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A History of
Superman
Superman is the sole survivor of the planet
Krypton. His father, Jor -El, discovered that a nuclear chain
reaction was building inside Krypton that would soon shatter the
entire world. Jor -El therefore had his unborn son Kal -El removed
from the Kryptonian Gestation Chambers and affixed the life matrix
containing Kal -El to an experimental vessel for travel through
hyperspace. Jor -El launched the starcraft toward Earth just
before Krypton exploded.
Superman
was, in effect, born on Earth when the starcraft landed there.
Jonathan and Martha Kent found the infant inside the vessel and
brought him to their farm in
Smallville
,
Kansas
. Since he appeared entirely
human, the
Kent
�s assumed that the baby was a
victim of a cruel experiment. At this time the baby had no super
powers. The
Kent
�s named the infant
Clark
and raised him as their own son.
As
Clark
grew older his Kryptonian body
began developing superhuman abilities. When
Clark
was eighteen, took him to the
field where his starcraft still lay hidden and explained how he
and Martha had found him.
Clark
resolved to use his powers from
then on only for the good of mankind. After revealing his secret
to his childhood friend, Lana Lang,
Clark
left Smallville to study at
Metropolis
University
.
Clark
initially used his powers
covertly to help people and prevent or thwart disasters.
Ultimately, he was forced to use his powers in public to prevent
the crash of a NASA space-plane. Thereafter he and his foster
parents devised a new costumed secret identity he would adopt when
using his abilities in public. They called his new persona
"Superman," the name given him by
Lois Lane
, a reporter for the Metropolis
Daily Planet who had been aboard the space-plane.
Shortly
afterward,
Clark
obtained a job as a reporter for
the Daily Planet by turning in his first detailed story about
Superman. He currently enjoys a freelance status with the Planet.
Some time ago Superman journeyed to an other
dimensional "pocket universe" that had its own Krypton
and Earth. After defeating three Kryptonians native to that
universe who had murdered the entire population of its Earth,
Superman executed the trio, believing there was no other way to
stop them. The tremendous guilt Superman felt over this act
combined by the psychic manipulation by his foe Braniac, caused
him to develop a temporary split personality. Believing himself to
be potentially dangerous to humanity, Superman exiled himself to
space, eventually taken prisoner by the forces of the alien tyrant
Mongul. During this time Superman resolved never to kill
again...."
Superman lives by the traditional moral values instilled in him by
his foster parents. Superman is an idealist, devoted to promoting
"truth, justice, and the American way," and has proved
over and over that he is a true hero, capable of whatever bravery
and self-sacrifice is necessary to right a wrong or save a life.
Since Superman is a native of Krypton, a planet that had a
red sun, under a yellow sun (like that of Earth's his
Kryptonian cells act as living solar batteries, absorbing solar
energy and giving him superhuman powers. He possesses tremendous
strength; while Superman's strength is not infinite, its full
extent is so great that it has never been accurately measured. His
body is virtually indestructible.
Superman's sharp senses enable him to hear sounds too faint
to be detected by the normal human ear. His "telescopic
vision" enables him to focus his sight on distant objects far
beyond the range of normal human sight. His "microscopic
vision" allows him to observe an object in microscopic
detail. Superman's so called "x-ray vision" enables him
to see clearly through solid objects. Certain dense materials
notably lead, obstruct this ability. His power to generate heat
within objects manifests itself as a red glow within his eyes, and
is therefore known as "heat vision."
Superman can move, react, and think at superhuman speeds
greater than that of sound. He can defy gravity and fly through
force of will. Superman's irradiated cells generate a force field
that extends for a fraction of an inch around his body, rendering
any material within the field nearly indestructible, such as his
skin tight costume. (Because his cape extends beyond the field, it
is easily damaged.)
Superman is vulnerable to the radiation of Kryptonite, a
substance from his native planet. Kryptonite radiation will kill
Superman within minutes. He is also vulnerable to magic, and to
the psionic powers of some beings, such as Braniac.
Superman must fill his lungs with air before flying through
outer space. He can thus survive without breathing for several
hours, but ultimately he must replenish his oxygen supply to
remain alive.
.
DISCLAIMER: Superman and all related elements and
characters and elements are the rightful property of DC Comics.
This web site is not operated or endorsed by Warner Brothers and
DC Comics. This page was created for informational purposes only.
Although our intent was to provide accurate information, we are
unable to guarantee accuracy and are willing to make corrections.
Upon entering this web page, you release Beltmasters, and
it's owners and operators from any liability for any material
herein.
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