Who Is Superman? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Superman is a DC Comics comic book character, the alter ego of Kal-El, with over 19,799 comic issue appearances. Sent to Earth as an infant from the dying planet Krypton, Kal-El was adopted by the loving Kent family and raised in America's heartland as Clark Kent. Using his immense solar-fueled powers, he became Superman to defend mankind against all manner of threats while championing truth, justice, and the American way!

Who is Superman?

Origin Leaving Krypton Although Superman's origin has been retold many times, the story has remained somewhat consistent throughout. Superman's story tells of his birth as Kal-El to renowned scientist Jor-El and his wife Lara on the alien planet Krypton . When Jor-El discovers that the planet is going to explode, he puts Kal-El in a spaceship heading to the planet Earth, which crashes in a field in the state of Kansas . The ship and its occupant are found by Jonathan and Martha Kent , a farming family, who take him in as their own. As he grows, so do his strength and his strange and awesome abilities, fueled by Earth's yellow sun. As an adult, he moves to the bustling City of Tomorrow, Metropolis, becoming a field reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper, and donning the identity of Superman. Creation Superman's modern look in Action Comics #902 Superman was created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1933. Contrary to his current incarnation, he first appeared as a bald, telepathic villain bent on dominating the world.

Key facts

Superman is of alien origin and first appeared in "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed". The character is published by DC Comics. With 19,799 recorded issue appearances, Superman ranks among the most featured characters in comics.