# Basic Superman Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 18, 2006, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069 "2006-02-18T09:48:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/21 "2006-02-19T06:54:26Z")
Plus, Bill got his ass killed. So who cares what he thinks? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/22 "2006-02-19T07:07:34Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Not sure about current Supes, but current Supergirl’s costume is made from blankets her spaceship. Spoilsports, aren’t they? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/23 "2006-02-19T07:10:04Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Not sure about current Supes, but current Supergirl’s costume is made from blankets her spaceship. But isn’t current Supergirl from another timeline, which was supposedly destroyed or consolidated in Crisis on Infinite Earths but apparently wasn’t, since she and the new Supes are here now, and Supergirl _definitely_ died in Crisis. So what gives, and is it relevant to the question of current DC-Earth’s timeline? I’m so confused anymore… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/24 "2006-02-19T07:11:28Z")
And I apologize for dragging the convoluted mess that is the latest fallout recovery from a two-decade-old storyline into this thread, because I’m sure it’s going to do nothing but confuse everyone else, too… ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/25 "2006-02-19T07:25:18Z")
The Earth-1 Supergirl died in CoIE. And then promptly was removed from continuity altogether. She never existed in the combined post-Crisis universe. There were a number of Supergirls after her… Matrix - the shape-shifting lone survivor of a pocket universe (possibly the Time Trapper’s pocket universe). Linda Danvers - a young woman, whose life was saved by being bonded with Matrix. Called an ‘Earth-born Angel’, I’ve only read bits and pieces of the PAD series, so I don’t know quite how literal that is. Cir-El - a young woman who claimed to be Superman’s daughter. This was proven a lie, but I don’t think her true origin was ever revealed. Kara - who appears to be a post-Crisis version of the original, although, since she just arrived, it’s hard to tell just what’s going on with her. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/26 "2006-02-19T07:27:01Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > But isn’t current Supergirl from another timeline, which was supposedly destroyed or consolidated in Crisis on Infinite Earths but apparently wasn’t, since she and the new Supes are here now, and Supergirl _definitely_ died in Crisis. So what gives, and is it relevant to the question of current DC-Earth’s timeline? God, you just had to ask about Supergirl, didn’t you. [Knock yourself out](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supergirl). Be sure to ask about Donna Troy and Hawkman next. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/27 "2006-02-19T07:30:54Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > [Knock yourself out](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supergirl). The picture with that Wiki article? It inspired my newest Superhero Law. “Thou shalt not wear a costume with an incorporated belly shirt.” Tacky powers, activate! ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/28 "2006-02-19T08:41:41Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > (BTW, just to cover a point that hasn’t been addressed: there was a brief period in the mid-nineties where Clark WASN’T superpowered. This was the ‘Electric Supermen’/‘Superman Blue/Red’ era, where he’d transform into an energy being (well…two energy beings) and back again.) There was also a period, pre-Crisis, where the level of his powers depended on what he was wearing. If he was in the uniform, he was Superman, but if he had on Clark’s clothes, he was a normal human. This lasted for several months, in Action Comics I believe, before they revealed it was part of some villainous plot. I think it was a villainous plot anyway. Been a long time since I read those issues. 😛 > [@jayjay](#): > > The picture with that Wiki article? It inspired my newest Superhero Law. “Thou shalt not wear a costume with an incorporated belly shirt.” Tacky powers, activate! Well to be fair, she is a teen-ager, newly arrived in a new home and trying to fit in. Picking up local costumes is pretty natural. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/29 "2006-02-19T14:15:34Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Be sure to ask about Donna Troy and Hawkman next. Hawkman. Oy. :rolleyes: :smack: Only 2 good things about Hawkman. [ol] [li]He’s a Golden Age JSAer.[/li][li]His girlfriend/wife/partner would be more popular than he is, if she wore his costume.[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/30 "2006-02-19T15:23:09Z")
Interestingly Krypton as the “Planet of Advanced Supermen” makes a lot more logical sense than the red/yellow sun explanation. If you want to see another (not as benign) direction the “Planet of Advanced Superman” plot line can go I recommend "[Invincible"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invincible_Comics) ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/31 "2006-02-19T20:32:12Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > "Superman did not become Superman, Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he’s Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red “S”, that’s the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears, the glasses, the business suit, that’s the costume. That’s the costume Superman wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent? He’s weak, he’s unsure of himself… he’s a coward. Clark Kent is Superman’s critique on the whole human race. " > > -Bill, Kill Bill Vol 2 I never saw any of the “Kill Bill” movies, but I know I heard that before. Maybe not word-for-word, but I am sure I heard it before. I’m thinking Fieffer’s Great Comic Book Heroes, but it’s been a good thirty years agone that I read it… ---
**Author:** ![spectrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@spectrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spectrum)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/32 "2006-02-19T21:57:15Z")
Bill’s view of Superman appears to be repeating Stanley Kaufman’s view of Superman from the 1979 review of the Superman movie. It’s a very pre-Crisis point of view, and totally off base in terms of the current character. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/33 "2006-02-20T23:31:29Z")
What I want to know is what is really up with the current Supergirl. The Calculator at one point refers to her as an extremely dangerous new element to his and Luthors plans (It’s not yet clear whether Calculator really understands who is he working for: he seems to take orders from both Luthors, so it’s not clear what scale of plans he understands Kara to threaten). How could she be more troublesome than Sueprman himself? ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/34 "2006-02-21T01:34:01Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > How could she be more troublesome than Sueprman himself? She’s stronger, faster, etc. than Supes, has an equally powerful dark side which is only out for itself, and looks great in a mini-skirt. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/35 "2006-02-21T01:40:43Z")
I don’t know, I don’t think we’ve ever seen Supes in a miniskirt. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/36 "2006-02-21T02:19:41Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > I don’t know, I don’t think we’ve ever seen Supes in a miniskirt. In nearly 70 years, it must’ve happened once. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/37 "2006-02-21T04:54:33Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > In nearly 70 years, it must’ve happened once. And somehow the exclamation “Great Rao!” would have to be involved. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/38 "2006-02-21T05:42:13Z")
> [@Lok](#): > > There was also a period, pre-Crisis, where the level of his powers depended on what he was wearing. If he was in the uniform, he was Superman, but if he had on Clark’s clothes, he was a normal human. This lasted for several months, in Action Comics I believe, before they revealed it was part of some villainous plot. I think it was a villainous plot anyway. Been a long time since I read those issues. 😛 _Superman_ 296-299, 1976. The villain responsible, Xviar, had exposed Superman’s civilian clothes to Red Sun radiation. Superman was actually a little tickled to see how the rest of us live for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/39 "2006-02-21T05:49:39Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > She’s stronger, faster, etc. than Supes, has an equally powerful dark side which is only out for itself, and looks great in a mini-skirt. But why is she stronger and faster? The dark side is apparently just kryptonite wackiness, right? Or do we not really know until the next issue of her series? ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069/40 "2006-02-21T06:08:53Z")
Thanks **Krokodil** , I figured someone here would know the specifics. **Apos** , they have not explained yet why she is faster or stronger. They have shown her outflying Superman, with the people watching thinking he let her get away, and him thinking “How did she do that?” This is one reason Batman doesn’t trust her. (The other reason of course, is he is one paranoid SOB.) Lok [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-superman-questions/345069.md?page=3)