Everything You Need to Know About Those Superman Robots (And What They Could Mean For the Movie)

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A sneak preview of James Gunn’s forthcoming Superman movie offered a first glance at the Fortress of Solitude in the DC Universe, which has plenty to analyze given just a few minutes. The fortress’s capability to vanish beneath the ice and reappear, along with the advanced alien technology scattered around it, make for intriguing details. A notable aspect is the robotic helpers that played a crucial role in saving Superman’s life. Although this may appear unusual, it’s worth noting that Superman has had robot companions or assistants before, and they have deep roots in his comic book history.

Superman has been intertwined with the realm of science fiction since his initial publications, notably showcasing the advanced technology available to him within the Fortress of Solitude. The first-ever robotic aid for Superman emerged as far back as World’s Finest Comics #42 from 1949. Contrary to the blue and white robots depicted in trailers, this robot was an identical replica of Superman himself. Prior to his more mechanized helpers, Superman maintained a team of Clark Kent stand-ins who would appear when Superman was required simultaneously at the same location.

These robots bore a resemblance to Superman not only in appearance but also in the imitation of his numerous abilities. Though they could never match the true Man of Steel’s prowess, throughout history, Superman had countless robots that were at least comparable in strength. This makes for an intimidating obstacle for those attempting global domination. In fact, these robots have been employed offensively on several occasions, as seen in the “King of the World” storyline from 1999, where the villain Dominus took control of Superman and used his robot army to conquer the world.

Apart from Superman, there’s also his steadfast caretaker and friend, the Kryptonian service robot named Kelex. This golden robot made its debut in the 1986 miniseries, Man of Steel, which redefined Superman’s origins within the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity. The planet Krypton was portrayed as a cold, xenophobic society fixated on scientific perfection. Kelex was an assistant to Jor-El, Superman’s father, in this reimagined world.

Unfortunately, Kelex perished during the destruction of Krypton, but he was later recreated on Earth. To this day, he continues his role as the supervisor of the Fortress of Solitude, always ready to assist the House of El whenever possible, despite having no combat abilities.

What the Robots Mean for Superman

The robots depicted in the trailer aren’t your typical Superman robots, as their appearance doesn’t resemble him at all. Instead, they are designed based on a highly-regarded Superman comic, “All Star Superman.” In this comic, we encounter these mechanical beings for the first time within the Fortress of Solitude, not as substitutes for Superman, but as his helpers who maintain and protect it. They serve Superman by safeguarding dangerous alien technology he’s stored there, or taking care of minor tasks like fixing Lois Lane’s car when needed. In the comic’s climactic battle, they even fought alongside Superman, although they were significantly weaker than him and easier to damage.

In the comic, these characters seem less dynamic than they are in the movie, yet they remain unwaveringly loyal to Superman’s desires. Notably, they might not possess all of Superman’s abilities, but they exhibit remarkable strength and can fly. The film suggests that their power could be on par with their comic-book versions, as demonstrated when they managed to restrain a writhing Superman in pain. Although they may not battle alongside Superman in the upcoming film, their power could still be utilized in various ways. In the film “Superman vs The Elite,” these robots assisted Superman in orchestrating a deception by simulating the destruction of an entire street to fool Manchester Black, all while ensuring the safety of the citizens.

The inclusion of robots in the film suggests at least one thing: Gunn’s movie is drawing inspiration from some of the most profound and significant aspects of Superman’s mythos. This implies that “All-Star Superman” is not only a title reference but also plays a defining role in shaping the film. If the movie continues to delve into Superman’s history to extract these references, then I can confidently predict that Superman fans will be thrilled when it hits theaters.

Superman opens in theaters July 11th.

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2025-04-16 20:47