Kal-El is a Kryptonian, born on the late planet of Krypton. He was the only child of Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, who escaped his planet before its impending doom, sent in a rocket to Earth, where he was raised as Clark Joseph Kent. He would go onto become a mild mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, as well as the hero, known as Superman.
DCeased (2019)/DCeased: Hope At World's End (2020)[]
Issue 1-2 (DCeased)[]
Superman was among the founding members of the Justice League, following their most recent defeat of Darkseid. With his new god foe back on Apokolips and their victory short lived, Superman was among the many who began wondering where Cyborg had gone. Luckily for them, Batman was able to place a tracker on Cyborg, but because of it's 2 light year reach, it was determined he was no longer on Earth. Superman would then go to consult Mister Miracle and his wife, Big Barda about this, only to hurry back to Metropolis, hearing the screams of it's populace. With this, he knew Lois and Jon were in trouble. Clark had arrived just in time to blast Lois' phone and their TV with his heat vision, sparing them from infection. Clark looks out, intending to contact the league, only for the others to believe that there might not be a league left due to this and Damian Wayne, who had been with them at the start of the incident, attempted to contact his father.
Following this, Superman wished to head for Smallville to check on his adoptive parents, but didn't wish to leave his family defenseless, so Lois decided that they would be safe at the Daily Planet. They arrive at the planet, where they intend to use the analog TV and radio stations, only for Superman to stop them, as the area is infested. With little choice, he then goes off to find Hal Jordan, but ends up finding Dinah Lance, who was chosen by Hal's ring to become the new lantern. Superman convinces her that she needs it, despite her initial reluctance and she, as well as Green Arrow accompany Superman back to the city. Once back, they learn that Damian was able to contact his father, but learn that Bruce, as well as the others have been infected by the virus and was slowing the process via Mr. Freeze's cryo-suit. Before he could finish his sentence about how Alfred had something for him however, Bruce turned and Alfred was forced to kill him.
Issue 3-4 (DCeased)[]
Following the death of Bruce Wayne and Damian grieving over his father's death, Arrow asked Superman if he was going to be okay. Superman, knowing Damian was in fact his father's son, replied that he would find a way to bury this pain and look toward the future. With Dinah and Arrow now there to protect his family, Superman flew to Smallville, aiding any who were in need of assistance along the way, including Black Lightning who was fighting Clayface. He ordered Lightning to get his family to the Planet as well before going to his home in Smallville. Superman arrives, finding his adoptive mother, Martha, unharmed, but his adoptive father, Jonathan, was locked in the barn, having been infected. With that, Superman brought Martha back with him to the Planet.
Superman returns to the Planet with Martha and by that time, Lois was able to broadcast a signal to all with powers, regardless if they were hero or villain and meet at the planet. Superman then went to go and aid others, only to be stopped, with his friends and family worried about him being infected if he saw a screen. He then reveals that he's been using his x-ray vision this whole time, keeping him immune to the virus' influence. Superman and Dinah then headed for Keystone City, where he finds both Flash and Kid Flash in isolation, by order of Batman to keep them from infection and they engaged an infected Giganta and defeat her. Wonder Woman arrives and goes to kill Giganta, only for Superman to stop her, believing that there was hope in curing her. Despite this however, Cyborg, who returned from Apokolips, killed her instead. The return to the Planet, where Superman learns that the Anti-Living are seeking out the living and that's it. After Wonder Woman saved Hawkgirl from falling, she revealed to them that Captain Atom had turned and was about to go off in Washington D.C. With that, Superman and Wonder Woman left for the capital, where they battled Atom and brought him up into the sky where he detonated.
Issues 5-6 (DCeased)[]
Having survived the blast from Captain Atom's detonation with Wonder Woman, Superman bears witness to the destruction in it's aftermath, believing their friends and family dead. It's then revealed that just before the blast, Dinah created a protective barrier over the roof of the planet, protecting the survivors. Lex and Lena Luthor also survived via their power armor and forge an alliance with Superman, aiding the heroes in their mission. The next few days, the heroes began to sever the internet and lifting up parts of the Amazon island of Themyscira to act as a safe haven for refugees. Superman also converts his Fortress of Solitude into an information hub, as well as a new Hall of Heroes. At the hall, Cyborg has plans to build arks of survivors to flee Earth and find a new world, but Superman didn't want to leave Earth, leading into a heated argument with Lex and Lois decking the former criminal in the face. Following Flash's infection, he fleed into the world, infecting others, leaving Superman no choice but to collide with the Scarlet Speedster and kill him. Though he succeeded, Superman found himself infected by the blood of his late friend.
