Superman's power level

[Valkyrje]

One word : Smallville

 

[bonoferox]

I'm sure it's been said numerous times here but I didn't read all 17 pages. I like how his powers were handled most in the Bruce Timm series. Strong enough to the point where he was remarkable, but nothing god-like about him.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

What's wrong with god-like anyway? It doesn't necessarily mean his powers are unlimited, just that they're "far beyond those of mortal men". Thor actually is a god, and he has limits, so does Darkseid.

 

[nocomics]

Does it really matter what his 'power level is' Really? I just want to make sure the movie kicks ass, the story is decent and enough action to keep me entertained....I don't care if he can bend steel or just a straw, long as the movie is good.
Don't get me wrong I don't want him so powerful he can alter-time or weak enough just barely to lift a car..I liked the SR strength..Is it necessary? I think it depends on the direction the story goes and what is needed..Which all depends on the directors direction for Superman. I just want an action packed movie, fighting, ass-kickery, attitude, with a hint of a good storyt:

 

[Kurosawa]

Why does Superman's powers have to be unlimited?

Why do Superman's powers have to BE limited?

Cutting Superman's powers is a good first clue that a writer fails to understand the character. Making Clark the real person and Superman the disguise is another good clue.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

Why do Superman's powers have to BE limited.

Cutting Superman's powers is a good first clue that a writer fails to understand the character. Making Clark the real person and Superman the disguise is another good clue.

Clark as the disguise was how the character started out, as was being limited in power. He lifted cars and leaped tall buildings before he could juggle planets and fly from one end of the universe to the next in an instant. Maybe Superman's power grew to infinite levels while S&S were writing him, but the fact that he started off with a limited power level and stayed that way for atleast a decade or so should have some validity, shouldn't it? I mean, come on, are you saying the entire golden age is invalid because Superman couldn't juggle planets?

 

[Boy Scout]

He certainly shouldn't be strong enough to juggle planets. I think being strong enough to juggle the three heaviest mountains on the planet (using all his strength) is enough.

 

[Kurosawa]

Clark as the disguise was how the character started out, as was being limited in power. He lifted cars and leaped tall buildings before he could juggle planets and fly from one end of the universe to the next in an instant. Maybe Superman's power grew to infinite levels while S&S were writing him, but the fact that he started off with a limited power level and stayed that way for atleast a decade or so should have some validity, shouldn't it? I mean, come on, are you saying the entire golden age is invalid because Superman couldn't juggle planets?

He didn't stay at the 1938 power level for the first decade of his existence. Jerry Siegel Superman, 1938: "only a bursting shell could penetrate his skin", Jerry Siegel Superman 1946: survives two a-bomb explosions with no harm at all. Byrne of course took it too far, making Clark not develop powers until puberty, like a mutant.

But the most iconic and successful Superman is the Superman of the Silver and Bronze Ages, and that is the incredibly powerful version.

 

[The Morningstar]

Why do Superman's powers have to BE limited?

Cutting Superman's powers is a good first clue that a writer fails to understand the character. Making Clark the real person and Superman the disguise is another good clue.

Don't be stupid. So no one has "got" the Superman character since before the Crisis? Including Grant Morrison?

Don't be stupid. Just because you've been reading Superman for 60 odd years doesn't mean what you say is right.

 

[Kurosawa]

Don't be stupid. So no one has "got" the Superman character since before the Crisis? Including Grant Morrison?

Don't be stupid. Just because you've been reading Superman for 60 odd years doesn't mean what you say is right.

Don't be insulting. And Grant Morrison's Superman starts at 1938 power levels and ends up at Pre-Crisis power levels.

And knock it off with the personal attacks.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

He didn't stay at the 1938 power level for the first decade of his existence. Jerry Siegel Superman, 1938: "only a bursting shell could penetrate his skin", Jerry Siegel Superman 1946: survives two a-bomb explosions with no harm at all. Byrne of course took it too far, making Clark not develop powers until puberty, like a mutant.

But the most iconic and successful Superman is the Superman of the Silver and Bronze Ages, and that is the incredibly powerful version.

I know that his powers increased throughout the 40s, but they didn't reach their peak until around the silver age, as far as I know. Like, I know he was capable of time travel by the late 40s, which is where he first learns of his Kryptonian origins.

