civilization (S No. 170/2, Jul â€˜64: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€). Others of Kryptonâ€™s geographical features are enumerated on the '''map of Krypton''' that accompanies this article below.

== Map of Krypton ==

[[Image:Map-logo.jpg|center]]
[[Image:Mapoldworld.jpg|left|thumb|Old World Hemisphere, please click on the picture to see the full size version]]

'''Old World Hemisphere'''
*1. [[Striped River]]
*2. [[Erkol]]: The Oldest City of Krypton
*3. [[Fungus Caverns]]
*4. [[Boiling Sea]]
*5. Ruins of Ancient City of [[Xan City|Xan]]
*6. [[Mt. Mudru]]: The Highest Peak on Krypton
*7. [[Glass Forest]]
*8. [[Jerat]]: The Ghost City
*9. [[Vathlo Island]]: The Home of the Highly Developed Black Race
*10. [[Antarctic City]]: Built Under the Ice

[[Image:Mapnewworld.jpg|thumb|New World Hemisphere, please click on the picture to see the full size version]]
'''New World Hemisphere'''
*1. [[Kandor]]: The Capital City of Krypton until it was stolen by Brainiac
*2. [[Kryptonopolis]]: Superman's Birthplace; Krypton's 2nd Capital
*3. [[Undersea Palace]]
*4. [[Fort Rozz]]: The Main Defense Center
*5. [[Atomic Town]]
*6. [[Jewel Mountains]]
*7. [[Rainbow Canyon]]
*8. [[Gold Volcano]]
*9. [[Fire Falls]]
*10. [[Scarlet Jungle]]
*11. [[Meteor Valley]]
*12. [[Argo City]]: Supergirl's Birthplace
*13. [[Bokos]]: The Independent Island of Thieves
*14. [[Magnetic Mountain]]
*15. Lost Valley of [[Juru]]: Unexplored (No Picture Available)

== Kryptonâ€™s Animal Life ==

[[Image:ThoughtBeast.jpg|center]]
Kryptonâ€™s animal life was exceedingly varied. Indeed, although Kryptonian fauna included a number of animals, such as dogs (See: [[Krypto]]) (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others), monkeys (See: [[Beppo]] (S No. 173/2, Nov 1964: â€œTales of Green Kryptonite No. 1â€; and others), and great apes (See: [[King Krypton]], [[Super-Ape]], and [[Yango]]) (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others), which are also common to Earth, it also included numerous exotic species unique to Krypton, including the â€œ[[Snagriff]]", a winged dinosaur-like creature (S No. 78/1, Sep/Oct 1952: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€); the â€œ[[Flame Beast]],â€ which looked as though it were literally on fire (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Girl of Steelâ€; â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€); the â€œ[[Krypton Beast]],â€ the â€œ[[Living Wheel]],â€ the â€œ[[Winged Cat]],â€ and the â€œ[[Balloonie]],â€ a large froglike creature that fled danger by inflating itself like a balloon and floating out of harmâ€™s way (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3â€”â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€); the â€œ[[Flame Dragon]]â€, a gigantic, bat-winged, dragonlike creature that belched flame â€œfrom its nostrils and gaping jawsâ€ (S No. 142/3, Jan 1961: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€; and others); the â€œ[[Fish-Snake]],â€ an eel-like â€œmutant fishâ€ from Kryptonâ€™s Fire Falls whose venomous bite was potentially fatal to humans (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€); â€œ[[Rondors]],â€ exceedingly rare creatures whose single large horns emit strange radiations that â€œcould cure many deadly illnessesâ€ (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€); the â€œ[[Drang]],â€ a colossal flying snake, purple in color, which had a head like a dinosaur and a single white horn protruding from its forehead (S No. 303, Aug 1963: â€œThe Monster from Krypton!â€); the â€œnightwingâ€ (see [[Nightwing]]), a Prussian-blue bird resembling a magpie; the â€œflamebirdâ€ (see [[Flamebird]]), a red, yellow, orange, and green bird with a bright red crest; and the â€œ[[Telepathic Hounds]]â€ of [[Kandor]], â€œstrange beasts,â€ yellow in color, with tails like wolves and snouts like wild boars, â€œthat can locate people at any distance by reading their minds to learn where they areâ€ (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandorâ€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€; and others); the â€œ[[Thought-Beasts]],â€ large, primitive, rhinoceros-like creatures, with spiked tails and a single large horn protruding from their snouts, whose most distinctive feature was a televisionlike â€œthought-screenâ€ atop their head which flashed picture-images of whatever they were thinking; and â€œa huge [[Crystal Bird]],â€ long since extinct, â€œwhich once filled the skies of ancient Kryptonâ€ and whose crystalline skeletons, heaped up by the millions, created the beautiful [[Jewel Mountains]] (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€); the â€œ[[Metal-Eating Mole]],â€ one specimen of which survives to this day in the Kandor City Zoo (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: â€œThe Super-Duel in Spaceâ€); and the â€œ[[Metal-Eater]],â€ sometimes hyphenated and sometimes not, a large metal-eating animal resembling a giant tapir (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3 â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€; see also S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€). When Superman makes a time-journey to Krypton in November 1960, he encounters a â€œ[[Fire-Breathing Space Creature]]â€, a pink, leopardlike animal, with a horn like that of a unicorn protruding from its forehead, which â€œbreathes super-powerful flames when angeredâ€, on display in a Kryptonian zoo. It is unclear, however, whether this animal is indigenous to Krypton, or whether the Kryptonians merely collected the specimen on some far-distant planet (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964:â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

== Kryptonian Flora ==
[[Image:ScarletJungle2.jpg|center]]
Kryptonian flora included the gigantic, maroon, mushroomlike fungi native to the [[Scarlet Jungle]] (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€); the gigantic â€œmoving forests,â€ red in color and vaguely humanoid in form, also indigenous to the Scarlet Jungle, which literally advanced across the face of the planet â€œin their yearly migration,â€ forcing Kryptonians in their path to seek refuge in subterranean tunnels until they had passed (S No. 164, Oct 1963: pts. I-IIâ€”â€The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!â€; â€œThe Super-Duel!â€); and the â€œsinging flowers,â€ which would â€œsoftly serenadeâ€ guests at Kryptonian dinner parties (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€” â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lam Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; see also S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3â€”â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super- Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€).

== Kryptonian Metals ==

Kryptonâ€™s â€œstrongest metalâ€ was â€œ[[Kryptium]],â€ a â€œsuper-metalâ€ described as â€œharder and stronger than any Earth metalâ€ (Act No. 329, Oct 1965: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€). Kryptonâ€™s most precious metal was â€œ[[Boradium]]â€ (S No.78, Sep/Oct 1952: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€). [[Gold]] was so commonplace on Krypton as to be literally worthless (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-III â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€).

== Civilization ==
[[Image:Math.jpg|right]]
Krypton was "an advanced civilization," with "people of great intelligence and physical perfection!"(S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"). The planet was apparently divided into a series of separate nations (Act No. 216, May 1956: "The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"), but these nations had long since combined to form a planet-wide union, uniting all Kryptonians under a single flag, a single government, a single constitution (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!") and a single planet-wide language, [[Kryptonese]] (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton" Pts 1-3).

"Possessed of high intelligence," the people of Krypton "had built a super-scientific civilization far beyond that of Earth..." (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"). Crime was virtually unknown on Krypton (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The We4dding of Lara and Luthor!")) and there had been no war on the planet "for thousands of years" (Act No. 216, May 1956: "The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"). Capital punishment was unknown, and Kryptonians were bound, in all their dealings with each other, by a strict Kryptonian Code of Honor. Indications are that they were a freedom-loving people who would have preferred death to dictatorship (S No. 65, Jul/Aug 1950: "The Three Supermen from Krypton!").

Perhaps one explanation for the comparative lack of strife on Krypton lay in the relative sparseness of the population, for despite the vast size of the planet, its population may have numbered only in the millions (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton" Pts 1-3).

According to Superman No. 53, Krypton's inhabitants were "humans of high intelligence and magnificent physical perfection..." (Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!") Although several early texts refer to them as Kryptonites (S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!" and others), the vast majority of texts refer to them as Kryptonians, describing them as "a super-scientific, intelligent people" (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!") and as "a great people, physically perfect and of immense intelligence and science!" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"). On the planet Krypton, explains Action Comics No. 233, even three-year-olds could solve complex mathematical equations (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!").

On the question of exactly how the people of Krypton differed from the people of the planet Earth, however, the texts are inconsistent. Early texts describe the Kryptonians as a â€œsuper-raceâ€ (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: â€œThe Mighty Mite!â€) who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were â€œthousands of eonsâ€ ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

â€œ[Clark] Kent had come from a planet,â€ explains Action Comics No. 1, â€œwhose inhabitantsâ€™ physical structure was millions of years advanced our own. Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became gifted with titanic strength!â€ (Jun 1938).

According to Superman No.33,â€. . . Superman... a native of the ill-fated planet Krypton... is of a different structure than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influence that can overcome other human beings!â€ (Mar/Apr 1945: â€œDimensions of Danger!â€).

â€œWhere we come from,â€ gloats the Kryptonian villain [[U-Ban]] in July-August 1950, â€œeveryone has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!â€ (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€).

Since the early 1950s, however, the texts have described the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings, albeit as the brilliant custodians of a â€œhighly advanced super-scientific civilizationâ€ (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€). Similarly, the super-powers possessed by Superman and other Kryptonian survivors have been explained as deriving from a combination of several factors, such as being free of Kryptonâ€™s tremendous gravitational pull, and living under Earthâ€™s yellow sun as opposed to Kryptonâ€™s red one, rather than as powers normally possessed by every Kryptonian living on Krypton (see [[Superman]]).

== Government ==
[[Image:Flagofkrypton.jpg|right|thumb|The flag of Krypton]]
The Kryptonian system of government is never cleary described in the chronicles, but it is clear that the scientific establishment commanded wide respect and exerted considerable influence on political and social policy. The Council of Five, a body of distinguished scientists who, if they did not actually govern the planet themselves, obviously carried much weight with those who did, is mentioned in Superman No. 53 and there are numerous references in other texts to the Council (S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!" and others), the [[Science Council]] (S No. 113, May 1957: "The Superman of the Past!" and others), and the Council of Scientists (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Superman No. 65 makes reference to Krypton's ruling council, which consisted of the planet's ten leading scientists, a clear suggestion that Krypton's leading scientific body governed the planet (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€), but Action Comics No. 223 distinguishes between the Council of Science and Krypton's highest officials, suggesting that the Council, while influential, was not really charged with the responsibility of ruling the planet (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!"). Superman No. 154, however, contains a brief reference to a Supreme Council, a title clearly suggestive of supreme political authority (Jul 1962: "Krypton's first Superman!"). All in all, then, it is probably safest to infer that Krypton was ruled by a political body, probably elected, which was counseled and advised by a body of distinguished scientists exercising considerable influence over political decision making (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€; and others).

The capital of Krypton was the city of [[Kandor]]. Several years before Krypton exploded, however, Kandor was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]], and a new world capital was established in the city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (Act. No. 243, Jul/Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others), the city which would later become Superman's birthplace (Act No. 325, Jun 1965: â€œThe Skyscraper Superman!â€).

Fluttering from the flagstaff atop the World Capitol Building - which, like the city of Kryptonopolis itself, had been designed by Superman's ancestor [[Gam-El]], the father of modern Kryptonian architecture - was the flag of Krypton, a multicolored banner consisting of pale rays of blue, yellow, lavender, white, green, orange, pink, light green, and red radiating outward from a circular center featuring a green and pale blue design suggestive of a body of water all but encircled by lush green land Act No. 246, Nov 1958: "Krypton on Earth!"; and others).

Maintaining public order was the role of the [[Krypton Security Force]] (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!"), while the task of maintaining internal security and apprehending criminals was entrusted to the [[Krypton Bureau of Investigation]] (S No. 123, Aug 1958: Pts 1-3 "The Girl of Steel!"; The Lost Super-Powers!"; "Superman's Return to Krypton!").

Crime was only a minor problem on Krypton. Indeed, the research of the Kryptonian scientist [[Raf Arlo]] had established that most of the crimes on the planet "were perpetrated by an unknown race of invisible people" (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!"). When malefactors were apprehended, they were placed on trial in Kryptonian courtrooms where verdicts were handed down by Kryptonian justice councils, deliberate bodies analogous to American juries (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

Because Kryptonians were opposed to capital punishment, and, in fact, had never in their history practiced it, the perpetrators of serious crimes were exiled into space in a state of suspended animation inside space capsules constructed specially for the purpose. According to Superman No. 65, the space capsules were made of transparent plastic and shaped like rocket ships (S No. 65, Jul/Aug 1950: "The Three Supermen from Krypton!"), but according to Superman No. 123, the so-called "prison satellites" were of a spherical shape. The criminals imprisoned inside them were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineral - capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred years' time - were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: Pts 1-3 "The Girl of Steel!"; The Lost Super-Powers!"; "Superman's Return to Krypton!").

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated, however, after Superman's father, [[Jor-El]], discovered the [[Phantom Zone]], a twilight dimension to which criminals could be banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others).

One of the most important government departments was the [[Krypton Record Bureau]], where complete records of every Kryptonian's life were maintained on ingenious thought-projection discs. According to Action Comics No. 149, such important events as courtship and marriage were recorded astro-electricly, from each person's memory.

"By concentrating on one of those discs, in a darkened room, anybody could cause a complete image of remembered events to appear!" (Act No. 149, Oct 1950: The Courtship of Krypton!").

== Science and Technology ==

Scientifically and technologically, Kryptonian civilization was far advanced over that of Earth. Although the science of space travel was still in its infancy and true spaceships did not yet exist (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others), Kryptonian scientists - most notably Jor-El - had experimented with both manned (Act No. 238: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton") and unmanned (S No.119, Feb 1958: "The Second Superman!" chs 1-3) satellites and had launched monkeys (Act No. 218, Jul 1956 "The Super-Ape from Krypton!"), at least one dog (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€), and perhaps other test animals into outer space in small experimental rockets.

Astronomy on Krypton was highly advanced, enabling Kryptonian scientists to study Earth and presumably other planets with excruciating clarity by means of "super-powerful telescopes", even to the extent of being able to tune in on selected alien individuals and monitor and translate their private conversations (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others).

Pure Kryptonian scientific research is not as thoroughly documented in the chronicles as the feats of technology and engineering. Some of the great science feats included Jor-El's discovery of the [[Phantom Zone]] and his geophysical observations of the planet's core and its ultimate instability. Nevertheless, the role of science must have been well-respected, given the influence of the Council of Science on planetary politics.

Technology was extremely well-developed, the knowledge behind the planet's transportation systems, city operations, and robotic services (for example, Fire Fighting Robots) was astounding.

== Travel ==

Despite the lack of spaceships for interplanetary travel, transportation on Krypton was highly developed. People voyaged about the planet aboard sleek, rocketlike airships, or flitted about Krypton's picturesque metropolises - such as Kandor, Kryptonopolis, and [[Argo City]] - in bubble-topped jet-taxis or by means of jetlike devices called solo-rocket tubes which, strapped to an individual's back, enabled him or her to fly through the air.

While not space travelers as people, the scientist Jor-El and his colleagues were able to construct a duplicate planet (see [[Krypton-II]]) by accumulated meteorites, fashion the artificial satellite into an exact replica, and fill it with booby-trapped replicas of their technology and android duplicates of themselves, in order to protect Krypton proper from suspected invaders.

Travel underwater was by means of a small rocket-powered craft known as an aqua-cone, and virtually every Kryptonian family owned its own "Jor-El," an all-purpose, mass-produced vehicle, invented by Superman's father, which could travel on land, sea, or air, and even underground.

== Daily Life ==

Sophisticated weather control towers enabled the people of Krypton to purify their air and control their weather, while an advanced solar energy tower enabled them to store and utilize the solar energy emanating from their planet's red sun. In homes that were apparently heated by atomic power, Kryptonian families entertained themselves by watching 3-D TV while, outside in the streets, other Kryptonians moved along the city's moving sidewalks, gazing at the public news monitor a billboard sized color-TV screen - to keep abreast of current events, watching other Kryptonians queuing up for emotion-movies, or visiting the incredible Mind-Art Center, where, by means of a complex apparatus called a "mento-ray," designed to freeze the artist's mental pictures on canvas, Kryptonian artists created art masterpieces by merely envisioning them in their minds.

Man-made landmarks and places of interest on Krypton included:

The Hall of Worlds, containing replica scenes of strange planets in faraway solar systems that Kryptonians had observed via super-space telescope;

The Red Tower of Kryptonopolis, one of Krypton's great architectural landmarks;

The Grotto of Images, a huge chamber of mirrors that is said to magnify the love of sweethearts who visit by as many times as there are reflections;

Krypton's famous Floating City, a city of approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants floating on the surface of a river atop gigantic pontoons;

The Cloud Castle, a vaporous confection of turrets and bridges where it is said "only lovers may enter";

The Cosmic Clock, a gigantic timepiece, measuring time in billions of years, which showed how Krypton was born almost six billion time-cycles ago and which, tragically, lulled the people of Krypton into a false sense of complacency concerning the future of their planet by predicting, incorrectly, that Krypton would remain safe from all harm for endless years into the future.

The most important Kryptonian literary achievement was the [[Kryptoniad]], a great epic chronicling the struggle of ancient Kryptonians to transform their planet into a civilized world.

On Krypton, robots performed all hard labor and could be bought at small cost. Heavy construction work was accomplished by means of sophisticated building machines.

Although Kryptonians had at least one serious disease, [[Virus X]], for which there was no known cure, childhood diseases were not a problem: filing through a health cabinet on their first day of school, Kryptonian children were immunized against all childhood diseases by means of an ingenious microbe ray. Injuries were apparently not a problem either, as even potentially fatal wounds could be healed almost instantaneously by means of a miraculous healing ray employed by Kryptonian surgeons.

In Kryptonian schools, lessons were taught with the aid of sophisticated telepathy helmets which enabled teachers to transmit knowledge to their pupils telepathically at phenominal speed. The treatment of psychological problems - as well as the investigation of misconduct of all kinds was facilitated by an ingenious mind-reading device known as a mind prober machine, and mental retardation had all but ceased to be a problem thanks to the pioneering work of scientist [[Lon Gorg]], whose supra-psyche treatments successfully transformed morons into geniuses.

