Superman |
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Portrayed by Tom Welling |
Statistics |
Full Name |
Kal-El |
Age |
31 |
Height |
6'3" |
Build |
Superhuman |
Eyes |
Blue |
Hair |
Black |
Factions |
None |
Occupation |
Journalist |
Alignment |
Hero |
Claim to Fame
Superman defends humankind against all manner of threats, while championing truth, justice, and the American way.
Reputation
Superman is considered an American cultural icon. He and his family crest appear in comic books, television series, t- shirts, action figures, duvets, lunch boxes, shoes, coffee cups, and anything else you might think of. More than that, he is a celebrity, public figure, and superhero. He has come to represent the very best of what it means to be an American.
Biography
One evening, on the cusp of winter, a rocket thundered from the heavens and crashed down in a wheat field just outside the town of Smallville, Kansas. Martha and Jonathan Kent were a married couple for whom the prospect of children had become more and more remote, and it was their car that the spacecraft almost struck when it landed. When they found a clean, unharmed infant within the ship they feared just what events had brought him there. They took the infant and the damaged ship back to their farm, just as the worst blizzard in a century settled over the town.
Some months later, when the snows had cleared and the Kents had re-established communications with their neighbours, Jonathan and Martha revealed the baby to the world. Their claim was that Martha had been pregnant and that the boy had been born during the winter. The good-natured people of Smallville believed them, and from then on the boy – whom they named Clark after Martha’s maiden name.
As Clark grew, he slowly came to learn that he may not be the biological son of Jon and Martha Kent. He discovered strange powers, ranging from strength and speed far beyond a boy his age as well as the ability to weather the kind of harm that would kill most people without so much as a scratch. In time, his parents confessed just how they’d come to find him and that he might not be from Earth after all. After graduating from high school, Clark set off for a year to travel and learn just who he truly was.
Young Clark travelled the world, doing everything from working on fishing boats to writing articles on the war in the Sudan. All along he was plagued by a call, a call that eventually drove him into the frozen reaches of the Arctic. There he found a crystalline stronghold, an outpost created by alien technology, and within it he found the answers he sought.
He was Kal-El. His biological parents were Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. His homeworld was Krypton and they had sent him to Earth to escape a great cataclysm that had destroyed it. The Fortress he found himself in was a contingency plan, a sort of museum grown from self-replicating crystalline technology that existed to instruct him on his heritage. In learning this, he also learned that his alien physiology granted him amazing powers under the radiation of Earth’s yellow sun.
Having seen the suffering on Earth and knowing that he could alleviate it with his powers, Clark set out to actively make a difference in the world. Moving to the bustling city of Metropolis, he found employment at the Daily Star under editor-in-chief George Taylor. Outside of working to uncover corruption as a journalist, Clark donned a shirt and cape bearing the crest of the House of El and actively fighting all those who would seek to profit off the pain of good people.
The media called him Superman.
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Character Details
Superman is possessed of a strong sense of justice and a compassionate streak that runs ten miles deep. When he first began his career, he dedicated himself more to the righting of social wrongs and the breaking of the rich and influential people who took advantage of pain and suffering to get where they were. While he still has a strong desire to see justice and fairness prevail, he devotes himself more to helping anyone and everyone he can - from the kitten in the tree to the planet facing down an intergalactic alien conquest.
