| “ | I made them safe. Shielded them. But are they grateful? Do they appreciate my protection? No... They whine. Complain. Side with those criminals. If they prefer chaos, I'll give it to them. Metropolis and Gotham, I'll flatten them. Set an example. Then I'm finding the dimension these duplicates came from. They'll pay for interfering. | „ |
| ~ Superman villainous breakdown after finally finding out that the world truly hates and fears him. |
| “ | Kneel before me! | „ |
| ~ Regime Superman's victory quote. |
Kal-El, also known as Clark Kent, and more commonly known as Superman, is the main antagonist of the Injustice franchise.
Once a pure and noble superhero, Superman was driven insane by the Joker, who tricked him into murdering his pregnant wife, Lois, as well as destroying all of Metropolis with a nuclear device. After killing the Joker, Superman set out to create a new world order without crimes or atrocities, and over the years, became an unforgiving tyrant. He serves as the sworn enemy of The Insurgency and the former best friend of Bruce Wayne/Batman turned arch-nemesis (alongside the Joker and Darkseid).
He was voiced by George Newbern, who also voiced previous Superman incarnations of the character, Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII, Heracles in Record of Ragnarok and portrayed Steven Baleman in Criminal Minds. In the animated film, he was voiced by Justin Hartley, who also portrayed Adam Newman in The Young and the Restless.
Personality[]
| “ | You drugged me! Made me... Lois... my son... | „ |
| ~ Superman confronting the Joker, heartbroken after Lois and their baby's deaths. |
Lois Lane's death shook Superman greatly; the once pure and benevolent Man of Steel was heartbroken, having been manipulated by the Joker into killing the woman he loved and his unborn child. Worse, the Clown Prince of Crime also tricked him into destroying his home city, Metropolis. As a person who had never experienced loss or fear, Superman was too ill-prepared to deal with the aftermath of his wife and unborn child's death, in addition to having to deal with his guilt of inadvertently killing millions of innocents. His loss, grief, pain and guilt overwhelmed him, causing him to forget his initial hardline, wholesome values and ethics, turning him corrupt and cruel.
From that day forward, Superman decided that criminals would be better off dead, as demonstrated by having brutally killed the Joker in a blind rage, which was the first action that led him down the path into a cynical, brutal, hate-filled tyrant. It is heavily implied that the reason why he discarded his wholesome values and ethics is because he blamed them for his unwitting role in the destruction of Metropolis as well as the murder of Lois Lane and their unborn child, viewing them as weaknesses that ultimately hampered his ability to protect the people of Earth.
Superman also became a bitter man driven by remorse, anger and sadness after the tragedy despite his best friend's attempts at preventing him from falling down the wrong path. The disillusioned Superman's morality also became warped, to the extent that he thought his actions were benefiting the world. In reality, he placed humanity into totalitarian dystopia, a world controlled by a strong military regime without freedom and equal rights, and when he discovered the people of Gotham and Metropolis actually feared and hated him rather than being grateful for supposedly keeping them safe, he attempted to destroy them without remorse. In spite of this, he also valued loyalty greatly and outright attacked or killed those who refused to stand by him, turned out to be disloyal to or betrayed him or questioned his decisions, such as with Batman, discarding their once close friendship, Shazam and Lex Luthor, though in the former's case, he only snapped after the former mentioned how Lois would feel disgusted over his actions, which was a truth he did not want to face. He was even angry after the The Flash betrayed him and defected to the Insurgency, blaming the latter for leaving the Regime to fall and be vulnerable to Brainiac and that he should not have lost his nerve.
Despite having began a relationship with Wonder Woman, Superman never truly moved on from Lois. He demonstrated this by informing his main universe counterpart that upon killing him, he would bring his Lois over to the Injustice universe to see the perfect world he had created and live in it with her. This proves that in spite of his ruthlessness, he was first and foremost a damaged, guilt-ridden man, willing to do anything to get his beloved Lois back.
