Superman is often recognized as the pioneer of all superheroes, so it’s not unexpected that numerous comic book characters have imitated him since 87 years ago. Ranging from heartfelt tributes to biting critiques, creators enjoy giving their unique twists to the Steel Man. The majority of these Superman copies, however, wouldn’t stand a chance against the original in a battle. Most of Kal-El’s counterparts are flawed replicas, either one-dimensional gags or burdened with a distinctive weakness – “What if Superman had this limitation?” However, there are a few character substitutes that could challenge The Boy Scout of Steel in a fight.
As a devoted film enthusiast, I’ve compiled a list of characters from television and cinema that, in my opinion, could stand their ground against the formidable Superman. However, let me clarify that Goku, despite sharing some Superman-esque traits due to Akira Toriyama incorporating them into Goku’s backstory for Dragon Ball Z, was originally based on a different character. For this list, I focused solely on characters designed with Superman in mind. Here are seven Superman doppelgängers, ranked by the amount of trouble they could potentially cause The Man of Steel in a fistfight:
1. Captain Marvel (Mar-Vel) – With his Kryptonian heritage and cosmic powers, he’s no stranger to challenging the Man of Steel.
2. Superboy/Conner Kent – Half-Kryptonian, half-human, this young hero has the potential to give Superman a run for his money.
3. The Guardian (James Olsen) – As Superman’s cousin and occasional stand-in, he’s no pushover when it comes to taking on Kryptonian foes.
4. Steel – With his indestructible suit of armor, this cybernetic hero could potentially hold his own against the Man of Steel.
5. Alien (Krypto the Superdog) – Though a canine, this alien dog shares many of Superman’s powers and could prove to be a formidable opponent.
6. The Eradicator – As a Kryptonian artificial intelligence, he possesses incredible power and knowledge that might give Superman pause.
7. Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) – Though younger and less experienced than her cousin, she’s no slouch when it comes to fighting Kryptonian foes.
7) All Might (My Hero Academia)
All Might is one of the rare characters who follows the same moral principles as his role model, Superman. He’s a shining example of virtue, using his immense strength, speed, and indestructibility to safeguard and motivate Japanese citizens. While teaching at U.A. High School, he also guides a new generation of heroes. However, unlike Clark Kent, All Might’s normal identity, Toshinori Yagi, isn’t just a disguise but an actual weakened individual with a delicate health condition.
In a hypothetical scenario where Superman and All Might engage in combat, it would be intriguing to witness All Might landing some powerful Detroit Smashes before the strain of maintaining a strength level sufficient to battle Superman becomes too much, causing him to transform back into his weaker persona.
6) Brandon Beyer (Brightburn)
The first character on the list, Brandon, resembles Superman in many ways, as they both originated from another world and were raised by kind Kansas farmers. However, there’s a dark twist to Brandon’s story – when he turned 12, he gained powers similar to Superman, and started receiving instructions from the spaceship that transported him, instructing him to “conquer the planet.” Adopting a homemade villain costume, Brandon transformed into a full-fledged supervillain, taking the lives of several individuals, including his adoptive parents.
The immature despot would undoubtedly catch Superman off guard at first, prompting an effort from the Man of Steel to connect with any remaining compassion within the youth. However, due to Beyer’s lack of experience, Superman would eventually find a chance to subdue him.
5) Hancock (Hancock)
In my perspective, when compared to the preceding entries featuring Brandon Beyer and All Might, Hancock, portrayed by Will Smith, holds an edge due to his accumulated experience and seemingly endless endurance. However, what keeps him from soaring higher on this list is a struggle with alcohol addiction. As someone who’s found themselves in the heat of a bar brawl can attest, an intoxicated fighter poses a threat not just to others but also to themselves.
As a fan, I must admit, Hancock’s unpredictable behavior when under the influence can momentarily confound even Superman. This is particularly true when he’s juggling the fight and safeguarding civilians potentially at risk due to Hancock’s reckless actions. However, with time, Hancock’s intoxication will eventually work against him, providing an opening for Superman to deliver a knockout blow. This way, Hancock can take a much-needed rest to sober up.
4) Metro Man (Megamind)
In simpler terms, Metro Man possesses all the abilities of Superman without any of his vulnerabilities. Although it’s challenging to quantify his powers due to his limited appearances in the 2010 animated film ‘Megamind’, we know he’s quick enough to evade a deadly laser and leisurely stroll around town while experiencing a midlife crisis before reappearing and feigning his demise. Given the right conditions, Metro Man could potentially pose a significant danger to Superman – if only he wasn’t so disenchanted with the superhero lifestyle.
In the animated film “Megamind,” the central storyline revolves around Metro Man discovering that he no longer wishes to be Metro Man. If we imagine a hypothetical confrontation with Superman taking place earlier in his career, before this realization, it’s likely that Metro Man would lack enthusiasm, resulting in an easy victory for Superman or at best, a tie.
3) Sentry (Thunderbolts)
In the story Thunderbolts, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine characterizes Sentry as being “stronger than all the Avengers collectively,” which is quite an impressive claim if it’s accurate. Even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe versions of the Avengers are significantly less powerful compared to their comic book counterparts, Sentry, as portrayed in Thunderbolts, seems to possess power levels that could potentially rival Superman.
Sadly, Sentry struggles with multiple psychological disorders, which makes him an unreliable combatant at worst. Even if his darker persona, the Void, emerges, it’s not certain that his shadow abilities will affect a Kryptonian. In the end, Superman would do his best to neutralize Sentry in a humane manner and provide assurance for getting him necessary mental care.
2) Homelander (The Boys)
In the world of “The Boys,” Homelander resembles Superman, but with a crucial difference: instead of being brought up by caring parents, he was developed and nurtured by an immoral corporation. This twist makes Homelander a truly malevolent figure, Vought’s deadliest superhuman. It’s uncertain whether Homelander can be terminated in the series, or if there’s anyone powerful enough to accomplish it. Unlike Homelander, Superman isn’t a character from the “The Boys” universe.
In essence, while Homelander possesses enough power theoretically to harm Superman, he’s never encountered an opponent of equal strength within his universe. Conversely, Superman has repeatedly faced foes with abilities similar to his own and has consistently emerged victorious. Facing off against Superman, Homelander may initially appear formidable, but he would soon discover that the strongest superbeing in ‘The Boys’ pales in comparison to DC Comics’ top-tier heroes.
1) Omni-Man (Invincible)
An experienced warrior for countless centuries, Omni-Man boasts an impressive power level that allows him to take out every member of the Guardians of the Globe, essentially the Justice League equivalent in the Invincible universe. Known for his ruthless nature, Omni-Man could easily overpower most opponents on this list, except perhaps Sentry. However, even he wouldn’t stand a chance against Superman.
Superman’s most remarkable trait is his unyielding determination, for he never surrenders even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Giving up is not an option, especially when Earth itself hangs in the balance. A glance back at “The Death of Superman” serves as a testament to how Superman confronts an opponent deemed invincible – he overcomes them. Superman would even sacrifice his own life if necessary, prolonging it only to continue the battle.
In simple terms, every name on this list pales in comparison – they’re more like impostors trying to imitate the genuine article. To illustrate, if we had Superman at home, no other superheroes could match up. Similarly, when it comes to incredibly powerful, alien beings who wear capes, nothing can surpass the authentic one.
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2025-08-03 03:12