Agriculture |
Clark Kent was raised on a farm. As his powers began to manifest, he started taking on more and more of the work. There is little about farming that he doesn't know. And while those days are behind him, you never forget. |
Breath |
Superman has great lung capacity. Although he does not need to breathe oxygen, he is capable of pulling it into his body, and expels it, either by chilling it, or creating a hurricane like condition. He can breathe in gasses harmful to those around him, or blow them away, dissipating them into small enough particles that they are no longer considered harmful to humans. |
Diplomacy |
Superman is an accomplished diplomat. By actively listening and directing the conversation, he has been able to settle disputes between the bitterest of rivals. While his own charisma and notoriety can be of assistance, it really all comes down to the man, Clark Kent. He knows how to read people and help to set them on their path. However, he isn't above some cowboy diplomacy. |
Eidetic Memory |
Superman has an eidetic memory. He is like a computer in a way. Everything he hears, sees, smells, tastes, and touches, he can recall at an instant. He can still be distracted, but if he can focus, he can recall it clearly. This also helps immensely when learning languages. He's not a polyglot, but he's close. |
Flight |
Superman can fly. He can levitate himself, floating like a balloon, or direct his flight, moving at supersonic speeds in a planetary atmosphere, achieving speeds of over 3200 kilometres per second. Theoretically, he could travel faster than that in an atmosphere, but the environmental effects of his flight would be devastating. In space, he can travel faster than light. |
Healing |
Superman is difficult to hurt, but he can be hurt, and when it does happen, he heals rather quickly. His healing even works in the presence of green Kryptonite. Without it, he would die instantly, but his body fights to keep him alive, even if he's in a near comatose state. When he is no longer in the presence of green Kryptonite, his body will rapidly heal any injuries. |
Heat Vision |
Superman can emit beams of intense heat from his eyes. They can be focused and directed, much smaller than the head of a pin, or wide enough to fill his peripheral vision. He can precisely control the temperature generated from these beams, from barely tepid, to reproducing the heat from the sun. |
Invulnerable |
Superman is nigh-on invulnerable when in the presence of a yellow dwarf star. His clothing may get damaged, the people and materials around could disintegrate, but he will remain. Because magic does not adhere to the physical laws of the universe, he can be harmed by it. He is susceptible to telepathic efforts. And there is Kryptonite. But aside from those, there is little if anything that can hurt him. A sufficient force can knock him back. Still, he is difficult to move. He is not technically an "immovable object," though some might want to call him that. You name it, he can survive it. |
Journalism |
Clark Kent is an award winning journalist. He works for the prestigious Daily Planet. His articles mostly focus on investigative journalism, or international news, but in a pinch, he's been known to write the odd "puff piece" on a slow news day. Even for Superman, sometimes it can be difficult to find a strong enough lead. Though it's an extremely rare situation. |
Kryptonian Physiology |
Superman is a Kryptonian. While they appear more or less human, below the surface, they are very different. At the cellular level, Kryptonians are denser than their human counterparts, affording them a greater physical resilience. Kryptonians are hardy and naturally athletic. Their metabolism means it's difficult for one to gain excess weight. And of course, there are the extra organs, like the ones that turned Clark Joseph Kent into Superman. |
Legion Flight Ring |
Superman was given a Legion Flight Ring. Sometimes he keeps it at the Fortress of Solitude, other times he leaves it at his apartment, and sometimes he wears it, though it is rarely visible. It has the ability to cloak itself. Were he to lose his ability to fly for some reason, like being on another planet with a different kind of sun, it would allow him to fly, but not at super speeds. He keeps it as a memento of his time in the future. |
Mental Blocks |
Superman has learned to create mental blocks, which allow him to preserve his secret identity. When someone bumps into him, when he is caught unaware, like being hit in the back, he reacts as a human would, by falling down. Once, he had to consciously direct himself to allow someone to push him, to shove him, to not break their hand if they slap him or anything like that. Now, he doesn't need to worry. As Clark, he reacts normally. If he was shot in the back, and for some reason didn't hear it, the bullet would still bounce off of him. This lets him live among humans without accidentally harming them. |
Science |
Superman is moderately versed on Kryptonian technology. He received his education in the Fortress of Solitude. As he learned to operate and maintain this technology, he developed a scientific understanding that would rival many experienced professionals in a variety of fields. He may not be a scientist per say, but there are technological and scientific principles that he would be considered an expert on. It comes with the territory. |
