superman

This article is about the superhero. For other uses, see Superman (disambiguation).

Superman
Promotional art for Superman vol. 2, #204 (April 2004) by Jim Lee and Scott Williams
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Action Comics #1 (published April 18, 1938, cover-dated June 1938)
Created by	Jerry Siegel Joe Shuster
In-story information
Alter ego	Kal-El/Clark Kent
Place of origin	Krypton
Team affiliations	Justice League Legion of Super-Heroes
Partnerships	Batman Shazam Flash Green Lantern Wonder Woman Superboy The Eradicator Lois Lane
Notable aliases	Gangbuster, Jordan Elliot,Nightwing, Nova, Superboy, Doc Fission
Abilities	Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, invulnerability, flight, superhuman intelligence, freezing breath, superhuman hearing, multiple extrasensory and vision powers, longevity, and regeneration

Superman is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is widely considered an American cultural icon.^[1][2][3][4] Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, high school students living in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933; the character was sold to Detective Comics, Inc. (later DC Comics) in 1938.^[5][6] Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (June 1938) and subsequently appeared in various radio serials, television programs, films, newspaper strips, and video games. With the success of his adventures, Superman helped to create the superhero genre and establish its primacy within the American comic book.^[1]

Superman's appearance is distinctive and iconic. He usually wears a blue costume, red cape, and stylized red-and-yellow "S" shield on his chest.^[7][8][9] This shield is used in a myriad of media to symbolize the character.^[10]

The origin story of Superman relates that he was born Kal-El on the planet Krypton, before being rocketed to Earth as an infant by his scientist father Jor-El, moments before Krypton's destruction. Discovered and adopted by a Kansas farmer and his wife, the child is raised as Clark Kent and imbued with a strong moral compass. Very early he started to displaysuperhuman abilities, which upon reaching maturity, he resolved to use for the benefit of humanity. Superman resides and operates in the fictional American city of Metropolis. As Clark Kent, he is a journalist for a Metropolis newspaper called theDaily Planet. Superman's archenemy is supervillain Lex Luthor.^[11] Superman has fascinated scholars, with cultural theorists, commentators, and critics alike exploring the character's impact and role in the United States and worldwide. The character's ownership has often been the subject of dispute, with Siegel and Shuster twice suing for the return of legal ownership. Superman placed first on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes in May 2011.^[12]