why can't superman be perfectly cloned

[Solarious Prime]

I just want to know why can't superman be perfectly cloned by any race in the universe, may it be other gods, intelligent races and beings in the DC Universe or even Kryptonians (from the phantom zone or some other dimensions etc). If there can be a villain at par with superman's abilities and power, it would be a perfect clone of himself but with a villainous thinking. Not an astronaut or some other dimension (anti-matter universe) superman or even yet a deformed clone and a teen superboy. Why not make a clone but with an opposite thinking of superman like Luthor and Zod. then place this character in the original timeline of superman wherein he can battle out his clone in an all out, one heck of a fight. Thanks yo. :) :) :)

[Agentum]

Is that really so intresting to read about? superduperultra power persons that fight each other without thinking.

I think it have been a lot of that type of storys before, read old comics from 60-70s or something.

[MythicBrawn]

Corporate edict. If he could be cloned then he wouldn't be unique. CoIE was meant to make him unique in DC. They eliminated Bizarro, multiple types of Kryptonite, Supergirl, Super-animals, Superboy, etc. And now, he is unique as the only Kryptonian to survive Krypton. Oh wait...that's not true. Here we are at IC and pretty much back to where DC was pre-Crisis. Maybe, they should clone him. Better yet, just have an extra-dimensional Superman come in and cause havoc in the DC universe. Oh wait...that's about to happen too. Man, my ideas are just coming a little late. What would be the point in cloning him with the current state of the DC universe?

[tymac]

Well, I know that real science has little if anything to do with official comics reason, but I would guess that it's because you need a viable egg to make a clone (by using replacing the egg's share of genetic material with the complete pair of the creature to be cloned). Since there is no kryptonian female, or at least wasn't until the current supergirl, there was no vessel for the cloned DNA. All they could try was human/kryptonian hybrids resulting in bizarro, superboy, etc.

From a storytelling point of view, it's most likely as MythicBrawn said, a corporate/editorial edict.

[Lightbend]

I believe what the rationale is, is that Kryptonian DNA is so complex it is hard, if not impossible to crack and therefor manipulate into a cellular structure. Hence, when they made Superboy, they had to rig in some human DNA to bridge the gap with the Kryptonian DNA. When they try to straight-out clone Superman, because of their lack of understanding of the DNA they get a corrupted version, hence Bizarro.

And yes, the corporate edict was, post-Crisis, that Superman was the only remaining Kryptonian. I think they decided against that several years ago, however, when they re-introduced Krypto and later Kara. But Kara does seem to have some connection to IC.

[hmnut73]

The truth is he can, they just are desprate enough to write it in yet. There is nothing in comics that can't and won't be done sooner or later no matter how stupid.

Believe it or not there was a time in comic books when a character died they were assumed to always stay dead.

[kane]

The real question ist, why do they not clone Batman. Imagine an evil Batgod, or two,or three. The universe is doomed :D

[Solarious Prime]

Thanks for all your comments and explanation about why superman can't be perfectly cloned. :) :) :)

[The Shadow]

he is unique as the only Kryptonian to survive Krypton. Oh wait...that's not true. Here we are at IC and pretty much back to where DC was pre-Crisis. Maybe, they should clone him. Better yet, just have an extra-dimensional Superman come in and cause havoc in the DC universe. Oh wait...that's about to happen too. Man, my ideas are just coming a little late. What would be the point in cloning him with the current state of the DC universe?
HAHAHAhHAhAhHAHAHHA

Great post! :D

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Corporate edict. If he could be cloned then he wouldn't be unique. CoIE was meant to make him unique in DC. They eliminated Bizarro, multiple types of Kryptonite, Supergirl, Super-animals, Superboy, etc. And now, he is unique as the only Kryptonian to survive Krypton. Oh wait...that's not true. Here we are at IC and pretty much back to where DC was pre-Crisis. Maybe, they should clone him. Better yet, just have an extra-dimensional Superman come in and cause havoc in the DC universe. Oh wait...that's about to happen too. Man, my ideas are just coming a little late. What would be the point in cloning him with the current state of the DC universe?

And sadly, Supergirl was brought back...

[PatrickG]

The Cyborg Superman can.

Also, Brainiac can.

