Monday, December 4, 2023

Character Analysis: Post-Crises Superman

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Background

Post-Crises Superman’s origin is similar to most versions of Superman. The planet Krypton was rendered unstable and its core was predicted to explode by Superman’s father Jor-el. Jor-el was unable to convince Kryptonian leadership to do anything to avert the crisis, and as a result Jor-el sent his son Kal-el (AKA Superman) to Earth in a rocket ship. Once Superman arrived he was adopted by the Kents and was renamed “Clark Kent”


Something interesting to note is that in the post-crisis storyline, Superman was actually still a fetus when he was sent off Earth. In order to leave Krypton he had to be genetically modified, as Kryptonians had become genetically linked to their own Planet and unable to leave it.


Superman eventually developed superpowers as a result of exposure to Earth’s yellow sun and lighter gravity. When he grew older he went on a worldwide journey of self discovery, before eventually settling on becoming a journalist. His first and most consistent job being a reporter for the Daily Planet. He was initially inspired to become a hero by his Earth parents.


Post-Crises Superman didn’t fully learn about his origins until he was an adult.


In terms of major events, one of the largest for this version of Superman is when he was “killed” by Doomsday. Later being revived out of a “healing coma”.


He married his long time lover Lois Lane.


And had a son he named John Kent.


The Post-crises Superman and his eventually gets “plucked” out of his timeline, and brought to the N52 timeline after being a participant of the crossover “Convergence”. He then lived in that timeline in secret until the local N52 Superman died in battle.


Until later on merging his timeline with his N52 counterpart after an encounter with Mxyzlptlk, creating a new “Rebirth” incarnation of the character.


Backstory revisions

Post-Crises Superman’s backstory was originally established in the mini series “Man of Steel”. Over time, and after various in-universe cosmic retcons, Superman’s origin was updated/retold. Superman birthright is the retelling from after the event Zero Hour and Secret files is the backstory post Infinite Crisis.



Superboy revision

Whether or not Superman had a career as “Superboy” in Smallville and the Legion of Superheroes in the post-crisis era has been subject to retcons. Initially it was established that Superman did not start his career as Superboy, but continuity later changed to establish he had short stints under the identity.


Superman’s personality

Superman thinks of himself as a human first and a kryptonian second. He was raised on Earth, and it was his parents who made him into a good man. He has a hidden fear of annihilation due to his alien origin, and has a long history of internal warring over his heritage.


Identity

Superman hides his identity by hunching, changing the octave of his voice, and wearing glasses. Most people don’t see through this disguise despite it seeming silly on a surface level. Most people are also unaware that Superman even has a human identity.


Holding back

Superman subconsciously holds back his power to avoid injuring or hurting others.


Armor

Superman suite

Superman’s main suite was constructed by his mom using the remains of his baby spacecraft and blankets. Due to being made of Kryptonian materials it's super tough.


Misc suits


Abilities


Kryptonian physiology

Superman has a variety of powers due to his Kryptonian origin. His cells absorb yellow solar energy and his musculoskeletal system was built around the much higher gravity of Krypton. His molecules and atoms are also much more dense than most normal lifeforms. This gives him Super Strength, durability, reactions, etc while on Earth or other similar atmospheres.


Solar energy absorption


Gravity/dense molecular structure


This solar energy can take days to dissipate, even if Superman is in complete darkness. 


Blue solar radiation absorption

Under the rays of a blue sun Superman’s powers are further enhanced. He can also temporarily grant his abilities to others.


Electrical absorption

Superman can absorb electrical energy as a source of power.


Misc energy absorption

Sometimes Superman has also been able to absorb general sources of energy. Solar energy affected by magic can also affect him differently.


Survivability

Superman’s body is 100 percent energy efficient. He does not need oxygen, food or sleep.


Regeneration

Superman’s body can repair itself almost instantly as long as it has exposure to enough sunlight. This includes cuts, broken bones, genetic mutations, loss of muscle mass and impalation.