When an Kryptonian male comes of age at 12, he is generally expected to take special manhood classes that teach practical skills such as first aid and wilderness survival. Upon completion, the male is given his own headband which is the mark of a mature male citizen of Krypton. It is not revealed if female Kryptonians go through something similiar. (S #352 DC, October 1980, "The Mark of a Citizen")

Historically, famine apparently had afflicted certain areas of Krypton, but an amazing growth ray for plants, invented by Superman's father and capable of growing vegetables 100 times bigger than their normal size, promised to end the problem of hunger forever within a very short time.

== Family Names ==

In Kryptonian society, descent and inheritance were patroclinous. The names of most - but by no means all - Kryptonian males were duosyllabic, with the first syllable being the given name, the second the surname. Thus, [[Jor-El]] was the brother of [[Zor-El]] and the father of [[Kal-El]], Kal-El being Superman's Kryptonian name (Act No. 252, May 1959:"The Supergirl from Krypton"; and others). [[Than-Ar]] was the brother of [[Jhan-Ar]] (WF No. 143, Aug 1964:"The Feud Between Batman and Superman!" ptsI-III --no title; "The Manhunters from Earth!"), and [[Mag-En]] was the father of [[Ral-En]] (S No 154/2, Jul 1962:"Krypton's First Superman").
Sometimes first and last names were linked by a hyphen (e.g., Jor-El, [[Quex-Ul]], Mag-En). Just as often, however, they were not (e.g., [[Val Arn]], [[Khai Zor]], [[Than Ol]]). And some names, it must be noted, appear to have defied the system entirely (e.g., [[Mala]], [[Kizo]], [[General Zod]]).

Many of the most revered figures in Kryptonian history were members of the so-called [[House of El]] and were, therefore, ancestors of Superman. Among them were Val-El, who launched his planet's Age of Exploration and discovered islands and continents; Sul-El, who invented Krypton's first telescope and charted many far off stars, including Earth's sun; Tala-El, a great lawyer and statesman who authored Krypton's planet-wide constitution; and Hatu-El, who discovered the nature of electricity, proved that lightning was electrical, and invented Krypton's first electric motor.

Each female child on Krypton was given a special feminine first name (e.g., [[Kara]], Lara, Joenne), which, when followed by her father's name, formed her own full name, so that Kara Zor-El, for example, was Kara, the daughter of Zor-El. When a woman married, she dropped her father's name and assumed her husband's: when Lara married Jor-El, for example, she became Lara Jor-El, or, more formally, Mrs. Jor-El (S No. 179/2, Aug 1965: "The Menace of Gold Kryptonite!"; and others).

== Tradition ==

Weddings took place in the Palace of Marriage (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton!"), with the betrothed couple mounting the Jewel of Honor (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor was Superman's Father"), or Jewel of Truth and Honor (S No. 179/2, Aug 1965: "The Menace of Gold Kryptonite") - a low pedestal carved from a single, huge, multifaceted jewel - and exchanging vows, accompanied either by an exchange of wedding rings or by the donning of marriage bracelets of a color variation all their own, which no other couple was allowed to duplicate. In accordance with an old Kryptonian custom, statues of the parents of both the bride and the groom adorned the wedding hall. According to the [[Supergirl]] story in Action Comics No. 289, marriage between cousins was prohibited on Krypton (Jun 1962: "Superman's Super-Courtship").

Although the Kryptonians were, by and large, an intellectually sophisticated people, they were not without their superstitions. According to Superman No. 164/2, which enumerates four Kryptonian superstitions, it was considered bad luck for a bride to wear jewels from the Jewel Mountains at her wedding; the killing of birds was regarded as extremely unlucky, hence the absence of bird hunting on Krypton; an old Kryptonian belief dictated that upon seeing a comet, a person must hide in a cave for 24 hours or he'd die; and Kryptonian criminals believed that if they experienced failure, drawing a picture of a Kryptonian mythological creature known as a "one-eyed grompus" would cause Krypton's demons to bring them good luck (Oct 1963: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!).

A holiday of great importance on Krypton was the Day of Truth, celebrated annually, on which Kryptonians spoke nothing but the truth to one another - even though the truth might be abrasive and undiplomatic - in order to honor the memory of [[Val-Lor]], a valiant Kryptonian of ancient times, who, by courageously speaking out against the ruthless swarm of alien invaders - known as Vrangs - who had invaded Krypton and enslaved its people, inspired his fellow Kryptonians to revolt against the Vrangs and drive them from Krypton, albeit at the cost of his own life. The Day of Truth is still celebrated each April in the bottle city of Kandor (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!)

== Religion ==

[[Image:Statues.jpg|center]]

Although Krypton was an advanced scientific civilization, it was originally a religious society made up of conflicting faiths. Initially a grouping of polytheistic states, Krypton eventually transformed itself into a united, essentially secular state. Ultimately, the vestiges of Krypton's religious past survive in the small number of mild oaths and observed traditions practiced by [[Superman]] and his extended family.

Chief among the ancient Kryptonian deities was [[Rao]], god of the sun.

[[Yuda]] was the goddess of love and also of Krypton's two moons (KC No. 3, Nov 1981: "The Race to Overtake the Past").

When [[Supergirl]] visits her family in the Bottle City of [[Kandor]], she encounters three statues on the "Boulevard of Legendary Heroes" bearing the likeness of "mythical gods of ancient Krypton". These are [[Telle]], god of wisdom; [[Mordo]], god of strength; and [[Lorra]], goddess of beauty (Act No. 299, Apr 1963: "The Fantastic Secret of Superbaby II"). According to Supergirl, Lorra is the "image of Lyla, the girl Superman fell in love with when he made a time-journey into the past and visited Krypton". [see [[Lyla Lerrol]]]

In addition to the ancient worship of these deities, Kryptonians also practice a form of ancestor worship. In October 1963, [[Superboy]] discovers five statues of his ancestors which he is required to manipulate as part of the Father-Son test, a ritual of Kryptonian Father's Day. Similar statues are kept in the family crypts of all Kryptonians (Adv No. 313, Oct 1963: "Father's Day on Planet Krypton"). These same statues are encountered again when Superman and Supergirl engage in some research into the [[House of El]] for a TV miniseries on [[WGBS]] (KC No. 1, Sep 1981: "The Search for Superman's Roots").

Both Superman and Supergirl honour their ancestors through similar displays in the [[Fortress of Solitude]].

== Krypton's Day of Doom ==

[[Image:Krypton001.jpg|right|thumb|Animated Max Fleischer Cataclysm]]
By the time Kryptonâ€™s day of doom arrived, Kryptonian civilization was 10,000 years old (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€). Action Comics No. 1 observes only that Supermanâ€™s
home planet â€œwas destroyed by old ageâ€ (Jun 1938), but Action Comics No. 182 explains, with far gerater accuracy, that Krypton's destruction was caused by "gathering atomic pressure at the core of the planet!" (Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

Jor-El had correctly predicted that the end was coming, but he had been unable either to prevent its occurrence or to persuade the scientific community to adopt his proposal for the construction of a fleet of â€œrocket-driven space arksâ€ to enable Kryptonâ€™s population to flee the coming cataclysm (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).

'''''â€œ...[T]he core of Krypton,â€ Jor-El had warned, â€œis composed of a substance called uranium. . . which, for untold ages, has been setting up a cycle of chain-impulses, building in power every moment! Soon. very soon.. .every atom of Krypton will explode in one final terrible blast!. . . Krypton is one gigantic atomic bomb!â€''''' (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

But the people of Krypton would not believe Jor-El, not even when the quakes began, not even when â€œa rumble of mighty forcesâ€ erupted from deep inside Krypton that shook the home of every Kryptonian (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

And then finally, on a fateful day either in December (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. 1-2 no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€) or in January (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€), â€œthe rumblings inside Krypton became a roar and the planet shook wildly!â€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€). As the edifices of a once-proud civilization collapsed like building blocks amid choking clouds of dense black smoke, â€œnatureâ€™s fury gathered for one final cataclysmic eruptionâ€ and â€œthe once mighty planet Krypton exploded into stardust!â€ (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€). (See also [[Jor-El]])

The titanic interstellar explosion that destroyed Krypton transformed the hurtling remnants of the shattered planet into [[Kryptonite]], a glowing, green, radioactive substance which is toxic, and potentially fatal, to all Kryptonian survivors (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; and many others). â€œWhen Krypton exploded,â€ explains Superman No. 61/3, â€œall the atomic elements fused to become one deadly compound! That compound gives off rays which apparently can only affect Kryptonites...!â€œ (Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

== Krypton's Survivors ==

[[Superman]] remains the most famous survivor of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, but over the years the texts have revealed the existence of a great many others, including [[Krypto]] The Superdog (S No. 130/1; Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€; and others) and [[Beppo]] The Super-Monkey (Act No.309, Feb 1964: â€œThe Superman Super-Spectacular!â€; and others); the people of [[Kandor]] (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: â€œThe Super-Duel in Space!â€; and others) and the inhabitants of the [[Phantom Zone]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others); [[Mala]] and his brothers, [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€; Act No. 194, Jul 1954: â€œThe Outlaws from Krypton!â€); the â€œsnagriff" (see [[Snagriff]]) that runs amok on Earth in September-October 1952 (S No. 78/1: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€); [[Super-Ape]] and the other experimental apes launched into outer space by the Kryptonian scientist [[Shir Kan]] (Act No. 218, Jul â€˜56: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€); [[King Krypton]], whom Superman encounters in March 1958 (Act No. 238: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€); the Kryptonian [[Super Caveman]] who arrives on Earth in a state of suspended animation in June 1959 (see [[Jo-Jo Groff]]) (WF No. 102: â€œThe Caveman from Krypton!â€); and the â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]) that runs amok on Earth in January 1961 (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€), and the offspring, hatched from one of its eggs, that menaces Earth in February 1962 (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€). The inhabitants of [[Argo City]] survived for more than fifteen years following the death of Krypton after their city had been hurled into outer space by the force of the cataclysm. Virtually the entire population, however, ultimately succumbed to kryptonite poisoning, the only survivors of the calamity apparently having been [[Supergirl]]. and her parents, [[Zor-El]] and [[Alura]] (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; and others).

Far from perished Krypton, in the alien environment of Earth, any Kryptonian survivor acquires mighty super-powersâ€”including X-ray vision, invulnerability, super-strength, and the power of flight, and all things Kryptonian become indestructible (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€; and many others). In Jor-Elâ€™s words, â€œ... Krypton is such an unusual planet that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Kryptonâ€™s unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a superman!â€ (S No.113, May 1957: chs. 1-3 The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€).

The relative physical strength of two Kryptonian survivors on Earth appears to be proportional to what it wasâ€”or would have beenâ€”on Krypton, so that a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth is more powerful than Superman, just as an ordinary Kryptonian gorilla would have been more powerful than an ordinary Kryptonian man (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others).

Of course the vast majority of Kryptonians perished with their planet, but a number of these have nevertheless played important roles in the chronicles, among them [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]] (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€; and many others); lovely â€œemotion-movie actressâ€ [[Lyla Lerrol]] (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 "Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others); and â€œfamous psychologistâ€ [[Mag-En]] and his unscrupulous son [[Ral-En]] (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€). According to Action Comics No. 243, the legendary enchantress [[Circe]] was herself a native of the planet Krypton (Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€).

== Krypton Historians ==

â€œThe famous lost world of Krypton is of intense interest to everyone on Earth, for that great planet was the birthplace of mighty Superman!â€ (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€).

[[Dr. Charles Corlin]], the father of [[Vance Corlin]], discovered the planet Krypton sometime prior to its destruction and made an extensive spectroscopic analysis of its gravity, atmosphere, and solar radiation (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€).

[[Professor William Enders]], author of '''The Planet Krypton''', observed Krypton through his telescope, communicated with Jor-El by radio, and even journeyed to Krypton via â€œmatter-radioâ€ (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€), as did another scientist, [[Professor Amos Dunn]] (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€).

â€œBrillian tyoung college teacherâ€ [[Mel Evans]], Who has since become a â€œrenowned scientist,â€ calculated the â€œprobable distance from Earth to Kryptonâ€ at 0.317 light years (S No. 136/2, Apr 1960: â€œThe Secret of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Dr. Thomas Ellison]] carried on an extensive study of Krypton by means of a â€œmonitor-type telescopeâ€ of â€œunprecedented power.â€ When Ellison learned that Krypton faced imminent extinction due to an atomic chain-reaction building up within the core of the planet, he beamed an â€œatomic-neutralizing rayâ€ at the distant world in hopes of neutralizing the atomic reaction and thereby averting the cataclysm, but Krypton exploded anyway, in spite of his efforts (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-II no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

In addition, Superman has made an extensive study of his home planet â€œby overtaking and photographing light rays that had left Krypton before it explodedâ€ (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pta. 1-3 â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo: Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€; and others). He has donated exhaustive notes on the Kryptonese language to [[Metropolis University]] (Act No. 329, Oct 1965: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€).

Superman has memorialized the lost world of Krypton in other ways as well: he has set aside an entire Krypton Room in his [[Fortress of Solitude]], complete with an exact scale model of Krypton (Act No. 278, Jul 1961: â€œThe Super Powers of Perry White!â€) and a â€œ3-dimensional tableau of the exact moment that the planet Krypton exploded!â€ (Act No. 261, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Fortress of Solitude!â€), and with the aid of Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog, he has transformed an uninhabited planet in a â€œdistant solar systemâ€ into an exact duplicate of Krypton, a so-called â€œmemorial planetâ€ inhabited by android duplicates of the entire Kryptonian population (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€). A statue of Superman holding aloft a globe of Krypton adorns the grounds of Metropolis's [[Superman Museum]] (S No. 169/1, May 1964: â€œThe Infernal Imp!â€). The â€œanniversary of the destruction of Kryptonâ€ is commemorated annually by the people of Kandor and all the remaining Kryptonian survivors (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; see also WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pta. I-II no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

== The Texts ==

In June 1938, in the premiere text of the Superman chronicles, Supermanâ€™s home planet is referred to only as â€œa distant planet [that] was destroyed by old age,â€ and its actual name is never stated (Act No. 1).

In Summer 1939, the planet of Supermanâ€™s birth is referred to by name, as '''Krypton''', for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 1).

In July-August 1948, the causes of Kryptonâ€™s destruction and the events leading up to it are recounted in detail for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 53/1: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

In November-December 1949, Superman Journeys through the time-space barrier to the planet Krypton and actually witnesses the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet (S No.61/3: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

In July-August 1950, Superman battles three evil Kryptonlan survivors: [[Mala]] and his brothers [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€).

In October 1950, three Kryptonian â€œthought-projection discsâ€ containing a detailed account of the courtship of Supermanâ€™s parents, which have been whirling about in space since the explosion of Krypton, are returned to Earth by a U.S. experimental rocket and retrieved by the ever-curious [[Lois Lane]] (Act No. 149: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€). (See also [[Lara]].)

In January-February 1952, a vault containing some of [[Jor-El]]â€™s greatest inventions, which had been hurled into outer space by the force of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, is drawn to Earth by a â€œmagnet-ray machineâ€ devised by the diabolical [[Lex Luthor]] (S No. 74/1: â€œThe Lost Secrets of Krypton!â€).

In September-October 1952, a Kryptonian â€œsnagriffâ€ (see [[Snagriff]]) runs amok on the planet Earth (S No. 78/1: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€).

In March-April 1954, on the site where the rocket carrying the infant Superman landed upon its arrival on Earth, Superman finds his fatherâ€™s last will and testament, a thin sheet of super-hard metal inscribed with detailed descriptions of three of Joe-Elâ€™s greatest inventions (WF No. 69: â€œJor-Elâ€™s Last Will!â€). (See [[Jor-El]].)

In July 1954, Superman battles the same three evil Kryptanian survivors whom he fought four years previously, viz., [[Mala]] and his brothers [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (Act No. 194: â€œThe Outlaws from Krypton!â€).

In December 1955, the town of [[Smallville]] holds a celebration marking the anniversary of Supermanâ€™s arrival on Earth from the planet Krypton (Act No. 211: â€œThe Superman Spectacularsâ€). The precise month when the infant Superman actually arrived on Earth is impossible to determine, however, because the anniversary of the event is also commemorated, in a later text, in June 1958 (Act No. 241: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Supermanâ€).

In January 1956, in outer space, Superman locales the tiny fragment of the exploded planet Krypton that contains, still intact, the family home he shared with his parents, Jor-El and Lara (Act No. 212: â€œThe Superman Calendarâ€).

In May 1956, the city of Metropolis is besieged by an armada of colossal â€œwar weaponsâ€ hurled into outer space years ago by the explosion that destroyed Krypton (Act No. 216: â€œThe Super-Menace of Metropolisâ€).

In June 1956, Superman encounters an infant who has become temporarily endowed with super-powers as the result of having ingested some â€œcondensed foodâ€ from the planet Krypton (Act No. 217: â€œThe Amazing Super-Babyâ€). (See [[Roger Bliss]] )

In July 1956, Superman encounters [[Super-Ape]], a Kryptonian survivor (Act No. 218: â€œThe â€œSuper-Ape from Krypton!â€).

In December 1956, â€œfar out in space,â€ Superman comesâ€™ upon â€œa mass of cosmic wreckageâ€ from the doomed planet Krypton, including Joe-Elâ€™s journal and laboratory desk, and some films which Jor-El made of himself using â€œautomatic camerasâ€ (Act No. 223: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€).

In May 1957, Superman recovers a Kryptonian â€œmind-tapeâ€ dictated by Joe-El, and a helmet-like apparatus for playing it backâ€”after the objects have fallen to Earth embedded in a kcyptonite meteor (S No. 113: chs. 1-3â€”The Superman of thePastâ€;â€The Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€). (See [[Queen Latora]])

In February 1958, Superman views dramatic film footage chronicling the death of Krypton after successfully recovering, far out in interstellar space, an unmanned camera, carrying space satellite that had been sent aloft by Kryptonian scientists prior to their planetâ€™s destruction. During this same period, Superman rescues the planet [[Xenon]], evidently once a moon of Krypton, from suffering the same fate that befell its native planet (S No. 119: â€œThe Second Superman!â€ chs. 1-3â€”The World That Was Kryptonâ€™s Twinâ€; â€œA Double far Supermanâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Mightiest Questâ€).

