it’s a bird it’s a plane it’s Superman
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we
will explore the comic book origins of
Clark Kent otherwise known as Superman
as with most comic book characters
they’re often reimagining and different
versions to a character’s past we’ve
chosen to primarily follow the original
storyline which unfolded in 1938 Action
Comics number one which was expanded
upon in 1939 s Superman number one and
1948 Superman number 53 I know some
people asking a lot of questions now
that I’m back I think it’s only fair
that I answer those people so you’re
here for an interview in Action Comics
number one Superman’s origin story was
told on only one page as a distant
planet was dying from old age a
scientist placed his infant son on a
spaceship and sent it to earth on earth
the baby was discovered by a passing
motorist who turned the child over to an
orphanage because the child had come
from a planet that was millions of years
more advanced than Earth the baby
possessed a quote advanced physical
structure which granted him incredible
strength given the name Clark Kent as an
adult he discovered that he could run
faster than a train leap an eighth of a
mile and hurtle a 20-story building
deciding to use his gifts to benefit
mankind he became Superman this
extremely brief origin story was
expanded upon slightly in the first
edition of Superman in 1939 just like in
the previous years issues a scientist on
a dying planet named Krypton sent his
child to earth the baby was then
discovered by an elderly couple named
the Kent’s who decided to adopt him
themselves after first dropping him off
at an orphanage after learning of his
abilities the Kent’s told their young
boy that people might be scared of his
astounding powers but that he must
someday use them to help humanity his
powers were described as nearly
identical to those outlined in Action
Comics number 38 with the notable
addition that his skin was now said to
be nigh impenetrable this origin was
expanded upon once again in Superman
number 53 the 10th anniversary of
Superman’s debut in this version we
learned that humans of high intelligence
and magnificent physical perfection
lived on Krypton we also learned that
the force of gravity on Krypton was much
stronger than that of Earth so that any
Kryptonian on earth could essentially
defy Earth’s gravity entirely
however jor-el Krypton’s greatest
scientist proclaimed that the planet was
doomed
he explained that every atom on Krypton
would explode in one giant blast and
that they should therefore all migrate
to earth I have come to the conclusion
that Krypton is about to be destroyed
jor-el’s prediction was greeted with
laughter and skepticism by other
Kryptonian elites who claimed that he
wanted to frighten Krypton’s leaders
away so that he could rule the planet
himself jor-el returned home to his wife
Lara just as Krypton began to
self-destruct
Lara deciding to stay with her husband
placed their infant son into a spaceship
and launched it towards Earth
as Krypton exploded in the background
the spaceship travel through space and
eventually landed on earth the spaceship
was discovered by passing motorists and
it vanished when they recovered the
infant Sara look
merciful heaven they took the child to
an orphanage where his super strength
was discovered fearing that the child
would destroy the orphanage the resident
doctor agreed to let the couple who
discover the child mr. and mrs. Kent
adopt him they decided to name him Clark
Kent as Clark grew older he discovered
more and more of his powers including
his speed his jumping ability his
invincibility and his x-ray vision
eventually
mrs. Kent died and mr. Kent became
gravely ill on his deathbed he told
Clark that he needed to hide his true
identity and use his amazing powers for
the force of good when his father
finally passed away Clark decided that a
job at a big newspaper would help him
keep in touch with those that he needed
to help the most he resigned to wear
glasses and be timid but to change into
a blue and red costume and be known as
Superman
whatever he was needed he has resolved
to keep secret his Superman identity and
to adopt a pose of mild-mannered
timidity as Kemp in order to safeguard
the masquerade like all comic book
heroes Superman has gone through
numerous free imaginings with one of the
most famous and long-lasting being 1986
s Man of Steel storyline this storyline
maintains most of the aspects of the
original story lines with an added
emphasis on Clark’s teenage years and
his experiences in the town of
Smallville just like his origin story
Superman’s abilities have been revised
and modified throughout the years
abilities that have been added to his
roster over the years include but are
not limited to heat vision super hearing
super breath and super intelligence
however the most notable change to the
character was in his ability to fly
early issues only describe Superman’s
ability to leap great distances but the
creators of the 1940s cartoon show found
it wasteful and difficult to animate
having him jump from place to place
thus Superman was given the ability to
fly
this would not be the last time
Superman’s medium would change his
character his greatest weakness was
revealed to be green kryptonite
irradiated pieces of his former planet
kryptonite was actually introduced as a
plot device for the 1940s radio show in
order to give the voice actor who played
Superman a bit of time off
I don’t you it’s kryptonite Superman
little souvenir for the old hometown
although green kryptonite is the most
common and deadly foil to Superman
other colors of kryptonite have been
known to appear and have had various
effects on the Man of Steel
finally later issues would change the
source of Kryptonian strength to be
Earth’s Yellow Sun meaning Kryptonians
on Krypton would not have extraordinary
powers due to their own native red Sun
only in the presence of a Yellow Sun
with their true strength emerge like on
earth as one of the most famous comic
book heroes in history
Superman has appeared in various media
including everything from radio shows to
animated series to big budget
blockbusters George Reeves and
Christopher Reeve have provided two of
the most famous representations of
Superman on the small screen and big
screen respectively recently Henry
Cavill starred as Superman in 2013’s Man
of Steel and will reprise the role in
2016’s Batman vs Superman dawn of
Justice
are you a fan of Superman for more comic
book origins be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com I’m here to help but it
has to be on my own terms
