(lol, where does it say that the Hulk died? The other panel clearly implies that he lived without damage.. I digress, back to the topic)
Actually, right after he completed lifting the weight, here he was clearly written acknowledging "exhaustion".
In the complete scan of this panel (below all this), the omniologist suggested (and is supported by Superman) that the only appropriate way to measure Superman's strength was to tap into a pan-dimensional wormhole: thereby, stressing the upper limits of his strength and durability to an immediate and quantifiable limit (a really large number).
Correct, I said an "immediate" limit; because, if he was depicted as lifting or withstanding 6 sextillion tons for 5 days (a feat of endurance and strength), how much could he lift or withstand at one time? Meaning, before he is either destroyed or sustains substantial damage?
The answer to the question I have proposed appears to be found in the comics themselves; we see that the weight of two planets colliding inflicted substantial damage to Superman, rendering him unconscious.
Taking everything into consideration, the feat of lifting and enduring the strain of 6 sextillion tons for 5 days is within line with the limits imposed upon the character in the past; in other words, in order to significantly harm Superman (without kryptonite or magic) while he is at a high level of durability (He has lower showings under different writers; ex. Batman drew blood from him while in a Venom-induced rage) you must hit him with force sufficient to destroy a planet or at least with force in excess of the weight of a planet; this makes him incredibly durable and difficult to kill with brute strength.
Also to be noted, is that this may not be the limit of the character's capabilities, as there appears to be no consistent portrayal of his abilities throughout the years; these similarities merge the concepts underlying the character with those identified with the Hulk. Simply put, Superman and the Hulk represent the standards of strength next to which all other comic book characters are judged.
If you want a character to appear to possess great strength, it is a great idea to exploit the characteristics applied to standard setting characters like these; this truth will result in many "weak showings" for each character in order to build the reputation of lesser known, currently popular or newer characters. Characters who the writers wish to allot a place in the comic book "hall of strength": a concept which concerns the process of how we assign credibility to fictional characters based on their showings or feats, things which will be adapted, forcing the character to conform, filling the vacant role in a given story line (when you think about it there are many "halls": magic, speed, intelligence, etcetera).
When I consider characters like Superman or the Hulk, I view them in a more conceptual way. For instance, if I write you a check and I had an infinite money supply, writing down the largest number which came to my mind (say, a Trillion dollars) and afterwards I write another guy a check; but, instead of writing down a defined dollar amount, I just write an infinity symbol.. Who has more money, you or the other guy?
What I'm trying to say is that when you have a truly infinite character a writer could (and eventually will) abuse the concept; forcing unimaginable showings of strength or feats.
In other words, I'd rather have the infinite check than be the guy who could (theoretically) run out of money; One of the certain commonalities of life, is that there are always valuable items to attain. Unfortunately for the finite man, many times, the greater the value the larger the cost.
For the sake of my statement, who knows how much a trillion dollars will be worth in the long run?
For things of the highest value, the price could be infinity itself.
Conceptually, I agree with infinity.. But, these are simply comics, anyone could win; it depends solely on the writers or the goal of the story.
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