Is Superman truely earth's most powerful?

I just wanted to get something cleared. It's been stated many times throughout the New 52 that Superman is the most powerful being on the planet, heroes, and villains alike. Although I kind of find it weird that's stated so much when Captain Atom is shown quite more powerful than him in the New 52. Based off what he's done, if I didn't know the history between the two I would think Nathaniel was more powerful. Is it just because of Clark's popularity that he's stated to be the most popular or is it Nathaniel's lack of appearances in the New 52 and not really know throughout the superhero community that gives Clark that ranking. Do you think this should be changed? What's your take on this?

Also there is the fact that most likely Alan Scott and Doctor Fate from Earth 2 are going to come when their earth is destroyed in the current apocalypse, and they should be above Clark's level too.

@heirtothekingdom:

Nah. IMO the most powerful has always been the Martian Manhunter. Superman is just the most powerful who also happens too be the poster boy for Earths heroes.

1) Martian Manhunter

2) Superman

Superman..you see Captain Atom more powerful cause Superman is always 'holding back', you never see his full potential...i know its a cheesy answer but its the cheesy answer of DC not mine :)

Nope..

Captain Marvel,Captain Atom,Martian Manhunter,Kyle Ryner will be a few examples...

Nope.

No which goes against his character.

The Goddamn Batman.

Interesting thought. What part of the Superman mythos do you think requires him to be Earth's most powerful being?

The Martian Manhunter must not be forgotten.

Not being but hero. Plenty of beings or even just villains are and should be more powerful. It's a common theme repeated and mixed into his mythos.

specture or phantom stranger

Not even in the justice league current wonder woman been the God of war suppose to be more powerful.

I think Martian Manhunter and Captain Atom are more powerful than Superman.

Nope but he is up there.

as others have already said NOPE.

Naah.

Well I say yes, Supes can take on Martian Manhunter, Captain Marvel, Captain Atom, or any Green Lantern and win in my opinion. The only thing that muddles my opinion are the magic based characters like Doctor Fate.

Nah, there are several characters which are clearly more powerful than Superman, hero and villain alike. Captain Atom and Martian Manhunter immediately spring to mind for heroes whereas Despero and Darkseid are clearly more powerful villains.

Physically, he's probably the strongest. Some people can beat him due to their powersets though, like Martian Manhunter or Captain Atom, but they may or may not be physically as powerful as Superman, I think.

I don't think Kyle is on Earth for the most part, though is he?

Nope.

Nope.

No he is not. Though he is in the top Tier of the top tiers.

Martian Manhunter is probably more powerful.

Captain Marvel is suposed to be on the same level. But he is magic based, so he would probably win a fight.

Captain Atom is certainly more powerful.

Also, as Superman has a vulnerability to magic you can asume any magic-based character would be probably capable of beating him ( though they don't have to be more powerful ).

Superman is probably the most powerful hero - PHYSICALY. But as someone stated before me, he can be beaten by others because of their diffrent powersets

Batman

Martian Manhunter is just more powerful than Superman.

No. Phantom Stranger, Swamp Thing, etc, etc, etc,

Superman is not even in the top 10 if we include villains.

Phantom stranger and Captain Atom

"Powerful" can have a few variations. Hitler was powerful but so was Ghandi. Schwarzenegger is powerful but so is Stephen Hawking.

Superman fits more definitions of "powerful" than anyone else.

Can the MARTIAN Manhunter really be considered one of EARTH'S most powerful? Not sure he counts

@batbro15:

J'onn is just as human as Clark is.

No, he isn't. He is just the go to guy who you think of first.

Swamp Thing, Doctor Fate, Captain Atom. All stronger guys.

Well, he does have the most powerful good heart of all heroes just like Captain America for Marvel Earth.

Batman.

That title belongs to Batman

Physically he is but his power set is limited, powerful, but limited. Then you have characters that control cosmic and mystical forces like Dr Fate. Furthermore, people like flash, firestorm, or captain marvel which arent as physically powerful but have more potential.

Quoted for greatness