I'm just saying that a Superman with a limited power level isn't invalid, and I'm not saying that an unlimited Superman is invalid either. Superman's not about how powerful he is, just that he clearly has abilities that are otherworldly. I just happen to prefer something relatively more realistic. I realize that's kindof an absurd thing to say, since the place where I want to place the limits are just as unrealistic, but there's just something more.. graspable for me about pushing a moon or even Earth with great effort over moving multiple planets at once.

 

[ripse]

Super-man have gigantic power like hulk but more & have speed the light look flash but more,,, and..... up up and the way ...Planet can destroy it, if he's really angry...so don't try it....

 

[ElDuderino]

Super-man have gigantic power like hulk but more & have speed the light look flash but more,,, and..... up up and the way ...Planet can destroy it, if he's really angry...so don't try it....

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[The Morningstar]

Don't be insulting. And Grant Morrison's Superman starts at 1938 power levels and ends up at Pre-Crisis power levels.

And knock it off with the personal attacks.

I'm not meaning to be insulting. I'm not calling you stupid, I'm saying don't be stupid. As in, don't be so arrogant and obnoxious.

Your attitude about anything you don't like stinks. If you don't like it, it doesn't count.

Superman would be ashamed of you.

 

[Kurosawa]

I know that his powers increased throughout the 40s, but they didn't reach their peak until around the silver age, as far as I know. Like, I know he was capable of time travel by the late 40s, which is where he first learns of his Kryptonian origins.

I'm just saying that a Superman with a limited power level isn't invalid, and I'm not saying that an unlimited Superman is invalid either. Superman's not about how powerful he is, just that he clearly has abilities that are otherworldly. I just happen to prefer something relatively more realistic. I realize that's kindof an absurd thing to say, since the place where I want to place the limits are just as unrealistic, but there's just something more.. graspable for me about pushing a moon or even Earth with great effort over moving multiple planets at once.

None of it realistic at all. Even Batman is ridiculous. The best SpecOps guy in the world would be dead within a day of Batman stunts. Moving the Earth with great effort is just as absurd as towing a row of planets like Superboy did. It's all mythology.

I'm not meaning to be insulting. I'm not calling you stupid, I'm saying don't be stupid. As in, don't be so arrogant and obnoxious.

Your attitude about anything you don't like stinks. If you don't like it, it doesn't count.

Superman would be ashamed of you.

Nothing personal, but you don't get Superman, and there's nothing wrong with me or anyone pointing that out. People who want to limit his powers, have Clark as the real persona and Superman a disguise, etc, are just wrongheaded. Doesn't make anyone a bad person, just means their grasp of Superman is off. It happens a lot. Heck, Denny O'Neil doesn't get Superman and John Byrne wrecked the character for 20 years, and they are as talented and as smart as anyone who has ever done comics.

 

[raybia]

I want a powerful Superman, but not an all powerful Superman. As Snyder hinted I am hoping for a physical Superman, physical meaning there are believable limits.....i.e.... He cannot be in Metropolis one moment and then in an instant be in Tokyo. He is very familiar in Metropolis and surrounding areas, but a bit of a legend in Tokyo.


Global exploits are possible but they should coincide with travel as Clark on assignment. He can respond globally where needed, but again where he is needed there is also a story worthy of Clark's attention also.

More powerful than a locomotive....
Faster than a speeding bullet......

Are fine with me as "more" and "faster" are not descriptively limiting, and they are familiar physical manifestations to me, but he is not "more powerful" or "faster" to the ludicrous (continent lifting, planet moving , light speeding, time traveling)extreme.

He needs to breath, he needs to eat. Survival unaided in the vaccum of space is possible for a time, as long as he can hold his breath, but for prolonged periods he needs artificial means, same for undersea forays.

It's not one power that makes him Superman. It's the combination of his powers. Strength actually plays a minor role in carrying planes etc. It has more to do with the propulsive force of his flight ability, and his invulnerability, preventing his propulsive force from squashing him against the structure he is moving.

...And...... despite Superman's presence in the world.....people die..... due to accidents, natural disasters, criminal activity, wars etc...... even in Metropolis. There is only so much a man can do....even a Superman!

This.

Also, I like the idea that he gets more powerful as he ages since his is like a biological battery.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

None of it realistic at all. Even Batman is ridiculous. The best SpecOps guy in the world would be dead within a day of Batman stunts. Moving the Earth with great effort is just as absurd as towing a row of planets like Superboy did. It's all mythology.

