Comics How Powerful Should Superman Be?

[KryponsJedi]

Many people claim that Superman is uninteresting because he is too powerful and often try to depower him in order to make him more interesting. I, on the other hand, find the stories where Superman is at his most powerful to be the most engaging because they force the writer to think outside the box and be creative in their adventures. What about you? Do you prefer the golden age champion of Justice or the all powerful godlike hero, or something in between? Why?

 

[SuperFerret]

Superman's power levels have nothing to do with whether or not he's interesting. People who claim that aren't going to like the character regardless.

 

[Jochimus]

As far as power LEVEL, I can't honestly say what my preference is. I'm fickle like that.

However, I can say that personally, if I was writing a Superman story, I'd probably stick with a certain power SET:
- Strength
- Speed
- Vision (heat, x-ray, micro/telescopic)
- Hearing
- Invulnerability
- Flight
- Breath
- Vocal talents (impersonation, ventriloquism, etc.)
Mental powers I don't necessarily care for, myself...not that they're a deal-breaker for me, but frankly I believe it's better character development for him to have to think things through the way a good investigative reporter would (plus he'd probably be smart enough to begin with to even BE a reporter, and not necessarily have to require abilities like super hypnosis or the ability to remember everything that ever happened at any second of his life starting from the womb or any of that - and given his super-senses, his brain is likely to be functioning differently than human brains do anyway)

 

[Steamteck]

I always liked his lower power levels like in STAS or the Roy Thomas All Star Squad. John Byrne's Superman early on was at a good power level also impressive but not totally invincible to human resources.

I prefer it when he has a little less juice but uses what he has well.

 

[AnneFan]

Superman's power levels have nothing to do with whether or not he's interesting. People who claim that aren't going to like the character regardless.

Yep. All Star Superman has Superman at his most powerful, but it also has him at his most vulnerable and selfless. Power doesn't autmatically equal boring.

 

[Lilbaz]

If superman is as fast as the flash and as strong as the hulk though how does batman face him without kryptonite? You could say batman could outsmart him but if he hasn't got anything that can hurt him then it won't matter.

He should be incredibly powerful but there has to be others that are more powerful otherwise he can easily win.

 

[Czar Colossus]

Yep. All Star Superman has Superman at his most powerful, but it also has him at his most vulnerable and selfless. Power doesn't autmatically equal boring.

BINGO!!!

 

[Beyonder]

He is a powerful being but cant beat Nigh-omnipotent entities.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

If superman is as fast as the flash and as strong as the hulk though how does batman face him without kryptonite? You could say batman could outsmart him but if he hasn't got anything that can hurt him then it won't matter.

He should be incredibly powerful but there has to be others that are more powerful otherwise he can easily win.

Technology, like the powersuit from TDKR.

 

[Mightmitenot]

Technology, like the powersuit from TDKR.

Here's a thought: Ignore the Dark Knight Returns set up victory and let Superman win.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

Beside the point. Just pointing out the powersuit factor for all of those who seem to think Batman's only line of defense in a battle with Superman is spandex and kryptonite.