Superman is a fictional character and a superhero who first appeared in American comic books

published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and
debuted in the comic book Action Comics #1 (cover-dated June 1938 and published April 18, 1938).
[1] Superman has been adapted to a number of other media which includes radio serials, novels,
movies, television shows and theatre.

Kal-El / Clark Kent

Superman
Superman with his cape billowing
Superman in Superman: Secret Origin #6 (October 2010). Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
Publication information
Publisher
DC Comics
First appearance
Action Comics #1
(cover-dated June 1938; published April 18, 1938)
Created by
Jerry Siegel (writer)
Joe Shuster (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego
Kal-El (birth name)
Clark Joseph Kent (adopted name)
Species
Kryptonian
Place of origin
Kryptonopolis (Krypton)
Smallville / Metropolis (Earth)
Team affiliations
Justice League
Legion of Super-Heroes
Superman Family
Partnerships
Supergirl (various)
Superboy (various)
Superdog (Krypto)
Batman
Wonder Woman
Abilities
See list
Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, senses, and longevity
Ocular powers
Heat vision
Electromagnetic spectrum vision
Microscopic vision
X-ray vision
Telescopic vision
Infrared vision
Superhuman breath
Freezing breath
Wind breath
Invulnerability
Accelerated healing
Flight
Superman was born on the planet Krypton and was given the name Kal-El at birth. As a baby, his
parents sent him to Earth in a small spaceship moments before Krypton was destroyed in a natural
cataclysm. His ship landed in the American countryside, near the fictional town of Smallville. He was
found and adopted by farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent, who named him Clark Kent. Clark
developed various superhuman abilities, such as incredible strength and impervious skin. His
adoptive parents advised him to use his abilities for the benefit of humanity, and he decided to fight
crime as a vigilante. To protect his privacy, he changes into a colorful costume and uses the alias
"Superman" when fighting crime. Clark Kent resides in the fictional American city of Metropolis,
where he works as a journalist for the Daily Planet. Superman's supporting characters include his
love interest and fellow journalist Lois Lane, Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen and editor-in-
chief Perry White. His archenemy is Lex Luthor, a mad scientist and ruthless businessman; his other
enemies are Darkseid, Brainiac, General Zod, Doomsday, Metallo, and more.

Superman is the classic archetype of the "superhero" character: he wears an outlandish costume,
uses a codename, and fights evil with the aid of extraordinary abilities. Although there are earlier
fictional characters who arguably fit this definition, such as Zorro and the Phantom, it was Superman
who popularized the superhero genre and established its conventions. He was the best-selling
superhero character in American comic books up until the 1980s.[2]