Summary
SinceSupermanisn’t the only Kryptonian in the DC Universe, the question has to be asked: Is every other Kryptonian just as powerful as the Man of Steel? There’s no doubt that Clark Kent is practically a god, but what about the other members of his alien race?
Once upon a time, Superman was infamously the sole survivor of Krypton’s destruction. But as the years went on, other Kryptonians emergedsuch as his cousin Supergirlor hisbitter enemy General Zod. Clark has even helped usher in a new generation of Kryptonians such as Conner and Jonathan Kent. But how do these Kryptonians measure up to the DC Universe’s most powerful hero?
Superman’s True Role: The DC Universe’s ‘Immune System’
Most comic book readers are prepared to accept that Superman’s the strongest hero. But what is it that sets him apart from other Kryptonians? Comic creators have tackled this subject over the years with varying answers. Some rationalize it because Superman spent his entire life on Earth and absorbed more yellow solar rays than other Kryptonians. Others have approached it as a skill issue, justifying his power as the result of intense training. But one of the coolest and most satisfying answersdeals with Superman’s true role in the DC Universe.
InJustice League Incarnate #4by Joshua Williamson, Dennis Culver, Chris Burnham, Mike Norton, and Andrei Bressan, Doctor Multiverse explains that when the DC Universe experiences a Crisis, the multiverse activates its ‘immune system’, superheroes, to ensure its survival. This information builds off of a previous fact about Superman established during Final Crisis, where it was revealed that Superman is the archetype of superheroes across reality. In essence,Superman is the model that the multiverse based its immune system on.
Superman’s strength isn’t just because Clark is a Kryptonian. He’s one of, if not the most crucial person to the stability of the multiverse. Not only does this role explain why every universe has a Superman, but it also explains what helps Clark do impossible-seeming things, even by Kryptonian standards. Sure, any other Kryptonian can absorb yellow light and gain power that rivals a god. ButSuperman’s role as the multiverse’s most necessary hero is always going to give him an edgeother Kryptonians don’t have.
Superman is the Strongest Kryptonian, Period
Let’s face it. Clark simply wouldn’t be Superman if he wasn’t mightier than any opponent he’s ever faced. But just how strong is the Last Son of Krypton? In the nearly nine decades he’s been around, Superman has had some pretty amazing feats of strength, and every generation he appears to outdo himself. Back in the day, Clark simply dazzled the denizens of the DC Universe with his ability to leap tall buildings or outrun locomotives. But that wasjust the tip of the iceberg of what Superman was capable of.
During the Silver Age, Superman grew absurdly powerful to the point where he even started developing outlandish powers like shooting miniature clones from his fingertips (as seen inSuperman #125). However, Clark’s might was scaled back considerably in the Post-Crisis era. But over time his power slowly began returning and amazingly enough, he became even stronger than before.JLA #77, for example, featured a momentwhere Superman held a black hole in his hand to keep it from expanding and destroying Earth.
But that logic-defying feat pales in comparison to the scene inFinal Crisis: Superman Beyond #1where Clark lifts up a book with an infinite number of pages that presumably weighed an infinite number of pounds. These are just a few demonstrations of Superman’s power and that’s only scratching the surface of what he’s done. But all these insanely cool moments prove one thing:Superman is without a doubt the strongest characterthat inhabits the DC Universe.
Do Any Kryptonians Come Close to Superman’s Power?
Thankfully, this question was touched on in the very first issue ofAbsolute Power. As part of a plan to take down every superhuman, Amanda Waller unleashes a crew of Amazos to de-power the world’s heroes and villains. Several shots from the Amazos’ perspective reveal that they can sense the power levels of individual heroes and villains before absorbing their powers. When the Amazo christened ‘Last Son’ arrives to take Clark’s powers,its scans reveal that Superman has a maxed-out power level.
Both Conner and Jon tap out at around 60% of Superman’s power level.
But Clark isn’t the only Kryptonian scanned in this issue. When Superman’s son Jonathan and Superboy arrive to save Clark after he’s de-powered and shot, Last Son scans the two as well. Though both of them are quite powerful, neither of them is as powerful as Clark. Both Conner and Jon tap out at around 60% of Superman’s power level. This is understandable as neither Jon nor Conner are full-blooded Kryptonians and also have human ancestry. But what about another Kryptonian,say Superman’s cousin Supergirl?
Despite the family ties that bind them, Superman and Supergirl have fought several times. InSupergirl #5, Supergirl proclaims that she’s faster, stronger, and more powerful than Clark and even lands several solid hits on the Man of Steel. Superman even agrees that Kara has had more exposure to yellow sunlight which helped her powers come in earlier than Clark’s. But Superman ends the fight with a punch to Supergirl and declares Kara’s only edge is that she doesn’t know her limits.Superman, on the other hand, holds back in almost every fighthe’s in.
No Other Kryptonian Can Ever Replace Superman
Superman’s role as the archetypal hero doesn’t mean other Kryptonians can’t grow stronger than a standard one. Conner’s tactile TK is growing more powerful every year. Not to mention, Jonathan’s new electric powers are helping set him apart from his father. However, Clark is the de facto hero as far as the multiverse is concerned and it’s always going to put him at an advantage compared to other Kryptonians.
There’s no doubt Kryptonians are strong. They could even be considered gods compared to mortals. But none are ever truly going to be able to rival the one and onlySuperman.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
