# Why aren't red-sun superbeings more common in the DCU?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 8, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249 "2004-10-08T19:16:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249/1 "2004-10-08T19:16:13Z")

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If simply being native to a red-sun system and then getting powered up by yellow sun rays gives you super powers, why isn’t the DC universe swarming with superpowerful beings? (More than it is already, I mean). Maybe red-sun systems with life bearing planets are vanishingly rare? After the Crisis reboot, it was strongly suggested that Superman had his powers partly because of a special genetic feature built into him, and partly that he matured under a yellow sun, soaking up the rays for years before he manifested powers. Is this still the explanation or was that scrapped along with the “his invulnverability is partly psionic” bit?

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**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:** [October 8, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249/2 "2004-10-08T20:16:58Z")

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“Red Sun” is just one of the things that contributes to Kryptonians’ superior physiognamies. There are others. It’s a little like asking why all Earth creatures can’t hover in place, since hummingbirds can do it just fine.

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**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:** [October 8, 2004, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249/3 "2004-10-08T20:25:28Z")

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Well, there were the Daxamites…

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**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249/4 "2004-10-08T20:28:54Z")

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The only races in the DCU known to gain powers under a yellow sun are Kryptonians and Daxamites. There’s a beleif that the two races are connected somehow. It’s as much their genetic make up and the lesser gravity of the earth that allows for the powers.

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**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-red-sun-superbeings-more-common-in-the-dcu/268249/5 "2004-10-10T22:39:50Z")

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Bump, because I’d really like to hear more about this. Any links to boards/ threads where this has been discussed?