Clark Kent's Alter Ego

Superman is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is considered an American cultural icon.^[2][3][4][5] The Superman character was created by writer Jerry Siegeland artist Joe Shuster in 1933; the character was sold to Detective Comics, Inc. (later DC Comics) in 1938.^[6][7] Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (June 1938) and subsequently appeared in various radio serials, newspaper strips, television programs, films, and video games. With the character's success, Superman helped to create the superhero genre and establish its primacy within the American comic book.^[2]Superman's appearance is distinctive and iconic, as he usually wears a blue costume, red cape, and stylized red-and-yellow "S" shield on his chest.^[8][9][10] This shield is used in a myriad of media to symbolize the character.^[11]

The origin story of Superman relates that he was born Kal-El on the planet Krypton, before being rocketed to Earth as an infant by his scientist father Jor-El, moments before Krypton's destruction. Discovered and adopted by a Kansas farmer and his wife, the child is raised as Clark Kent and imbued with a strong moral compass. Very early on he started to display superhuman abilities, which, upon reaching maturity, he resolved to use for the benefit of humanity. Superman resides and operates in the fictional American city of Metropolis. As Clark Kent, Superman's secret identity, he is a journalist for the Daily Planet, a Metropolis newspaper. Superman's primary love interest is Lois Lane, and his archenemy is supervillain Lex Luthor.^[12]

Superman has fascinated scholars, with cultural theorists, commentators, and critics alike exploring the character's impact and role in the United States and worldwide. The character's ownership has often been the subject of dispute, with Siegel and Shuster twice suing for the return of legal ownership. Superman has been labeled as the greatest comic book hero of all time by IGN, as the editors pointed out that Superman was the blueprint for superheroes as we know them today.^[13] Several alternative versions of Superman have also been produced.

Required Skills

Superhuman strength, speed, senses, endurance, and longevity
Flight
Heat vision
Freezing breath
Extrasensory and visual powers, including X-ray vision