Every Version of Superman, Ranked

Superman stands out as the most iconic and influential superhero globally. He paved the way for all other heroes, setting a high standard since his debut. In essence, Superman is the soul of DC Comics, and it’s crucial that there’s always a Superman around. Clark Kent has been part of the story from the get-go, but he hasn’t always been the one with the cape. Over the years, many characters have stepped into the role of Superman. Today, we’re ranking them all, focusing on those in the main DC Universe and current timeline. We’ll exclude alternate versions like President Superman or future characters like Kal Kent from DC One Million, even though they’re worthy of recognition. For now, let’s discuss who the best modern-day Superman is. Let’s dive right in!

11) Cyborg Superman

Hank Henshaw once traveled to space aboard the LexCorp shuttle Excalibur, but a tragic accident took his life along with most of the crew, leaving him as a disembodied spirit. Enraged at Superman for causing his demise, Henshaw linked with the Kryptonian Birthing Matrix and crafted a hybrid cyborg replica of Superman’s body to seek vengeance against the Man of Steel. However, by the time he returned, Superman had supposedly perished in a battle with Doomsday. As an alternative, Henshaw decided to sabotage everything that Superman stood for. He was one of the four candidates vying to replace Superman during the “Reign of the Supermen,” posing as the genuine Superman and destroying Coast City, with intentions to do the same to Metropolis. Although he used the Superman alias and gained support from the U.S. President, Henshaw was endorsed as the Man of Tomorrow. However, his actions contradict everything the real Superman stands for, making him an undesirable choice on this list.

10) The Eradicator

Originating from thousands of years past among one of Superman’s ancient kin, the Eradicator was crafted to safeguard Kryptonian traditions by discouraging interaction with other planets. Later bestowed upon Superman by an extraterrestrial priest called the Cleric, this artifact took it upon itself to uphold the Kryptonian lineage through Superman. Regrettably, this frequently meant attempting to annihilate or transform Earth into a new Krypton, compelling Superman to embrace his Kryptonian roots over his Earthbound ones. Following Superman’s demise in battle with Doomsday, the Eradicator assumed the mantle of continuing Superman’s legacy, assuming the title of the Last Son of Krypton. It housed Superman’s reviving form within a Healing Matrix to draw power from it, aiming to enhance the Superman legacy as a Kryptonian. The Eradicator has collaborated with Superman as much as it has been an adversary, yet will always value Krypton above Superman’s goal of safeguarding Earth. An unyielding attachment to one’s own kind can be detrimental for Superman.

9) Denny Swan

In “The Final Days of Superman” narrative, Denny Swan was initially a regular human man until he encountered a self-aware energy bolt that incorporated Superman’s DNA into his system. This transformation turned him into an energy-based being, causing him to believe he was the true Superman and Clark Kent was a fake. Sadly for the pretender Superman, Denny’s body gradually deteriorated, as did his mental health. Ultimately, he lost all control over his energy and exploded, necessitating both the New 52 Superman and Post-“Crisis” Superman to lift him skyward. Regrettably, Denny had a brief and unheroic career, but he indirectly contributed to one of the most poignant comic book deaths ever with the demise of New 52 Superman, earning him some merit in that regard.

8) Don-El

Originally hailing from the core of the Silver Age, Don-El is a Kryptonian residing within the miniature city of Kandor, being Superman and Supergirl’s first cousin. He held the positions of Kandorian police chief and captain of the Superman Emergency Squad, an assembly of Kandorians who aided Superman and Supergirl when required. In “Superman” #337, Don-El took on the mantle to replace Superman, but became delusional, believing himself to be the Man of Steel. He broke free from his confinement, enlarged himself, and began flying around under the guise of Superman. This led Clark Kent to disguise himself as various villains in an attempt to frighten Don-El into abandoning his false identity and recalling who he truly was. Although Don-El did cause some turmoil while posing as Superman, he also offered assistance on numerous occasions, earning him the eighth spot.

7) Lex Luthor

Having witnessed the selfless act of New 52 Superman, who gave his life, I found myself unexpectedly stirred to emulate his heroism. Crafting an armored suit reminiscent of my adversary, I adopted the mantle of a new Superman, determined to safeguard Metropolis and the world. What makes this transformation so intriguing is that it wasn’t a ruse or a ploy for trust but a genuine admiration for the Man of Steel, an urge to mirror his virtues. After decades spent attempting to dismantle everything Superman stood for, I finally grasped his essence. Although I retained my signature arrogance, I proved to be an effective hero in his absence. The unfortunate truth is that this heroic stint was brief-lived. I would jump at the chance to resume my heroic role once more, despite history showing that such a path rarely ends well.

