Superman

**Superman**, birth name **Kal-El**, is a Krytopnian superhuman. An alien refugee from the destroyed planet Krypton, Kal-El was raised in Smallville, Kansas. He uses his incredible strength, speed, flight and various other superpowers with the goal of protecting the innocent. He is a founding member and leader of the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

* Main
* 1986
* 1987
* 2006
* 2013
* 85,201–85,300

## Superman

### Full name

Kal-El (birth name)
 Clark Joseph Kent (legal name)

## Social life

### Family

Lois Lane (girlfriend)
 Jor-El (birth father)
Lara Lor-Van (birth mother)
 Jonathan Kent (adoptive father)
 Martha Kent (adoptive mother)
 Kara Zor-El (cousin)

## History

### Smallville

#### Childhood

Raised as Clark Kent in the small town of Smallville, Kansas, the being who would eventually be known as Earth’s 'Superman' would be raised as seemingly a normal child until his early teenage years.

While playing American football with his best friend, Pete, a young Clark accidentally broke Pete’s arm. Clark would later reflect on this as the first time he realised he was likely different from his peers.

#### Teenage Years

In high school, Clark accidentally nearly burned down his classroom when he’d become overwhelmed and angry. His eyes had started to glow with a red energy in the moment, before red beams of melting heat would melt and burn parts of the classroom. A frightened Clark, not knowing his physiology, would be taken home and given special glasses that would calm him down. His teachers and classmates reported him to investigative authorities against his knowledge in the aftermath of the attack.

While taking some time off school, Clark's parents revealed to him that he was an alien, and showed him the alien pod that brought him to Earth. The ship revealed a holograph of Jor-El and Lara, who told him about themselves and the planet he came from: Krypton.

Jonathan Kent in particular would push Clark to embrace betterment for humanity with his powers. Jonathan believed Clark had a sacred gift, and it would be a shame to not use it to help give people hope. The theme of hope stuck with the young Clark, and he eventually incorporated the Krytptonian symbol for ‘hope’ as an insignia on the chest of his costume.

#### Becoming Superman

Years later, Clark had become a local guardian to Smallville and was seen as a local hero in the community as both Superman and Clark Kent. However, he kept himself as Superman out of the general public eye in fear of what they’d think of a 'Superman', or that he’d be perceived as a threat.

A while later, Clark travelled to Metropolis, awestruck. He arrived at the then-dilapidated Daily Planet, where he met Rudy Jones, the overweight janitor, as well as photography intern Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, boss Perry White and the rest of the staff. Perry told Lois to not get involved with billionaire and businessman Lex Luthor, who was Clark knew from his childhood in Smallville. Lex had nearly killed the Planet financially because of a story they had about him. Lane ignored the warning and snuck into Lexcorp, where Planet reporters weren't welcomed. Once in there, she watches as Lex unveiled an exoskeleton Battlesuit, named “Metallo”. The security guards found her and she fled, but a mistake sent her falling from the roof. Clark charged into action and rescues her, revealing his alter ego to the public. While some were initially in awe of him, others were scared and he would be questioned by police.

The next issue of the Daily Planet ran with Lois's story, naming "Superman” as the city's new saviour. The public were grateful but weren’t in agreement over what to make of Clark. Furious, Lex made his claim the "flying man" wasn’t even human, furthering the public’s fear; and declaring a personal war on Perry White. Later, a fire started in the Daily Planet and Superman put it out, however some clues indicated that it was arson. Public opinion on Superman slowly improved thanks to the Planet, and their sales continued to rise.

After becoming the famous “Superman”, Clark travelled back to Smallville and the Kent Farm to see his old friends and family. Having saved people from hurricanes, car crashes, plane crashes, etc, Clark was powerless to save Jonathan Kent from a heart attack soon after his return.

This made Clark realise that he couldn’t save everyone, and that even the most powerful being in the world couldn’t save everyone.

In the aftermath of this realisation, Clark fell into a state of depression; until Martha Kent came up to him with the message - he has a gift, but while he couldn’t save a man from an unexpected heart attack, the normal man can’t even move at the speed of light or save anybody in the same way he can. Jonathan did all that he could and he was a great and kind man. He had adopted Clark as a boy, and brought him as a gift for her. Martha would encourage Clark to be a gift for humanity, and be the best man he can be.

After this, he would find Jimmy Olsen on the edge of the roof of the Daily Planet, and would save the photographer from suicide; confiding in him that he’s felt isolated and depressed in that way, too. Showing himself that anybody can really help anyone, he gave Jimmy his real name, Clark Kent; before shaking his hand and flying into the sky.

### Justice League 1,000,000

Set in 85,201–85,300 AD; after centuries of seeing the good in humanity, this future Superman would sacrifice his freedom in order to save Earth amid a dying Sun.

Clark would end his journey by entering a self-imposed exile in order to become the new beating heart of Earth’s sun, sustaining humanity. He would also grow consistently and greatly in godlike strength.