In March 1958, Superman meets [[King Krypton]], a Kryptonian survivor (Act No. 238: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Krypton!â€).

In July 1958, Superman discovers that the Kryptonian city of [[Kandor]] survived the cataclysm that destroyed the planet as the result of having been stolen prior to the disaster by the space villain [[Brainiac]] (Act No. 242: â€œThe Super-Duel in Space!â€).

In August 1958, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton at a time predating the marriage of his parents (see [[Kil-Lor]]) (S No. 123: chs, 1-3 The Girl of Steelâ€; â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€). During this same period, Superman encounters [[Circe]], a descendant of the legendary enchantress of the same name, who, according to this text, was a native of Krypton (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€).

In May 1959, the [[Supergirl]] story in Action Comics No.252 recounts the first meeting between Superman and Supergirl, the teen-aged offspring of two Kryptonian survivors (â€œThe Supergirl from Krypton!â€).

In June 1959, Superman encounters a Kryptonian caveman who arrives on Earth in a state of suspended animation (WF No. 102: â€œThe Caveman from Krypton!â€). (See [[Jo-Jo Groff]] and [[Super Caveman]])

In November 1960, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton on the day of his parentsâ€™ wedding and remains on the planet for what is probably several weeks thereafter, during which time he pursues a passionate romance with lovely actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts- I-III Superman Meets Joe-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Keyptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€).

In January 1961, Earth is menaced by a fearsome Kryptenian â€œ[[Flame Dragon]]â€ (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€)

In February 1962, Earth is menaced by a second Kryptonian Flame Dragon, the offspring of the creature that Superman battled thirteen months previously (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€).

In July 1962, Superman struggles to overcome the compulsion to obey the sinister â€œhypnotic commandâ€ implanted in his unconscious mind while he was still an infant by the Kryptonian psychologist [[Mag-En]] (S 154/2: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€).

In October 1962, when Superman is believed to be dying as the result of exposure to [[Virus X]], an
incurable Kryptonian malady, Supergirl journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton in the faint hope that Kryptonian scientists may have found a cure for the virus before their planet exploded. Kryptonâ€™s scientists never did perfect a cure for Virus X and thus Supergirlâ€™s mission ends in failure, but Superman turns out to be suffering only from exposure to a nugget of green kryptonite, and he recovers his health fully as soon as the kryptonite is removed from his presence (S No. 156: â€œThe Last days of Superman!â€)

In November 1962, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton to verify his hunch that the Kryptonian scientist [[Quex-Ul]] may have been innocent of the crime of which he was convicted by a Kryptonian court and for which he was sentenced to a term in the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

In August 1963, exposure to red kryptonite temporarily transforms Superman into a fearsome Kryptonian â€œ[[Drang]],â€ a colossal flying snake, purple in color, with a head like a dinosaur and a single white horn protruding from its forehead. Unaware that the hideous monster is actually Superman, but fully aware that it is Kryptonian and therefore vulnerable to kryptonite, the U.S. Armed Forces are on the verge of destroying it with kryptonite bullets when finally, with some crucial assistance from Supergirl, Superman succeeds in alerting his attackers to his true identity and in getting them to hold their fire. Soon afterward, the effects of the red kryptonite fade and vanish, and Superman is restored to his normal form (Act No. 303: â€œThe Monster from Krypton!â€).

In March 1964, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton with the villain [[Jax-Ur]] in hopes of finding a cure for the â€œghastly spotted plagueâ€ that is sweeping [[Atlantis]] (Act No. 310: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In July 1964, Superman views a Kryptonian â€œvideo-recordingâ€ narrated by his father, [[Jor-El]]. Originally affixed to the exterior of the rocket that brought the infant Superman to Earth, the video-recording and accompanying â€œrecord playback machineâ€ somehow became detached from the rocket after it had entered Earthâ€™s atmosphere and lay on the ocean floor until they were discovered there many years later (Act No.314: â€œThe Day Superman Became the Flash!â€). During this same period, [[Lex Luthor]] journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton at a time predating the marriage of Jor-El and Lara as part of his bizarre scheme to marry Lara himself and thus become the father of Superman (S No. 170/2, Jul pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€).

In December 1964, Superman witnesses the death of the planet Krypton by means of a special â€œtime-
space viewer,â€ a superscientific device, given him by the scientists of a distant planet, that â€œpicks up light and sound waves from the pastâ€ and thus enables one to view selected historical events (WF No. 146: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIâ€”no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

In October 1965, Superman matches wits with [[Jon Smatten]], a â€œrenegade scientistâ€ who, having come
into possession of a supply of kryptium, Kryptonâ€™s â€œstrongest metal,â€ has fashioned the metal into an ingenious robot designed to destroy Superman (Act No. 329: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€) (TGSB).

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:Krypton]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Krypton

2006-09-21T18:14:29Z

Kchishol1970: /* Daily Life */

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[[Image:Old-world.jpg|thumb|left|Old World" Hemisphere]][[Image:New-world.jpg|thumb|"New World" Hemisphere]]
'''Krypton''', (pronounced Krip'ton) the doomed planet where Superman was born.

The far-distant planet which was the home world of [[Superman]] until it exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planet's core. It was as the doomed planet shuddered and rumbled in its dying moments that the Kryptonian scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]] placed their infant son in an experimental rocket ship and launched him into the void, eventually to arrive on the planet Earth and to grow to maturity there as Superman (S No.53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!; and others)(TGSB).

== Overview ==

Its capital city was [[Kryptonopolis]], where [[Jor-El]], [[Lara]] and their infant, Kal-El, lived. In its original depiction, Krypton was shown as being inhabited by a race of super-beings.

In later depictions, Krypton had a super-scientific advanced civilization of non-super beings who only gained their super powers on Earth and/or under a yellow sun.

Among Krypton's natural wonders were the [[Jewel Mountains]], the [[Scarlet Jungle]], the [[Fire Falls]], [[Gold Volcano]] and the [[Rainbow Canyon]]. Other than Kryptonopolis, major cities on the planet included [[Kandor]] and [[Argo City]].

== Astronomical and Planetary Details==

Krypton was "a planet of giant size" (S No.146/1, July 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life; and others), located somewhere "in the outer reaches of trackless space" (S No.53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"; and others). Described as "an unusual planet," with a "unique atmosphere" and a "tremendous gravitational pull" far greater than that of Earth (S No.113, May 1957: "The Superman of the Past"; and others). Krypton had a massive uranium core (S No.53/1) and was occasionally swept by windstorms so violent that the planet's tallest skyscrapers had to be lowered into the ground to prevent their being toppled by the powerful gales (S No.123, Aug 1958: "The Girl of Steel"; and others).

Although a number of texts seem to place Krypton in the same solar system as that of Earth (WF No.57, Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€; and others), somewhere â€œpast Mars, Jupiter and Saturnâ€ (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: â€œThe Return of Planet Krypton!â€), the vast preponderance of textual evidence places the planet of Supermanâ€™s birth â€œin a distant solar systemâ€ (S No. 137, May 1960: chs. I-III â€œThe Super Brat from Kryptonâ€; â€œThe Young Super-Bullyâ€; â€œSuperman vs. Super-Menace!â€; and others), revolving about a red sun (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSuper. manâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others), as distinguished from Earthâ€™s yellow sun, at the rate of approximately one revolution per 1.39 Earth years (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€)(TGSB).

"Born almost six billion time-cycles ago" (S No.170/2, July 1964: pts I-II --"If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!"; "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!") --six billion time-cycles being the equivalent of approximately 8.3 billion Earth years if one assumes that the term "sun-cycle" and "time-cycle" are synonymous (S No.157/1, Nov 1962: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!") --the planet Krypton occupied the same solar system as the planet [[Thoron]] (S No.80/1, Jan/Feb 1953: "Superman's Big Brother!") and was orbited, at various times in its history, by two, three, an perhaps even four natural satellites. When, in November 1960, Superman makes a time-journey to Krypton in the period immediately preceeding its destruction, he romances lovely [[Lyla Lerrol]] "under the soft radiance of Krypton's two moons..." (S No.141,: "Superman's Return to Krypton", pts I-III); but it is firmly established in the chronicles that the renegade Kryptonian scientist [[Jax-Ur]] destroyed one of Krypton's moons [see [[Wegthor]]] prior to this period, a heinous crime for which Jax-Ur was banished into the [[Phantom Zone]] (Act No.310, Mar 1964: "Secret of the Kryptonite Six!"; and others), clear evidence that Krypton had three moons - one of which was evidently named [[Koron]] (S No.78/1, Sept/Oct 1952: "The Beast from Krypton!") --in the not-too-distant past. In addition, the planet [[Xenon]], the so-called "twin world of Krypton," was evidently Krypton's fourth moon, sometime in the ancient past, until it "spun out of its orbit and left Krypton forever" (S No.119, Feb 1958: "The Second Superman!" chs 1-3).

Although the planet Krypton was much like Earth in a multitude of ways --it is even called Earth's "sister world" in Superman No.53/1 (Jul/Aug 1958)-- Krypton's atmosphere and solar radiation were substanially different from Earth's (WF No.57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artifical Superman!"; and others), and the weight of its gravity was so much greater that [[Professor William Enders]] could move about with only the utmost difficulty when he visited the planet at the behest of Jor-El (S No.77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Man Who Went to Krypton!"). The distance from Earth to Krypton has never been measured with absolute certainty, but scientist [[Mel Evans]] has estimated the "probable distance at 0.317 light years" (S No.136/2, Apr 1960: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

== Krypton's Natural Wonders ==

Krypton was a planet of staggering richness and incomparable natural beauty. Among its many scenic wonders were the [[Fire Falls]], a magnificent flaming cataract teeming with â€œmutant fishâ€ (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€; and others); the [[Gold Volcano]], which erupted gold instead of lava (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€); the [[Jewel Mountains]], whose â€œfascinating beauty entrance[dl all beholdersâ€ (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Was Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€; and others); [[Meteor Valley]], a scenic valley â€œcreated by a monstrously gigantic meteor that glanced off the surfaceâ€ of the planet during Kryptonâ€™s prehistoric past, and [[Rainbow Canyon]], a deep natural gorge traversed by a breathtaking rainbow (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€); the [[Scarlet Jungle]], a â€œweird wildernessâ€ teeming with red and purple flora (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€; and others); and the [[Three Sisters of Krypton]], a trio of â€œgreat fire-geysersâ€ so named because they always erupted simultaneously (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIâ€”no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

Other â€œnatural wondersâ€ of Krypton included [[Shrinkwater Lake]], whose waters contained â€œsome strange chemicalâ€ that could â€œshrink ordinary men down to ant sizeâ€ (Act No. 325, Jun 1965: â€œThe Skyscraper Superman!â€); [[Great Krypton Lake]], which was ultimately contaminated by the evil [[Professor Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€); and the [[Great Krypton Sea]], whose waters were once the home of a highly advanced civilization (S No. 170/2, Jul â€˜64: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€). Others of Kryptonâ€™s geographical features are enumerated on the '''map of Krypton''' that accompanies this article below.

== Map of Krypton ==

[[Image:Map-logo.jpg|center]]
[[Image:Mapoldworld.jpg|left|thumb|Old World Hemisphere, please click on the picture to see the full size version]]

'''Old World Hemisphere'''
*1. [[Striped River]]
*2. [[Erkol]]: The Oldest City of Krypton
*3. [[Fungus Caverns]]
*4. [[Boiling Sea]]
*5. Ruins of Ancient City of [[Xan City|Xan]]
*6. [[Mt. Mudru]]: The Highest Peak on Krypton
*7. [[Glass Forest]]
*8. [[Jerat]]: The Ghost City
*9. [[Vathlo Island]]: The Home of the Highly Developed Black Race
*10. [[Antarctic City]]: Built Under the Ice

[[Image:Mapnewworld.jpg|thumb|New World Hemisphere, please click on the picture to see the full size version]]
'''New World Hemisphere'''
*1. [[Kandor]]: The Capital City of Krypton until it was stolen by Brainiac
*2. [[Kryptonopolis]]: Superman's Birthplace; Krypton's 2nd Capital
*3. [[Undersea Palace]]
*4. [[Fort Rozz]]: The Main Defense Center
*5. [[Atomic Town]]
*6. [[Jewel Mountains]]
*7. [[Rainbow Canyon]]
*8. [[Gold Volcano]]
*9. [[Fire Falls]]
*10. [[Scarlet Jungle]]
*11. [[Meteor Valley]]
*12. [[Argo City]]: Supergirl's Birthplace
*13. [[Bokos]]: The Independent Island of Thieves
*14. [[Magnetic Mountain]]
*15. Lost Valley of [[Juru]]: Unexplored (No Picture Available)

== Kryptonâ€™s Animal Life ==

[[Image:ThoughtBeast.jpg|center]]
Kryptonâ€™s animal life was exceedingly varied. Indeed, although Kryptonian fauna included a number of animals, such as dogs (See: [[Krypto]]) (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others), monkeys (See: [[Beppo]] (S No. 173/2, Nov 1964: â€œTales of Green Kryptonite No. 1â€; and others), and great apes (See: [[King Krypton]], [[Super-Ape]], and [[Yango]]) (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others), which are also common to Earth, it also included numerous exotic species unique to Krypton, including the â€œ[[Snagriff]]", a winged dinosaur-like creature (S No. 78/1, Sep/Oct 1952: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€); the â€œ[[Flame Beast]],â€ which looked as though it were literally on fire (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Girl of Steelâ€; â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€); the â€œ[[Krypton Beast]],â€ the â€œ[[Living Wheel]],â€ the â€œ[[Winged Cat]],â€ and the â€œ[[Balloonie]],â€ a large froglike creature that fled danger by inflating itself like a balloon and floating out of harmâ€™s way (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3â€”â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€); the â€œ[[Flame Dragon]]â€, a gigantic, bat-winged, dragonlike creature that belched flame â€œfrom its nostrils and gaping jawsâ€ (S No. 142/3, Jan 1961: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€; and others); the â€œ[[Fish-Snake]],â€ an eel-like â€œmutant fishâ€ from Kryptonâ€™s Fire Falls whose venomous bite was potentially fatal to humans (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€); â€œ[[Rondors]],â€ exceedingly rare creatures whose single large horns emit strange radiations that â€œcould cure many deadly illnessesâ€ (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€); the â€œ[[Drang]],â€ a colossal flying snake, purple in color, which had a head like a dinosaur and a single white horn protruding from its forehead (S No. 303, Aug 1963: â€œThe Monster from Krypton!â€); the â€œnightwingâ€ (see [[Nightwing]]), a Prussian-blue bird resembling a magpie; the â€œflamebirdâ€ (see [[Flamebird]]), a red, yellow, orange, and green bird with a bright red crest; and the â€œ[[Telepathic Hounds]]â€ of [[Kandor]], â€œstrange beasts,â€ yellow in color, with tails like wolves and snouts like wild boars, â€œthat can locate people at any distance by reading their minds to learn where they areâ€ (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandorâ€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€; and others); the â€œ[[Thought-Beasts]],â€ large, primitive, rhinoceros-like creatures, with spiked tails and a single large horn protruding from their snouts, whose most distinctive feature was a televisionlike â€œthought-screenâ€ atop their head which flashed picture-images of whatever they were thinking; and â€œa huge [[Crystal Bird]],â€ long since extinct, â€œwhich once filled the skies of ancient Kryptonâ€ and whose crystalline skeletons, heaped up by the millions, created the beautiful [[Jewel Mountains]] (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€); the â€œ[[Metal-Eating Mole]],â€ one specimen of which survives to this day in the Kandor City Zoo (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: â€œThe Super-Duel in Spaceâ€); and the â€œ[[Metal-Eater]],â€ sometimes hyphenated and sometimes not, a large metal-eating animal resembling a giant tapir (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3 â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€; see also S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€). When Superman makes a time-journey to Krypton in November 1960, he encounters a â€œ[[Fire-Breathing Space Creature]]â€, a pink, leopardlike animal, with a horn like that of a unicorn protruding from its forehead, which â€œbreathes super-powerful flames when angeredâ€, on display in a Kryptonian zoo. It is unclear, however, whether this animal is indigenous to Krypton, or whether the Kryptonians merely collected the specimen on some far-distant planet (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964:â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

== Kryptonian Flora ==
[[Image:ScarletJungle2.jpg|center]]
Kryptonian flora included the gigantic, maroon, mushroomlike fungi native to the [[Scarlet Jungle]] (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€); the gigantic â€œmoving forests,â€ red in color and vaguely humanoid in form, also indigenous to the Scarlet Jungle, which literally advanced across the face of the planet â€œin their yearly migration,â€ forcing Kryptonians in their path to seek refuge in subterranean tunnels until they had passed (S No. 164, Oct 1963: pts. I-IIâ€”â€The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!â€; â€œThe Super-Duel!â€); and the â€œsinging flowers,â€ which would â€œsoftly serenadeâ€ guests at Kryptonian dinner parties (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€” â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lam Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; see also S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pts. 1-3â€”â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo, Super- Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€).

== Kryptonian Metals ==

Kryptonâ€™s â€œstrongest metalâ€ was â€œ[[Kryptium]],â€ a â€œsuper-metalâ€ described as â€œharder and stronger than any Earth metalâ€ (Act No. 329, Oct 1965: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€). Kryptonâ€™s most precious metal was â€œ[[Boradium]]â€ (S No.78, Sep/Oct 1952: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€). [[Gold]] was so commonplace on Krypton as to be literally worthless (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-III â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€).

== Civilization ==
[[Image:Math.jpg|right]]
Krypton was "an advanced civilization," with "people of great intelligence and physical perfection!"(S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"). The planet was apparently divided into a series of separate nations (Act No. 216, May 1956: "The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"), but these nations had long since combined to form a planet-wide union, uniting all Kryptonians under a single flag, a single government, a single constitution (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!") and a single planet-wide language, [[Kryptonese]] (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton" Pts 1-3).

"Possessed of high intelligence," the people of Krypton "had built a super-scientific civilization far beyond that of Earth..." (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"). Crime was virtually unknown on Krypton (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The We4dding of Lara and Luthor!")) and there had been no war on the planet "for thousands of years" (Act No. 216, May 1956: "The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"). Capital punishment was unknown, and Kryptonians were bound, in all their dealings with each other, by a strict Kryptonian Code of Honor. Indications are that they were a freedom-loving people who would have preferred death to dictatorship (S No. 65, Jul/Aug 1950: "The Three Supermen from Krypton!").