He does feel remorseful about his misdeeds, but has not recanted any of his thoughts, as can be seen in Injustice 2. That said, he is more reasonable than before as shown when he gave Kara some time after she found out about his true nature. Throughout the game, he also shows that he still cares about others as he displays some affection towards Kara, apologized to Hal when his city, Coast City, and Hal's family was wiped out by Brainiac, and tried to talk Bruce out of fighting him.
This shows that Clark, while still no longer the hero he once was, might not be totally beyond redemption. Furthermore, he also expresses disgust at most villains. However, it should be noted that most of the disgust stems from Clark not realizing that he is no better than most of them.
Powers and Abilities[]
Superman has the following abilities which he receives from the solar radiation his body has absorbed when exposed to a yellow sun:
- Superhuman Strength: considered to be Earths strongest hero he has strength rivaled by very few. He has strength easily in the multi-million tons class, lifted up a 100 ton phantom zone projector with ease, ripped out a submarine tank out off the water without trouble, shattered Green Lanterns strongest shield with one punch. When amped by Sinestro's power ring, him feeding his on the fears of Earth made him powerful to not only restrain a Guardian, but also push him and an entire planet, directly into the sun at faster than light speeds. Upper reaches of his strength has yet to be determined, as strength varies on sunlight. However, he has not displayed any feats on the level of his canon counterpart.
- Superhuman Speed: while not as fast as the Flash, Superman is faster than sound, light and even thought. Has routinely outmatched humans and super humans alike in speed with little effort. Usually reaches the upper Mesosphere within seconds. Upper reaches of speed is yet to be reached.
- Superhuman Stamina: when empowered by the sun he has near limitless stamina, and can endure fights with many other high-level fighters for long periods of time.
- Flight: as a Kryptonian he can easily manipulate gravitons around him to fly. Easily clocks around Mach-4 flight speed with considerable ease, often moves at speeds faster than the human (or sometimes alien) eye can process. Reached the upper mesosphere in several seconds.
- Superhuman Hearing: can hear at far greater levels humans (or sometimes fellow super humans) can use. His hearing can vary, yet despite this great usage he is vulnerable to ultra-sonic blasts. Also his hearing is limited to the sound of what processes, thus the speed at which he obtains info. He doesn’t always get the information he wants at times (like when he failed to get the memo about Doomsday not being Lois Lane beforehand, although that may have been due to the Fear Toxin).
- Super Vision: Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision, Thermal Vision, X-Ray, Telescopic Vision, Microscopic Vision and Heat Vision. While a lot of these powers aren’t shown, he was able to use X-ray vision to see Batman’s broken bones. He typically uses heat vision to incinerate flesh and intimidate others. Temperatures of his heat vision is said to be ranged from mildly burning to being able burn as hot as the sun.
- Ice Breath: has the ability to suck in a large amount of air into his lungs and either hold it within him for a long period of time or create strong forces of wind with it. He is able to control the temperature with which he expels this power.
- Invulnerability: his most noticeable attribute is his vast durability to the point he is commonly referred to as “Man of Steel”. He has endured high-caliber bullets, nuclear blasts, and even those of equal power with ease. Captain Atom explosion said to be equal to ten nuclear blasts failed to kill Superman at point blank range, even though Wonder Woman who was farther away at the time became critically injured. It took the full-power of a Guardian to injure him, and even then he couldn’t kill him.
- Accelerated Healing: as his body absorbs solar rays, he can heal many times the speed of a human. One quick dose of the sun rays, can heal his injuries at a phenomenal rate. Being able to heal injuries that would take most people months, lasts only a couple hours for him. Yet despite this giving complete immunity to all viruses and diseases, he can still be poisoned by things like Kryptonite gas. Also while this gives him great healing, he cannot heal ripped off limbs and organs. Furthermore, he is still capable of being killed by those who are equally as/more powerful than him.
This is a list of Superman's other abilities that are not connected to his Kryptonian-based powers:
- Enhanced Intelligence: Superman has an exceptional intellect and since he snapped, he entirely dedicated his work to defeating criminals and anyone else who opposed him. This, along with his might, let him successfully run Earth as well as Atlantis for several years.