With his remaining time left, Superman bid his family and friends farewell and attempted to starve the virus of oxygen by flying into space, only to be too late and succumbing to the virus completely. He then began causing untold destruction around the world, starting in New York. As he lay waste to New York, he was then attacked by Dinah, Wonder Woman and Cyborg, who had fused Diana's Sword of Athena with a sliver of Kryptonite, augmented with the mystical power of her sword. Superman was able to recover and learned that the arks were now leaving Earth and Themyscira had fallen, leading to him attacking Dinah, but she protected herself via shield construct. Cyborg then attacked Superman, leading to Wonder Woman slicing off his arm and then impaling him on the blade. He then retaliated with punching her through her armor, infecting her in the process. Despite his injuries, Superman flew towards the arks and Jon was able to see him, leading to him facing his father head on in order to keep him from attacking their only chance of escape. Briefly incapacitated by his son, Superman then attempted to go after the arks, only to be stopped by reinforcements from Oa thanks to Dinah. With little choice, Superman flew into the sun and began absorbing it's power into his Kryptonian cells.
DCeased: Dead Planet (2020)[]
Since fleeing for the sun, Superman wasn't seen as much in this comic series, as he's been absorbing the energy of the star into his cells, resulting in him cooling the Earth. Once Earth was cured of the virus however, the Justice League's plans were to cure Superman next.
DCeased: War of the Undead Gods (2022)[]
Issue 1[]
Following all of the Earth's populace being cured, the Justice League had formed up and were going to cure Superman, who had remained in the core the Earth's sun for the last 5 years. Jon flew into the sun, which caused Kal to sense his son's arrival and he attacked him faster and stronger than before. He was able to hold his own for a time, until they were able to hold the man of steel down and then give him the cure. Once their task was completed, they gave Clark a new uniform, since the old one had burned off him in the 5 years he remained in the sun and a new prosthetic limb to replace the one he lost to Wonder Woman. The league then opened a boom tube home, where Clark was reunited with both his adoptive mother and Lois, as well as his adoptive father reuniting with his wife.
Following their reunion, probes of the Coluan cyborg Brainiac were fast approaching Earth-2. Before Jessica Cruz, a Green Lantern even sounded the alarm, both Clark and Jon were already engaging the robots. Hours later, Brainiac's vessel arrived in orbit over the planet, badly damaged and falling apart. Both Clark and Jon went into the vessel, finding Brainiac had been badly torn apart and warned them that the gods were dead, but still coming and that they needed to stop them together.
Issue 2[]
The next issue continues where the previous left off, where Superman, Jon and the Lantern Corps are consulting Brainiac's need for assistance. Though Guy Gardener is against it at first, Superman is then given the last city of Krypton by the Coluan, as a gesture of good will. When asked about why he was giving it away, Brainiac told him that if the universe died, so would his knowledge. Lois consults Brainiac, despite Guy's reservations and Superman says to them that he was a slave to the anti-life equation and that they were facing the end of the universe. Brainiac then tells him that time is fleeting the longer they talk, but Superman tells him that is irrelevant as they will get every ally to come to their aid.
Issue 3[]
Clark was seen following his meeting with Brainiac on Earth 2, where he and Lois were with Jon Stewart at the time he got a message from Oa. He learned of the fall of Korugar and that all Lanterns were to report back to Oa at once.
Issue 4[]
Superman accompanies the heroes to Oa, where he learns from the Guardians that 12 planets have already perished and billions are lost. They then reveal their plan to wipe out entire planets to ensure they can cull the infection, but Superman objects to this, as he knows a cure exists. Ganthet attempts to detain Superman, only for the Man of Steel to smash the construct and knock him out. This leads to a fight with the corps, caused by Ares, which is then stopped with the arrival of Mxyzptlk.
