Superman's power level

[BigThor]

I don't think those fight scenes really show how powerful Superman is. I mean, how can you tell without knowing how powerful Captain Atom and Solomon Grundy are?

Either way, I don't care much about fight scenes anyway. The internet's *****ing about Superman Returns has made me sick of them. Superman isn't Neo, he isn't Goku, he's not just about big fight scenes. If he's powered down so much that he's only good for fight scenes, count me out.

Well the destruction their battles are causing show be a pretty good indicator of how powerful they are in my opinion.

Yeah there's more to Supes than fighting, however he IS going to fight Zod in this film so they can't be too powerful because they'll destroy the entire city.

 

[ripse]

Superman power level is unknown maybe limited, because he's have weakness too

 

[BigThor]

We were just talking about his power level in this film, not his power level in general.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

It's hard to make a credible threat for someone who lifts an islands without a huge budget, imo Superman's JL/JLU power level would be perfect for this film.

Superman vs Solomon Grundy
[YT]_o7jH8iVYUk[/YT]
Superman vs Captain Atom
[YT]1kTMv8STYNE[/YT]
^ Somewhere around those levels of power

I'm fine with Superman's power level being somewhere near this region. However, Zod is immensely powerful himself, so it really depends on Snyder's interpretation.

To me though, there has to a moment on-screen where it clearly showcases Superman as a one man army -- literally.

 

[Fudgie]

Superman power level is unknown maybe limited, because he's have weakness too

Namely kryptonite hopefully.

 

[Superman141]

Someone on here should know what kind of power level supes has in this movie... just tell us!!!!! Is it as good as hulks in the Avengers?

 

[Prime]

Someone on here should know what kind of power level supes has in this movie... just tell us!!!!!

Yeah Zack, we know you have an account here, come on, tell us!

 

[jjgravitas]

How fast does one need to fly to reverse time?

I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on what Superman's power level should be in this new film.

As we all know, his power levels have differed vastly over the years, in all types of media. Silver-age Superman in some comics could move a planet, yet some other versions of Superman (Superman Returns for example) had him straining to control the weight of an aeroplane. There's a vast difference there.

But of course, that's just referencing raw strength. What about his other abilities?

• How fast can he fly? In some versions he can surpass light speed, in others it's more like the speed of sound.
• How powerful is his heat vision and super breath?
• Can he survive in space? In some versions he can, in others he needed a suit for deep space travel.
• How resistant is his body to injury? I've seen him survive a nuclear explosion unscathed in one comic, only for him to be stunned by a rocket from a helicopter in another.

Personally, I'd like to see a very powerful Superman. Whilst I'm all for 'humanising' him and not making him so powerful we can't relate ............. he is Superman after all; we expect him to be like a God, so why not take it to an extreme. He is the most iconic superhero of all, and widely revered as the most powerful. He can barely feel rounds of bullets pinging off his chest, so should a rocket be that much more damaging?

We also have a director in Zack Snyder who has a great flair for visual extravagance, and IMO that goes hand in hand with showcasing amazing powers.

 

[Lone]

Superman's power will fluctuate with the intensity of the Sun on any particular day and he won't be able to exert his powers at night because his solar battery Kryptonian cells would run out of juice before the morning comes.

 

[The Guard]

Far as I knew, Superman couldn't breathe in space for a few decades. You can't breathe where there's no air.

I'm less interested in how powerful he is, as I am interesting in seeing him discover that are, in fact, limits to his powers. To see something he can't do, isn't strong enough to do, and has to find another way.

 

[Dr.]

...yet some other versions of Superman (Superman Returns for example) had him straining to control the weight of an aeroplane.

I think the “strain” can be reasonably interpreted as caution and concern about controlling and decelerating the 777 without injuring its occupants.

• How fast can he fly? In some versions he can surpass light speed, in others it's more like the speed of sound.

Most people know (or have at least heard) that FTL travel is impossible. So for Supes to explicitly do this introduces, I think, an element of silliness into what is an otherwise semi-plausible sci-fi context. (Nowadays, space warps and wormholes get the job done. )

Btw, not only is FTL travel not possible, it is pointless. According to the calculations, travelling at light speed contracts the Universe (in the direction of travel) to zero length. So you can get anywhere in literally no time. Thus, moving faster won’t get you “there” faster.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

Usually, I assume there's simply something to his powers that would circumvent problems like that. Flying faster than light would involve warping space-time, like the theory goes, for example.

 

[elgaz]

Most people know (or have at least heard) that FTL travel is impossible. So for Supes to explicitly do this introduces, I think, an element of silliness into what is an otherwise semi-plausible sci-fi context. (Nowadays, space warps and wormholes get the job done. )

Btw, not only is FTL travel not possible, it is pointless. According to the calculations, travelling at light speed contracts the Universe (in the direction of travel) to zero length. So you can get anywhere in literally no time. Thus, moving faster won’t get you “there” faster.

You don't have to convince me I was just stating that his powers have been shown to be at that level before in certain comic versions, not that it makes much sense.