- Charisma: Superman uses his aura and charisma in order to manipulate people and other superheroes alike to obey and follow him.
- Technopathy: After killing Brainiac and mentally bonding to the Skull Ship, Superman gained the power to control technology with his thoughts such as the Skull Ship, which he used to restore the cities Brainiac had trapped.
- Mind Control: After bonding with Brainiac’s Skull Ship, Superman gained the power to mind control others, such as Batman, much to Supergirl’s horror.
Abilities[]
While he has yet to show the full range of his skills, as an alternate version of Superman he is a skilled hand-to-hand fighter, prized journalist, genius scientist, superb leader and indomitable-willed hero with great charisma, order and ideals.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
- One Earth Regime:
- Wonder Woman
- Hal Jordan/Green Lantern/Yellow Lantern (formerly)
- The Flash (formerly)
- Hawkgirl
- Shazam (formerly) †
- Cyborg
- Raven
- Damian Wayne/Robin/Nightwing
- Lex Luthor (formerly) †
- Sinestro †
- The Specter/Mister Mxyzptlk
- Ares (formerly)
- Catwoman (formerly)
- Solomon Grundy
- Killer Frost
- Black Adam
- Bane (formerly)
- Aquaman
- Doomsday
- Ray Palmer/The Atom (formerly) †
- Black Lightning (formerly)
- Metamorpho †
- Supergirl (formerly)
- Lois Lane †
- Jimmy Olsen †
- John Stewart/Green Lantern †
- Poseidon
- Batman (formerly)
- Dick Grayson/Nightwing (formerly) †
- Green Arrow (formerly) †
- Black Canary (formerly)
- Captain Atom (formerly) †
- Martian Manhunter (formerly) †
- Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (formerly) †
- Swamp Thing (formerly)
- Dr. Fate †
- Plastic Man (formerly)
- Lobo
- Darkseid (formerly)
- Victor Zsasz (formerly)
Enemies[]
- Joker † (arch-nemesis)
- The Insurgency:
- Batman (former best friend and archenemy)
- Catwoman
- Black Canary
- Black Lightning
- Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle
- Ryan Choi/The Atom
- Green Arrow †
- Batgirl/Oracle
- Zatanna
- Harley Quinn
- John Constantine
- Dick Grayson/Nightwing/Deadman †
- Deathstroke
- The Flash
- Supergirl
- Firestorm
- Hal Jordan/Green Lantern
- Starfire
- Plastic Man
- The Offspring
- Aquaman (formerly)
- Batwoman †
- Captain Atom †
- Deadman †
- Doctor Fate (formerly) †
- Detective Chimp †
- Klarion the Witch Boy †
- Ragman †
- Doctor Occult †
- Rose Psychic †
- Huntress †
- Lex Luthor †
- Martian Manhunter †
- Guy Gardner/Green Lantern †
- Hawkman †
- Etrigan
- Poison Ivy
- Sub-Zero
- GCPD Resistance:
- Commissioner James Gordon †
- Harvey Bullock †
- Renee Montoya †
- Ares
- Joker Clan/Harley Quinn Gang
- President Boon †
- Ganthet †
- Green Lantern Corps:
- Kilowog †
- Ch'p †
- Chaselon
- Mogo †
- Tomar-Re †
- Teen Titans:
- Superboy
- Wonder Girl
- Red Robin †
- Hercules †
- Zeus
- Hera
- Athena
- Apollo
- Hermes
- Kalibak †
- Parasite
- The Rogues:
- Mirror Master
- Golden Glider †
- Heat Wave †
- Weather Wizard †
- Trickster †
- Bizarro †
- Jason Bard †
- Trigon
- The Justice League (Prime Earth):
- Superman (Prime Earth)
- Batman (Prime Earth)
- Wonder Woman (Prime Earth)
- Green Lantern (Prime Earth)
- Aquaman (Prime Earth)
- Green Arrow (Prime Earth)
- Cyborg (Prime Earth)
- Joker (Prime Earth)
- Shazam †
- Ray Palmer/The Atom †
- Red Hood
- Raiden
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Atrocitus
- Darkseid
- Brainiac
- Damian Wayne † (only in Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe)
- Cyborg (only in Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe)
Quotes[]
