Every Superman Successor, Ranked

Superman is arguably the most influential superhero of all time, both in comics and in our culture. He essentially created the modern idea of a superhero, and remains the standard that others try to live up to. He’s repeatedly saved the world from dangers no one else could handle, and has inspired countless people. Behind the powerful Superman is Clark Kent, a kind but clumsy reporter with a good heart. The loving upbringing provided by the Kents transformed an alien child into an extraordinary hero. While Clark Kent represents Superman’s humanity, he isn’t the only one who has worn the iconic ‘S’ shield.

Superman isn’t just a character anymore—he represents the ultimate ideal of a hero, and the DC universe always needs that inspiration. Since Superman can’t be everywhere at once, others have stepped up to carry on his legacy. We’re going to look at every official Superman from DC’s main stories—those who’ve headlined at least one adventure—and rank them based on how well they embody, or build upon, that legacy. Let’s take a closer look at these different versions of Superman.

10) Cyborg Superman

Hank Henshaw was an astronaut who deeply resented Superman, believing he was responsible for the deaths of his crew and the suicide of his wife, as well as for the loss of his own physical body. When Superman appeared to die, Henshaw built himself a new, robotic body using Superman’s genetic code and attempted to deceive the world into believing he was the resurrected hero. However, this was a ploy to take over the world, and he partnered with Mongul to destroy Coast City. Henshaw is a thoroughly malicious villain, and arguably the most damaging person to ever impersonate Superman, as he actively tarnished the hero’s reputation.

9) Eradicator

Created long ago to safeguard Kryptonian traditions, the Eradicator ended up in Superman’s possession and became fixated on ensuring his survival and the continuation of the El family line. After Clark Kent seemingly died, the Eradicator even attempted to take on the role of Superman, but proved to be a flawed and heavy-handed hero. While it didn’t resort to catastrophic measures like destroying a city, its extreme and controlling methods often caused more harm than good, leading many to label it as a fascist. This approach was a stark contrast to the true spirit of Superman.

8) Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor is usually Superman’s greatest enemy, but when Superman died after the New 52 reboot, Lex surprisingly decided to become the hero himself. While Lex has done many awful things in the past, his time as Superman was a really compelling and enjoyable read. He never quite grasped what made Superman so popular or how to truly be a hero, but he gave it a shot. Ultimately, his pride and negativity took over, but it remains a fascinating look at what could have happened if he’d committed to becoming a better person. I’d love to see him take on the role of Superman again – it would be a really interesting story.

7) Superman XX

Klar Ken T5477 was a Superman-like hero from the 30th century. As a descendant of the original Superman, he began fighting to protect the galaxy around 2965, though later stories changed that to 2999. He ranks low on this list because he doesn’t really add anything new to the Superman character – he’s essentially just a future version of Clark Kent. He works as a reporter for the Daily Interplanetary News, with a robot boss modeled after Perry White. Even his costume is unoriginal, being the same suit passed down through his family for centuries.

Klar has a few unique characteristics. His Fortress of Solitude is a hidden satellite circling the Earth, and his romantic interest, Lyra 3916, is devoted to him but dislikes Superman. Interestingly, while he’s unaffected by Kryptonite, ocean water weakens him due to the Pollution War making it poisonous to Kryptonians. He shows promise, but ultimately lacks a truly defining characteristic that makes him stand out.

6) Ronan Kent

Ronan is a possible future descendant of Superman who safeguards the 30th century. He’s shown up in two different potential timelines – one in the ‘Future State’ and another after a world takeover by Kryl-Ux. In both scenarios, he becomes Superman after his uncle, Brandon, steps down. While we haven’t seen much of Ronan yet, he clearly embodies the same heroic spirit as his ancestor. His twin sister is a Lantern in both timelines, and their sibling dynamic adds a compelling layer of drama and possibilities to their stories. He needs more development, but Ronan has the potential to become a very popular version of the Man of Steel.

5) Steel

Following Superman’s death, John Henry Irons – also known as Steel – stepped up as a hero, becoming the third to carry on Superman’s legacy. Inspired by the Man of Steel, John Henry created a powerful battlesuit that allowed him to fight at a similar level. He’s incredibly intelligent and remarkably humble. Unlike others who emerged after Superman’s passing, John Henry never pretended to be Clark Kent; he simply dedicated himself to helping people. Driven by a desire to create a safer world, he’s used his brilliant mind to achieve that goal. John Henry’s selfless nature and unwavering spirit perfectly reflect Superman’s values, and he would undoubtedly be a fantastic successor if he ever chose to take on the mantle.

4) Superboy-Prime

Superboy-Prime was once a major villain, but he recently became a hero again in Dark Nights: Death Metal The Secret Origin. Now that Superman is missing after the DC K.O. tournament, Superboy-Prime is stepping in as a temporary replacement. He’s trying to prove he can be a true hero, both to others and to himself. While he’s made terrible mistakes in the past, he’s genuinely working to change. It’s a powerful testament to Superman’s influence that someone could be inspired to embrace heroism after so long as a villain.

I have to say, I’m really rooting for Prime. He’s still a bit impulsive and definitely learning the ropes when it comes to rescues, but you can tell he’s giving it his all. He’s so determined to live up to the legacy of his hero, and I genuinely believe he’s going to become something truly special. He feels like the perfect character for a great comeback story. Right now, though, he’s still new to the role of the Man of Tomorrow, and it wouldn’t be fair to put him above our established heroes with all their experience. But trust me, this is one hero you absolutely need to watch – he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

3) Kal Kent

Kal is a descendant of Clark Kent, originating from the 86th century. As the Superman of Justice League Alpha – one division of the universe-protecting Justice Legion – he inherited all of his ancestors’ abilities, and then gained even more over the centuries. He possesses powers like Super ESP and Force Vision. But Kal’s significance isn’t just about his powers; he embodies the lasting impact of Superman’s hope for a brighter future. He’s a living testament to Superman’s enduring legacy and proof that the spirit of Superman will always endure, having fundamentally changed the universe. Kal demonstrates that there will always be a Superman.

2) Conner Kent

Conner Kent, also known as Superboy, was uniquely created using the DNA of both Superman and Lex Luthor, becoming a successor to the original Man of Steel. Initially, he was a confident and somewhat cocky teenager, but he grew into a true hero. Today, he’s a key member of the Superman Family, fighting alongside Clark as his brother. In addition to typical Kryptonian powers, Conner possesses powerful tactile telekinesis. What sets him apart is his personality – a blend of rebelliousness and maturity – shaped by a difficult past. Though often overlooked in potential future timelines, Conner has proven he has the potential to be just as great a hero as Superman.

1) Jon Kent

Jon Kent, the son of Superman and Lois Lane, quickly stepped up to become a hero after unexpectedly aging during a multiversal adventure. When Superman left to liberate Warworld, Jon took on the role of Superman, determined to protect Earth in his own way, and even surpass his father’s achievements. Although he’s recently adopted the identity of Tomorrow Man, Jon showed incredible promise as the new Superman. He embodies the best qualities of both his parents – Clark’s compassion and Lois’s unwavering dedication to finding solutions and saving lives.

Jon struggled to establish himself, largely because his brief time as Earth’s Superman didn’t resonate with people. While Clark’s return made him feel like he’d lost his sense of self, Jon remained hopeful and compassionate, even through incredibly difficult experiences. He embodies the true spirit of Superman and has the potential to become the hero his parents believe in. He just needs an opportunity to prove what kind of Superman he can be.

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2026-04-03 12:11