Superman/Clark Kent - DC Comics

Character Introduction

"Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, first appearing in issue #1 of Action Comics, published in the United States on April 18, 1938. Superman has been regularly published in American comic books since then, and has been adapted to other media including radio serials, novels, films, television shows, theater, and video games. Superman is the archetypal superhero: he wears an outlandish costume, uses a codename, and fights evil and averts disasters with the aid of extraordinary abilities. Although there are earlier characters who arguably fit this definition, it was Superman who popularized the superhero genre and established its conventions. He was the best-selling superhero in American comic books up until the 1980s." (via Wikipedia)

My introduction to the character

I was very suprised that I got so in to superman as a character, for many reasons. First of all, I grew up hating him because my main exposure to the character was through Zack Snyder's Man Of Steel, which I now know is a horrible mischaracterisation of our boyscout boy in blue, as Snyder seemed to be more interested in making supes look cool, rather than actually be cool (which he totally failed at in my opinion, that superman is just an asshole. #notmysupes). Secondly, he is just so different from most of my past character hyperfixations, who tend to be traumatised child soldier characters (c!Tommy, Alex Rider, Clint Barton). I expected myself to get hooked on the bat family, as they have a lot of traumatised child characters, and even started my venture into the universe of DC characters through the Wayne Family Adventures webcomic on Webtoon, but for some reason I didn't get hooked like I was expecting.

Around the same time that I tried getting into WFA, I decided to give Smallville (2001) a try. I was lent the full box set in 2019 (when I was in the midst of my first superhero phase, though it was exclusively marvel at this time), but never ended up watching it before we returned it to my cousin a year later. This time, it was that it came up on Prime Video whilst my mum, brother, and I were looking for something to watch together. I decided to give it a shot, as it looked fun and it was the only thing we could all agree on. I was almost immediately hooked, and ended up binging the first season through that week (much to my brothers dismay, who wanted to watch it with me). Tom Welling as Clark is brilliant, though it was quite jarring to find out that season 1 Clark was 14. I fully assumed he was like a senior or something because Welling was 24 in season 1, a good 5 years older than the rest of his castmates, and you could TELL. That full grown man was beating up children. The show was very fun and very campy, which was exactly that jarring tonal shift I needed to force the MOS characterisation out of my head. Additionally, something that the Smallville made me realise, is that I absolutely LOVE casual power use in superhero media. I was so happy whenever he did little things, like use his super strength to push in nails instead of using a hammer, or when he cleaned up the house super quick using superspeed. It just felt so silly and realistic, yknow?

A side tangent about the arrowverse (IT CONNECTS I PROMISE)

Once I finished about 2 seasons of Smallville, however, I got a little bored of it and started watching some of the Arrowverse, as for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to watch the entirety of it, in order, episode by episode, jumping between shows. I managed to make it all the way to the beginning of Arrow season 3 and starting Constantine and The Flash before I got fed up with Oliver Queen (because for some reason he REALLY pissed me off in the Arrowverse. Hes such a whiny little bitch who does not deserve ❤Felicity Smoak❤. I love him in other media though (notably the latter seasons of Smallville)) and decided to jump around shows a bit. I started with watching Legends of Tomorrow because I heard that it was incredibly gay (pleased to report that yes it is) and is one of the best Arrowverse shows (also correct), and fell in love with pretty much all of the main cast, but especially Ray Palmer (who I eventually figured out is pretty much just Ted Kord Blue Beetle from the comics. who i happen to also love.) and Nora Darhk. Its literally like a cross between Doctor Who and Star Trek with even more gay people and somehow campier at times??? Anyways this has been a side tangent about LOT which I also think you should watch, thank you for listening

My introduction to the character (cont.)