Solar Radiation Absorption |
Superman's body acts like a battery, metabolising the radiation from a yellow dwarf star, storing it as energy, and releasing it when needed. The first effect of this absorption is that he does not require any other form of sustenance. He enjoys eating, and can process food, but the sun's rays are all he needs to survive. He does not tire from exertion. He could stay awake for days at a time, either fighting, or just remaining conscious. And he no longer seems to age. He does not know if this form of radiation effectively makes him immortal, but it is distinct possibility. He tries not to think about it too much. Other forms of solar radiation, like the red dwarf star of Krypton, would give him characteristics more in keeping with a human. |
Superhuman Senses |
Superman's senses are far better than those of a human. He can see into the electromagnetic spectrum, noting and identifying radio and television waves, other transmitted frequencies, heat, cold, radiation, and the like. His eyes can focus on objects at great distance. On a clear day, he read the inscription on the International Space Station while standing on the sidewalk. When he wants to see something very small, he can focus on sub atomic particles. And he has a form of passive X-Ray, which is not in any way harmful to humans the way real X-Rays are. His hearing is better than those of an animal, and he can differentiate between them, finding a single voice in a city if need be. He can identify the components of food by taste, thanks to his eidetic memory and incredible palate. He has an enhanced sense of smell and touch. But he is not just limited to the five traditional senses. His sense of equilibrioception (balance), thermoception (temperature), proprioception (kinaesthetic), and nociception (pain) are all enhanced too. |
Superhuman Speed |
Superman is fast. On the ground or in the air, he is capable of moving and reacting at phenomenal speeds. In an planetary atmosphere, he is not as fast as the Flash, as his speed would cause enormous devastation, while the Flash seems able to negate much of the collateral damage associated with such efforts. He can catch bullets or redirect them, cross vast distances in an instant; seconds at the worst. And he is able to perceive at this speed. |
Superhuman Strength |
Superman is strong. There are no tests that can be performed to measure this strength, as he seems to be as strong as he needs to be. When in the presence of a yellow dwarf star, continuously metabolising its solar radiation, he is able to lift any manmade object that won't crumble under its own weight when hoisted aloft. In space, he can move asteroids. On Earth, he can carve out channels to redirect rivers. When he exerts himself, trying to perform some unusually difficult feat of strength, his muscles actually grow slightly larger, bulging and popping against his clothes, reverting to their natural state shortly thereafter. In terms of strength, he has yet to meet his equal. |
Unarmed Combat |
Superman is an accomplished unarmed combatant. Originally, he relied on his abilities, but over the years, he has honed them, learning to control them better, and to use skill and finesse. Even without his powers, he would be able to hold his own in a fight. He's no Shang-Chi, but he isn't completely helpless without his powers either. Alone in his Fortress of Solitude, he has studied and practiced the ancient Kryptonian martial art of Torquasm-Vo. |
Ventriloquism |
Superman is an incredible ventriloquist. Between his eidetic memory, advanced auditory perception, and through the use of precise muscle control, he can duplicate any sound that humanoid body is capable of making. This usually means mimicking a voice to disguise himself on the phone or to fool a security system, but it also means that he can sing, either recreating the artists voice, or singing the same lyrics in his own voice in perfect pitch. |
Will |
Superman has strength in conviction, free of corruption and temptation, and he is above reproach. He cannot be easily dissuaded from his chosen path. Oh, he can be convinced that he is in error, to revaluate his decision, but he will not be deterred by physical or mental manipulation. He is an optimist of the highest order, and knows no fear. That can be a powerful combination. |
Costume |
Superman's costume is made from Kryptonian fabric that resembles the unstable molecule formula developed by Reed Richards. It is resistant to tearing, extreme heat and cold, and is both self-repairing and self-cleaning. Most people think that Superman has hundreds of these stored away somewhere. In truth, he has five. One at home, one at the Daily Planet, one at the Kent farm, one at the Fortress of Solitude, and one spare, just in case. |
Celebrity |
Superman is a celebrity. He has been given the keys to Metropolis. His likeness or his family crest appear on t-shirts, binders, backpacks, napkins, plates, cups, key chains, action figures, and all manner of merchandise. He is known across the planet, and even beyond. His reputation precedes him. Sometimes that can be a bad thing, but most of the time, he is treated with the honour and respect he deserves. When Superman speaks, everybody listens. |
