Buzz
Superman, the original superhero, has been a fixture in pop culture since his debut in 1938. Over the years, countless Superman-inspired characters have emerged, created by various comic book publishers (and even DC Comics themselves) as a way to explore or parody the Man of Steel. These analogues often provide stories that go beyond the scope of Superman’s own universe, such as imagining what it would be like if Superman lost control or became a villain. Below are 10 noteworthy variations of the iconic Superman figure.
1. Samaritan
A blue-haired hero from Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross' long-running creator-owned series Astro City, Samaritan is the epitome of a modern-day boy scout. He’s a tireless savior, spending each day fighting crime, saving people, and protecting the world. But Busiek's story “In Dreams” offers a rare glimpse into Samaritan’s inner struggle—he can’t even rest from his relentless duties, except in his dreams, where he’s free to soar simply for the joy of flying.
2. Apollo
Superman and Batman’s bond is one of the cornerstones of the DC universe, but in 1998, Stormwatch introduced a fresh take on this dynamic. Writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch gave birth to Apollo and the Midnighter, two brutal vigilantes inspired by the iconic duo. However, there’s a key twist: the pair share a romantic relationship and eventually marry. In doing so, they transformed what was once subtext into a full-blown narrative of love and heroism.
3. The High
Another Superman-inspired character emerged during Warren Ellis' run on Stormwatch. The High is even more directly based on the Man of Steel. Like Superman, he made his debut in 1938, arrived from another world, was raised by humble farmers, and spent his early days battling against the powerful forces of oppression, including tycoons and Nazis. However, The High’s story took a different turn: after disappearing for ten years to meditate atop a mountaintop, he returned with a radical plan to end all governments by ensuring that every human on Earth has access to infinite food, medicine, and freedom. His solution, however, didn’t sit well with those in power.
4. Omni-Man
Omni-Man is a Superman-like character who plays a pivotal role in Robert Kirkman’s long-running Image series, Invincible. As with Superman, Omni-Man hails from another planet. But instead of protecting Earth, Omni-Man was sent to prepare it for invasion. This twist leads to an emotionally charged confrontation with his own son, Invincible. Imagine discovering your father is Superman—only to realize he’s actually more like an intergalactic tyrant.
5. The Homelander
The Homelander is an unsettling figure who plays a key role in The Boys, the controversial series by Grant Ennis and Darick Robertson, published by Dynamite. In this world, superheroes aren’t the shining paragons of virtue—they’re often abusive and corrupt. The Homelander, much like other characters in this series, is a horrifying reflection of power gone wrong. In fact, you’d be safer locked up in a CIA black site than anywhere near these twisted versions of the Justice League.
6. The Saint
In The Pro, a hilarious one-shot by Garth Ennis, a prostitute with an outfit reminiscent of Power Girl is granted superpowers by meddling aliens as part of a bet. In this story, we’re introduced to The Saint—a ridiculously naïve and innocent character who serves as a sharp satire of Superman. Without giving too much away, this story humorously uncovers a truth I’ve always suspected: super-powered sperm and airplane safety do not mix.
7. Hyperion
For decades, Marvel and DC Comics have been subtly borrowing from each other’s roster of characters. Quicksilver mirrors the Flash, Swamp Thing is essentially Marvel’s Man-Thing, and Namor the Sub-Mariner is a more refined take on Aquaman. Hyperion, Marvel’s infrequent version of Superman, belongs to the Squadron Supreme, a group of Justice League analogues who are often treated as humorous parodies.
8. The Plutonian
In Irredeemable by Mark Waid and Peter Krause, the tragic fallout of a rogue Superman is explored in brutal detail. In the very first scene, we witness the Plutonian kill a hero’s wife and child with his heat vision. As the series progresses, Waid and Krause delve into how the world’s most trusted and revered hero descended into madness, becoming history’s greatest mass murderer. Waid himself has explained the concept, saying, “In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who’s called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise.”
9. Supershock
In a similar vein, Powers by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming introduces Supershock, a character with god-like powers who goes on a killing spree after losing his mental stability. As the original superhero of his world, Supershock wipes out the Vatican and destroys the Gaza Strip, among other tragic acts. The cause of his collapse is mysterious, though the prevailing theory is that while his body remained invulnerable and ageless, his mind did not, leading to his eventual descent into senility.
10. Supreme
Created by Rob Liefeld for Image Comics, Supreme is a creator-owned character who had its most celebrated run under the legendary Alan Moore. Moore’s storytelling was a critique of ‘90s comics while simultaneously paying homage to the more wholesome comic book heroes of the ‘30s through ‘50s. Moore honored every facet of Superman’s legacy, including Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Superdog, who were reimagined as Diana Dane, Darius Dax, and Radar the Hound Supreme. Perhaps the most fascinating creation of Moore’s was the Supremacy—a place beyond space and time where previous versions of Supreme go after being retired from the comics. It’s fun to imagine a Super Supremacy where all the Supremes, Supershocks, Samaritans, Plutonians, and, of course, Kal-Els, end up when they’ve been “revised,” as Moore so aptly put it.