That led me to Superman and Lois (2021), which in my opinion, has one of the best live action portrayals of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, as well as their relationships on a small (Smallville) and large (Government) scale. Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch make brilliant older Clark and Lois' and are such an endearing and believable couple and parents to two teenage boys. The thing that absolutely hooked me in that though show was specifically season 2 with the Bizzarro arc. The sound design, set design, acting, writing, everything about that season absolutely blew me away and made me fall in love with the show as a whole. [NOTE: Yesterday (25/08/2025) I FOUND OUT THAT JONATHAN AND JORDAN'S ACTORS ARE COMING TO SPRING ARMAGEDDON ???!??!?!!! I LITERALLY SCREAMED i dont know if i can handle seeing them in person] That wasn't to say the rest of the show wasnt good, it definitely was, and the finale CERTAINLY made me tear up, but for me, season 2 and a specific scene in season 4 (which I dont wanna talk about because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, all I will say is it was the red light scene, iykyk) were most definitely the peaks of the entire show. Best thing about it, though, is that it is barely connected at all to the rest of the Arrowverse (besides an off-handed comment at the beginning and 1 cameo that is only kind of a cameo), so it's not bogged down by years of pre-established lore and villains. It's a relatively fresh start for the Tyler Hoechlin superman who was first introduced in season 2 of Supergirl.

After finishing Superman & Lois, I ended up watching the Arrowverse's take on Crisis on Infinite Earths (a storyline done in the DC comics for the first time in 1985 to clean up storylines and provide an easier jumping on point for people looking to yet in to the comics). I was incredibly surprised with just how well done it was (especially given i had skipped like 4 years of story telling or something (though I was caught up with Legends)). More importantly, however, it made me fall in love with Brandon Routh's (who also played Ted Kord Ray Palmer) portrayal of Superman (I TOLD YOU IT WOULD CONNECT). He just seemed so,,, hopeful despite apparently being the superman in the universe who had been through the most pain and loss. I was almost immediately endeared to him, especially in his interactions with other/main Clark (Hoechlin) and Ray Palmer. I was a little disappointed by the writing in his own film (Superman Returns (2005)), however, though I will elaborate on that in my review in my superman media review section (TO BE ADDED). Following that I watched the iconic Superman (1978). I think my letterboxd review sums it all up.

I'm not sure when in the timeline of superman becoming my special interest I watched this, but it is definitely important. This show, of course, being My Adventures With Superman. Now, I tend to find it harder to watch animated stuff that live action for some reason, so the fact that I binged this entire show in 2 days definitely says something. Honestly we are in a "Superman being portrayed accurately as a happy blue country bumpkin" rennaissance in the 2020s and I am all the happier for it. What can I possibly say about this show that is actually coherent. Clark, Lois, and Jimmy's friendship is so brilliant and believeable and OUGH. This show is definitely targeted at a younger audience than most of the other stuff I watch, but I genuinely didn't find it bothering me like it usually would. The changes they make to a lot of the characters make sense for the genre and portrayal of the characters they were going for in this show. Noteably: Jimmy being a conspiracy-theorist livestreamer/youtuber is super fun and not like. Making fun of online content creators as much as I expected it to in the beginning. Lex is adequately yaoi-pilled (though I think he will be enbaldend in season 3), and the mechs provide fun twists on classic superman villains/characters. I love how unhinged Lois is throughout the show, throwing herself off of incredibly high ledges multiple times because she knows Clark will catch her, and teaming up with a bunch of supervillains to steal an alien spaceship and rescue Clark. Literally brilliant, 10/10 no notes. Not to mention the scene where Clark and Jimmy are trying to distract General Lane while hes living in their flat so that Clark can come inside from a day of supermanning without getting caught. He's so cutiepie ❤. Thinking back to it, I think this is the show that tipped my superman interest over the edge of being a hyperfixation to full blown special interest.

