Superman is one of the most powerful superheroes around. He can pretty much do anything, or at least he used to be able to. His power levels have fluctuated over time and he even had the power to move planets before. He could fly into any battle with a really good chance of always winning.
Having super-abilities might sound fun and exciting but they can also be a curse.
While many of his abilities are often portrayed in comics (including dancing, brains and having super-hair), it makes perfect sense that there are other abilities he would also possess. Having super strength, speed, vision, hearing, etc might be an asset to the Man of Steel but there are also several dangers he faces everyday while struggling to control his abilities.
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Super strength isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Think about how strong you are compared to the strength of an infant. For the average person, an easy task such as crushing an empty beer can is no problem but for an infant, it would be more of a struggle. The average person doesn't "turn on" their strength, they just have that level of strength. The same should apply to Superman. He can bend steel as if it were a piece of taffy and he doesn't have to concentrate or tap into some power reserve inside his body in order to do it.
Superman has to constantly be cautious with what he does. The world for him is a fragile place. The slightest twitch could result in damage or even the death of an innocent bystander. How did Clark sleep next to Lois all those years before "The New 52"? (And yes, I'm only talking about sleep). What if Superman had a tendency to toss and turn during his sleep? He could punch a hole through Lois' head if his fist lashed out during a nightmare.
What about something like snoring? If everything Superman did was super, it should also include snoring. Superman's super-breath used to be able to blow the entire planet. Imagine the intensity and vibrations of a super-snore. It would be enough to level his building and the surrounding area. But because Superman has a super-brain, he probably has his dwellings fortified against this kind of damage.
What about kissing or holding someone's hand? He could kiss the face off someone if he wasn't careful. I'd imagine his skin would have to be rock-hard as well. If bullets bounce off him, his skin would have to be like granite. If someone just bumped into him, it'd be like walking into a brick wall.
Does Superman have a super-appetite? We know he gets his powers from the yellow sun but is that all the energy he really needs? With the energy he exerts zipping around the world smashing the bad guys and saving the day, he must use up a bit of energy. If it's a cloudy day or during the rainy season, does he still get enough energy from the sun? Do the rays he need still penetrate through on an overcast day? Would Superman have to take a quick trip above the clouds or can he supplement that with eating. If he does eat, he must have a super-appetite. That would clearly lead to high grocery store bills. Superman would also have to be cautious to not shop and only one grocery store. The clerks might get suspicious if Clark was constantly buying enough food for an army.
Finally, a topic I've brought up on our podcast. Does Superman have to go to the bathroom?
The idea might seem like a stretch but it is a part of our everyday activities. In fact, I'm not the only one to think about it. Grant Morrison, current writer of ACTION COMICS, brought up the very question in his a book, Supergods. According to Morrison:
The slightly disturbing answer to that one is that Superman gets all the energy and sustenance he needs from the sun. When he does eat, his body is so efficient, it processes the food completely, leaving no waste.
I totally respect Grant Morrison but I'm not sure about that one. But for the sake of the planet, sewage processing plants and plumbers of the world, let's hope this isn't a concern. Superman might be able to do a lot of super things. His powers have been decreased over the years so it's possible that just maybe everything he does isn't completely super.
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