Perhaps one explanation for the comparative lack of strife on Krypton lay in the relative sparseness of the population, for despite the vast size of the planet, its population may have numbered only in the millions (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton" Pts 1-3).

According to Superman No. 53, Krypton's inhabitants were "humans of high intelligence and magnificent physical perfection..." (Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!") Although several early texts refer to them as Kryptonites (S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!" and others), the vast majority of texts refer to them as Kryptonians, describing them as "a super-scientific, intelligent people" (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!") and as "a great people, physically perfect and of immense intelligence and science!" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"). On the planet Krypton, explains Action Comics No. 233, even three-year-olds could solve complex mathematical equations (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!").

On the question of exactly how the people of Krypton differed from the people of the planet Earth, however, the texts are inconsistent. Early texts describe the Kryptonians as a â€œsuper-raceâ€ (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: â€œThe Mighty Mite!â€) who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were â€œthousands of eonsâ€ ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

â€œ[Clark] Kent had come from a planet,â€ explains Action Comics No. 1, â€œwhose inhabitantsâ€™ physical structure was millions of years advanced our own. Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became gifted with titanic strength!â€ (Jun 1938).

According to Superman No.33,â€. . . Superman... a native of the ill-fated planet Krypton... is of a different structure than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influence that can overcome other human beings!â€ (Mar/Apr 1945: â€œDimensions of Danger!â€).

â€œWhere we come from,â€ gloats the Kryptonian villain [[U-Ban]] in July-August 1950, â€œeveryone has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!â€ (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€).

Since the early 1950s, however, the texts have described the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings, albeit as the brilliant custodians of a â€œhighly advanced super-scientific civilizationâ€ (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€). Similarly, the super-powers possessed by Superman and other Kryptonian survivors have been explained as deriving from a combination of several factors, such as being free of Kryptonâ€™s tremendous gravitational pull, and living under Earthâ€™s yellow sun as opposed to Kryptonâ€™s red one, rather than as powers normally possessed by every Kryptonian living on Krypton (see [[Superman]]).

== Government ==
[[Image:Flagofkrypton.jpg|right|thumb|The flag of Krypton]]
The Kryptonian system of government is never cleary described in the chronicles, but it is clear that the scientific establishment commanded wide respect and exerted considerable influence on political and social policy. The Council of Five, a body of distinguished scientists who, if they did not actually govern the planet themselves, obviously carried much weight with those who did, is mentioned in Superman No. 53 and there are numerous references in other texts to the Council (S No. 61, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!" and others), the [[Science Council]] (S No. 113, May 1957: "The Superman of the Past!" and others), and the Council of Scientists (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Superman No. 65 makes reference to Krypton's ruling council, which consisted of the planet's ten leading scientists, a clear suggestion that Krypton's leading scientific body governed the planet (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€), but Action Comics No. 223 distinguishes between the Council of Science and Krypton's highest officials, suggesting that the Council, while influential, was not really charged with the responsibility of ruling the planet (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: "The First Superman of Krypton!"). Superman No. 154, however, contains a brief reference to a Supreme Council, a title clearly suggestive of supreme political authority (Jul 1962: "Krypton's first Superman!"). All in all, then, it is probably safest to infer that Krypton was ruled by a political body, probably elected, which was counseled and advised by a body of distinguished scientists exercising considerable influence over political decision making (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€; and others).

The capital of Krypton was the city of [[Kandor]]. Several years before Krypton exploded, however, Kandor was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]], and a new world capital was established in the city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (Act. No. 243, Jul/Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others), the city which would later become Superman's birthplace (Act No. 325, Jun 1965: â€œThe Skyscraper Superman!â€).

Fluttering from the flagstaff atop the World Capitol Building - which, like the city of Kryptonopolis itself, had been designed by Superman's ancestor [[Gam-El]], the father of modern Kryptonian architecture - was the flag of Krypton, a multicolored banner consisting of pale rays of blue, yellow, lavender, white, green, orange, pink, light green, and red radiating outward from a circular center featuring a green and pale blue design suggestive of a body of water all but encircled by lush green land Act No. 246, Nov 1958: "Krypton on Earth!"; and others).

Maintaining public order was the role of the [[Krypton Security Force]] (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!"), while the task of maintaining internal security and apprehending criminals was entrusted to the [[Krypton Bureau of Investigation]] (S No. 123, Aug 1958: Pts 1-3 "The Girl of Steel!"; The Lost Super-Powers!"; "Superman's Return to Krypton!").

Crime was only a minor problem on Krypton. Indeed, the research of the Kryptonian scientist [[Raf Arlo]] had established that most of the crimes on the planet "were perpetrated by an unknown race of invisible people" (S No. 170, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor were Superman's Father!" and "The Wedding of Lara and Luthor!"). When malefactors were apprehended, they were placed on trial in Kryptonian courtrooms where verdicts were handed down by Kryptonian justice councils, deliberate bodies analogous to American juries (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

Because Kryptonians were opposed to capital punishment, and, in fact, had never in their history practiced it, the perpetrators of serious crimes were exiled into space in a state of suspended animation inside space capsules constructed specially for the purpose. According to Superman No. 65, the space capsules were made of transparent plastic and shaped like rocket ships (S No. 65, Jul/Aug 1950: "The Three Supermen from Krypton!"), but according to Superman No. 123, the so-called "prison satellites" were of a spherical shape. The criminals imprisoned inside them were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineral - capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred years' time - were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: Pts 1-3 "The Girl of Steel!"; The Lost Super-Powers!"; "Superman's Return to Krypton!").

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated, however, after Superman's father, [[Jor-El]], discovered the [[Phantom Zone]], a twilight dimension to which criminals could be banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others).

One of the most important government departments was the [[Krypton Record Bureau]], where complete records of every Kryptonian's life were maintained on ingenious thought-projection discs. According to Action Comics No. 149, such important events as courtship and marriage were recorded astro-electricly, from each person's memory.

"By concentrating on one of those discs, in a darkened room, anybody could cause a complete image of remembered events to appear!" (Act No. 149, Oct 1950: The Courtship of Krypton!").

== Science and Technology ==

Scientifically and technologically, Kryptonian civilization was far advanced over that of Earth. Although the science of space travel was still in its infancy and true spaceships did not yet exist (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 â€œSuperman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others), Kryptonian scientists - most notably Jor-El - had experimented with both manned (Act No. 238: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton") and unmanned (S No.119, Feb 1958: "The Second Superman!" chs 1-3) satellites and had launched monkeys (Act No. 218, Jul 1956 "The Super-Ape from Krypton!"), at least one dog (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€), and perhaps other test animals into outer space in small experimental rockets.

Astronomy on Krypton was highly advanced, enabling Kryptonian scientists to study Earth and presumably other planets with excruciating clarity by means of "super-powerful telescopes", even to the extent of being able to tune in on selected alien individuals and monitor and translate their private conversations (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others).

Pure Kryptonian scientific research is not as thoroughly documented in the chronicles as the feats of technology and engineering. Some of the great science feats included Jor-El's discovery of the [[Phantom Zone]] and his geophysical observations of the planet's core and its ultimate instability. Nevertheless, the role of science must have been well-respected, given the influence of the Council of Science on planetary politics.

Technology was extremely well-developed, the knowledge behind the planet's transportation systems, city operations, and robotic services (for example, Fire Fighting Robots) was astounding.

== Travel ==

Despite the lack of spaceships for interplanetary travel, transportation on Krypton was highly developed. People voyaged about the planet aboard sleek, rocketlike airships, or flitted about Krypton's picturesque metropolises - such as Kandor, Kryptonopolis, and [[Argo City]] - in bubble-topped jet-taxis or by means of jetlike devices called solo-rocket tubes which, strapped to an individual's back, enabled him or her to fly through the air.

While not space travelers as people, the scientist Jor-El and his colleagues were able to construct a duplicate planet (see [[Krypton-II]]) by accumulated meteorites, fashion the artificial satellite into an exact replica, and fill it with booby-trapped replicas of their technology and android duplicates of themselves, in order to protect Krypton proper from suspected invaders.

Travel underwater was by means of a small rocket-powered craft known as an aqua-cone, and virtually every Kryptonian family owned its own "Jor-El," an all-purpose, mass-produced vehicle, invented by Superman's father, which could travel on land, sea, or air, and even underground.

== Daily Life ==

Sophisticated weather control towers enabled the people of Krypton to purify their air and control their weather, while an advanced solar energy tower enabled them to store and utilize the solar energy emanating from their planet's red sun. In homes that were apparently heated by atomic power, Kryptonian families entertained themselves by watching 3-D TV while, outside in the streets, other Kryptonians moved along the city's moving sidewalks, gazing at the public news monitor a billboard sized color-TV screen - to keep abreast of current events, watching other Kryptonians queuing up for emotion-movies, or visiting the incredible Mind-Art Center, where, by means of a complex apparatus called a "mento-ray," designed to freeze the artist's mental pictures on canvas, Kryptonian artists created art masterpieces by merely envisioning them in their minds.

Man-made landmarks and places of interest on Krypton included:

The Hall of Worlds, containing replica scenes of strange planets in faraway solar systems that Kryptonians had observed via super-space telescope;

The Red Tower of Kryptonopolis, one of Krypton's great architectural landmarks;

The Grotto of Images, a huge chamber of mirrors that is said to magnify the love of sweethearts who visit by as many times as there are reflections;

Krypton's famous Floating City, a city of approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants floating on the surface of a river atop gigantic pontoons;

The Cloud Castle, a vaporous confection of turrets and bridges where it is said "only lovers may enter";

The Cosmic Clock, a gigantic timepiece, measuring time in billions of years, which showed how Krypton was born almost six billion time-cycles ago and which, tragically, lulled the people of Krypton into a false sense of complacency concerning the future of their planet by predicting, incorrectly, that Krypton would remain safe from all harm for endless years into the future.

The most important Kryptonian literary achievement was the [[Kryptoniad]], a great epic chronicling the struggle of ancient Kryptonians to transform their planet into a civilized world.

On Krypton, robots performed all hard labor and could be bought at small cost. Heavy construction work was accomplished by means of sophisticated building machines.

Although Kryptonians had at least one serious disease, [[Virus X]], for which there was no known cure, childhood diseases were not a problem: filing through a health cabinet on their first day of school, Kryptonian children were immunized against all childhood diseases by means of an ingenious microbe ray. Injuries were apparently not a problem either, as even potentially fatal wounds could be healed almost instantaneously by means of a miraculous healing ray employed by Kryptonian surgeons.

In Kryptonian schools, lessons were taught with the aid of sophisticated telepathy helmets which enabled teachers to transmit knowledge to their pupils telepathically at phenominal speed. The treatment of psychological problems - as well as the investigation of misconduct of all kinds was facilitated by an ingenious mind-reading device known as a mind prober machine, and mental retardation had all but ceased to be a problem thanks to the pioneering work of scientist [[Lon Gorg]], whose supra-psyche treatments successfully transformed morons into geniuses.

When an Kryptonian male comes of age, he is generally expected to take special manhood classes that teach practical skills such as first aid and wilderness survival. Upon completion, the male is given his own headband which is the mark of a mature male citizen of Krypton. It is not revealed if female Kryptonians go through something similiar. (S #352 DC, October 1980, "The Mark of a Citizen")

Historically, famine apparently had afflicted certain areas of Krypton, but an amazing growth ray for plants, invented by Superman's father and capable of growing vegetables 100 times bigger than their normal size, promised to end the problem of hunger forever within a very short time.

== Family Names ==

In Kryptonian society, descent and inheritance were patroclinous. The names of most - but by no means all - Kryptonian males were duosyllabic, with the first syllable being the given name, the second the surname. Thus, [[Jor-El]] was the brother of [[Zor-El]] and the father of [[Kal-El]], Kal-El being Superman's Kryptonian name (Act No. 252, May 1959:"The Supergirl from Krypton"; and others). [[Than-Ar]] was the brother of [[Jhan-Ar]] (WF No. 143, Aug 1964:"The Feud Between Batman and Superman!" ptsI-III --no title; "The Manhunters from Earth!"), and [[Mag-En]] was the father of [[Ral-En]] (S No 154/2, Jul 1962:"Krypton's First Superman").
Sometimes first and last names were linked by a hyphen (e.g., Jor-El, [[Quex-Ul]], Mag-En). Just as often, however, they were not (e.g., [[Val Arn]], [[Khai Zor]], [[Than Ol]]). And some names, it must be noted, appear to have defied the system entirely (e.g., [[Mala]], [[Kizo]], [[General Zod]]).

Many of the most revered figures in Kryptonian history were members of the so-called [[House of El]] and were, therefore, ancestors of Superman. Among them were Val-El, who launched his planet's Age of Exploration and discovered islands and continents; Sul-El, who invented Krypton's first telescope and charted many far off stars, including Earth's sun; Tala-El, a great lawyer and statesman who authored Krypton's planet-wide constitution; and Hatu-El, who discovered the nature of electricity, proved that lightning was electrical, and invented Krypton's first electric motor.

Each female child on Krypton was given a special feminine first name (e.g., [[Kara]], Lara, Joenne), which, when followed by her father's name, formed her own full name, so that Kara Zor-El, for example, was Kara, the daughter of Zor-El. When a woman married, she dropped her father's name and assumed her husband's: when Lara married Jor-El, for example, she became Lara Jor-El, or, more formally, Mrs. Jor-El (S No. 179/2, Aug 1965: "The Menace of Gold Kryptonite!"; and others).

== Tradition ==

Weddings took place in the Palace of Marriage (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton!"), with the betrothed couple mounting the Jewel of Honor (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: "If Lex Luthor was Superman's Father"), or Jewel of Truth and Honor (S No. 179/2, Aug 1965: "The Menace of Gold Kryptonite") - a low pedestal carved from a single, huge, multifaceted jewel - and exchanging vows, accompanied either by an exchange of wedding rings or by the donning of marriage bracelets of a color variation all their own, which no other couple was allowed to duplicate. In accordance with an old Kryptonian custom, statues of the parents of both the bride and the groom adorned the wedding hall. According to the [[Supergirl]] story in Action Comics No. 289, marriage between cousins was prohibited on Krypton (Jun 1962: "Superman's Super-Courtship").

Although the Kryptonians were, by and large, an intellectually sophisticated people, they were not without their superstitions. According to Superman No. 164/2, which enumerates four Kryptonian superstitions, it was considered bad luck for a bride to wear jewels from the Jewel Mountains at her wedding; the killing of birds was regarded as extremely unlucky, hence the absence of bird hunting on Krypton; an old Kryptonian belief dictated that upon seeing a comet, a person must hide in a cave for 24 hours or he'd die; and Kryptonian criminals believed that if they experienced failure, drawing a picture of a Kryptonian mythological creature known as a "one-eyed grompus" would cause Krypton's demons to bring them good luck (Oct 1963: "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!).

A holiday of great importance on Krypton was the Day of Truth, celebrated annually, on which Kryptonians spoke nothing but the truth to one another - even though the truth might be abrasive and undiplomatic - in order to honor the memory of [[Val-Lor]], a valiant Kryptonian of ancient times, who, by courageously speaking out against the ruthless swarm of alien invaders - known as Vrangs - who had invaded Krypton and enslaved its people, inspired his fellow Kryptonians to revolt against the Vrangs and drive them from Krypton, albeit at the cost of his own life. The Day of Truth is still celebrated each April in the bottle city of Kandor (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!)

== Religion ==

[[Image:Statues.jpg|center]]

Although Krypton was an advanced scientific civilization, it was originally a religious society made up of conflicting faiths. Initially a grouping of polytheistic states, Krypton eventually transformed itself into a united, essentially secular state. Ultimately, the vestiges of Krypton's religious past survive in the small number of mild oaths and observed traditions practiced by [[Superman]] and his extended family.

Chief among the ancient Kryptonian deities was [[Rao]], god of the sun.

[[Yuda]] was the goddess of love and also of Krypton's two moons (KC No. 3, Nov 1981: "The Race to Overtake the Past").

When [[Supergirl]] visits her family in the Bottle City of [[Kandor]], she encounters three statues on the "Boulevard of Legendary Heroes" bearing the likeness of "mythical gods of ancient Krypton". These are [[Telle]], god of wisdom; [[Mordo]], god of strength; and [[Lorra]], goddess of beauty (Act No. 299, Apr 1963: "The Fantastic Secret of Superbaby II"). According to Supergirl, Lorra is the "image of Lyla, the girl Superman fell in love with when he made a time-journey into the past and visited Krypton". [see [[Lyla Lerrol]]]

In addition to the ancient worship of these deities, Kryptonians also practice a form of ancestor worship. In October 1963, [[Superboy]] discovers five statues of his ancestors which he is required to manipulate as part of the Father-Son test, a ritual of Kryptonian Father's Day. Similar statues are kept in the family crypts of all Kryptonians (Adv No. 313, Oct 1963: "Father's Day on Planet Krypton"). These same statues are encountered again when Superman and Supergirl engage in some research into the [[House of El]] for a TV miniseries on [[WGBS]] (KC No. 1, Sep 1981: "The Search for Superman's Roots").

Both Superman and Supergirl honour their ancestors through similar displays in the [[Fortress of Solitude]].

== Krypton's Day of Doom ==

[[Image:Krypton001.jpg|right|thumb|Animated Max Fleischer Cataclysm]]
By the time Kryptonâ€™s day of doom arrived, Kryptonian civilization was 10,000 years old (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€). Action Comics No. 1 observes only that Supermanâ€™s
home planet â€œwas destroyed by old ageâ€ (Jun 1938), but Action Comics No. 182 explains, with far gerater accuracy, that Krypton's destruction was caused by "gathering atomic pressure at the core of the planet!" (Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

Jor-El had correctly predicted that the end was coming, but he had been unable either to prevent its occurrence or to persuade the scientific community to adopt his proposal for the construction of a fleet of â€œrocket-driven space arksâ€ to enable Kryptonâ€™s population to flee the coming cataclysm (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).