Finishing Smallville

Following watching those previously mentioned shows, I ended up continuing my Smallville watchthrough. By now, I was (am) in full superman special interest swing. It took me about 2 months to get through the remaining 8 seasons, and I must admit I almost gave up a couple of times when the teen drama of it all got too much for me, specifically Lana and Clark's relationship. I found it endearing at first, but by about season 5 I got absolutely sick of it and just wanted Clark and Lois to get together, as their relationship already interested me more than the schlock that was 'Clana'. However, I do remember thinking season 6 was the best season, though I don't actually remember why. The show definitely peaked while he was in high school though. Some important thoughts I thought I should include:

• The episode where Clark convinces his mother to allow them to harbor an illegal immigrant, claiming that he himself is also an illegal immigrant, which is factually true. Anyone who thinks superman is newly woke needs to eat a bag of nails.
• Jensen Ackles randomly showing up in season 3 literally made me bark. I actually barked at my television. I hadn't even seen Supernatural at this point. What is wrong with me (a lot).
• Literally everything Lois does ever. I love her so much. Erica Durance please marry me.
• THE EPISODE WITH BOOSTER GOLD ?????? ICONIC. (admittedly this was the main reason I started watching the show)
• Jimmy is so good in this show why did they do him so dirty (not as dirty as Snyder did though). I was literally copiuming so hard after that happened, fully thought that he was gonna come back and it was all a dream for the following like 5 episodes.
• Ollie in drag is literally so attractive to me idk what to say. best live action oliver queen hands down
• My Very Mormon grandmother who very rarely swears or says bad things about anyone called Lionel Luthor a 'Bastard' more times that I can count. She also basically said he should kill himself at one point.
• The season 2 finale Lex wedding was SO GOOD i dont see enough people talking about it. I could write a whole analysis on that arc alone. Literally the fact that he doesn't invite his father but invites the Kent's to sit at the table reserved for the grooms family??? kills me every time.
• I had a wierd relationship with the theme song throughout the show. I liked it at first, thinking it was very of the time. But then about 4 seasons in it got grating and hated hearing it. But, by the end, I ended up coming back around and ironically love it. Its so Smallville (2001).

Superman (2025) - This is where it gets a bit more incoherent

#KEEPTHEGUNNLOADED #NOGUNNCONTROL #THISMOVIEMADEMEFEELSOMETHINGTHATNOMOVIEHASEVERMADEMEFEELBEFOR
Suffice to say, I like Superman (2025). Genuinely this movie changed my brain chemistry in a way no movie ever has before. As soon as the fortress started playing footage from Clark's childhood with the Kent's at the end I actually burst in to hysterics and clutched on to my superman popcorn bucket for dear life. My friend ended up comforting me while seeming both confused and amused. Quote from my tumblr after getting out of the movie the first time:

"i have never felt as much autistic joy as i am rn (jusy finished the superman movie)

#i genuienly dstarted fucking sobbing at the end in THE best possinle way"

Might as well chuck in my review of the movie after I saw it a second time as well:

i would make a review post for superman like i did thunderbolts but i literally cannot formulate my thoughts in to coherent sentences. even after my second watch. its that fucking good.

as much as i love tradgedies and depressing media, its really nice to have something that positive come out of the superhero genre, especially right now. like this movie made me happy in a way no other movie has ever made me feel; its made me hopeful for the future again after such a long period of constant heartache and dissapointment tgat genuinely made me start losing faith in humanity. it reminded me that there are truly good people out there, and sometimes all we need is to know someone is out there, someone that powerful, who is truly good that, we can look up to, and that we should all do our best to be like them.

cynicism (or even "non-chalance") has been the prevailing mindset for too long, hopefully this film will help make people believe that it's cool to care again.