Daily Planet |
Clark Kent is a reporter at the Daily Planet newspaper. His articles appear in print, online, and rarely, video. He is a highly respected member of the press, and is a minor celebrity in his own right. They might not recognise his face, but they will recognise his name, and his employer, the Daily Planet. The staff of the Planet is truly remarkable. They are good at what they do, and that the Planet has survived in print form through the switch to digital media is a testament to the effort and dedication of its employees. |
Fortress Of Solitude |
Superman has a little piece of Krypton, right here on Earth. It is called the Fortress of Solitude, and it is so remote that no one has ever found it without Superman's assistance. Modelled after Krypton, the Fortress makes use of advanced technology far beyond that of human understanding. Over time, it has grown to incorporate confiscated artefacts, devices, and alien technology. It also includes habitats designed for creatures similar to him, the last of their kind. He may not remember Krypton, but it was his home. |
Justice League |
Superman was a founding member of the Justice League. He has fought alongside some of the most powerful and influential superhumans alive today. Between them, the Justice League could probably take over the world. Instead, they endeavour to protect it. With their resources, there is very little they could not accomplish. Fortunately for the rest of us, they are the good guys. |
Learning |
Superman is intelligent, has an eidetic memory, and can think at super speeds. This allows him to learn new subjects at a phenomenal rate. If he had the need, he could become at expert in every field known to man, and some that are not. As such, he reads a lot, but he does it for pleasure. He only learns about the more advanced subjects like quantum physics when there is a need. He is not a scientist. He doesn't enjoy spending hours on end in a laboratory, so he has spent more time studying the classics than sciences. |
Polyglot |
Superman is a polyglot. But he doesn't just learn new languages; he can speak them with a local accent, enough to fool a native speaker. His eidetic memory allows him to remember every word of that language he has ever heard or seen, and his precise muscle control allows him to speak as a native speaker would. |
Supergirl |
Superman has a cousin named Kara. She is his 'older' cousin, though she appears to be a teenager, and he is a fully grown man. It's a long story. But even though he does not know her as well as he would like, he loves her. She is family and she is perhaps the only one who can ever truly understand what he goes through. He knows that he can count on her, but he's also trying to help her to acclimatise. He never had to go through what she's going through; he arrived as an infant. But he tries to watch out for her, to help, to bridge the gap between Earth and Krypton, or what's left of it at any rate. |
Alien |
Superman has spent most of his life living on Earth. But that does not make him human. He identifies with them and he looks like them, but he is not one of them. He is more. He is a God among them. That he chooses to be a benevolent God, to help them, does not change the fact that there is a fundamental difference between him and them. He's thought about this, it's eaten away at him. He wants so badly to be normal, and yet, he accepts that he can do so much more. He can fool them, he has fooled them for decades, but he cannot fool himself. He is something else, and he can never truly be one of them. He was raised to be Clark Joseph Kent, but he was born Kal-El. |
Kryptonite |
Superman suffers from an extreme allergic reaction when he is in the presence of Kryptonite. Green is the most common variant, which causes nausea and other debilitating effects. His reaction is directly proportional to his proximity to the fragment. Were one to be lodged in his body, he would eventually perish, though he has managed to survive for several minutes under these conditions in the past. When he is removed from the presence of Kryptonite, his recovery is rapid. Lead seems to be able to shield him from these effects. There appear to be a number of Kryptonite variants, though no two colours have the same effect on his physiology. He is still learning about these variants and what affect they have on Kryptonian physiology. |
Magic |
Superman might as well be a normal man when magic is present. Because magic bypasses the natural laws of physics, there is little that Superman can do against them. So long as magic is not performed on him directly, he retains his powers, but they are often of little use. A magical lightning bolt will cause him as much trouble as an ordinary lightning bolt would a normal man. The only advantage he would have there is that he would recover, that is to say, if he survived, he would heal in less time than a normal man would. |
Morality |