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we
will explore the comic book origins of
Clark Kent otherwise known as Superman
as with most comic book characters
they’re often reimagining and different
versions to a character’s past we’ve
chosen to primarily follow the original
storyline which unfolded in 1938 Action
Comics number one which was expanded
upon in 1939 s Superman number one and
1948 Superman number 53 I know some
people asking a lot of questions now
that I’m back I think it’s only fair
that I answer those people so you’re
here for an interview in Action Comics
number one Superman’s origin story was
told on only one page as a distant
planet was dying from old age a
scientist placed his infant son on a
spaceship and sent it to earth on earth
the baby was discovered by a passing
motorist who turned the child over to an
orphanage because the child had come
from a planet that was millions of years
more advanced than Earth the baby
possessed a quote advanced physical
structure which granted him incredible
strength given the name Clark Kent as an
adult he discovered that he could run
faster than a train leap an eighth of a
mile and hurtle a 20-story building
deciding to use his gifts to benefit
mankind he became Superman this
extremely brief origin story was
expanded upon slightly in the first
edition of Superman in 1939 just like in
the previous years issues a scientist on
a dying planet named Krypton sent his
child to earth the baby was then
discovered by an elderly couple named
the Kent’s who decided to adopt him
themselves after first dropping him off
at an orphanage after learning of his
abilities the Kent’s told their young
boy that people might be scared of his
astounding powers but that he must
someday use them to help humanity his
powers were described as nearly
identical to those outlined in Action
Comics number 38 with the notable
addition that his skin was now said to
be nigh impenetrable this origin was
expanded upon once again in Superman
number 53 the 10th anniversary of
Superman’s debut in this version we
learned that humans of high intelligence
and magnificent physical perfection
lived on Krypton we also learned that
the force of gravity on Krypton was much
stronger than that of Earth so that any
Kryptonian on earth could essentially
defy Earth’s gravity entirely
however jor-el Krypton’s greatest
scientist proclaimed that the planet was
doomed
he explained that every atom on Krypton
would explode in one giant blast and
that they should therefore all migrate
to earth I have come to the conclusion
that Krypton is about to be destroyed
jor-el’s prediction was greeted with
laughter and skepticism by other
Kryptonian elites who claimed that he
wanted to frighten Krypton’s leaders
away so that he could rule the planet
himself jor-el returned home to his wife
Lara just as Krypton began to
self-destruct
Lara deciding to stay with her husband
placed their infant son into a spaceship
and launched it towards Earth
as Krypton exploded in the background
the spaceship travel through space and
eventually landed on earth the spaceship
was discovered by passing motorists and
it vanished when they recovered the
infant Sara look
merciful heaven they took the child to
an orphanage where his super strength
was discovered fearing that the child
would destroy the orphanage the resident
doctor agreed to let the couple who
discover the child mr. and mrs. Kent
adopt him they decided to name him Clark
Kent as Clark grew older he discovered
more and more of his powers including
his speed his jumping ability his
invincibility and his x-ray vision
eventually
mrs. Kent died and mr. Kent became
gravely ill on his deathbed he told
Clark that he needed to hide his true
identity and use his amazing powers for
the force of good when his father
finally passed away Clark decided that a
job at a big newspaper would help him
keep in touch with those that he needed
to help the most he resigned to wear
glasses and be timid but to change into
a blue and red costume and be known as
Superman
whatever he was needed he has resolved
to keep secret his Superman identity and
to adopt a pose of mild-mannered
timidity as Kemp in order to safeguard
the masquerade like all comic book
heroes Superman has gone through
numerous free imaginings with one of the
most famous and long-lasting being 1986
s Man of Steel storyline this storyline
maintains most of the aspects of the
original story lines with an added
emphasis on Clark’s teenage years and
his experiences in the town of
Smallville just like his origin story
Superman’s abilities have been revised
and modified throughout the years
abilities that have been added to his
roster over the years include but are
not limited to heat vision super hearing
super breath and super intelligence
however the most notable change to the
character was in his ability to fly
early issues only describe Superman’s
ability to leap great distances but the
creators of the 1940s cartoon show found
it wasteful and difficult to animate
having him jump from place to place
thus Superman was given the ability to
fly
this would not be the last time
Superman’s medium would change his
character his greatest weakness was
revealed to be green kryptonite
irradiated pieces of his former planet
kryptonite was actually introduced as a
plot device for the 1940s radio show in
order to give the voice actor who played
Superman a bit of time off
I don’t you it’s kryptonite Superman
little souvenir for the old hometown
although green kryptonite is the most
common and deadly foil to Superman
other colors of kryptonite have been
known to appear and have had various
effects on the Man of Steel
finally later issues would change the
source of Kryptonian strength to be
Earth’s Yellow Sun meaning Kryptonians
on Krypton would not have extraordinary
powers due to their own native red Sun
only in the presence of a Yellow Sun
with their true strength emerge like on
earth as one of the most famous comic
book heroes in history
Superman has appeared in various media
including everything from radio shows to
animated series to big budget
blockbusters George Reeves and
Christopher Reeve have provided two of
the most famous representations of
Superman on the small screen and big
screen respectively recently Henry
Cavill starred as Superman in 2013’s Man
of Steel and will reprise the role in
2016’s Batman vs Superman dawn of
Justice
are you a fan of Superman for more comic
book origins be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com I’m here to help but it
has to be on my own terms
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