It was truly all the little things that made this movie so important to me. The little details like Clark saving the squirrel; him feeling his emotions so deeply and loving so freely; loving humanity but not being naive about the nature of it; Ma and Pa living in a little house that reminds me of the ones I grew up in; Ma and Pa not being great with technology and yelling into the phone about how much they love him and want him to come visit soon. I could literally go on forever but I won't. The one complaint I have about this movie is that it should've been longer, and even then thats not a bad complaint !!!!! I literally just want more movie and more David Cornswet (who I swear was made in a lab to be superman. you cannot convince me otherwise) and more Rachel Brosnahan Lois Lane which I PRAYYYYY we get in Peacemaker season 2 (cos I know that not even members of the press have seen the last 2 episodes cos its apparently THAT BIG of a finale (i think they're all gonna die though from that opening sequence)). I want to give clark and lois both big sloppy kisses on the forehead. I'm not usually one to buy merch with people's faces on them but I saw a Superman shirt in EB Games that had soups himself on it and says something like "you're much stronger than you think you are" and immediately bought it. I have worn it so many times in the month I've had it its insane (I also have a button up that I call my SuperClark button up cos its they type of shirt he would wear to work but its the superman colours). Literally this movie has made me insane in the best way but it is also detrimental to my bank account. (03/09/2025 - My lovely amazing friend bought me a superdad shirt (ironically) but jokes on him i love it)

Comic Recommendations

Admittedly, I haven't read as many Superman solo comics as I wish I had, but I will recommend what I can. I will also include comics about/starring superman-adjacent characters (i.e Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen).

• Batman/Superman: Worlds Finest (2022) - Ongoing series that is SUPER (haha) fun so far. I'm admittedly not the biggest batman fan (its the contrarian in me) but he's pretty good in this run as well. It tells the story of a younger Batman and Superman, when they just became known as 'Worlds Finest'. It's quite a good jumping on point if you're just getting into comics the first time, as its not as bogged down by previous story arcs as some of the other more modern stuff. It's very reminiscient of Superman (2025) in the colours and how it throws you in to a world where superheroes are already established and have been for at least a century at this point, and makes no explicit effort to explain stuff to the audience, which honestly is to the betterment of the story. We as the readers are in similar positions to our titular characters, in that we are familiar enough with the world (from superheroes, especially these ones, being such well known figures even to the most casual of fan), to have a basic understanding on whats going on, but since bats and supes are still relatively new, theyre still figuring some things out. Dan Mora's art is impeccable as always, Jimmy gets to have superpowers again, they time travel at multiple points (second one is to do with an event though). I first found this comic at my local library, where they had the collected edition of the second story arc. I ended up reading it in one session, then when I got home I read the first arc, and continued the rest of the story until I caught up. Now I'm reading it as it comes out.


• Absolute Superman (2024) - This series is part of the new Absolute universe, that like Marvel's Ultimate universe, is a universe featuring characters that are familiar to us, but with a twist. In the case of Absolute Superman, Kal El still lands in the paddock of Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, Kansas, where they take him in and teach him about humanity, and he gains a love for and a need to protect said people of earth. Aside from that, however, everything else is different. The Absolute universe is a parallel one in which Darkseid prevails, leading to a much gloomier and dreadful existence. It follows on from the All In comic event (which is not required reading) and is so far a very fun and interesting retelling of such an iconic character. Unlike a lot of other darker superman retellings, this one doesn't just make him evil. Instead of his hardships leading to him to turn his back on humanity and society in general, it reinforces his drive to do good (as it should). This is currently my favourite absolute run (ive only read superman, flash, and green lantern so far) and it makes the death of Krypton so much more heartbreaking. His suit is so cool and fits so well with the themes of this new interpretation, and the use of red with him provides such a good contrast with his main universe counterpart, who is more associated with the colour blue. Highly recommend you at least give the first issue a shot, and if you enjoy it, it shouldn't take too long to catch up either!
• Superman for All Seasons (1998) - Very well known and iconic series for a good reason. I managed to pick up the full run for $30 from a second hand store and OUGH. MY HEART. It shows Clark as he grows in to superman and becomes the beacon of hope that he should be. As of right now, I am only halfway through the run, but its so good so far. Has me kicking my feet and grinning like a maniac, as all good comics should do.