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Superman-Emperor-Joker-2016/Full?id=67570#239 


Anti-bodies/internal organs

Superman’s internal organs and antibodies are enhanced, allowing them to fight off internal parasites or diseases. 


Sun-dipping

In times of crises Superman can move closer to the sun or even enter it to dramatically increase his power many times over.



Bioelectric Aura

Superman’s body creates a bioelectric aura that protects anything within 1 inch of his skin. This prevents his clothing from being damaged in battles.


Flight

Superman can defy gravity and fly. It’s implied that he may be bending space/time to do this. Superman can also seemingly extend his aura out to prevent objects from breaking apart while he carries them.


Wind

Superman can create wind or tornados by flying fast.


Super intelligence

Superman has super intelligence. He’s easily able to do things in seconds or minutes that would take years for a normal human to accomplish.


Multilingualism

Superman knows various human languages.


Super smell

Superman has a sense of super smell. He can even smell things on Earth from space.


Super hearing

Superman has super hearing. He can hear things on Earth from deep space, and can hear higher ranges of frequencies like radio, wi-fi and hypersonic.  His hearing is precise enough that he can hear molecules bonding.


Sensing

Superman’s super hearing can be used to track opponents via their heartbeat and pulse. This works even if the enemy is invisible.



Super Vision

Superman can see almost all spectrums of light and sound.  His vision overall is also enhanced.


X-Ray vision

Superman can see through all solid objects besides lead with x-ray vision.


Telescopic

Superman can see things far away using telescopic vision. The farthest he can see is to the edge of the universe.


Microscopic

Superman can hyperfocus his eyes to see small objects. He can see at least subatomic particles.


Life energy/Aura

Superman can see the aura/sole of living things


Ultraviolet vision

Superman can ultraviolet spectrums


Infrared 

Superman can see the infrared spectrum, allowing him to track objects via heat.


Radio

Superman can see radio impulses.


4D

Superman can see and comprehend 4th dimensional structures. This power develops spontaneously as the situation requires.


Heat vision

Superman can expel excess solar energy from his eyes in the form of a laser. 



Molecular effects

Heat vision works on a molecular level, allowing it to agitate/abiliterate molecules. It can also bypass intangibility. 


Precision

Superman’s heat vision is precise enough to lobotomize opponents, bounce off satellites and destroy microscopic viruses without damaging healthy tissue.


Temperature 

The temperature of Superman’s heat vision is immeasurable by current science and can match absolute Zero.


Widening

Superman can widen the arc of his heat vision. He’s once used it on the entire Earth at once.


Affecting space/time

Superman’s heat vision can seal tears in space/time.


Super Breath

Superman can inhale/super compress air in his lungs, then release it as a powerful gust.


Ice Breath

Superman can super cool his breath to freeze objects, opponents, or fire ice projectiles.


Super Shouting

Superman can create powerful shockwaves with his voice.


Super Invulnerability

Due to the combination of solar radiation, molecular structure, and other factors, Superman is invulnerable to most forms of harm.


Elemental

Superman can survive high temperatures and electricity.


Sensory

Superman has resistance to having his sensory systems manipulated.


Accidic

Superman is immune to most forms of acid.


Toxins/Poisons 

Superman is immune to toxins, and toxic gas. He’s even immune to Joker venom.


Life/Energy draining 

Superman has a resistance to life/energy draining abilities.


Power nullification

Superman can resist having his powers nullified


Mental manipulation

Superman’s strong willpower makes him naturally resistant to most mental attacks.


Possession

Superman has resisted possession


Telekinetic

Superman has broken out of telekinesis and paralysis.


Death inducement

Superman overcame the personification of his own death, attempting to force him to die.


Molecular

Superman can survive attacks that affect objects on an atomic, molecular or subatomic level.


Transmutation

Superman has rested transmutation and being changed by a de-evolution ray.. 


Soul based

Superman can resist attacks directly on his soul. His soul being Kryptonian also makes resistance to forms of sealing useful for normal humans.


Temporal

Superman can break out of temporal suspension and overpower fields that manipulate time.

  • Superman frees himself from chronal suspension. 