Superman lives his life according to a strict code of conduct. He epitomises the very best of what is often referred to as "American Values." He is fair, has a strong work ethic, compassion for the downtrodden, he is educated, honest, just, responsible, a devoted family man, and patriotic. He is a beacon for "truth, justice, and the American Way." He does not believe in killing, will attempt to find a diplomatic solution, only using force as a last resort. When a diplomatic solution is not possible, and there is no other way, he will do what he believes to be right, even if it hardly an ideal solution to the problem. In a difficult situation, one where he is faced with the choice between two evils, he will choose the lesser one. |
Rogues Gallery |
Superman has enemies. Some he has made by his actions, stopping criminals, aiding in their arrest, even testifying under a court of law. Others despise him for what he is. Some want to prove themselves against him. Whatever their motivation, there are those who would gladly harm him or those he cares about. They sit and ponder what they will do to him when the time is right. All he can do is worry about the unknown, who is out there and how far are they willing to go? He has no fear for himself, as he is a God among mortal men. But even a God can be afraid. He is afraid of losing things, and people. |
Secret Identity |
Superman maintains a secret identity. He does this in a number of ways. First, as Clark, he wears glasses, he styles his hair differently, and he acts clumsily. You'd be surprised how helpful the odd stutter, trip, or broken plate can be when maintaining a secret identity. More than that, as Superman, he oscillates his face, making it difficult if not impossible for any recording device to get a sharp image of his facial features. To the frustration of camera operators everywhere, he's always just out of focus. Were someone to learn that Clark Kent is Superman, it would put his family, friends, and co-works at risk. The very thought of this terrifies him. |
Solar Radiation |
Superman's physiology absorbs the radiation from the Earth's sun, a yellow dwarf, and processes it into energy his body can use. He's spent a lifetime charging his batteries. When removed from the presence of a yellow dwarf, like when on another world with a different kind of star, he will begin to weaken. The use of his powers will deplete them, and they cannot be restored without the presence of a yellow dwarf. This will not be immediate, though he will feel weaker. If he were transported against his will, for example, by teleportation, he would know immediately that he was no longer in the Solar System. Under these conditions, the use of his powers will be more taxing. Over time, they will diminish, until ultimately, he will be an ordinary man. |
Telepathy |
Superman is determined, he can be stubborn, and wilful, but he has no defence against telepathy beyond that of someone who is steadfast in his convictions. He'll put up a fight and he'll resist, but in the end, he'll lose. Whether they want to confuse him or control him, it can be done. The more they want him to violate his ideals or his moral code, the bigger the fight he'll make. |
Relationships
Image |
Name |
Relation |
Information |
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Jimmy Olsen |
Friend |
Best Friend |
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Lois Lane |
Friend |
It's all making sense now. |
|
Supergirl |
Cousin |
Kara is his 'older' cousin, though she appears to be a teenager, while he is a fully grown man. It's a long story. But even though he does not know her as well as he would like, he loves her. She is family and she is perhaps the only one who can ever truly understand what he goes through. He arrived as an infant, so he never had to acclimatise. But he's trying to help and watch out for her. |
|
Wonder Woman |
Friend |
Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, Diana of Themyscira, Superman knows her by all three names. Whatever you call hrt, she is one of his best friends, a woman he is proud to know, and happy to work with, whenever occasion demands. They share a mutual respect and friendship for one another; nothing more. |
Character Gallery
Logs
Bacon and Steak
December 31, 2014: Vigilantes, men doing right, bacon wrapped around a slab of steak Ron Swanson Style and talks of Green Lantern.
(log: 20141231-baconandsteak | tags: lois_lane metropolis superman the_crow | posted: 31 Dec 2014 23:12)
What the heck is a Tholtar?
December 26, 2014: A street fortune teller stops Clark Kent on the way to work. He won't take no for an answer.
(log: 20141226-what-the-heck-is-a-tholtar | tags: metropolis spitfire superman tholtar | posted: 26 Dec 2014 23:08)
Give Me Your Heart
December 26, 2014: Manchester Black, escapee from Strykers Island, make an appearance in New York with Bullseye as an assist.
(log: 20141226-givemeyourheart | tags: deadshot fenris_wolf lois_lane superman | posted: 27 Dec 2014 04:30)
Superman As Madonna
December 20, 2014: A mugging leads to Superman and Lois Lane to meet Vorpal. He embarrasses himself
(log: 20141220-superman-as-madonna | tags: lois_lane nyc superman vorpal | posted: 23 Dec 2014 19:46)
Kansas Nightmare
December 18, 2014: Clark has a terrifying nightmare and makes a shocking declaration.
(log: 20141218-kansas-nightmare | tags: lois_lane nyc superman | posted: 19 Dec 2014 04:23)
"Lois, your cooking is terrible.."
December 17, 2014: Clark arrives to get Lois out of cooking class, then talks of visiting New York for Vanessa Johnson's funeral is had.
