Owlman



The character of Superman was first created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1932 and first appeared in DC's Action Comics #1 in June 1938. What Jerry and Joe did not know at the time was that they had created a character that would become the signature icon of DC Comics and the most universally recognized hero in human history.

Since 1938, the character of Superman/Clark Kent has appeared in every imaginable media form including television, film, novelizations, and even a Broadway show.

Superman's origin (as well as much of his life) has taken on many permeations over the years, but the most recognized storyline goes something like this: Kal-El was born to Jor-El and Lara of the planet Krypton. Fearing for the safety of their son, the two loving parents sent Kal-El into space to Earth, where he would be safe and so he could later use his abilities gained from the yellow sun to aid innocent life. Crash landing outside the town of Smallville, KS, the child was found and taken in by a farming couple. Jonathan and Martha Kent would become Kal's foster parents and raise him to the best of their ability. They named him Clark and that name would become not only the link to his humanity, but an alter ego that would help keep his loved ones from danger. As Clark grew into his teens, he found out more and more about his abilities and as a young man, he officially took on the guise of Superman thanks to a costume made by Martha from his swaddling clothes sent with him from Krypton.

As Superman, he took on the mantra to stand for Truth, Justice and the American Way and he continues to uphold that statement in all he does. In his duty to uphold that honor, he has fought a multitude of villains including Brainiac, Darkseid, Bizarro, Metallo, Parasite, and his arch nemesis Lex Luthor. Although Superman seems nearly immortal with all his amazing abilities, he can be killed and has even technically died at the hands of one of his most perilous enemies, Doomsday.

Other than the rare occurrence of Doomsday-esque monstrosities, one of the only thing that can truly weaken Superman is an element from his home planet called Kryptonite. These Kryptonian fragments have appeared and affected Superman in many ways since its first inception in the Adventures of Superman radio show in the 1940s, but is most generally known in its green form. Green Kryptonite has the effect of weakening Superman, temporarily canceling his powers and eventually killing him. Magic can also affect the Man or Steel, making him susceptible to defeat at the hands of heroes such as DC's magician Zatanna or even villains such as long-time enemy/nuisance Mr. Mxyzptlk, an imp from the 5th dimension.

Superman is an important part of the DC Universe not only as Earth's protector, but also as a member or super group Justice League of America, whose members include Green Lantern, the Flash, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman and his closest, most trusted friend in the heroic community, Batman. The Man of Steel has a strong supporting cast that includes not only his foster parents, but also his cousin Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), boss Perry White (Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Planet), and pal Jimmy Olsen (photographer/cub reporter). But the most important part of Superman's supporting cast is none other than the love of his life, ace reporter Lois Lane (currently his wife in the comics).

Over the years, Superman/Clark Kent has been portrayed by many actors including (but not limited to) Bud Collyer, Kirk Allen, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Tom Welling, Brandon Routh and the new Superman Henry Cavill.