Dangerous?! But I'm invulnerable! I can bend steel with my bare hands. I'm Superman. 
- — Clark Kent src
Superman is Earth's premiere superhero and the stalwart protector of Metropolis.
History
Born Kal-El on the distant planet Krypton, he was sent to Earth as a child to survive Krypton's destruction. Raised with high moral ideals, he uses his extraordinary superpowers to fight evil and protect the innocent. In his civilian identity he is Clark Kent, a mild-mannered reporter working for the Daily Planet in Metropolis.
Lois & Clark
Superman's heroic actions earned the attention of fellow reporter Lois Lane. Although Superman kept his identity hidden from her, Lois eventually found out the truth in time but waited for Superman to come clean on his own. Clark and Lois harbored feelings for one another, and when Clark revealed his secret identity, they started a relationship.
Superman, Superboy and Supergirl became known as the Superman Family for their collective efforts in protecting Metropolis. Their greatest adversary was Lex Luthor. In time, the Superman Family confronted various foes hailing from Krypton, such as the renegade A.I. Brainiac and an old enemy of the House of El, General Zod.
But as his list of enemies grew, Superman meet several individuals whom he would come to consider staunch allies: Batman, Wonder Woman, Steel, Green Lantern, The Flash and Aquaman.
The Justice League battles Darkseid
In time, Superman and his friends discovered his parents, Jor-El and Lara, were not killed in Krypton's destruction. They had survived and were trapped in the Phantom Zone. Superman was able to free them from the Phantom Zone, but Brainiac seized the opportunity to steal the city of Kandor from the Fortress of Solitude and formed the planet New Krypton in the other side of the sun.
Superman and his friends were last seen in conflict with the galactic conqueror Darkseid, who attempted to crash a huge meteor into Earth. The Justice League foiled his plans and celebrated their victory with a huge dinner at the Kent Farm.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Kryptonian Physiology: Under the effects of a "yellow" sun, Superman possesses the same potential powers as an average Kryptonian. These include:
- Solar Energy Absorption: Under optimal conditions, this is the main source of Superman's super powers as they are contingent upon exposure to solar radiation from a yellow sun star system. His biological make up includes a number of organs which lack analogues in humans and whose functions are unknown. It is believed that between one or more of these and his bio-cellular matrix, "yellow" solar energy is stored for later use. This allows for the use of these powers to fade when yellow solar radiation is not available instead of immediate failure.
- Heat Vision: Superman can, as a conscious act, fire beams of intense heat at a target by looking at it. He can vary the heat and area affected.
- Super-Hearing: Superman's hearing is sensitive enough to hear any sound at any volume or pitch. With skill and concentration, he can block out ambient sounds to focus on a specific source or frequency.
- Enhanced Vision: Superman's vision processes the entire electromagnetic spectrum as well as allowing vast control over selective perception and focus.
This umbrella ability includes the following:- Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision: Superman can see well into most of the electromagnetic spectrum. He can see and identify radio and television signals as well as all other broadcast or transmitted frequencies. Using this ability, he can avoid detection by radar or satellite monitoring methods. This also allows him to see the aura generated by living thing.
- Telescopic Vision: This is the ability to see something at a great distance, without violating the laws of physics. Though limited, the exact extent of the ability is undetermined. In function, it is similar to the zoom lens on a camera.
- X-Ray Vision: This is the ability to see through any volume of matter except lead. Supermans can see things behind a solid, opaque object as if it were not there. He can focus this ability to "peel back" layers of an object, allowing hidden image or inner workings to be observed. The exact type of energy perceived—such as x-rays, cosmic rays, or some other energy invisible to normal humans—is unclear. This ability perceives an ambient energy source though, it does not involve the eye projecting a concentrated, possibly toxic, beam to be reflected back from objects.
- Microscopic Vision: This is the ability to see extremely small objects and images down to the atomic level.
- Infrared Vision: Superman can see with better acuity in darkness, and to a degree in total darkness.
- Flight: Superman is able to manipulate graviton particles to defy the forces of gravity and achieve flight. This ranges from hovering to moving in any posture, in any direction.
- Invulnerability: Due to the interaction of his dense molecular structure and supercharged bio-electric aura, Superman is nigh-invulnerable to extreme energy forces. In addition, his extends this protection against toxins and diseases.
- Superhuman Stamina: Superman is able to maintain continuous strenuous physical action for an indefinite period of time. This based on his body converting yellow solar radiation directly to energy but is limited by physiological and psychological needs to eat, drink, and sleep.
- Superhuman Strength: Superman's strength is augmented by yellow solar radiation interacting with the greater than human density, resilience and biological efficiency of his musculature. His strength is more an act of conscious will on energy fields than actual physical strength. It is this act of conscious will that enables him to perform physical feats that are beyond the mere application force, such as moving a mountain top without said rock crumbling under its own mass.
- Superhuman Speed: Superman is able to move at incredible speed by sheer force of will. This extends to his perceptions and allows for feats such as catching bullets in mid-flight as well as covering vast distances in little or no time.
This also confers: - Super-Breath: Superman is able to create hurricane force winds by exhaling air from his lungs. He can chill the air as it leaves his lungs to freeze targets. He can also reverse the process to pull large volumes of air or vapor into his lungs.
- Longevity: Superman can live longer than regular humans, remaining at his prime as long as he was under the exposure of the "yellow" sun.
Abilities
- Aviation[2]
- Dancing[3]
- Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced): In combat situations, Superman makes use of an improvised fighting style that relies on overwhelming force and speed.
- Indomitable Will: Superman has shown to have a powerful spirit, free of corruption and temptation. Having been raised by a kindly Kansas farmer and his wife, he was taught to protect life and help others. He is very optimistic and never gives up, even when things look bad.
- Journalism: Clark is one of the best reporters on the Daily Planet, rivaled only by Lois Lane.[4]
- Multilingualism: Clark was taught English and innately knew Kryptonian.[5]
- Pedagogy[1]
- Science[6]
- Robotic Engineering: Kal-El created an army of Superman Robots, androids that resembled him and mimicked his powers.[6]
- Sewing[5]
Weaknesses
- Kryptonian Physiology: Under the effects of a "yellow" sun, Superman possesses the same potential weaknesses as an average Kryptonian. These include:
- Power Limitation: Superman is unable to see through lead.[6]
- Power Limitation: Superman is unable to see through lead.[6]
Paraphernalia
Equipment
Transportation
Trivia
- According to Streaky, the reason Superman created a new costume due to a mishap during Krypto's training.[6]
- Clark claimed to be near-sighted.[8]
- He considered his childhood crush, Lana Lang, his best friend.[5]
Related
- 34 Appearances of Kal-El (Tiny Titans)
- 32 Images featuring Kal-El (Tiny Titans)
- 7 Quotations by or about Kal-El (Tiny Titans)
- Character Gallery: Kal-El (Tiny Titans)
Footnotes
  Daily Planet Staff member |
 This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or the Justice League in any of its various incarnations, sworn by a duty to act as guardians of America and the world by using their skills and/or superpowers to protect Earth from the clutches of both interstellar and domestic threats. |
 Superman Family member |