[Solarious Prime]

Where did this supergirl came from? If she is a kryptonian then they can take a dna from her and combine it with superman's dna then presto a superman clone. Add some attitude,extreme confidence and desire to kill or destroy as needed plus a very strong desire to overcome, defeat and even destroy the real superman and be considered as the true superman will make this character a major opponent even a nightmare to superman. Add a good plot and storyline, origin for example, can make this character a major villain in the DC world. Question "Is Preus a kryptonian or what?" If yes then he can be a dna donor to make a clone of supes and even twist the thinking of the clone to make it hate and fight superman. Or can be an instrument in making a superman clone to defeat the real superman. thanks :) :) :)

[dancj]

The real question ist, why do they not clone Batman. Imagine an evil Batgod, or two,or three. The universe is doomed :D

There's no point. Bruce is a product of his experiences more than anything else

[PatrickG]

There's no point. Bruce is a product of his experiences more than anything else

Although if you've seen a certain episode of JLU, we know that Batman was clonsed and his experiences WERE replicated to create another Batman...

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Where did this supergirl came from? If she is a kryptonian then they can take a dna from her and combine it with superman's dna then presto a superman clone. Add some attitude,extreme confidence and desire to kill or destroy as needed plus a very strong desire to overcome, defeat and even destroy the real superman and be considered as the true superman will make this character a major opponent even a nightmare to superman. Add a good plot and storyline, origin for example, can make this character a major villain in the DC world. Question "Is Preus a kryptonian or what?" If yes then he can be a dna donor to make a clone of supes and even twist the thinking of the clone to make it hate and fight superman. Or can be an instrument in making a superman clone to defeat the real superman. thanks :) :) :)

Preus is Kandorian. The citizens of Kandor are from various civilizations, as I understand. None of them are Kryptonian.

[Gernot]

I think they CAN clone Superman. It's just that the villians who CAN, don't feel they NEED to in order to defeat Superman. They probably feel they can defeat Superman without expending the resources and time needed to clone Superman.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

And what villains would those be?

[PatrickG]

And what villains would those be?

The Cyborg Superman and Brainiac.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Hmmm... They could very well be...

[PatrickG]

The Cyborg has cloned multiple Superman bodies for himself.

Brainiac created an entire fake Krypton. And we know that Jor-El on that Krypton was a perfect clone of the real Jor-El. And that BOTH Jor-El and Krypto from that Krypton got powers under a yellow sun.

I'd say either could mass produce Supermen if they wanted to. The question should be why they haven't...

[Gernot]

Darkseid probably STILL feels he can beat Superman without a clone.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

The Cyborg has cloned multiple Superman bodies for himself.

Brainiac created an entire fake Krypton. And we know that Jor-El on that Krypton was a perfect clone of the real Jor-El. And that BOTH Jor-El and Krypto from that Krypton got powers under a yellow sun.

I'll have to reread Return To Krypton II. I don't remember the details on Brainiac-13 cloning Jor-El.

I'd say either could mass produce Supermen if they wanted to. The question should be why they haven't...

A very good question. Don't expect an answer from DC, though. The goddamn phrase "we'll have to wait and see" appears again...

[Solarious Prime]

Well I wish they could make a clone that is a perfect image and likeness of superman but with a difference, this clone would not have the weakness of superman against kryptonites. Would it be nice that superman would fight someone who's exactly like him but none of his weakness and has the same way of thinking as his enemies, especially those who want to destroy him. Add some berzerking ability which can make him more fearsome and formidable during battle can give superman a hard time. I really want to see a superman like villain who has the face and appearance of a hero, preferably his face, but a mind of a villain. A foe with a blood of his blood, face of his face and abilities he has, minus the costume :p :p . And lastly if he is a clone of superman he may know how superman thinks and how he fights which make him more formidable than the rest of his enemies. With regards to immunity to kryptonites, well they from DC can use their imagination and creativity to come up with a better explanation on why this clone is immune. Thanks for bearing with me again, hehe :o :o .

[Kid Kyoto]

I dunno, Supreme was pretty spot on.

The Maximortal was close.

Sentry does an OK job.

So does Mr. Majestic.

I'd say he's been cloned pretty well.

[lucasb]

Whatever happened to Match? Wasn't he a Superboy clone who was more powerful than the original (who of course is also a clone...)