(log: 20141217-loiscantcook | tags: lois_lane metropolis superman | posted: 18 Dec 2014 12:36)
Moving Day
December 9. 2014: It's moving day at the Lane household.
(log: 20141209-moving-day | tags: lois_lane superman | posted: 14 Dec 2014 03:05)
Some Home Cookin'
December 6, 2014: Superman brings Lois to the Fortress for some better medical care.
(log: 20141206-some-home-cookin | tags: lois_lane superman | posted: 07 Dec 2014 01:13)
No one really likes to see Chloe Sullivan cry
November 28, 2014: Clark visits Lois Lane in the hospital after she's been hurt.
(log: 20141128-no-one-really-likes-to-see-chloe-sullivan-cry | tags: lois_lane superman | posted: 28 Nov 2014 20:26)
A purple patch for the Great White Shark
** November 22, 2014 :** Superman, Fenris, and Hawkgirl, all come together to investigate an odd sickness
(log: 20141122-a-purple-patch-for-the-great-white-shark | tags: fenris hawkgirl metro superman | posted: 22 Nov 2014 23:57)
One Just Like You
November 20, 2014 A case study of Superman. Things go just as planned. (Cursing and racial slurs abound)
(log: 20141120-one-just-like-you | tags: deadshot stw superman the-wall | posted: 21 Nov 2014 02:00)
The New Adventures of Lois and Clark, Part 3
** November 16, 2014 :** <Insert brief 1-2 sentence summary of the scene here>
(log: 20141116-the-new-adventures-of-lois-and-clark-part-3 | tags: lois_lane metro superman | posted: 22 Nov 2014 23:52)
Booster and the Offer
November 12, 2014: Superman meets with Booster to discuss the Justice League: Avengers
(log: 20141112-booster-and-the-offer | tags: avengers booster_gold jla metropolis superman | posted: 13 Nov 2014 02:35)
Finding LMDStark
November 10, 2014: Several SHIELD people and several Stark people converge on an old warehouse to investigate some strange readings. They find something completely different.
(log: 20141110-finding-lmdstark | tags: captain_america falcon hawkeye hawkeye_ii howard_stark jarvis lucky partisan pepper_potts shield simmons superman wolverine | posted: 11 Nov 2014 08:20)
I Believe in Heroes Like You
November 9th, 2014: After their initial meeting on the Watchtower and in light of the events that transpired in Metropolis Superman approaches Nick Fury and they continue their conversation.
(log: 20141109-i-believe-in-heroes-like-you | tags: nick_fury nyc shield superman | posted: 09 Nov 2014 17:02)
Seeds of Smallville, Part Two, Finale
** November 8, 2014:** The stunning conclusion of the Seeds of Smallville plot. /Will/ Kenny Braverman kill Superman? Or will he be brought to justice for his crimes in unleashing all of these villains and for the terrorist attack nearly one week ago?
(log: 20141108-seeds-of-smallville-part-two-finale | tags: booster_gold changeling chloe_sullivan conduit hawkgirl lunair metropolis ms_marvel oracle ozymandias rocket_red_iv silver_banshee slug_kelly superman titano toyman vorpal wonder_woman | posted: 09 Nov 2014 04:54)
Seeds of Smallville, Part One, Vantage Point A
November 8, 2014: Stryker's Island is broken apart by an unseen foe hellbent on bringing trauma to America's favorite city. (This scene is the first vantage point from a two-room scene)
(log: 20141108-seeds-of-smallville-part-one-vantage-point-a | tags: bizarro booster_gold chloe_sullivan columbia conduit livewire manchester_black metropolis ms_marvel nightwing parasite solomon_grundy superman | posted: 09 Nov 2014 04:22)
JL:Avengers? New Directions
November 8th, 2014: Superman and Wonder Woman open Justice League doors to the Avengers Initiative. (Half of) The Justice League commits itself to the aid of the United Nations and SHIELD. Batman completely dissolves his connection to the League and their new allies.
(log: 20141108-jl:avengers-new-directions | tags: avengers batman hawkeye hawkgirl jl:a jla nick_fury shield superman wonder_woman | posted: 09 Nov 2014 00:59)
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