 

[elgaz]

I don't know if anyone's read any of the comic/film news sites today, but there's an article quoting a supposed visual effects supervisor on MOS. Now, IF the guy is genuine and this isn't made up, it certainly hints at how powerful Superman is going to be in this movie - and I like the sound of it.

Tagged it just in case it is genuine and thus turns out to be a spoiler.

Spoiler

The former was Clark Kent grabbing a truck with a crying man inside of it while flying through the middle of a tornado. It looked incredible. Henry Cavill can fly, and he can hold a truck in one arm. Zack Snyder brings his usual visual flair, but somehow is still unlike anything he has made before. It felt like a Superman comic. Real heroism.
The longer clip was even more stunning, but the more I think about it, slightly concerning. The clip consisted of Superman in full costume in a verbal argument with Zod in the center of Smallville with Christopher Meloni yells at them through a megaphone next to a tank. Meloni warns them he will fire if they do not surrender. While he says this Zod sizes Superman up. Shannon looks evil as he can be. Bone chilling even. And is DEFINITELY sporting enhanced muscle. Cavill's Superman is a wonderful sight to behold in motion. Cavill's pure size makes him the most believable Superman to date. Zod speaks in Kryptonian "Do you know your native tongue, Kal-el?" Superman looks stunned, and responds in English, "Who are you?" (there isn't enough Superman dialogue to judge Cavill's performance fairly, but I'd say he did well. Nothing spectacular from this clip.) Meloni curses, then into a walkie talkie orders the tank to fire. Superman hears this and turns to the tank. Zod takes this opportunity to sucker punch Superman(in Zack Snyder slow-then-fast-mo) then when the tank fires Superman rushes in front of Zod, despite the punch and catches the exploding missile near his stomach. The flames ripple around him, hit his face, his cape, his eyes. The shrapnel hits him and bounces off. The same happens to Zod to a lesser extent. Meloni's shocked expression when they remain standing, silhouettes in a cloud of smoke, ends the clip.

 

[craigdbfan]

Seems to be incredibly strong from what I gather.

Lifting a semi with one hand easily definitely indicates that along with that other scene.

Very good news.

 

[Prime]

Superman lifting a semi with one arm is like you or me lifting a 5 pound dumbbell with one arm so I don't think that is a good indication of just how powerful Snyder's Superman will be. But I think he will as powerful as most hope, Snyder will make sure Superman is the most powerful superhero on screen to date, some of his comments make me believe that.

 

[elgaz]

It wasn't so much lifting the semi - it was the second part of the paragraph concerning the tank which I was focusing on. That gives us a small indication of what kind of punishment he can take.

 

[Prime]

Oh, cool. Heh, its funny, what I liked about that description and why I would want it to be true, is that Superman actually went for the missile to seemingly protect Zod, instead of immediately punching him back. That's what Superman would do, since it seems he only just meet Zod and isn't yet aware Zod wouldn't harmed by a tank missile.

 

[elgaz]

Yeah, that was very Superman - always protecting others.

However it also serves another purpose - it exposes Superman's one 'weakness' to Zod - his need to protect the innocent, something which Zod will no doubt capitalise on. Even in Superman II, Superman had his hands full not just with fighting Zod, Ursa and Non, but with trying to protect innocent civilians from the fallout of their battle.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I suppose in STAS, a blast like that would have probably knocked him off his feet with an 'oompf', so it indicates he'll be stronger than that interpretation at least

Which is great news to me. I mean, that power level worked for the cartoon, but I want him to be much stronger in this film. I mean, it should be clear that he would kick Thor's and The Hulk's ass

The only thing I think should have a physical impact on him, is a blow by another kryptonian. Just because it'll make for some great fight scenes

 

[elgaz]

I hope that scene is real, because I really want to see Meloni's confused face when the smoke clears and Zod & Supes are standing there like someone has just tickled them.

 

[Blue Sugar]

Oh, cool. Heh, its funny, what I liked about that description and why I would want it to be true, is that Superman actually went for the missile to seemingly protect Zod, instead of immediately punching him back. That's what Superman would do, since it seems he only just meet Zod and isn't yet aware Zod wouldn't harmed by a tank missile.

Yeah agreed, that is pretty much Superman defined in a single action. Awesome!

 

[Prime]

I hope that scene is real

Well there were so many fake scene and trailer and what not descriptions posted already for TDKR and other movies I am not very optimistic that it is, but we'll see I guess.

 

[DarthAlani]

Yeah the tank scene if true confirms Superman is beyond Movie Thor.

 

[BigThor]

I suppose in STAS, a blast like that would have probably knocked him off his feet with an 'oompf', so it indicates he'll be stronger than that interpretation at least

Which is great news to me. I mean, that power level worked for the cartoon, but I want him to be much stronger in this film. I mean, it should be clear that he would kick Thor's and The Hulk's ass

The only thing I think should have a physical impact on him, is a blow by another kryptonian. Just because it'll make for some great fight scenes

It's hardly fair to compare Supes to movie Thor or Hulk, I'm pretty sure their powers had to be toned down for the sake of being on a "team".

Yeah the tank scene if true confirms Superman is beyond Movie Thor.

When was this ever in question?