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Well I wish they could make a clone that is a perfect image and likeness of superman but with a difference, this clone would not have the weakness of superman against kryptonites. Would it be nice that superman would fight someone who's exactly like him but none of his weakness and has the same way of thinking as his enemies, especially those who want to destroy him. Add some berzerking ability which can make him more fearsome and formidable during battle can give superman a hard time. I really want to see a superman like villain who has the face and appearance of a hero, preferably his face, but a mind of a villain. A foe with a blood of his blood, face of his face and abilities he has, minus the costume :p :p . And lastly if he is a clone of superman he may know how superman thinks and how he fights which make him more formidable than the rest of his enemies. With regards to immunity to kryptonites, well they from DC can use their imagination and creativity to come up with a better explanation on why this clone is immune. Thanks for bearing with me again, hehe :o :o .

And this is why you wonder *why* General Zod died. He looked exacly like Supes, and had his powers under a red sun.

Indeed Zod was a really COOL villain.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Whatever happened to Match? Wasn't he a Superboy clone who was more powerful than the original (who of course is also a clone...)

Match?

Any pics of this guy?

[Gernot]

Match was created by the same scientific group that later was responsible for killing Superboy's original girlfriend, Tana Moon.

He looked EXACTLY like Superboy, except he had a very tiny scar under one of his eyes. Match was able to fool Young Justice for quite awhile, even.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

I see. Thanks for the info.

Did he die or something?

[PatrickG]

Nah. He was last seen under the influence of Joker toxin (as a lot of villains were) laughing madly off as he flew away.

I wouldn't mind seeing him team-up with Bizarro.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

And is he an exact copy of Superboy?

Or does he have a difference in his powers? I mean, besides being stronger.

[rickfury188]

Maybe it would require storylines that writers don't want to do at the moment. Plus, they don't want the same reaction they got when they made Superman blue.

[SuperManny]

And is he an exact copy of Superboy?

Or does he have a difference in his powers? I mean, besides being stronger.

He's been written as stronger, plus, he had the ability to turn invisible.

It'd be interesting to see Johns take him on. He's basically one of Superboy's main rogues.

*liked him in Young Justice: Sins of Youth*

[666MasterOfPuppets]

He's been written as stronger, plus, he had the ability to turn invisible.

It'd be interesting to see Johns take him on. He's basically one of Superboy's main rogues.

*liked him in Young Justice: Sins of Youth*

Nice. Thanks.

Indeed it would be interesting to see him and Bizarro teaming up against Superman and Superboy.

Looking forward to that.

[Mr.Manifesto]

Where did this supergirl came from? If she is a kryptonian then they can take a dna from her and combine it with superman's dna then presto a superman clone.
ewwwwww........they're cousins. for some reason this just sounds like high tech incest to me. we'll leave things how they are, i hope.

[SuperManny]

ewwwwww........they're cousins. for some reason this just sounds like high tech incest to me. we'll leave things how they are, i hope.

Incest involves actually having sex with your family member. So it only sounds disgusting because that scene is pictured in your head ;)

The DNA idea isn't terrible.....except for the minor detail that Supergirl would be the mother and Superman the father. And I think the majority of the audience would rather see the kid in a nuclear family, one involving a married couple.

Until then, Superboy's the closest!

[Citizen V]

I think there is a simple answer to this question.Due to Superman`s Krypontic anatomy,i dont really think tha he could be cloned perfectly using Earth technology.I read recently that Superman has extra organs,is this true?

Perhaps its the yellow sun`s effect on Superman that also has a hand in this?

[IPW]

And this is why you wonder *why* General Zod died. He looked exacly like Supes, and had his powers under a red sun.

Indeed Zod was a really COOL villain.

Which Zod? There have been four or five since COIE!!!

[Shellhead]

Corporate edict. If he could be cloned then he wouldn't be unique. CoIE was meant to make him unique in DC. They eliminated Bizarro, multiple types of Kryptonite, Supergirl, Super-animals, Superboy, etc. And now, he is unique as the only Kryptonian to survive Krypton. Oh wait...that's not true. Here we are at IC and pretty much back to where DC was pre-Crisis. Maybe, they should clone him. Better yet, just have an extra-dimensional Superman come in and cause havoc in the DC universe. Oh wait...that's about to happen too. Man, my ideas are just coming a little late. What would be the point in cloning him with the current state of the DC universe?

I enjoyed your excellent work with Occam's Razor in this post.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Which Zod? There have been four or five since COIE!!!

General Zod, former ruler of Pokolistan.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

The DNA idea isn't terrible.....except for the minor detail that Supergirl would be the mother and Superman the father. And I think the majority of the audience would rather see the kid in a nuclear family, one involving a married couple.

Until then, Superboy's the closest!

No, that idea isn't terrible.


It is just catastrophic.