| “ | Superman: You thought you could fool me, Bruce? Like he did? Batman: This isn't about Joker. It's about you. Superman: I perfected this world. So many lives lost because I held back. When I should've used all my power. Batman: For what? To control? To oppress? Superman: I could've prevented Metropolis! Saved my family! Batman: Crime took my family, too, Clark. Superman: But you weren't the gun. |
„ |
| ~ Regime Superman confronting Insurgency Batman. |
| “ | Superman: I knew they'd pull you over eventually. You don't belong here! Mainstream Superman: My obligations don't end at the borders of my dimension. Superman: I am this world's savior! I protect it! Mainstream Superman: That's what's happening out there? Protection? Superman: Disobedient children will be punished. Mainstream Superman: Children?! We're not gods. We don't decide who lives and who dies. Superman: The decision is mine! It became mine when Joker turned me into a weapon of mass destruction! Mainstream Superman: I know what you lost. Superman: And you judge me?! After I've killed you, I'll bring Lois here. When she sees how I've perfected this world, she'll--! Mainstream Superman: She'll be afraid and disgusted! Superman: She'll be alive! Mainstream Superman: Lois' death doesn't justify... Superman: He stole her from me! Mainstream Superman: And you stole this planet's freedom. It's time to give it back. |
„ |
| ~ Superman to the mainstream universe Superman before their fight. |
| “ | Fear is the only thing these people understand... one day you'll learn. | „ |
| ~ Regime Superman after being defeated by the Mainstream Superman. |
| “ | You'll have to kill me. | „ |
| ~ Regime Superman's last lines in Injustice. |
| “ | HOW MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE DIE BEFORE YOU ACCEPT THAT SOME LIVES NEED TO BE TAKEN?! | „ |
| ~ Superman's breakdown towards Batman as they argue over Brainiac's fate |
| “ | I vowed to protect the Earth. But to guarantee its safety, I need to expand my vision. Brainiac's ship is the ultimate weapon, but in my hands it can be so much more. Millions of civilization await rebirth in Brainiac's Collection. I'll find the bravest and strongest warriors among them and I'll start a new Regime—no, a new Legion. The Legion of Superheroes. With it I'll bring peace not just to Earth, but to the entire universe—and the universes that lie beyond. | „ |
| ~ Superman's Injustice 2 ending. |
| “ | Superman: Fighting on the same side, it felt like old times. But I guess we both knew it would end this way. Batman: Do you remember that night? When you told me Lois was pregnant? Superman: You knew. Even before I said anything. Batman: That was a good memory. Superman: From another lifetime. Batman: ...I miss the people we were then. Superman: ...Me too. |
„ |
| ~ Batman and Superman before their final duel in Injustice 2. |
Victims[]
| Victims killed by Superman |
|---|
Indirectly[]
|
Trivia[]
- In the DC Universe animated original movie Superman vs. The Elite (based on Action Comics Vol 1 #775), Superman disapproved of the Elite's harsh and brutal methods, including killing criminals and threatening the general public. In Injustice, he acts upon all of the same methods. George Newbern voices Superman in both that movie and in this game.
- Surprisingly, George Newbern (Who voices Superman in the Injustice Series and in several animated features featuring Superman) has voiced Sephiroth (The main antagonist of Final Fantasy VII), who himself is a fallen hero and of alien origin. However, while Superman was an alien born on another planet, Sephiroth was a human given alien powers via experimentation.
- Superman is the only character whose Battles ladder portrait is his main-universe version. In the fight against him, he is also restricted to this costume.