6) Kong Kenan

In essence, Kong Kenan isn’t exactly Superman, but rather Super-Man, but for the purpose of this list, I believe he qualifies. After confronting the villain Blue Condor, Kenan was noticed by the Ministry of Self-Reliance, a government-backed organization similar to the Justice League in China. Through a transfer of energy from the deceased New 52 Superman, Kenan gained Kryptonian powers and became the New Super-Man of China. What makes Kenan fascinating is his transformation from a self-centered bully into a hero, mirroring the growth of Superman. He’s now part of the Super Family, fighting crime alongside other Kryptonian heroes. I admire Kenan greatly, but including him here raises the question of whether the first Super-Man of China, Emperor Super-Man, should be included as well. However, I would argue against this; the list is already extensive, and moreover, the addition of ‘Emperor’ to the identity makes it too far removed from the traditional concept of Superman for my liking. A hyphen is acceptable, but the word ‘Emperor’ takes it too far.

5) Conner Kent

Known primarily as Superboy, Conner is a genetic hybrid born from the fusion of Superman’s and Lex Luthor’s DNA. Created by Project Cadmus to replace Superman following his demise, Conner was one among four individuals who assumed the role of Superman during the “Reign of the Supermen” narrative. However, he held the title for a brief period, during which he displayed immature and attention-seeking behaviors. Over time, he evolved into one of the most admired heroes, although his stint as Superman coincided with an unheroic phase in his life. Despite this, Conner has undeniably demonstrated that he embodies the ideals of hope and truth for which Superman stands. He has assumed the mantle in numerous alternate realities and possible futures, and should he be called upon to do so again, I am confident he would make Clark proud. In recent years, Conner has been overshadowed but is certainly deserving of a return to prominence.

4) Jon Kent

Jon, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, is a strong candidate to become Superman, next to Clark himself. He’s had a tough life – born in a world outside of time and space made from fragments of dead universes, growing up secretly on Earth, and being imprisoned by an evil version of his father for almost seven years. Despite these hardships, Jon has kept his kindness and determination to do what’s right. When Clark left Earth to free the prisoners of Warworld, he entrusted Jon with protecting their home, effectively handing him the Superman role. Jon was the world’s only Superman until Clark returned, and he still fights alongside his father. Jon has the potential to be an even greater hero than his father, but for now, he’s struggling with his identity. He’s seen as just Superman’s son by the world, including himself, and he’s more self-conscious than his father. However, he’s already shown he deserves the ‘S’ on his chest. Jon is a true hero, and being called ‘second to Superman’ is far from an insult. He’ll find his own path one day, and when he does, he’ll be the best hero of all.

3) New 52 Clark Kent

As a die-hard Superman fan, I’ve always been intrigued by the differences between Clark Kent and the New 52 version of him. Despite sharing the same origin story with his counterparts, there’s a significant twist in this tale – his parents perished when he was eighteen. This rendition of Superman exhibits a more aggressive demeanor, harkening back to his earliest appearances during the Golden Age.

However, let me be clear – this Superman is no less heroic than any other version. He’s saved Earth and its inhabitants countless times. Unlike his other selves, he found love in Wonder Woman instead of Lois Lane, a relationship that endured until his last breath.

His body was ravaged by numerous events that left lasting damage to his cells. In his twilight years, he devoted his final days to helping as many people as possible. He met his end heroically, sacrificing himself to save a crowd from Denny Swan’s explosion, passing on the mantle of Superman to his Post-Crisis self.

He died surrounded by those he loved, expressing gratitude for the life he lived. This version of Superman might be different, but his heroism and sacrifice are undeniably Superman’s – a testament to why the New 52 Clark is just as much Superman as any other incarnation.

2) Kal-L

In simpler terms, Kal-L, also known as the Original Superman, was transported to Earth-2 during the Golden Age of DC Comics. Unlike modern Supermen, he dedicated his powers to fighting social issues on behalf of ordinary people. He held the position of editor at the Daily Star and tragically perished during the events of “Infinite Crisis”, aiding his counterpart in stopping Superboy-Prime. This Superman is the pioneer of the superhero genre, holding immense significance across all aspects. He embodies an era where dreams were tangible, easily grasped with open hands. Originally hailing from a world that was radiantly different, he brought about profound change. However, there remains a slight disconnect between him and humanity, as he often seems alienated, viewing himself more as an observer rather than a participant. Nonetheless, both Kal-L and the last entry share the title of Man of Steel.

1) Clark Kent

Originating during the Silver Age and still standing tall today, Clark Kent embodies the most remarkable representation of Superman ever. This is because while Kal-El appears human on the surface, Clark Kent identifies with us ordinary people. Raised by Ma and Pa Kent to be a hero who would utilize his powers primarily for helping others, Clark epitomizes hope and serves as a symbol of truth, justice, and a brighter tomorrow. He fights not just for a future, but for today’s improvement as well. Superman is unquestionably the greatest superhero, and through Clark Kent’s actions, he has shown us what it truly means to be a hero. His story is one of determination, goodness, and an ideal role model. When the world seems its darkest, we look to Superman for hope that things will get better. Clark considers himself as much like any other person because he believes that everyone at heart is good, and anyone in his position would act just as he does. We should all aspire to emulate Superman, and a character with such inspiring potential is undeniably one of the greatest ever created.

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2025-07-10 17:14