'''''â€œ...[T]he core of Krypton,â€ Jor-El had warned, â€œis composed of a substance called uranium. . . which, for untold ages, has been setting up a cycle of chain-impulses, building in power every moment! Soon. very soon.. .every atom of Krypton will explode in one final terrible blast!. . . Krypton is one gigantic atomic bomb!â€''''' (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948:â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

But the people of Krypton would not believe Jor-El, not even when the quakes began, not even when â€œa rumble of mighty forcesâ€ erupted from deep inside Krypton that shook the home of every Kryptonian (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

And then finally, on a fateful day either in December (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. 1-2 no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€) or in January (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€), â€œthe rumblings inside Krypton became a roar and the planet shook wildly!â€ (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€). As the edifices of a once-proud civilization collapsed like building blocks amid choking clouds of dense black smoke, â€œnatureâ€™s fury gathered for one final cataclysmic eruptionâ€ and â€œthe once mighty planet Krypton exploded into stardust!â€ (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€). (See also [[Jor-El]])

The titanic interstellar explosion that destroyed Krypton transformed the hurtling remnants of the shattered planet into [[Kryptonite]], a glowing, green, radioactive substance which is toxic, and potentially fatal, to all Kryptonian survivors (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; and many others). â€œWhen Krypton exploded,â€ explains Superman No. 61/3, â€œall the atomic elements fused to become one deadly compound! That compound gives off rays which apparently can only affect Kryptonites...!â€œ (Nov/Dec 1949: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

== Krypton's Survivors ==

[[Superman]] remains the most famous survivor of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, but over the years the texts have revealed the existence of a great many others, including [[Krypto]] The Superdog (S No. 130/1; Jul 1959: â€œThe Curse of Kryptonite!â€; and others) and [[Beppo]] The Super-Monkey (Act No.309, Feb 1964: â€œThe Superman Super-Spectacular!â€; and others); the people of [[Kandor]] (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: â€œThe Super-Duel in Space!â€; and others) and the inhabitants of the [[Phantom Zone]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others); [[Mala]] and his brothers, [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€; Act No. 194, Jul 1954: â€œThe Outlaws from Krypton!â€); the â€œsnagriff" (see [[Snagriff]]) that runs amok on Earth in September-October 1952 (S No. 78/1: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€); [[Super-Ape]] and the other experimental apes launched into outer space by the Kryptonian scientist [[Shir Kan]] (Act No. 218, Jul â€˜56: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€); [[King Krypton]], whom Superman encounters in March 1958 (Act No. 238: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Kryptonâ€); the Kryptonian [[Super Caveman]] who arrives on Earth in a state of suspended animation in June 1959 (see [[Jo-Jo Groff]]) (WF No. 102: â€œThe Caveman from Krypton!â€); and the â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]) that runs amok on Earth in January 1961 (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€), and the offspring, hatched from one of its eggs, that menaces Earth in February 1962 (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€). The inhabitants of [[Argo City]] survived for more than fifteen years following the death of Krypton after their city had been hurled into outer space by the force of the cataclysm. Virtually the entire population, however, ultimately succumbed to kryptonite poisoning, the only survivors of the calamity apparently having been [[Supergirl]]. and her parents, [[Zor-El]] and [[Alura]] (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; and others).

Far from perished Krypton, in the alien environment of Earth, any Kryptonian survivor acquires mighty super-powersâ€”including X-ray vision, invulnerability, super-strength, and the power of flight, and all things Kryptonian become indestructible (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€; and many others). In Jor-Elâ€™s words, â€œ... Krypton is such an unusual planet that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Kryptonâ€™s unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a superman!â€ (S No.113, May 1957: chs. 1-3 The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€).

The relative physical strength of two Kryptonian survivors on Earth appears to be proportional to what it wasâ€”or would have beenâ€”on Krypton, so that a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth is more powerful than Superman, just as an ordinary Kryptonian gorilla would have been more powerful than an ordinary Kryptonian man (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: â€œThe Super-Ape from Kryptonâ€; and others).

Of course the vast majority of Kryptonians perished with their planet, but a number of these have nevertheless played important roles in the chronicles, among them [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]] (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€; and many others); lovely â€œemotion-movie actressâ€ [[Lyla Lerrol]] (S No. 141, Nov 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts. 1-3 "Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€; and others); and â€œfamous psychologistâ€ [[Mag-En]] and his unscrupulous son [[Ral-En]] (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€). According to Action Comics No. 243, the legendary enchantress [[Circe]] was herself a native of the planet Krypton (Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€).

== Krypton Historians ==

â€œThe famous lost world of Krypton is of intense interest to everyone on Earth, for that great planet was the birthplace of mighty Superman!â€ (Act No. 223, Dec 1956: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€).

[[Dr. Charles Corlin]], the father of [[Vance Corlin]], discovered the planet Krypton sometime prior to its destruction and made an extensive spectroscopic analysis of its gravity, atmosphere, and solar radiation (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€).

[[Professor William Enders]], author of '''The Planet Krypton''', observed Krypton through his telescope, communicated with Jor-El by radio, and even journeyed to Krypton via â€œmatter-radioâ€ (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€), as did another scientist, [[Professor Amos Dunn]] (Act No. 281, Oct 1961: â€œThe Man Who Saved Kal-Elâ€™s Life!â€).

â€œBrillian tyoung college teacherâ€ [[Mel Evans]], Who has since become a â€œrenowned scientist,â€ calculated the â€œprobable distance from Earth to Kryptonâ€ at 0.317 light years (S No. 136/2, Apr 1960: â€œThe Secret of Kryptonite!â€).

[[Dr. Thomas Ellison]] carried on an extensive study of Krypton by means of a â€œmonitor-type telescopeâ€ of â€œunprecedented power.â€ When Ellison learned that Krypton faced imminent extinction due to an atomic chain-reaction building up within the core of the planet, he beamed an â€œatomic-neutralizing rayâ€ at the distant world in hopes of neutralizing the atomic reaction and thereby averting the cataclysm, but Krypton exploded anyway, in spite of his efforts (WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-II no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

In addition, Superman has made an extensive study of his home planet â€œby overtaking and photographing light rays that had left Krypton before it explodedâ€ (S No. 132, Oct 1959: â€œSupermanâ€™s Other Life!â€ pta. 1-3 â€Krypton Lives On!â€; â€œFuturo: Super-Hero of Krypton!â€; â€œThe Superman of Two Worlds!â€; and others). He has donated exhaustive notes on the Kryptonese language to [[Metropolis University]] (Act No. 329, Oct 1965: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€).

Superman has memorialized the lost world of Krypton in other ways as well: he has set aside an entire Krypton Room in his [[Fortress of Solitude]], complete with an exact scale model of Krypton (Act No. 278, Jul 1961: â€œThe Super Powers of Perry White!â€) and a â€œ3-dimensional tableau of the exact moment that the planet Krypton exploded!â€ (Act No. 261, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Fortress of Solitude!â€), and with the aid of Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog, he has transformed an uninhabited planet in a â€œdistant solar systemâ€ into an exact duplicate of Krypton, a so-called â€œmemorial planetâ€ inhabited by android duplicates of the entire Kryptonian population (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€). A statue of Superman holding aloft a globe of Krypton adorns the grounds of Metropolis's [[Superman Museum]] (S No. 169/1, May 1964: â€œThe Infernal Imp!â€). The â€œanniversary of the destruction of Kryptonâ€ is commemorated annually by the people of Kandor and all the remaining Kryptonian survivors (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€; see also WF No. 146, Dec 1964: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pta. I-II no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

== The Texts ==

In June 1938, in the premiere text of the Superman chronicles, Supermanâ€™s home planet is referred to only as â€œa distant planet [that] was destroyed by old age,â€ and its actual name is never stated (Act No. 1).

In Summer 1939, the planet of Supermanâ€™s birth is referred to by name, as '''Krypton''', for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 1).

In July-August 1948, the causes of Kryptonâ€™s destruction and the events leading up to it are recounted in detail for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 53/1: â€œThe Origin of Superman!â€).

In November-December 1949, Superman Journeys through the time-space barrier to the planet Krypton and actually witnesses the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet (S No.61/3: â€œSuperman Returns to Krypton!â€).

In July-August 1950, Superman battles three evil Kryptonlan survivors: [[Mala]] and his brothers [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (S No. 65/3: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€).

In October 1950, three Kryptonian â€œthought-projection discsâ€ containing a detailed account of the courtship of Supermanâ€™s parents, which have been whirling about in space since the explosion of Krypton, are returned to Earth by a U.S. experimental rocket and retrieved by the ever-curious [[Lois Lane]] (Act No. 149: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€). (See also [[Lara]].)

In January-February 1952, a vault containing some of [[Jor-El]]â€™s greatest inventions, which had been hurled into outer space by the force of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, is drawn to Earth by a â€œmagnet-ray machineâ€ devised by the diabolical [[Lex Luthor]] (S No. 74/1: â€œThe Lost Secrets of Krypton!â€).

In September-October 1952, a Kryptonian â€œsnagriffâ€ (see [[Snagriff]]) runs amok on the planet Earth (S No. 78/1: â€œThe Beast from Krypton!â€).

In March-April 1954, on the site where the rocket carrying the infant Superman landed upon its arrival on Earth, Superman finds his fatherâ€™s last will and testament, a thin sheet of super-hard metal inscribed with detailed descriptions of three of Joe-Elâ€™s greatest inventions (WF No. 69: â€œJor-Elâ€™s Last Will!â€). (See [[Jor-El]].)

In July 1954, Superman battles the same three evil Kryptanian survivors whom he fought four years previously, viz., [[Mala]] and his brothers [[Kizo]] and [[U-Ban]] (Act No. 194: â€œThe Outlaws from Krypton!â€).

In December 1955, the town of [[Smallville]] holds a celebration marking the anniversary of Supermanâ€™s arrival on Earth from the planet Krypton (Act No. 211: â€œThe Superman Spectacularsâ€). The precise month when the infant Superman actually arrived on Earth is impossible to determine, however, because the anniversary of the event is also commemorated, in a later text, in June 1958 (Act No. 241: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Supermanâ€).

In January 1956, in outer space, Superman locales the tiny fragment of the exploded planet Krypton that contains, still intact, the family home he shared with his parents, Jor-El and Lara (Act No. 212: â€œThe Superman Calendarâ€).

In May 1956, the city of Metropolis is besieged by an armada of colossal â€œwar weaponsâ€ hurled into outer space years ago by the explosion that destroyed Krypton (Act No. 216: â€œThe Super-Menace of Metropolisâ€).

In June 1956, Superman encounters an infant who has become temporarily endowed with super-powers as the result of having ingested some â€œcondensed foodâ€ from the planet Krypton (Act No. 217: â€œThe Amazing Super-Babyâ€). (See [[Roger Bliss]] )

In July 1956, Superman encounters [[Super-Ape]], a Kryptonian survivor (Act No. 218: â€œThe â€œSuper-Ape from Krypton!â€).

In December 1956, â€œfar out in space,â€ Superman comesâ€™ upon â€œa mass of cosmic wreckageâ€ from the doomed planet Krypton, including Joe-Elâ€™s journal and laboratory desk, and some films which Jor-El made of himself using â€œautomatic camerasâ€ (Act No. 223: â€œThe First Superman of Kryptonâ€).

In May 1957, Superman recovers a Kryptonian â€œmind-tapeâ€ dictated by Joe-El, and a helmet-like apparatus for playing it backâ€”after the objects have fallen to Earth embedded in a kcyptonite meteor (S No. 113: chs. 1-3â€”The Superman of thePastâ€;â€The Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€). (See [[Queen Latora]])

In February 1958, Superman views dramatic film footage chronicling the death of Krypton after successfully recovering, far out in interstellar space, an unmanned camera, carrying space satellite that had been sent aloft by Kryptonian scientists prior to their planetâ€™s destruction. During this same period, Superman rescues the planet [[Xenon]], evidently once a moon of Krypton, from suffering the same fate that befell its native planet (S No. 119: â€œThe Second Superman!â€ chs. 1-3â€”The World That Was Kryptonâ€™s Twinâ€; â€œA Double far Supermanâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Mightiest Questâ€).

In March 1958, Superman meets [[King Krypton]], a Kryptonian survivor (Act No. 238: â€œThe Super-Gorilla from Krypton!â€).

In July 1958, Superman discovers that the Kryptonian city of [[Kandor]] survived the cataclysm that destroyed the planet as the result of having been stolen prior to the disaster by the space villain [[Brainiac]] (Act No. 242: â€œThe Super-Duel in Space!â€).

In August 1958, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton at a time predating the marriage of his parents (see [[Kil-Lor]]) (S No. 123: chs, 1-3 The Girl of Steelâ€; â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€). During this same period, Superman encounters [[Circe]], a descendant of the legendary enchantress of the same name, who, according to this text, was a native of Krypton (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: â€œThe Lady and the Lionâ€).

In May 1959, the [[Supergirl]] story in Action Comics No.252 recounts the first meeting between Superman and Supergirl, the teen-aged offspring of two Kryptonian survivors (â€œThe Supergirl from Krypton!â€).

In June 1959, Superman encounters a Kryptonian caveman who arrives on Earth in a state of suspended animation (WF No. 102: â€œThe Caveman from Krypton!â€). (See [[Jo-Jo Groff]] and [[Super Caveman]])

In November 1960, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton on the day of his parentsâ€™ wedding and remains on the planet for what is probably several weeks thereafter, during which time he pursues a passionate romance with lovely actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] (S No. 141: â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Krypton!â€ pts- I-III Superman Meets Joe-El and Lara Again!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Keyptonian Romance!â€; â€œThe Surprise of Fate!â€).

In January 1961, Earth is menaced by a fearsome Kryptenian â€œ[[Flame Dragon]]â€ (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame-Dragon from Kryptonâ€)

In February 1962, Earth is menaced by a second Kryptonian Flame Dragon, the offspring of the creature that Superman battled thirteen months previously (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€).

In July 1962, Superman struggles to overcome the compulsion to obey the sinister â€œhypnotic commandâ€ implanted in his unconscious mind while he was still an infant by the Kryptonian psychologist [[Mag-En]] (S 154/2: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€).

In October 1962, when Superman is believed to be dying as the result of exposure to [[Virus X]], an
incurable Kryptonian malady, Supergirl journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton in the faint hope that Kryptonian scientists may have found a cure for the virus before their planet exploded. Kryptonâ€™s scientists never did perfect a cure for Virus X and thus Supergirlâ€™s mission ends in failure, but Superman turns out to be suffering only from exposure to a nugget of green kryptonite, and he recovers his health fully as soon as the kryptonite is removed from his presence (S No. 156: â€œThe Last days of Superman!â€)

In November 1962, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton to verify his hunch that the Kryptonian scientist [[Quex-Ul]] may have been innocent of the crime of which he was convicted by a Kryptonian court and for which he was sentenced to a term in the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

In August 1963, exposure to red kryptonite temporarily transforms Superman into a fearsome Kryptonian â€œ[[Drang]],â€ a colossal flying snake, purple in color, with a head like a dinosaur and a single white horn protruding from its forehead. Unaware that the hideous monster is actually Superman, but fully aware that it is Kryptonian and therefore vulnerable to kryptonite, the U.S. Armed Forces are on the verge of destroying it with kryptonite bullets when finally, with some crucial assistance from Supergirl, Superman succeeds in alerting his attackers to his true identity and in getting them to hold their fire. Soon afterward, the effects of the red kryptonite fade and vanish, and Superman is restored to his normal form (Act No. 303: â€œThe Monster from Krypton!â€).

In March 1964, Superman journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton with the villain [[Jax-Ur]] in hopes of finding a cure for the â€œghastly spotted plagueâ€ that is sweeping [[Atlantis]] (Act No. 310: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In July 1964, Superman views a Kryptonian â€œvideo-recordingâ€ narrated by his father, [[Jor-El]]. Originally affixed to the exterior of the rocket that brought the infant Superman to Earth, the video-recording and accompanying â€œrecord playback machineâ€ somehow became detached from the rocket after it had entered Earthâ€™s atmosphere and lay on the ocean floor until they were discovered there many years later (Act No.314: â€œThe Day Superman Became the Flash!â€). During this same period, [[Lex Luthor]] journeys through the time-space barrier to Krypton at a time predating the marriage of Jor-El and Lara as part of his bizarre scheme to marry Lara himself and thus become the father of Superman (S No. 170/2, Jul pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€).

In December 1964, Superman witnesses the death of the planet Krypton by means of a special â€œtime-
space viewer,â€ a superscientific device, given him by the scientists of a distant planet, that â€œpicks up light and sound waves from the pastâ€ and thus enables one to view selected historical events (WF No. 146: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€ pts. I-IIâ€”no title; â€œThe Destroyer of Krypton!â€).

In October 1965, Superman matches wits with [[Jon Smatten]], a â€œrenegade scientistâ€ who, having come
into possession of a supply of kryptium, Kryptonâ€™s â€œstrongest metal,â€ has fashioned the metal into an ingenious robot designed to destroy Superman (Act No. 329: â€œThe Ultimate Enemy!â€) (TGSB).

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:Krypton]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Phantom Zone

2006-09-18T20:04:47Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:P-zone.jpg|left]]
A weird â€œtwilight dimensionâ€â€”first discovered by [[Superman]]â€™s father, [[Jor-El]]â€”to which [[Kryptonian]] criminals were banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€ and many others). Inside the Phantom Zone, its exiled inhabitants exist in a â€œphantom stateâ€ (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€), unaging, requiring no food, air, or water (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others), communicating with one another telepathically (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€; and others), able to observe every thing that takes place in the physical universeâ€” either on Earth (Ad No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others), or in outer space (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€; and others)â€”even though they cannot be seen or heard themselves (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others). By observing Superman from inside the Phantom Zone, all its inhabitants have learned that he is secretly [[Clark Kent]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

Before Jor-Elâ€™s discovery of the Phantom Zone, Kryptonians who perpetrated serious crimes were exiled into outer space in a state of suspended animation inside specially constructed space capsules (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€). The criminals imprisoned inside these â€œprison satellitesâ€ were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineralâ€”capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred yearsâ€™ timeâ€”were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Girl of Steelâ€™: â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€).