- Superman is the only character with two sets of intros and outros, one for the main-universe Superman (Where he rips off his suit and take off his glasses when the fight begins and fly off into space to answer a call for help after he wins the fight) and one for the regime Superman (Where he flies in to assist a squad of Regime troopers when the fight begins and orders his opponent to bow before him after the opponent is defeated). There exists a third intro for DLC Superman costumes, where Superman simply flies away from the Fortress of Solitude and into battle, DLC Superman use the same outro as main-universe Superman (or in the case of Cyborg Superman, the Injustice-universe Superman).
- Although Superman is the boss of the Story Mode and the Classic Battles ladder, the only advantage he has over other fighters is a far stronger defense and attack in the first life bar, aside from this, in the second life bar he is completely normal, not even having a smarter A.I.
- Superman's villainous actions have been responsible for three redemptions:
- The start of his descent into villainy cost Harley Quinn her Corrupting Influence, ultimately resulting in her realizing how bad "Mistah J" had been for her and becoming an Anti-Hero.
- The Flash, finally realizing what he was complicit with, immediately betrayed the Regime in response to Shazam's murder, resulting in the Regime's downfall.
- After the Regime fell, Hal Jordan was delivered to the custody of the Guardians of the Universe, who promptly set to work rehabilitating him.
- The Injustice version of Superman shares many similarities with other evil/amoral alternate versions of the Last Son of Krypton.
- William Dunn: Both misuse their powers and become global dictators (although, while Injustice Superman had good intentions before becoming corrupt, William Dunn was simply power hungry).
- Superman (Brave New Metropolis): After their respective versions of Lois Lane were killed by their enemies (The Joker for Injustice Superman, Intergang for Brave New Metropolis Superman), both became amoral dictators with little patience or understanding for wrongdoers, preferring to deal with them in a rough manner. Unlike the Injustice Superman, however, this Superman was more caring and redeemed himself after the Lois Lane from the DCAU made him realize the error of his ways.
- Incidentally, the film version of Injustice met the same fate.
- Superman (Justice Lord): Much like Brave New Metropolis Superman, both became dictators after someone close to them was killed by a major foe in the DC universe, whom they then killed in revenge (Lois Lane and The Joker for Injustice Superman, The Flash and Lex Luthor for Justice Lord Superman) and both were able to turn at least some of their teammates to their side. Unlike Injustice Superman though Lord Superman's Lois is still alive and openly disagreeing with Lord Superman's new methods. Coincidentally this is exactly what the Prime Universe Superman told The Injustice universe Superman would happen if Lois saw what he has become. Lord Superman in general was also a much nicer person and did not sink to the extreme villainy Injustice Superman went too, and unlike Injustice Superman, he only crudely lobotomized those he considered criminals instead of outright killing them.
- Ultraman: Both are global dictators who repress others and rule by fear.
- Knightmare Superman: Both turned evil as a result of Lois Lane's death and created a tyrannical government called The Regime and are opposed by a group called The Insurgency lead by Batman. However, while Knightmare Superman was enslaved by Darkseid using the Anti-Life equation, Injustice Superman turned evil of his own free will though he was pushed into villainy by several people.
- In the Injustice animated movie, Superman, alongside Cyborg, Damian, Hal Jordan and Wonder Woman are redeemable at the end of the movie, though Cyborg died alongside Hawkman fighting Amazo, Damian found out Dick's ghost becoming a new Deadman while being peacefully forgiven by him after stopping R'as' betrayal on Superman's regime, Hal remains a Green Lantern and sided with Batman while being depowered safely like his game counterpart, Wonder Woman return to being heroine like her classic counterpart, and Superman willingly turn himself in after meeting alternate pregnant Lois, who lost her Superman who fought Brainiac. Barry however, died earlier by Joker's hand while Billy and Aquaman remain neutral. At the same time Billy survived, unlike his game counterpart who was killed by Superman.
- Due to his actions in the game, and in comparison to his previous incarnations, this version of Superman infamously popularized the "Beware the Superman" trope to the modern audience in the 2010s, which results in newer DC Comics fans believing that anyone with superpowers will fall into evil at one point just like him.
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