Physical Characteristics[]
Physical Appearance[]
Kal-El, prior to his transformation into a member of the anti-living, was a caucasian Kryptonian male, in his 30s, standing at 6'4" tall, weighing in at 225 lb. He had jet black hair with blue eyes and was very muscular. Following his transformation, much of his characteristics remained. however he would eventually lose one of his arms to Wonder Woman. Since he was cured, he now sports an advanced prosthetic limb, which replaces his lost limb from when Wonder Woman sliced it.
Personality & Traits[]
Kal-El's personality prior to his transformation was one that many revered. Kal was selfless and caring, as well as wise and possessed great leadership skills. Following his transformation however, Kal's personality had changed, to one that was linked to the hive mind of the Anti-Living. His personality would then change back to normal, following the league curing him.
Powers & Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Kryptonian Physiology: Initially, Kal-El was born with a Kryptonian physiology, which under the effects of a yellow sun, gave him extraordinary abilities, which made him known as Superman. When he was infected by the Anti-Living Virus by The Flash, his body was changed and he became a zombified version of himself. Despite this, he still maintained his powers and abilities from before. Following being cured by his son and the League, Kal-El returned to normal, maintaining all of his previous abilities.
- Solar Energy Absorption: Superman's cells are capable of absorbing a great amount of solar energy into them, rendering him, effectively, a solar battery. These cells aid in giving him his powers under the effects of a yellow sun and he can store this energy should he need it.
- Invulnerability: Superman's biological make up is extraordinarily dense which is due to the fact that environment Kryptonians are naturally from are denser than that of Earth's. Under the effects of a yellow sun, his body is virtually impervious to physical damage as well as bullets, lasers, etc.
- Superhuman Strength: As Superman possesses an extraordinarily dense molecular structure, his muscles are also known to be far stronger than that of a normal human. This gives him the ability to lift an indeterminate amount of weight over his head.
- Superhuman Healing: Though he possesses virtual invulnerability, Superman has been known to sustain damage from certain beings before, like Doomsday. If however he does receive injuries that his invulnerability cannot protect him from, he can heal at a speed faster than that of a normal human being.
- Superhuman Senses: Superman's senses are known to be far superior than that of a normal human being.
- Telescopic Vision: Superman's eyes are known to give him the ability to see things from a great distance.
- Microscopic Vision: Superman's eyes are capable of seeing things far smaller than a normal human eye can allow, such as germs and even nanobots.
- Superhuman Hearing: One of the most iconic of his abilities, Superman's hearing is known to be far greater than a normal human's. He is capable of hearing things from miles away and even capable of listening to frequencies that only dogs can hear.
- Superhuman Smell: Superman's sense of smell gives him the ability to detect all forms of odors on the entire planet.
- X-Ray Vision: Superman's most iconic power is his ability to see through virtually every known solid object.
- Flight: While on Earth and planets similar, Superman has the ability to manipulate gravitons which enable him to defy the laws of gravity which normal people cannot accomplish.
- Heat Vision: Superman's absorption of solar energy gives him the ability to channel it through his eyes which produce beams of intense heat from them. He can make the beams visible or invisible.
- Longevity: As an alien lifeform, Superman's healing factor and invulnerability give him a far slower aging process than that of a normal human being.
- Super Breath: Superman's powerful lungs can intake tons of air which he exhales from his mouth to produce hurricane force winds. He can also apply the same power by pressing his lips to produce winds with sub-zero temperatures and therefore freeze objects.
Abilities[]
Weaknesses[]
- Kryptonite: An element from his homeworld, Kryptonite is known to weaken Superman and any other Kryptonian exposed to it within seconds. This element drains them of their powers and eventually will lead to their deaths. The only thing that can protect Superman from the harmful effects of Kryptonite however is Lead.
- Red Sun: Under the native sun of his homeworld which was indeed a red sun, Superman is rendered as mortal as any human is under their natural sun.
- Magic: Superman has shown to have a weakness to energies of magical or even extradimensional in nature.
- Lead: Though it doesn't effect him physically like it does a Daxamite, Superman cannot see through lead as it is too dense for his x-ray vision to penetrate.
- Metahumans: Though he is extremely powerful, Superman has indeed faced enemies with powers that can rival his own. Any being who can match or even surpass his physical strength have the potential of beating him. Examples of this are beings like Darkseid and even Doomsday.
Equipment[]
- Prosthetic Limb: Following having lost his arm when he was zombified, Superman was outfitted with an advanced prosthesis, following being cured by the League.