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated after Jor-El discovered the Phantom Zone, to which convicted felons could be banished by means of an ingenious â€œ[[Phantom Zone Projector]]â€ (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€The Babe of Steel!â€; and many others), or â€œPhantom Zone Ray Projectorâ€ (Act No. 311, Apr 1964: â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), of Jor-Elâ€™s own invention. Exile into this twilight world proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Phantom Zone outlaws, however, for it enabled them to survive when the planet Krypton exploded. To this day, these villains hover invisibly in their twilight dimension, waiting their opportunity to escape from the Zone and â€œtake over the Earthâ€ (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

Once projected into the Phantom Zone, â€œall inhabitants gain the power to converse one another via telepathyâ€ (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuper man in [[Kandor]]â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€; and others). For a time, however, their only means of communicating with the physical world was by beaming telepathic messages to individuals outside the Zone who possessed telepathic powers, such as [[Saturn Girl]], and [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No.156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pts. I.IlIâ€”â€Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super-Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSuper manâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€), although, on at least one occasion, they succeeded in communicating with Superman by concentrating, in unison, on a single telepathic message (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€). Similarly, Supermanâ€™s only means of contacting the Phantom Zone outlaws was through his telepathic friends (S No. 156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Supermanâ€ pts. I.II).

By November 1962, however, Superman has invented the â€œZone-ophone,â€ a large television-type picture tube equipped with a microphone and speaker which enables him to peer into the Phantom Zone while communicating orally with the Phantom Zone prisoners. â€œWonderful! My zone-ophone works!â€ thinks Superman after his device has passed its maiden test. â€œI can communicate with Phantom Zone prisoners... â€“ The inventionâ€™s screen enables me to look into the Zone!â€ (S No. 157/i: â€œThe Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€). By February 1964 this device, here referred to as â€œthe Phantom Zone viewer and [[Zone-O-Phone]],â€ has come to consist of a televisionlike viewing screen equipped with a headset and microphone for verbal communication (S No. 167: â€œThe Team of Luthor and Brainiac!â€ pts. I-IUâ€”â€The Deadly Duo!â€; â€œThe Downfall of Superman!â€; â€œThe Hour of Kandorâ€™s Vengeance!â€; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

By August 1963, Superman has developed a ray gun like Phantom Zone â€œview-finder,â€ with which he can peer into the Phantom Zone to assure himself that all the Zoneâ€™s inhabitants are present and accounted for (S No. 163/1: â€œWonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis!â€).

Once each year, in Kandorâ€™s majestic Hall Of Justice, the Phantom Zone Parole Board meets to consider the pleas of Phantom Zone prisoners seeking parole. A giant â€œmonitor screen equipped with a zone o-phoneâ€ is used by the parole board members to communicate with the prisoners, and those inmates deemed worthy of parole are released from the Phantom Zone to begin new lives as Kandorian citizens (Act No- 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

Superman is also able to release inmates from the Phantom Zone by means of the â€œPhantom Zone ray-gunâ€ he keeps in his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. In November 1962 Superman uses the device to free [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone after verifying with the aid of a surviving cache of â€œradio-visual tapesâ€ from the files of the Kryptonian policeâ€”that Quex-Ul has served out the full sentence meted out to him by Kryptonian authorities (S No. 157/1: â€˜The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

The decision to release an inmate from the Phantom Zone is an extremely grave matter, however, for the inmates of the Zone, like all surviving Kryptonians, acquire super-powers identical to Supermanâ€™s in the environment of Earth and could easily turn these awesome powers toward the pursuit of villainous ambitions. When Superman releases [[Jax-Ur]] from the Phantom Zone for a twenty-four hour period in March 1964, he uses a special â€œrelease rayâ€ to make the villain materialize in his Fortress of Solitude, and then clamps an ingenious metal braceletâ€”called a â€œzone-shackleâ€-â€”on the convictâ€™s wrist. â€œShould you refuse to let me return you to the Phantom Zone after 24 hours,â€ explains Superman, â€œit will dissolve your atomic structure and automatically return you there anyway!â€ In addition, if Jax-Ur attempts to tamper with or remove the zone-shackle, he will find himself automatically banished to â€œa fiery, barren planet under a red sun,â€ where, like any Kryptonian, he would instantly be deprived of his super-powers (Act No. 810: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

The Phantom Zone outlaws have an abiding hatred of Superman and, almost to a man, they pray for the day when they can escape the Zone and â€œtake over the Earthâ€ (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€). According to Superman No. 157/1, â€œThese invisible villains hate Superman because he possesses mighty super-powers which they, too, would have if they werenâ€™t prisoners in the twilight dimension!â€ (Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€), but a more plausible explanation for the enmity they bear Superman lies in the fact that Superman is the most visible surviving representative of the society that exiled them; that, in large measure, he holds the key to keeping them prisoner or setting them free; and that it was the testimony of his father, Jor-El, that was instrumental in dooming many of their number to long terms in the Phantom Zone (S No. 153/3, May 1962: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€; and others).

Over the years, a number of occurrences, both natural and man-made, have enabled Phantom Zone outlaws to escape the Zone. By May 1962, for example, a â€œ50-megaton atomic test blast on Earth [has] ripped open a hole in the Phantom Zone,â€ allowing eight criminals to escape before finally closing up again (S No. 153/3: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€). In October 1963, the explosion in outer space of an atomic missile from a Polaris submarine causes a temporary gap in the Phantom Zone through which the villain [[Ras-Krom]] escapes to freedom (S No. 164/2: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€) A hole in the Phantom Zone caused by â€œthe electrical ions of the Aurora Borealisâ€ in January 1962 is closed by Superman, [[Supergirl]], and [[Krypto]] before it becomes large enough to allow any of the imprisoned â€œsuper-villainsâ€ to escape (Act No. 284: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€).
[[Image:PZLBB.jpg|thumb|Superman Little Big Book with Phantom Zone Villians]]
Over the years, the inhabitants of the Phantom Zone have included [[Jax-Ur]] and Professor [[Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others); [[Dr. Xadu]], a â€œvillainous scientistâ€ (SA No. 5, Sum 1962) sentenced to thirty years in the Phantom Zone for doing â€œa forbidden experiment in suspended animationâ€ (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€); [[Ral-En]], the son of [[Mag-En]] (S No.154/2, Jul 1962: â€œKrypton's First Superman!â€); [[Quex-Ul]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€); [[Ras-Krom]] (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963:â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€); and the eight unidentified Phantom Zone escapees whom Superman encounters in the town of [[Drywood Gulch]] in May 1962 (S No. 153/3: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€). [[Mon-El]], a close friend of Superman, is the only inhabitant of the Phantom Zone who was not sent there for any crime (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others). A complete â€œmicrofilm gallery of Phantom Zone criminals, a gift [to Superman] from law officials in the miniature city of [[Kandor]],â€ is kept for safekeeping in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€).

In January 1962, the Phantom Zone prisoners seem on the verge of escaping from the Phantom Zone after â€œthe electrical ions of the Aurora Borealis have opened a small hole in the Phantom Zone which is steadily widening,â€ threatening to release the exiled â€œsuper-villainsâ€ into the earthly dimension as soon as it becomes â€œbig enough for the Phantom Zone criminals to squeeze through!â€ Alerted to the threat, however, by their friend Mon-El, Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto the Superdog use the combined power of their X-ray vision to burn up the Aurora Borealis, thereby sealing up the opening through which the villains had hoped to make their escape (Act No. 284: â€˜The Babe of Steel!â€). During this same period, the Phantom Zone outlaws, like all other Kryptonian survivors, bow their heads in silence in solemn commemoration of â€œthe anniversary of the destruction of Krypton...â€ (S No.150/1 Jan 1962:â€The One Minute of Doom!â€).

In October 1962, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily transformed Superman into two separate individuals, a mature, responsible [[Clark Kent]] and an unprincipled, irresponsible Superman, the arrogant Superman imprisons Krypto the Super dog, Supergirl, and the entire city of Kandor in the Phantom Zone in order to prevent them from interfering with his plan to keep the personalities of Clark Kent and Superman separate forever. Ultimately, however, Clark Kent frees his friends from the Phantom Zone, and soon afterward he succeeds in bringing about the reuniting of Clark Kent and Superman into a single individual (Act No. 293: â€˜The Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent!â€). During this same period, when Superman is believed to be dying of exposure to [[Virus X]], an incurable Kryptonian malady, Mon-El beams a telepathic message to [[Saturn Girl]] from inside the Phantom Zone informing her that Superman is not suffering from exposure to Virus X at all, but merely from the effects of a kryptonite nugget that has become accidentally lodged in [[Jimmy Olsen]]â€™s camera (S No. 156, Oct 1962:
â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pt I-I â€œSupermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super- Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€).

In November 1962 Superman releases [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: â€˜The Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

In January 1963, in order to hide from the cohorts the â€œfanatic scientistâ€ [[Than-Ol]] Superman and Jimmy Olsen project themselves into the Phantom Zone, then materialize in the Fortress of Solitude one hour later, when the coast is clear. â€œOn the chance that some day Iâ€™d have to hide out in the Phantom Zone,â€ explains Superman, â€œI recently equipped this [Phantom Zone] projector with a timing device that would automatically release anyone it had sent into the Zone after a period of one hour!â€ (S No. 158: â€œSuperman in Kandorâ€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€).

In October 1963, Superman battles the Phantom Zone escapee [[Ras-Krom]] (S No. 164/2: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€).

In March 1964, Superman thwarts an elaborate scheme by the Phantom Zone outlaw [[Jax-Ur]] to blackmail him into setting free all the Phantom Zone convicts (Act No. 310: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

While valuing the Zone as the only practical containment of the existing Kryptonian inmates in the Solar System as well as for sheltering [[Mon-El]], Superman evidently otherwise harbors deep concerns about the justness of the punishment. This was shown when the villain [[Mongul]] snared him in the grip of the [[Black Mercy]] planet that gives the superhero his heart's desire of a normal life on Krypton. As the fantasy begins to decay into a nightmare, a stark sign of it is that [[Kara]] is severely wounded in an attack by militant opposed to the Phantom Zone. With her is literature denouncing the the penal use of the Zone saying "Just because it doesn't hurt, doesn't mean it doesn't torture. Release all Phantom Zone prisoners at once!"(SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything")

(TGSB)

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Dimensional Realms]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Phantom Zone

2006-09-18T20:02:24Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:P-zone.jpg|left]]
A weird â€œtwilight dimensionâ€â€”first discovered by [[Superman]]â€™s father, [[Jor-El]]â€”to which [[Kryptonian]] criminals were banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€ and many others). Inside the Phantom Zone, its exiled inhabitants exist in a â€œphantom stateâ€ (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€), unaging, requiring no food, air, or water (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others), communicating with one another telepathically (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€; and others), able to observe every thing that takes place in the physical universeâ€” either on Earth (Ad No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others), or in outer space (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€; and others)â€”even though they cannot be seen or heard themselves (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others). By observing Superman from inside the Phantom Zone, all its inhabitants have learned that he is secretly [[Clark Kent]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

Before Jor-Elâ€™s discovery of the Phantom Zone, Kryptonians who perpetrated serious crimes were exiled into outer space in a state of suspended animation inside specially constructed space capsules (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€). The criminals imprisoned inside these â€œprison satellitesâ€ were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineralâ€”capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred yearsâ€™ timeâ€”were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Girl of Steelâ€™: â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€).

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated after Jor-El discovered the Phantom Zone, to which convicted felons could be banished by means of an ingenious â€œ[[Phantom Zone Projector]]â€ (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€The Babe of Steel!â€; and many others), or â€œPhantom Zone Ray Projectorâ€ (Act No. 311, Apr 1964: â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), of Jor-Elâ€™s own invention. Exile into this twilight world proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Phantom Zone outlaws, however, for it enabled them to survive when the planet Krypton exploded. To this day, these villains hover invisibly in their twilight dimension, waiting their opportunity to escape from the Zone and â€œtake over the Earthâ€ (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

Once projected into the Phantom Zone, â€œall inhabitants gain the power to converse one another via telepathyâ€ (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuper man in [[Kandor]]â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€; and others). For a time, however, their only means of communicating with the physical world was by beaming telepathic messages to individuals outside the Zone who possessed telepathic powers, such as [[Saturn Girl]], and [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No.156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pts. I.IlIâ€”â€Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super-Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSuper manâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€), although, on at least one occasion, they succeeded in communicating with Superman by concentrating, in unison, on a single telepathic message (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€). Similarly, Supermanâ€™s only means of contacting the Phantom Zone outlaws was through his telepathic friends (S No. 156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Supermanâ€ pts. I.II).

By November 1962, however, Superman has invented the â€œZone-ophone,â€ a large television-type picture tube equipped with a microphone and speaker which enables him to peer into the Phantom Zone while communicating orally with the Phantom Zone prisoners. â€œWonderful! My zone-ophone works!â€ thinks Superman after his device has passed its maiden test. â€œI can communicate with Phantom Zone prisoners... â€“ The inventionâ€™s screen enables me to look into the Zone!â€ (S No. 157/i: â€œThe Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€). By February 1964 this device, here referred to as â€œthe Phantom Zone viewer and [[Zone-O-Phone]],â€ has come to consist of a televisionlike viewing screen equipped with a headset and microphone for verbal communication (S No. 167: â€œThe Team of Luthor and Brainiac!â€ pts. I-IUâ€”â€The Deadly Duo!â€; â€œThe Downfall of Superman!â€; â€œThe Hour of Kandorâ€™s Vengeance!â€; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

By August 1963, Superman has developed a ray gun like Phantom Zone â€œview-finder,â€ with which he can peer into the Phantom Zone to assure himself that all the Zoneâ€™s inhabitants are present and accounted for (S No. 163/1: â€œWonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis!â€).

Once each year, in Kandorâ€™s majestic Hall Of Justice, the Phantom Zone Parole Board meets to consider the pleas of Phantom Zone prisoners seeking parole. A giant â€œmonitor screen equipped with a zone o-phoneâ€ is used by the parole board members to communicate with the prisoners, and those inmates deemed worthy of parole are released from the Phantom Zone to begin new lives as Kandorian citizens (Act No- 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

Superman is also able to release inmates from the Phantom Zone by means of the â€œPhantom Zone ray-gunâ€ he keeps in his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. In November 1962 Superman uses the device to free [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone after verifying with the aid of a surviving cache of â€œradio-visual tapesâ€ from the files of the Kryptonian policeâ€”that Quex-Ul has served out the full sentence meted out to him by Kryptonian authorities (S No. 157/1: â€˜The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

The decision to release an inmate from the Phantom Zone is an extremely grave matter, however, for the inmates of the Zone, like all surviving Kryptonians, acquire super-powers identical to Supermanâ€™s in the environment of Earth and could easily turn these awesome powers toward the pursuit of villainous ambitions. When Superman releases [[Jax-Ur]] from the Phantom Zone for a twenty-four hour period in March 1964, he uses a special â€œrelease rayâ€ to make the villain materialize in his Fortress of Solitude, and then clamps an ingenious metal braceletâ€”called a â€œzone-shackleâ€-â€”on the convictâ€™s wrist. â€œShould you refuse to let me return you to the Phantom Zone after 24 hours,â€ explains Superman, â€œit will dissolve your atomic structure and automatically return you there anyway!â€ In addition, if Jax-Ur attempts to tamper with or remove the zone-shackle, he will find himself automatically banished to â€œa fiery, barren planet under a red sun,â€ where, like any Kryptonian, he would instantly be deprived of his super-powers (Act No. 810: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

The Phantom Zone outlaws have an abiding hatred of Superman and, almost to a man, they pray for the day when they can escape the Zone and â€œtake over the Earthâ€ (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€). According to Superman No. 157/1, â€œThese invisible villains hate Superman because he possesses mighty super-powers which they, too, would have if they werenâ€™t prisoners in the twilight dimension!â€ (Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€), but a more plausible explanation for the enmity they bear Superman lies in the fact that Superman is the most visible surviving representative of the society that exiled them; that, in large measure, he holds the key to keeping them prisoner or setting them free; and that it was the testimony of his father, Jor-El, that was instrumental in dooming many of their number to long terms in the Phantom Zone (S No. 153/3, May 1962: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€; and others).

Over the years, a number of occurrences, both natural and man-made, have enabled Phantom Zone outlaws to escape the Zone. By May 1962, for example, a â€œ50-megaton atomic test blast on Earth [has] ripped open a hole in the Phantom Zone,â€ allowing eight criminals to escape before finally closing up again (S No. 153/3: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€). In October 1963, the explosion in outer space of an atomic missile from a Polaris submarine causes a temporary gap in the Phantom Zone through which the villain [[Ras-Krom]] escapes to freedom (S No. 164/2: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€) A hole in the Phantom Zone caused by â€œthe electrical ions of the Aurora Borealisâ€ in January 1962 is closed by Superman, [[Supergirl]], and [[Krypto]] before it becomes large enough to allow any of the imprisoned â€œsuper-villainsâ€ to escape (Act No. 284: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€).
[[Image:PZLBB.jpg|thumb|Superman Little Big Book with Phantom Zone Villians]]
Over the years, the inhabitants of the Phantom Zone have included [[Jax-Ur]] and Professor [[Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others); [[Dr. Xadu]], a â€œvillainous scientistâ€ (SA No. 5, Sum 1962) sentenced to thirty years in the Phantom Zone for doing â€œa forbidden experiment in suspended animationâ€ (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€); [[Ral-En]], the son of [[Mag-En]] (S No.154/2, Jul 1962: â€œKrypton's First Superman!â€); [[Quex-Ul]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€); [[Ras-Krom]] (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963:â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€); and the eight unidentified Phantom Zone escapees whom Superman encounters in the town of [[Drywood Gulch]] in May 1962 (S No. 153/3: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€). [[Mon-El]], a close friend of Superman, is the only inhabitant of the Phantom Zone who was not sent there for any crime (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others). A complete â€œmicrofilm gallery of Phantom Zone criminals, a gift [to Superman] from law officials in the miniature city of [[Kandor]],â€ is kept for safekeeping in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€).

In January 1962, the Phantom Zone prisoners seem on the verge of escaping from the Phantom Zone after â€œthe electrical ions of the Aurora Borealis have opened a small hole in the Phantom Zone which is steadily widening,â€ threatening to release the exiled â€œsuper-villainsâ€ into the earthly dimension as soon as it becomes â€œbig enough for the Phantom Zone criminals to squeeze through!â€ Alerted to the threat, however, by their friend Mon-El, Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto the Superdog use the combined power of their X-ray vision to burn up the Aurora Borealis, thereby sealing up the opening through which the villains had hoped to make their escape (Act No. 284: â€˜The Babe of Steel!â€). During this same period, the Phantom Zone outlaws, like all other Kryptonian survivors, bow their heads in silence in solemn commemoration of â€œthe anniversary of the destruction of Krypton...â€ (S No.150/1 Jan 1962:â€The One Minute of Doom!â€).