Then all I can say really is it's just not my preference then. I'm more interested in Superman digging down deep and pulling off "ludicrous" feats every once in a while rather than doing them like it's just another day in the life of Superman.

 

[Dr.]

He needs to breathe, he needs to eat. Survival unaided in the vaccum of space is possible for a time, as long as he can hold his breath, but for prolonged periods he needs artificial means, same for undersea forays.

I disagree with this part. I’d say Supes is primarily an Earth-based superhero. But when the need arises, he should be able to handle space (and underwater) effortlessly. Whenever I see images of Supes in breathing gear, he looks (imo) ridiculous. He’s Superman, after all. Using artificial means to enhance abilities is what the other guys do.

 

[Kurosawa]

Then all I can say really is it's just not my preference then. I'm more interested in Superman digging down deep and pulling off "ludicrous" feats every once in a while rather than doing them like it's just another day in the life of Superman.

No day in the life of Superman is typical. He was always challenged when his power was at it's highest, and his greatest challenges can't be beaten with powers of any sort.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

No day in the life of Superman is typical. He was always challenged when his power was at it's highest, and his greatest challenges can't be beaten with powers of any sort.

I admit I don't know that much about the pre-crisis in general. I mean, I know lots of details but not much about specific stories. What kindof things challenged Superman to the point where even his infinite powers couldn't help him? Are we talking like.. double jeopardy, "I can't be in two places at once" logistical type problems, or dealing with more intangible problems like human greed and corruption?

 

[Kurosawa]

I admit I don't know that much about the pre-crisis in general. I mean, I know lots of details but not much about specific stories. What kindof things challenged Superman to the point where even his infinite powers couldn't help him? Are we talking like.. double jeopardy, "I can't be in two places at once" logistical type problems, or dealing with more intangible problems like human greed and corruption?

Both, but the biggest one in the deepest stories is the fact that problems like greed, corruption and especially hatred cannot be fixed with his powers or any powers.

And that's the part of Superman that people can identify most with.

 

[dnno1]

I'm sure it's been said numerous times here but I didn't read all 17 pages. I like how his powers were handled most in the Bruce Timm series. Strong enough to the point where he was remarkable, but nothing god-like about him.

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These were pretty strong Supermen. Maybe not as strong as in the comics, but pretty strong.

 

[Godzilla2014]

This has been mentioned before. One of the ways to physically challenge Supes without depowering him is to make the world around him obey the laws of physics. He’s the exception to those laws – everything else has to play by the “rules.” So if the Golden Gate Bridge tips over in an earthquake, Supes can’t just pick it up by one end and pop it back in place. He’s forced to perform smaller scale rescues. It’s more complicated, it’s messy – and maybe not everyone can be saved.

The 777 scene in SR was a nice illustration of this. Having caught the falling plane, Supes could – of course – stop it on a dime. But the suspense was based on whether he could safely decelerate it in time. Excitement and accurate physics aren’t mutually exclusive.

Completely agreed!

 

[The Morningstar]

Nothing personal, but you don't get Superman, and there's nothing wrong with me or anyone pointing that out. People who want to limit his powers, have Clark as the real persona and Superman a disguise, etc, are just wrongheaded. Doesn't make anyone a bad person, just means their grasp of Superman is off. It happens a lot. Heck, Denny O'Neil doesn't get Superman and John Byrne wrecked the character for 20 years, and they are as talented and as smart as anyone who has ever done comics.

Your arrogance is quite funny. I've never said a word about Clark being his real persona.

I just said i don't want him pulling powers out of his ass just for the convenience of the story. That would make Superman a Deus Ex Machina... not a real character.

And again no, there is many interpretations of Superman, just like there is many interpretations of Batman. That variety in their history, like or not, is a big reason why they are so iconic.

So until you realise that, instead of being stuck in your narrow minded view that the only things that count are the things you like, you'll never get the Superman character.

 

[Godzilla2014]

Your arrogance is quite funny. I've never said a word about Clark being his real persona.

I just said i don't want him pulling powers out of his ass just for the convenience of the story. That would make Superman a Deus Ex Machina... not a real character.

And again no, there is many interpretations of Superman, just like there is many interpretations of Batman. That variety in their history, like or not, is a big reason why they are so iconic.

So until you realise that, instead of being stuck in your narrow minded view that the only things that count are the things you like, you'll never get the Superman character.

I agree about the powers. Whatever superpowers has, they should be consistent.