What makes Superman a great character?

I'll admit, I've never really liked Superman. I've also never REALLY given him a shot. I always just think, "Oh, there's Superman. The hero with all the powers." So, in your opinion and words what makes him so great? What have I missed or simply overlooked?

He's the GAWD DAMN SUPERMAN.

Imo he is like captain America just with super powers. He is the good guy at all times. The boy scout who does no wrong. Pure justice and protecting the innocent.

Other then being the reason we have all other comic book heroes and some manga characters like Goku Superman is a deep rich character. He is one of the Strongest characters and most interesting. Superman is honestly one of those character who deserves to be over rated but by most is under rated like Aquaman. Superman deals with the exact same problem other people deal with on a much bigger scale. He is after all a Immigrant and in the end who does he stand by and follow to achieve his potential? His adoptive home or his heritage both which have positives and negatives. Read the comic where Kryptons rage war on earth and you will see how Superman is torn. He is also one of the things we as normal people strive to be. Stronger,Faster and on a Mental scale more compassionate and understanding. One of the things Superman is known for was standing for Truth Justice and the American way. Superman showed the resolve to be the guardian of earth as a whole and even gave his US citizenship back. A lot of people complain about his amount of powers. Which is kind of Stupid when characters like Thor and Goku can do just as much with fewer powers. Superman has given up just as much as any other hero if not more. There is a comic called All Star Superman if you haven't read it give try there is also a animated movie. The Same with a animated movie call Superman Vs. The elite which revolves around Superman showing that he is more human then 95% of the actual humans. At the end of the Day liking and disliking a character all comes down to preference. Superman deserves much more respect for starting the genre we love today and running it on his own for a few years after. I doubt anyone can change your mind if you simply just don't like him but Superman is all in all what every child wants to be when they are young. The very definition of a hero which is Superman. I can go more into detail about the amazing things about Superman if you'd like hope this somewhat made you want to give the boy scout a chance.

Besides from being the most recognizable and iconic superhero on the planet, Superman represents values that every person, superhero or not, should strive towards. He's not just a symbol of the United States, but a symbol for everyone. His influence spreads far and wide and is basically the definition and template for all superheroes that followed after him. He also has own fantastic gallery villains-maybe not as well known as Batman, and just also for the fact that he so damn cool.

Suggested reading material: All Star Superman, Superman: Birthright, Superman: Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow?, Superman: Red Son, Superman: Braniac

@alktrio3: I like him because he's one of the most relatable characters in a lot of ways. He's a nice guy who brings his a game to everything he does, and he's usually affected by any failure to protect people. Until the n52 he was the only character without an entirely dysfunctional or dead family, he was personable, and was a generally nice guy. The kind of person that holds the door for you at a restaurant, or returns lost wallets.

Just your average stand up guy, but with lots of powers. However, here's the thing, it feels to me as though most of the time he ends up fighting at (often intentional) disadvantages to stay true to his beliefs.

Clark Kent is also one of the most interesting characters in the n52, to me at least. He's just a college grad kid working for a newspaper, writing stories to help the needy and expose corruption. Even if he can get angsty at times, it feels more human to me than many other characters.

Batman is a loner and brooder, Hal is ego centric and has a hole slew of abandonment issues with the ring as of where I'm at with GL, and I've never been good at connecting with MMH or cyborg as the loners.

Basically, he's just a relatable character, despite having amazing powers. He's someone that I enjoy as the romantic hero of awesomeness and sci-fi comic action, where he throws the moon at his enemies, but he's still a very down to earth kind of person. He's often a more dynamic character as well, playing Big brother to many heroes, while simultaneously cracking jokes to lighten the mode. His dynamic personality goes great in tandem with Batman's nature as well, making them an excellent pairing via contrast and dynamism.

I wish I had the mini-essay I wrote on a similar thread back-when saved so I could just copy-paste it (& I'm too lazy to hand-search through my post-history).

What does Superman represent that Captain America can't do better?

I'll wait.

@ximpossibrux:

Interestingly enough the many reasons why I like Superman also apply to Cap-hence why they're some of my favorite characters :)

But Superman is different in a couple of ways

1. He is an "immigrant" and his struggles to fit into society and trying to find terms with himself make up some great stories.

2. His secret identity as Clark Kent represents how people only see what they want to see, on one hand we have a bumbling, and soft reporter reporter that and the other we have a majestic god like figure that can freaking fly. The dynamic and contrast between these two identities is one of the most interesting in my opinion

3. He has seemingly god like powers yet he doesn't use them for evil purposes, even though Superman is an alien and has all these powers-he is in a way just as human in the sense that he goes through the emotions and hardships like we do.

Done :) Sorry for being a creeper, but I remembered you had some nice posts in bother these threads.

• What is Superman without his powers? - Superman - Comic Vine
• Why do people like Superman? - Superman - Comic Vine

@allstarsuperman: dude, awesome! Not creeper at all, I appreciate the leg-work!

(I must say, I made some good points :D. Also did a good job "defending" him in the no-powers one.). It was good to go back & read other responses too. I definitely recommenced that the OP checks out the "Why do people like" thread & read the responses & look at the awesome panels posted, that embody the heart/spirit of Superman).

completely agree

All of us posting reasons need to join some club, haha. Maybe go door-to-door & ask people if they've heard the good word about Superman

i never said anything about captain america...

America

Just pick up a comic book and find out... No matter how much someone tries to convince you that Superman is great, it won't really matter until you find out for yourself.

As for stories I recommend about Superman.

• Start at the beginning with Superman: Birthright
• For the man who has everything
• Up Up and away
• Superman "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?"
• Hitman "Of Thee I Sing"
• and end with All-Star Superman.

If i were to pick up some New 52, what would you recommend?

Well new 52 superman isn't really as the one we speak of but he's close enough. Try picking up Superman and Wonder Woman that's a good one