In October 1962, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily transformed Superman into two separate individuals, a mature, responsible [[Clark Kent]] and an unprincipled, irresponsible Superman, the arrogant Superman imprisons Krypto the Super dog, Supergirl, and the entire city of Kandor in the Phantom Zone in order to prevent them from interfering with his plan to keep the personalities of Clark Kent and Superman separate forever. Ultimately, however, Clark Kent frees his friends from the Phantom Zone, and soon afterward he succeeds in bringing about the reuniting of Clark Kent and Superman into a single individual (Act No. 293: â€˜The Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent!â€). During this same period, when Superman is believed to be dying of exposure to [[Virus X]], an incurable Kryptonian malady, Mon-El beams a telepathic message to [[Saturn Girl]] from inside the Phantom Zone informing her that Superman is not suffering from exposure to Virus X at all, but merely from the effects of a kryptonite nugget that has become accidentally lodged in [[Jimmy Olsen]]â€™s camera (S No. 156, Oct 1962:
â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pt I-I â€œSupermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super- Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€).

In November 1962 Superman releases [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: â€˜The Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

In January 1963, in order to hide from the cohorts the â€œfanatic scientistâ€ [[Than-Ol]] Superman and Jimmy Olsen project themselves into the Phantom Zone, then materialize in the Fortress of Solitude one hour later, when the coast is clear. â€œOn the chance that some day Iâ€™d have to hide out in the Phantom Zone,â€ explains Superman, â€œI recently equipped this [Phantom Zone] projector with a timing device that would automatically release anyone it had sent into the Zone after a period of one hour!â€ (S No. 158: â€œSuperman in Kandorâ€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€).

In October 1963, Superman battles the Phantom Zone escapee [[Ras-Krom]] (S No. 164/2: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€).

In March 1964, Superman thwarts an elaborate scheme by the Phantom Zone outlaw [[Jax-Ur]] to blackmail him into setting free all the Phantom Zone convicts (Act No. 310: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

While valuing the Zone as the only practical containment of the existing Kryptniinmates in the Solar System as well as for sheltering [[Mon-El]], Superman evidently otherwise harbors deep concerns about the justness of the punishment. This was shown when the villain [[Mongul]] snared him in the grip of the [[Black Mercy]] planet that gives the superhero his heart's desire of a normal life on Krypton. As the fantasy begins to decay into a nightmare, a stark sign of it is that [[Kara]] is severely wounded in an attack by militant opposed to the Phantom Zone. With her is literature denouncing the the penal use of the Zone saying "Just because it doesn't hurt, doesn't mean it doesn't torture. Release all Phantom Zone prisoners at once!"(SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything")

(TGSB)

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Dimensional Realms]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Phantom Zone

2006-09-18T19:59:22Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:P-zone.jpg|left]]
A weird â€œtwilight dimensionâ€â€”first discovered by [[Superman]]â€™s father, [[Jor-El]]â€”to which [[Kryptonian]] criminals were banished to serve out their sentences as disembodied wraiths (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€ and many others). Inside the Phantom Zone, its exiled inhabitants exist in a â€œphantom stateâ€ (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€), unaging, requiring no food, air, or water (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others), communicating with one another telepathically (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€; and others), able to observe every thing that takes place in the physical universeâ€” either on Earth (Ad No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others), or in outer space (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€; and others)â€”even though they cannot be seen or heard themselves (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others). By observing Superman from inside the Phantom Zone, all its inhabitants have learned that he is secretly [[Clark Kent]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

Before Jor-Elâ€™s discovery of the Phantom Zone, Kryptonians who perpetrated serious crimes were exiled into outer space in a state of suspended animation inside specially constructed space capsules (S No. 65/3, Jul/Aug 1950: â€œThree Supermen from Krypton!â€). The criminals imprisoned inside these â€œprison satellitesâ€ were placed in suspended animation by means of a special sleep gas, and chunks of a glowing crystalline mineralâ€”capable of cleansing their brains of criminal tendencies in a hundred yearsâ€™ timeâ€”were placed on their foreheads so that ultimately, once their sentence was served, they might take up constructive roles in Kryptonian society (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Girl of Steelâ€™: â€œThe Lost Super-Powersâ€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Return to Kryptonâ€).

The practice of exiling criminals into outer space was terminated after Jor-El discovered the Phantom Zone, to which convicted felons could be banished by means of an ingenious â€œ[[Phantom Zone Projector]]â€ (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€The Babe of Steel!â€; and many others), or â€œPhantom Zone Ray Projectorâ€ (Act No. 311, Apr 1964: â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), of Jor-Elâ€™s own invention. Exile into this twilight world proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Phantom Zone outlaws, however, for it enabled them to survive when the planet Krypton exploded. To this day, these villains hover invisibly in their twilight dimension, waiting their opportunity to escape from the Zone and â€œtake over the Earthâ€ (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

Once projected into the Phantom Zone, â€œall inhabitants gain the power to converse one another via telepathyâ€ (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuper man in [[Kandor]]â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€; and others). For a time, however, their only means of communicating with the physical world was by beaming telepathic messages to individuals outside the Zone who possessed telepathic powers, such as [[Saturn Girl]], and [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No.156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pts. I.IlIâ€”â€Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super-Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSuper manâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€), although, on at least one occasion, they succeeded in communicating with Superman by concentrating, in unison, on a single telepathic message (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€). Similarly, Supermanâ€™s only means of contacting the Phantom Zone outlaws was through his telepathic friends (S No. 156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Supermanâ€ pts. I.II).

By November 1962, however, Superman has invented the â€œZone-ophone,â€ a large television-type picture tube equipped with a microphone and speaker which enables him to peer into the Phantom Zone while communicating orally with the Phantom Zone prisoners. â€œWonderful! My zone-ophone works!â€ thinks Superman after his device has passed its maiden test. â€œI can communicate with Phantom Zone prisoners... â€“ The inventionâ€™s screen enables me to look into the Zone!â€ (S No. 157/i: â€œThe Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€). By February 1964 this device, here referred to as â€œthe Phantom Zone viewer and [[Zone-O-Phone]],â€ has come to consist of a televisionlike viewing screen equipped with a headset and microphone for verbal communication (S No. 167: â€œThe Team of Luthor and Brainiac!â€ pts. I-IUâ€”â€The Deadly Duo!â€; â€œThe Downfall of Superman!â€; â€œThe Hour of Kandorâ€™s Vengeance!â€; see also Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

By August 1963, Superman has developed a ray gun like Phantom Zone â€œview-finder,â€ with which he can peer into the Phantom Zone to assure himself that all the Zoneâ€™s inhabitants are present and accounted for (S No. 163/1: â€œWonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis!â€).

Once each year, in Kandorâ€™s majestic Hall Of Justice, the Phantom Zone Parole Board meets to consider the pleas of Phantom Zone prisoners seeking parole. A giant â€œmonitor screen equipped with a zone o-phoneâ€ is used by the parole board members to communicate with the prisoners, and those inmates deemed worthy of parole are released from the Phantom Zone to begin new lives as Kandorian citizens (Act No- 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

Superman is also able to release inmates from the Phantom Zone by means of the â€œPhantom Zone ray-gunâ€ he keeps in his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. In November 1962 Superman uses the device to free [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone after verifying with the aid of a surviving cache of â€œradio-visual tapesâ€ from the files of the Kryptonian policeâ€”that Quex-Ul has served out the full sentence meted out to him by Kryptonian authorities (S No. 157/1: â€˜The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

The decision to release an inmate from the Phantom Zone is an extremely grave matter, however, for the inmates of the Zone, like all surviving Kryptonians, acquire super-powers identical to Supermanâ€™s in the environment of Earth and could easily turn these awesome powers toward the pursuit of villainous ambitions. When Superman releases [[Jax-Ur]] from the Phantom Zone for a twenty-four hour period in March 1964, he uses a special â€œrelease rayâ€ to make the villain materialize in his Fortress of Solitude, and then clamps an ingenious metal braceletâ€”called a â€œzone-shackleâ€-â€”on the convictâ€™s wrist. â€œShould you refuse to let me return you to the Phantom Zone after 24 hours,â€ explains Superman, â€œit will dissolve your atomic structure and automatically return you there anyway!â€ In addition, if Jax-Ur attempts to tamper with or remove the zone-shackle, he will find himself automatically banished to â€œa fiery, barren planet under a red sun,â€ where, like any Kryptonian, he would instantly be deprived of his super-powers (Act No. 810: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

The Phantom Zone outlaws have an abiding hatred of Superman and, almost to a man, they pray for the day when they can escape the Zone and â€œtake over the Earthâ€ (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€). According to Superman No. 157/1, â€œThese invisible villains hate Superman because he possesses mighty super-powers which they, too, would have if they werenâ€™t prisoners in the twilight dimension!â€ (Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€), but a more plausible explanation for the enmity they bear Superman lies in the fact that Superman is the most visible surviving representative of the society that exiled them; that, in large measure, he holds the key to keeping them prisoner or setting them free; and that it was the testimony of his father, Jor-El, that was instrumental in dooming many of their number to long terms in the Phantom Zone (S No. 153/3, May 1962: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€; and others).

Over the years, a number of occurrences, both natural and man-made, have enabled Phantom Zone outlaws to escape the Zone. By May 1962, for example, a â€œ50-megaton atomic test blast on Earth [has] ripped open a hole in the Phantom Zone,â€ allowing eight criminals to escape before finally closing up again (S No. 153/3: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€). In October 1963, the explosion in outer space of an atomic missile from a Polaris submarine causes a temporary gap in the Phantom Zone through which the villain [[Ras-Krom]] escapes to freedom (S No. 164/2: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€) A hole in the Phantom Zone caused by â€œthe electrical ions of the Aurora Borealisâ€ in January 1962 is closed by Superman, [[Supergirl]], and [[Krypto]] before it becomes large enough to allow any of the imprisoned â€œsuper-villainsâ€ to escape (Act No. 284: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€).
[[Image:PZLBB.jpg|thumb|Superman Little Big Book with Phantom Zone Villians]]
Over the years, the inhabitants of the Phantom Zone have included [[Jax-Ur]] and Professor [[Vakox]] (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others); [[Dr. Xadu]], a â€œvillainous scientistâ€ (SA No. 5, Sum 1962) sentenced to thirty years in the Phantom Zone for doing â€œa forbidden experiment in suspended animationâ€ (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€); [[Ral-En]], the son of [[Mag-En]] (S No.154/2, Jul 1962: â€œKrypton's First Superman!â€); [[Quex-Ul]] (S No. 157/1, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€); [[Ras-Krom]] (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963:â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€); and the eight unidentified Phantom Zone escapees whom Superman encounters in the town of [[Drywood Gulch]] in May 1962 (S No. 153/3: â€œThe Town of Supermen!â€). [[Mon-El]], a close friend of Superman, is the only inhabitant of the Phantom Zone who was not sent there for any crime (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€; and others). A complete â€œmicrofilm gallery of Phantom Zone criminals, a gift [to Superman] from law officials in the miniature city of [[Kandor]],â€ is kept for safekeeping in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] (S No. 164/2, Oct 1963: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€).

In January 1962, the Phantom Zone prisoners seem on the verge of escaping from the Phantom Zone after â€œthe electrical ions of the Aurora Borealis have opened a small hole in the Phantom Zone which is steadily widening,â€ threatening to release the exiled â€œsuper-villainsâ€ into the earthly dimension as soon as it becomes â€œbig enough for the Phantom Zone criminals to squeeze through!â€ Alerted to the threat, however, by their friend Mon-El, Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto the Superdog use the combined power of their X-ray vision to burn up the Aurora Borealis, thereby sealing up the opening through which the villains had hoped to make their escape (Act No. 284: â€˜The Babe of Steel!â€). During this same period, the Phantom Zone outlaws, like all other Kryptonian survivors, bow their heads in silence in solemn commemoration of â€œthe anniversary of the destruction of Krypton...â€ (S No.150/1 Jan 1962:â€The One Minute of Doom!â€).

In October 1962, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily transformed Superman into two separate individuals, a mature, responsible [[Clark Kent]] and an unprincipled, irresponsible Superman, the arrogant Superman imprisons Krypto the Super dog, Supergirl, and the entire city of Kandor in the Phantom Zone in order to prevent them from interfering with his plan to keep the personalities of Clark Kent and Superman separate forever. Ultimately, however, Clark Kent frees his friends from the Phantom Zone, and soon afterward he succeeds in bringing about the reuniting of Clark Kent and Superman into a single individual (Act No. 293: â€˜The Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent!â€). During this same period, when Superman is believed to be dying of exposure to [[Virus X]], an incurable Kryptonian malady, Mon-El beams a telepathic message to [[Saturn Girl]] from inside the Phantom Zone informing her that Superman is not suffering from exposure to Virus X at all, but merely from the effects of a kryptonite nugget that has become accidentally lodged in [[Jimmy Olsen]]â€™s camera (S No. 156, Oct 1962:
â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pt I-I â€œSupermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super- Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSupermanâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€).

In November 1962 Superman releases [[Quex-Ul]] from the Phantom Zone (S No. 157/1: â€˜The Super- Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

In January 1963, in order to hide from the cohorts the â€œfanatic scientistâ€ [[Than-Ol]] Superman and Jimmy Olsen project themselves into the Phantom Zone, then materialize in the Fortress of Solitude one hour later, when the coast is clear. â€œOn the chance that some day Iâ€™d have to hide out in the Phantom Zone,â€ explains Superman, â€œI recently equipped this [Phantom Zone] projector with a timing device that would automatically release anyone it had sent into the Zone after a period of one hour!â€ (S No. 158: â€œSuperman in Kandorâ€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!â€; â€œThe Dynamic Duo of Kandor!â€; â€œThe City of Super-People!â€).

In October 1963, Superman battles the Phantom Zone escapee [[Ras-Krom]] (S No. 164/2: â€œThe Fugitive from the Phantom Zone!â€).

In March 1964, Superman thwarts an elaborate scheme by the Phantom Zone outlaw [[Jax-Ur]] to blackmail him into setting free all the Phantom Zone convicts (Act No. 310: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

While valuing the Zone as the only practical containment of the existing Kryptniinmates in the Solar System as well as for sheltering [[Mon-El]], Superman evidently otherwise harbors deep concerns about the justness of the punishment. This was shown when the villain [[Mongul]] snared him in the grip of the [[Black Mercy]] planet that gives the superhero his heart's desire of a normal life on Krypton. As the fantasy begins to decay into a nightmare, a stark sign of it is that [[Kara]] is severely wounded in an attack by militant opposed to the Phantom Zone. With her is literature denouncing the the penal use of the Zone saying "Just because it doesn't hurt, doesn't mean it doesn't torture. Release all Phantom Zone prisoners at once!"

(TGSB)

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Dimensional Realms]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Mongul

2006-09-18T19:50:11Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Dc comics presents 27.jpg|right|thumb|DC Comics Presents No. 27. Art by Jim Starlin.]]A huge, yellow-skinned, enormously powerful alien warlord who is driven by two goals: the desire for conquest and an obsessive thirst for revenge against [[Superman]].

'''Powers:''' Mongul possesses an extraordinary level of super-strength that seems to be equal to that of Superman, witnessed by the fact that he has repeatedly fought the Man of Steel to a standstill. In addition, Mongul is invulnerable to nearly all forms of physical harm, and is able to project extremely potent energy bolts from his hands that are powerful enough to stagger the Man of Might. Mongul also seems to possess a limited capacity for telepathy, and the ability to teleport himself across even interplanetary distances. Mongul seemingly has the capacity to create dimensional-inversion cubes, designed to prevent escape by warping their interior reality and absorbing any power used against them from within. Whether this is an actual power or merely a sophisticated technological device is unclear.

'''Biography:''' The only known fact about Mongul's early life is that he was once the merciless dictator of an entire world until an ancient holy man called the Arkymandyte appeared and incited the general population to revolt against his rule. The revolution proved successful, and Mongul was forced to abandon his world and flee into space in order to save his own life. Because of this, it is generally assumed that Mongul aquired his vast powers at some point after his exile and before his first encounter with Superman, otherwise he would have been able to use them to put down the revolt against his dictatorship. The origin of Mongul's powers is also a complete unknown.

Sometime after he had gained his fantastic power, Mongul learned of an ancient crystal key created by a deceased alien race that could give him control of the immensely powerful battle station called [[Warworld]]. This key was secreted within a crypt on the fourth planet in the Cygnus star-system, a world commonly known as Mars II and the second home of J'onn J'onzz, the [[Martian Manhunter]] (who had, at the time, been charged with the key's protection), and his race. Apparently, J'onn had encountered Mongul before and thwarted and attempt by the rogue warlord to gain possession of the key. Seeking a pawn who was powerful enough to defeat the Manhunter and retrieve the key, Mongul journeyed to Earth and kidnapped [[Lois Lane]], [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Steve Lombard]] in order to coerce Superman into serving him in this capacity, threatening to murder them if the Metropolis Marvel failed to cooperate. Superman did indeed obtain the key, but naturally refused to hand it over to the alien would-be conqueror. When Mongul engaged Superman in personal combat for possession of the key, the villain proved himself to be one of the Man of Tomorrow's most dangerous opponents, nearly besting him before finally escaping with the key. (DCCP No. 27/1, Nov 1980: "The Key That Unlocked Chaos")

Eventually discovering the location of Warworld, Mongul used the key to lay claim to the war machine and began preparations to use it to re-conquer his lost world and then spread his rule across the universe. Before he could put his plans into motion, Mongul encountered resistance when he was tracked down by both Superman and [[Supergirl]]. Cybernetically linked to Warworld's vast array of extraordinarily deadly weaponry, Mongul launched a devastating attack on the two heroes using the station's arsenal of ultra-powerful missiles that were capable of killing even them. However, the super-cousins used Mongul's cybernetic interface with Warworld's systems against him, causing him to pass out from the tremendous mental strain of controlling all of Warworld's weaponry in his continued assault. Despite his defeat, Mongul managed to recover in time to escape after Warworld was disabled when Supergirl destroyed the war machine's central computer core. (DCCP No. 28/1, Dec 1980: "Warworld")

Mongul next appeared on the Throneworld of the interstellar empire known as the Infinite Realm, the ancestral home of [[Starman]]. Mongul murdered [[Empress Clryssa]], Starman's sister, and forced Starman's love Merria to marry him in order to usurp the throne of the Infinite Realm for himself with the plan to use it as a staging ground for yet another attempt to retake the world of his first rule and build his intergalactic empire. To prevent Starman from interfering with his rule, Mongul imprisoned the cosmic hero in a dimensional-inversion cube. In addition, the alien warlord took control of Throneworld's doomsday device, which was located within Throneworld's sun and would turn the star into a supernova if triggered, destroying the worlds of the Infinite Realm in the process. Superman arrived in the Infinte Realm and freed Starman from his cube-like prison by shattering it with his heat vision. Starman then joined the Action Ace in opposing Mongul and freeing the empire from his rule. While Starman disabled Throneworld's doomsday device, Superman engaged Mongul in one-on-one combat for the second time, a battle which turned out to be inconclusive when Starman arrived on the scene and Mongul was forced to retreat instead of facing both heroes and the empire's forces. (DCCP No. 36, Aug 1981: "Whatever Happened to Starman?")

