It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s Superman. Over the past 70 years, Superman has been a symbol for truth and justice in the DC universe.
Dozens of comics, movies, and TV shows have been made about Clark Kent and his life story. One of the newest movies that have been created is the Man of Steel staring Henry Cavill as Superman. The movie is being released June 14, 2013.
Any fan of the Superman universe knows his story extremely well; others who are not familiar with the comics may not know it as well. Either way his story is different than any other hero in the DC universe.
Kal-El was created on a planet called Krypton; his birth parents were two of Krypton’s greatest scientists Jor-El and Lara-El. The planet was one of the most technologically advanced in the entire universe, but like any civilization it had its problems.
Jor-El realized that due to the brutal wars that Krypton went through, the people were dying because of the “green death.” Parts of the planet were becoming radioactive; they were creating a new compound called Kryptonite, which was killing the population.
Fearing for his people, Jor-El tried to tell the ruling body that the planet was dying and that the people were in danger. Thinking that Kryptonite wasn’t a danger, the ruling body of Krypton ignored Jor-El’s warning.
Fearing for his son Kal-El, Jor-El and his wife Lara put their son into an experimental spacecraft that would send him to a planet orbiting a yellow sun. This sun would give Kal-El superhuman abilities that would help him protect his new world.
Kal-El’s spacecraft left Krypton right as the planet exploded. Eventually Kal-El landed on the planet called Earth in Smallville, Kansas.
Jonathan and Martha Kent found him in a field and took him as their own son, naming him Clark Kent. Jonathan and Martha taught him how to be a good person and to trust and follow his instincts.
Throughout the years, Clark learned to deal with his powers, and he eventually accepted his Kryptonian heritage. Clark arrived in Metropolis where he became the mild-mannered reporter of the Daily Planet and met the love of his life, Lois Lane. He also worked with the cub reporter Jimmy Olsen.
When Clark saved Lois and Jimmy from a plane crash, he realized that he wanted to do something with his abilities. His mother created a costume with the same clothing that came with him from Krypton. Martha also put the shield on the front of the costume so Clark could have his family crest with him always.
As Superman, Clark was able to save people with his abilities. Due to the yellow sun, Clark is able to run faster than a speeding bullet, and he is more powerful than a locomotive. He can also leap tall buildings in a single jump. Clark also has super-breath which allows him to freeze things; he also has x-ray and heat vision. One of his most legendary powers is his ability to fly. The only thing that is truly deadly to him is radioactive pieces of his home world.
Ever since Clark became Superman, he was a symbol for mankind and for acceptance in the world. Villains like Lex Luthor and Doomsday have tried to stop Superman, but thanks to his friends and family they didn’t succeed.
Superman has challenged the imagination for decades and has shown that it’s okay to be different. He became one of the most well-known heroes in the DC Universe, and he set the stage for other heroes that came along.
This story is one of many different variations, but no matter who is telling the story of Superman, the story will always be legendary. Long may the legend be told.