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Superman-1939/Issue-663?id=89343#10 


Existence Erasure

Superman can survive multiple kinds of existence erasure


Electricity generation

Superman can generate electricity by rubbing his hands together at high speeds. This electricity can even repair tears in reality.


Kryptonian Martial arts

Superman knows two Kryptonian martial arts. Toquasm Rao and Vo. Rao focuses on physical movements and attacks. Vo focuses on mental techniques and control https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/Adventures-of-Superman-1987/Issue-581?id=29648#2 


Roa

Energy purification

Rao can be used to purify the user's body and spirit.


Astral projection

Rao can also be used to astral project a users soul


Vo


Energy sensing

Vo can be used to sense energy


Theta state

The theta state is a sense of heightened consciousness where the user can fight without producing conventional brainwaves. It can also allow the user to fight an opponent on a psychic plane.


Illusions/mental control

With Vo/theta Superman can fight an opponent on a mental level, as well as distract them with illusions.



Vibration abilities

Superman can vibrate the molecules of his body to produce various effects.


Intangibility

Superman can vibrate his molecules to phase through objects.


Invisibility

Superman can vibrate his body to render himself invisible.


Infinite mass punch

Superman can vibrate his body at near light speed to increase his weight exponentially. This allows him to land attacks with increased force.


Anti-Magic scream

Superman can produce a scream that matches and counters the vibrations of the quantum strings that make up an opponent. Allowing them to whip them from existence.



Willpower

Superman has supernatural willpower. This allows him to increase the power of green lanterns in his vicinity, and even potentially commander their rings. Superman’s willpower is so great it affects space/time and can alter predetermined events.


Counteracting magic

Superman’s will has sometimes counteracted the effects of magic spells.



Misc abilities

Arsenal

Fortress of Solitude

Superman has a hidden fortress in the arctic. He typically uses it as a storage, research and reconnaissance facility.


Alternate Fortresses

In addition to the arctic fortress Superman has made fortresses in the amazon, antarctica, the 6th century and via tesseract technology.


Computer

Superman’s main computer can watch over the planet and crunch data.


Mechs

Superman owns several Kryptonian mechs.


Robot drones

Superman has created robot doubles of himself in the past. They can replicate most of his powers, but are typically slightly weaker.


Phantom Zone projector 

The phantom zone projector is a device that can send opponents to the phantom zone. This zone is a timeless void where the victim does not age or get afflicted by hunger/disease.


Jor-El AI

Superman’s fortress has an AI replica of his fathers personality. 


Kalex

Superman also has a general AI helper named Kalex.


General equipment


Misc equipment

Feats

Strength


Speed 

https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Final-Crisis-Superman-Beyond/Issue-2?id=74549#25 


Endurance

Scaling

Experience

Martial arts training


Tactics/knowledge


Monsters


General villains


Major Villains


General Heroes/Misc characters


Luther


Weaknesses 

Kryptonite

Superman is weakened by Kryptoite. Radiated pieces of his home planet. Exposure harms him and prolonged exposure can kill him. Most Kryptonite is green.


Other varieties

Kryptonite also comes in various other colors, with varying effects.



Contingencies/Resistance

Superman has fought with significant kryptonite based damage. Including sword wounds, having his blood turned into kryptonite, etc. He’s also occasionally worn radiation proof suits.


Red Solar Radiation

Superman gradually loses his power when under the influence of a red sun.


Contingencies/Resistances

It does take time for Superman to lose his powers even under a red sun. He’s had enough power to move a planet while under its influence and in one case even survive flying through one.


Magic 

Superman is “vulnerable to magic”. It bypasses his bioelectric aura allowing it to deal more damage to him, and his own blows tend to be less effective against entities protected by magical bolstering.



Resistances/Contingencies

Superman can resist some spells depending on the type of magic used and can even break some spells via his willpower. Likewise he’s not “weak” to magic the same way he’s weak to kryptonite. He can survive massive attacks bolstered by magical energy, given they were not enhanced to have specific attributes to bypass durability.
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