By this time, Mongul had developed a deep hatred for Superman and a burning desire to see the Man of Steel suffer greatly for his repeated interference in the alien conqueror's plans. To that end, Mongul journeyed to the outer reaches of the universe and encountered one of the extradimensional [[Controllers]], who had in his charge an incredibly dangerous [[Sun-Eater]] (it should be noted that this was not the Sun-Eater that nearly destroyed Earth in the 30th century, but an equally deadly twin). Mongul murdered the Controller in question and assumed command of the Sun-Eater using specialized control devices that he built into his uniform, and then sent the monster on a direct course for Earth's sun as part of his planned vengeance against Superman. When the Man of Tomorrow attempted to put a hault to Mongul's machinations, the extraterrestrial warlord trapped him in a specialized dimensional-inversion cube that was fueled by red solar radiaiton and thus began to rob Superman of his super-powers. The plan was to have Superman watch helplessly as Mongul directed the Sun-Eater to consume Earth's sun, thereby extinguishing all life on the planet, before Superman himself was to be finally killed. Although Mongul came under attack by Supergirl and several members of the [[Justice League of America]], Mongul was able to draw upon the Sun-Eater's virtually limitless destructive power to defeat them all. In a final desperate gamble, Jimmy Olsen (while watching the entire drama unfold from an observatory on Earth) used his Legion flight ring to summon members of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] from the 30th century to aid Superman in saving Earth and subduing Mongul. The Legionnaires succeeded in freeing Superman from imprisonment and, while they managed to discover a means of destroying the Sun-Eater, Superman (driven by determination to protect his adopted home at any cost) finally bested Mongul in single combat. (DCCP No. 43, Mar 1982: "In Final Battle")

Mongul was last seen when he launched one of the most insidious plans of revenge to date against Superman, attacking the Caped Kryptonian in his own [[Fortress of Solitude]] on his birthday. Mongul had managed to maneuver Superman into exposing himself to a plant-like entity called a [[Black Mercy]] by disguising it as an anonymous birthday gift. The plant promptly attached itself to the Action Ace's chest and began feeding on his bio-aura while keeping him in a trance-like state by providing him with a mental illusion of his heart's desire. In Superman's case, the entity made him believe that [[Krypton]] has not exploded, and that he was happily married and had a family on his home world. Although Mongul met resistance when [[Batman]], [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Robin]] and [[Wonder Woman]] arrived at the Fortress and discovered the unfolding drama, Superman remained in his catatonic state, his "heart's desire" gradually degenerating into a twisted nightmare as the imaginary Krypton slides into social chaos. Signs of this decline include [[Kara]] being attacked by violent opponents of the penal use of the [[Phantom Zone]] and the embittered Jor-El making an inflammatory reactionary speech that incites a bloody riot.

While Wonder Woman valiantly (but vainly) engaged the hulking alien in combat, Superman's increasingly nightmarish experience weakened the Black Mercy just enough for Batman to succeed in removing it from his chest. Enraged at having been so violated, the Man of Tomorrow ferociously attacked Mongul, the battle being akin to an irresistable force colliding with an immovable object. However, fueled by intense feelings of grief and anger, Superman managed to gain the upper hand and was about to kill the alien warlord when the memories of his "dream" caused him to hesitate. This allowed Mongul to gain the upper hand for a moment, but the conqueror met his final defeat when Robin used the special gauntlets that Mongul had employed in handling the Black Mercy to attach the plant to Mongul's own chest. As far as is known, Mongul remains in the thrall of the Black Mercy, having been rendered completely immobile while dreaming dreams of endless bloody conquest. (SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything")

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Mongul

2006-09-18T19:46:26Z

Kchishol1970:

[[Image:Dc comics presents 27.jpg|right|thumb|DC Comics Presents No. 27. Art by Jim Starlin.]]A huge, yellow-skinned, enormously powerful alien warlord who is driven by two goals: the desire for conquest and an obsessive thirst for revenge against [[Superman]].

'''Powers:''' Mongul possesses an extraordinary level of super-strength that seems to be equal to that of Superman, witnessed by the fact that he has repeatedly fought the Man of Steel to a standstill. In addition, Mongul is invulnerable to nearly all forms of physical harm, and is able to project extremely potent energy bolts from his hands that are powerful enough to stagger the Man of Might. Mongul also seems to possess a limited capacity for telepathy, and the ability to teleport himself across even interplanetary distances. Mongul seemingly has the capacity to create dimensional-inversion cubes, designed to prevent escape by warping their interior reality and absorbing any power used against them from within. Whether this is an actual power or merely a sophisticated technological device is unclear.

'''Biography:''' The only known fact about Mongul's early life is that he was once the merciless dictator of an entire world until an ancient holy man called the Arkymandyte appeared and incited the general population to revolt against his rule. The revolution proved successful, and Mongul was forced to abandon his world and flee into space in order to save his own life. Because of this, it is generally assumed that Mongul aquired his vast powers at some point after his exile and before his first encounter with Superman, otherwise he would have been able to use them to put down the revolt against his dictatorship. The origin of Mongul's powers is also a complete unknown.

Sometime after he had gained his fantastic power, Mongul learned of an ancient crystal key created by a deceased alien race that could give him control of the immensely powerful battle station called [[Warworld]]. This key was secreted within a crypt on the fourth planet in the Cygnus star-system, a world commonly known as Mars II and the second home of J'onn J'onzz, the [[Martian Manhunter]] (who had, at the time, been charged with the key's protection), and his race. Apparently, J'onn had encountered Mongul before and thwarted and attempt by the rogue warlord to gain possession of the key. Seeking a pawn who was powerful enough to defeat the Manhunter and retrieve the key, Mongul journeyed to Earth and kidnapped [[Lois Lane]], [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Steve Lombard]] in order to coerce Superman into serving him in this capacity, threatening to murder them if the Metropolis Marvel failed to cooperate. Superman did indeed obtain the key, but naturally refused to hand it over to the alien would-be conqueror. When Mongul engaged Superman in personal combat for possession of the key, the villain proved himself to be one of the Man of Tomorrow's most dangerous opponents, nearly besting him before finally escaping with the key. (DCCP No. 27/1, Nov 1980: "The Key That Unlocked Chaos")

Eventually discovering the location of Warworld, Mongul used the key to lay claim to the war machine and began preparations to use it to re-conquer his lost world and then spread his rule across the universe. Before he could put his plans into motion, Mongul encountered resistance when he was tracked down by both Superman and [[Supergirl]]. Cybernetically linked to Warworld's vast array of extraordinarily deadly weaponry, Mongul launched a devastating attack on the two heroes using the station's arsenal of ultra-powerful missiles that were capable of killing even them. However, the super-cousins used Mongul's cybernetic interface with Warworld's systems against him, causing him to pass out from the tremendous mental strain of controlling all of Warworld's weaponry in his continued assault. Despite his defeat, Mongul managed to recover in time to escape after Warworld was disabled when Supergirl destroyed the war machine's central computer core. (DCCP No. 28/1, Dec 1980: "Warworld")

Mongul next appeared on the Throneworld of the interstellar empire known as the Infinite Realm, the ancestral home of [[Starman]]. Mongul murdered [[Empress Clryssa]], Starman's sister, and forced Starman's love Merria to marry him in order to usurp the throne of the Infinite Realm for himself with the plan to use it as a staging ground for yet another attempt to retake the world of his first rule and build his intergalactic empire. To prevent Starman from interfering with his rule, Mongul imprisoned the cosmic hero in a dimensional-inversion cube. In addition, the alien warlord took control of Throneworld's doomsday device, which was located within Throneworld's sun and would turn the star into a supernova if triggered, destroying the worlds of the Infinite Realm in the process. Superman arrived in the Infinte Realm and freed Starman from his cube-like prison by shattering it with his heat vision. Starman then joined the Action Ace in opposing Mongul and freeing the empire from his rule. While Starman disabled Throneworld's doomsday device, Superman engaged Mongul in one-on-one combat for the second time, a battle which turned out to be inconclusive when Starman arrived on the scene and Mongul was forced to retreat instead of facing both heroes and the empire's forces. (DCCP No. 36, Aug 1981: "Whatever Happened to Starman?")

By this time, Mongul had developed a deep hatred for Superman and a burning desire to see the Man of Steel suffer greatly for his repeated interference in the alien conqueror's plans. To that end, Mongul journeyed to the outer reaches of the universe and encountered one of the extradimensional [[Controllers]], who had in his charge an incredibly dangerous [[Sun-Eater]] (it should be noted that this was not the Sun-Eater that nearly destroyed Earth in the 30th century, but an equally deadly twin). Mongul murdered the Controller in question and assumed command of the Sun-Eater using specialized control devices that he built into his uniform, and then sent the monster on a direct course for Earth's sun as part of his planned vengeance against Superman. When the Man of Tomorrow attempted to put a hault to Mongul's machinations, the extraterrestrial warlord trapped him in a specialized dimensional-inversion cube that was fueled by red solar radiaiton and thus began to rob Superman of his super-powers. The plan was to have Superman watch helplessly as Mongul directed the Sun-Eater to consume Earth's sun, thereby extinguishing all life on the planet, before Superman himself was to be finally killed. Although Mongul came under attack by Supergirl and several members of the [[Justice League of America]], Mongul was able to draw upon the Sun-Eater's virtually limitless destructive power to defeat them all. In a final desperate gamble, Jimmy Olsen (while watching the entire drama unfold from an observatory on Earth) used his Legion flight ring to summon members of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] from the 30th century to aid Superman in saving Earth and subduing Mongul. The Legionnaires succeeded in freeing Superman from imprisonment and, while they managed to discover a means of destroying the Sun-Eater, Superman (driven by determination to protect his adopted home at any cost) finally bested Mongul in single combat. (DCCP No. 43, Mar 1982: "In Final Battle")

Mongul was last seen when he launched one of the most insidious plans of revenge to date against Superman, attacking the Caped Kryptonian in his own [[Fortress of Solitude]] on his birthday. Mongul had managed to maneuver Superman into exposing himself to a plant-like entity called a [[Black Mercy]] by disguising it as an anonymous birthday gift. The plant promptly attached itself to the Action Ace's chest and began feeding on his bio-aura while keeping him in a trance-like state by providing him with a mental illusion of his heart's desire. In Superman's case, the entity made him believe that [[Krypton]] has not exploded, and that he was happily married and had a family on his home world. Although Mongul met resistance when [[Batman]], [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Robin]] and [[Wonder Woman]] arrived at the Fortress and discovered the unfolding drama, Superman remained in his catatonic state, his "heart's desire" gradually degenerating into a twisted nightmare as the imaginary Krypton slides into social chaos. Signs of include [[Kara]] being attacked by violent opponents of the penal use of the [[Phantom Zone]] and the embittered Jor-El making an inflammatory reactionary speech that incites a bloody riot.

While Wonder Woman valiantly (but vainly) engaged the hulking alien in combat, Superman's increasingly nightmarish experience weakened the Black Mercy just enough for Batman to succeed in removing it from his chest. Enraged at having been so violated, the Man of Tomorrow ferociously attacked Mongul, the battle being akin to an irresistable force colliding with an immovable object. However, fueled by intense feelings of grief and anger, Superman managed to gain the upper hand and was about to kill the alien warlord when the memories of his "dream" caused him to hesitate. This allowed Mongul to gain the upper hand for a moment, but the conqueror met his final defeat when Robin used the special gauntlets that Mongul had employed in handling the Black Mercy to attach the plant to Mongul's own chest. As far as is known, Mongul remains in the thrall of the Black Mercy, having been rendered completely immobile while dreaming dreams of endless bloody conquest. (SA No. 11, 1985: "For The Man Who Has Everything")

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2006-09-17T22:58:31Z

Kchishol1970: /* Super-Strength */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable secret sanctuary, craved out of a mountainside amid the barren Arctic wastes, which serves both as a retreat and a headquarters for [[Superman]]. It is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctum. It is far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, housing the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, and a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the pacing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said the derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==
With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==
Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==
Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from Magic. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonians survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He could be destroyed by alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Supermanâ€™s in the alien environment of Earth.

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[Lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun. (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman under the Green Sun!") Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, â€œâ€¦ despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!â€ (S No. 146, Jul 1961: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Feats!â€)

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers."

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity.

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

=External Links=

*[http://theages.superman.ws/welcome.php Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/supes/ Superman Index by Mike]

==Links to Online Comics==

Read the greatest stories of Superman at: http://superman.ws/superman-comics/

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

N'Gon

2006-09-17T14:03:16Z

Kchishol1970:

'''N'Gon''' is an evil alien whom in the past had mysteriously split into two separate beings; each immediately vowing to kill the other.

To enable this, N'Gon attacked individuals to assume their form to gain increased fighting ability. This attack is an eye blast that creates a distinctive flash in the eyes just before firing. Eventually, N'Gon's quest led to the logical goal of stealing the power ring of a Lantern of the [[Green Lantern Corps]]. However, his first attempt was thwarted when he attacked Green Lantern [[Archon Z'gmora]] in another dimension when the mortally wounded Lantern ordered his ring to self-destruct so the villain cannot use it.

Using his Z'gmora's form, N'Gon sends a fake distress call to [[Green Lantern]] Hal Jordan who is on monitor duty at the [[JLA]] headquarters. Although suspicious of this call when he is not on good terms with Z'gmora, Jordan travels to the other dimension to render assistance. Once there, N'Gon attacks and would have killed Jordan if the Lantern had not separated his consciousness into a ghost like being at the moment of the attack. While Jordan desperately attempts to assert remote mental control of his now stolen ring, N'Gon grows accustomed to the ring enough to attempt to get the next level of personal power, [[Superman]].

Back on Earth, Superman is in the middle of rescuing a falling construction worker when he is whisked away by N'Gon to the other dimension. Although Superman is momentarily fooled by N'Gon with his impersonation of Jordan, the real Jordan reenters his own body and warns Superman of the imposter convincingly enough for the Man of Steel to recognize him. With his cover blown, N'Gon attacks Superman with the power ring while Superman attempts a defense against the powerful weapon by wrapping his cape around one of his arms to use his cape's all yellow '''S''' symbol as a crude shield.

However, N'Gon uses the ring to create a massive boulder of green [[kryptonite]] to incapacitate the Kryptonian so he can use his personal attack to steal Superman's form. However, Jordan manages to throw a rock at N'Gon to break his concentration enough to dispel the kryptonite to allow Superman to recover and counter-attack. After more fighting, Superman manages to grab N'Gon, drag him a safe distance from Jordan and attempt to break through the alien's power ring created personal force field with a full strength punch. The resulting blow creates a loud sonic boom like sound and evidentally overwhelms the field as Superman immediately brings back a barely conscious N'Gon in his true form while returning Jordan's ring.

While Jordan contains N'Gon for delivery to justice, Superman brooded how he was abducted just as he was saving an innocent man from certain death and now there seems nothing he could do for him. Jordan suggests they might have a chance to save him since different dimensions have different rates of time progression. As the superheroes return to Earth, this proves to be the case as they emerge just in time to save the falling man (DCCP No.26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2006-09-17T04:10:02Z

Kchishol1970: /* Super-Strength */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable secret sanctuary, craved out of a mountainside amid the barren Arctic wastes, which serves both as a retreat and a headquarters for [[Superman]]. It is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctum. It is far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, housing the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, and a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the pacing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said the derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fought the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who had stolen the power ring of [[Green Lantern]], one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who had a standard force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punched the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom like sound while the field is overwhelmed to defeat the villain. (DCCP No.26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!")

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==
With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==
Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==
Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from Magic. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonians survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He could be destroyed by alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Supermanâ€™s in the alien environment of Earth.

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[Lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun. (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman under the Green Sun!") Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, â€œâ€¦ despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!â€ (S No. 146, Jul 1961: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Feats!â€)

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers."

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''
In addition to wearing ordinary street c

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity.

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

=External Links=

*[http://theages.superman.ws/welcome.php Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/supes/ Superman Index by Mike]

==Links to Online Comics==

Read the greatest stories of Superman at: http://superman.ws/superman-comics/

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superman

2006-09-17T04:09:40Z

Kchishol1970: /* Super-Strength */

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable secret sanctuary, craved out of a mountainside amid the barren Arctic wastes, which serves both as a retreat and a headquarters for [[Superman]]. It is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctum. It is far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, housing the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, and a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the pacing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said the derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fought the alien villain, N'Gon, who had stolen the power ring of Green Lantern, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who had a standard force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punched the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom like sound while the field is overwhelmed to defeat the villain. (DCCP No.26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!")

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==
With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==
Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==
Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from Magic. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonians survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He could be destroyed by alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Supermanâ€™s in the alien environment of Earth.

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[Lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun. (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman under the Green Sun!") Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, â€œâ€¦ despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!â€ (S No. 146, Jul 1961: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Feats!â€)

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers."

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''
In addition to wearing ordinary street c

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity.

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

=External Links=

*[http://theages.superman.ws/welcome.php Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/supes/ Superman Index by Mike]

==Links to Online Comics==

Read the greatest stories of Superman at: http://superman.ws/superman-comics/

[[Category:Entries]]
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[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
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[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]