5 Things DC Fans Don’t Want to Admit About Superman Comics

by

Superman isn’t just an iconic hero – he’s a foundational one. As the very first superhero, he played a key role in establishing DC Comics as a leading publisher, before Marvel gained prominence. Since his 1938 debut, the Man of Steel has been featured in countless beloved comics and stories across all types of media. Even as readership has evolved over the years, fans continue to enjoy the adventures of this Metropolis marvel, and he remains a central figure in some of the best storytelling today.

Superman’s comic book history has developed a lot of widely accepted ‘truths’ among fans. While many of these beliefs are logical, some aren’t actually accurate. Here are five of the most debated and often overlooked aspects of the character that many DC fans struggle to accept.

5) Evil Superman Can be Good

The Superman character has been reimagined in countless ways, which allows for diverse storytelling. Recently, the ‘evil Superman’ trope has become quite common – and often criticized. While exploring a darker side of the character can be interesting, as seen in stories like Superman: Red Son, its frequent use in titles like Injustice has started to frustrate fans. Despite this, evil versions of Superman can work well. Characters like Overman, Ultraman, Bizarro, and the Cyborg Superman have all appeared in compelling stories. Ultimately, exploring an evil Superman offers a fresh perspective on the character’s core themes, and when handled creatively, it can lead to truly captivating narratives.

4) The Weaker Superman Villains Are Better

Superman is famous for battling incredibly powerful villains like Mongul, Cyborg Superman, and Doomsday, but some of his most interesting adversaries are actually the less powerful ones. Villains like the Prankster, Toyman, and Silver Banshee, who aren’t as physically strong, force Superman to rely on more than just his strength – they challenge his intelligence and other abilities. While epic fights are fun, it’s more compelling to see Superman use his full range of skills. These underappreciated villains create opportunities for unique and engaging stories, reminding us that Superman is more than just a powerful hero; he’s a complex character with many sides we should explore.

3) The Tomasi/Gleason Rebirth Run Wasn’t as Amazing as People Say It Is

DC’s Rebirth era, intended to address fan dissatisfaction with the New 52, ultimately fell short of its potential. While DC wasn’t willing to completely abandon the New 52 multiverse, the return of the pre-Flashpoint Superman was a highlight for many. The Superman run by Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason (with art by Doug Mahnke) is fondly remembered, but a closer look reveals it wasn’t perfect. It leaned heavily into a more nationalistic, All-American version of Superman, losing some of the character’s core immigrant story. Though enjoyable, it doesn’t stand as the definitive Superman story. The series declined in quality over time – a contrast to the consistently improving Action Comics run by Dan Jurgens – and had underlying issues that fans often overlooked.

2) Superman and Lex Luthor Are Better Allies than Enemies

The dynamic between Lex Luthor and Superman is arguably the most iconic rivalry in comic books. For decades, Luthor has relentlessly tried to defeat Superman and dominate the world, constantly evolving his methods. However, recently, an unexpected shift occurred: they briefly became allies, enjoying the best relationship they’d had in years. Though their history of conflict remained, with Superman cautious and Luthor harboring his own agenda, it was a refreshing change. They seemed to be using each other, but in a compelling way. While Lex is a fantastic villain for Superman, his interactions with Superman outside of battle are fascinating. They surprisingly work well together, and their contrasting personalities create entertaining moments and open up new storytelling possibilities. Ultimately, while they are meant to be enemies, their stories are more engaging when they’re forced to cooperate and confront their past issues rather than simply trying to destroy each other.

1) Older Jon Kent Is Better than Kid Jon Kent

Jon Kent revitalized the Superman comics, and it felt natural to see Superman as a father. Readers enjoyed seeing the heartwarming relationship between Jon and his dad, and how Jon interacted with other DC heroes like Damian Wayne. The SuperSons comic was a highlight, showing Jon’s adventures independent of his father, and many fans hoped for years of stories with young Jon. However, in 2018, DC aged him up to a teenager, a decision that upset many. Surprisingly, the teenage version of Jon is actually a stronger character. While the stories with young Jon were fun, they risked becoming repetitive. Aging him up opened up new possibilities for his development, and the older Jon has far more potential. Ultimately, we didn’t lose much from the young Jon stories that we hadn’t already experienced.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-best-things-to-happen-in-the-superman-comics/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-06 17:15