Best Superman Rip-off/Analogue?

[muppet1962]

So, every comic publisher has got their own version of 'Superman' by now. Which one do you like best? Why? What makes Superman, well, Superman and all the analogues, not? Are any of the 'rest' worth reading?

[bigbluntz]

So, every comic publisher has got their own version of 'Superman' by now. Which one do you like best? Why? What makes Superman, well, Superman and all the analogues, not? Are any of the 'rest' worth reading?

Brian Murray's and Rob Liefeld's Supreme :cool: even after the Alan Moore reboot.

[Duy]

Alan Moore's version of Supreme, no doubt, especially if you're a fan of the history of Superman.

[Xybernauts]

I think of Wildstorm's Mr. Majestic, Milestone Comics Icon, and Hanna Barbera's Birdman. Mr. Majestic is a Superman-like alien. He also has traits that can be compared to an angel like Superman. Birdman flies and gets his powers from the sun. And Icon is also an alien with a Superman-like traits. Even though the three character are now owned by DC, I believe they were created before DC comics purchased their parent companies.

Another great analogue is the Hulk. I've always believed that the Hulk was partially modeled after the original Superman who was "Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." Like the original version of Superman, the Hulk doesn't fly, but he leaps miles into the sky at mind boggling speeds. So the Hulk is a combo between Superman and Frankenstein i think.

I also think of Neo from the Matrix movie Trilogy and Mighty Mouse.

I also think the Ultraverses' Prime. Although I guess he's more of a Shazam analogue.

[Duy]

I think of Wildstorm's Mr. Majestic, Milestone Comics Icon, and Hanna Barbera's Birdman. Mr. Majestic is a Superman-like alien. He also has traits that can be compared to an angel like Superman. Birdman flies and gets his powers from the sun. And Icon is also an alien with a Superman-like traits. Even though the three character are now owned by DC, I believe they were created before DC comics purchased their parent companies.

Another great analogue is the Hulk. I've always believed that the Hulk was partially modeled after the original Superman who was "Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." Like the original version of Superman, the Hulk doesn't fly, but he leaps miles into the sky at mind boggling speeds. So the Hulk is a combo between Superman and Frankenstein i think.

I also think of Neo from the Matrix movie Trilogy and Mighty Mouse.

I also think the Ultraverses' Prime. Although I guess he's more of a Shazam analogue.
If you're going to name Prime as more of a Shazam analogue, Neo, the Hulk, and Birdman should definitely not be named at all.

[Xybernauts]

If you're going to name Prime as more of a Shazam analogue, Neo, the Hulk, and Birdman should definitely not be named at all.
Both Shazam and Prime are kids that turn into adult superheroes.

I named my reasons for Birdman and the the Hulk. To add, for the Hulk, notice how when DC comics had a crossover comic pitting one of there heroes against a Marvel character, they pitted Superman against the Hulk. The Hulk can't be compared the the modern incarnation of Superman, but he can be compared to the original Superman.

As originally conceived and presented in his early stories, Superman's powers were relatively limited, consisting of superhuman strength that allowed him to lift a car over his head, run at amazing speeds and leap one-eighth of a mile, as well as incredibly tough skin that could be pierced by nothing less than an exploding artillery shell.[90] Siegel and Shuster compared his strength and leaping abilities to an ant and a grasshopper.[91] When making the cartoons, the Fleischer Brothers found it difficult to keep animating him leaping and requested to DC to change his ability to flying.

From Superman wiki.

And Neo, I guess is a matter of opinion. I think it's the way he flies that reminds me of Superman and the way he inspires and amazes.

[Duy]

Both Shazam and Prime are kids that turn into adult superheroes.

I named my reasons for Birdman and the the Hulk. To add, for the Hulk, notice how when DC comics had a crossover comic pitting one of there heroes against a Marvel character, they pitted Superman against the Hulk. The Hulk can't be compared the the modern incarnation of Superman, but he can be compared to the original Superman.



From Superman wiki.

And Neo, I guess is a matter of opinion. I think it's the way he flies that reminds me of Superman and the way he inspires and amazes.

They're still not direct analogues. An analogue is someone with MOST if not ALL his powers, and who hopefully fills the same role in their universe as he does. Supreme does it. Hyperion, too, when he's on his own earth. Shazam and Prime are analogues.

[Xybernauts]

They're still not direct analogues. An analogue is someone with MOST if not ALL his powers, and who hopefully fills the same role in their universe as he does. Supreme does it. Hyperion, too, when he's on his own earth. Shazam and Prime are analogues.
Well, no one said they have to be 'direct' analogues. How many traits does the character actually need to be an analogue? Tit for Tat. My examples are analogues to Superman playing off of specific traits he has. Birdman i powered by sunlight. Hulk's an analogue to a 'man of steel' 'who is stronger then a locomotive and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Perhaps the analogues aren't as obvious as it is with some characters, doesn't mean it isn't there. If Supreme didn't wear a cape, would he still be considered a Superman analogue.?

Analogue

An"a*logue\ (?; 115), n. [F. ?, fr. Gr. ?.]
1. That which is analogous to, or corresponds with, some other thing.

2. (Philol.) A word in one language corresponding with one in another; an analogous term; as, the Latin "pater" is the analogue of the English "father."
noun

1. something having the property of being analogous to something else



It never states the analogue needs to have any set number of traits so technically the hero could have one trait Superman has and still be an analogue. Of course, based on that criteria I guess you could say all Superheros are an analogue to superman in their own way, so I guess in the end it's relative to the observer.

Oh yeah, you could add Fox's The Simpson's Radioactive Man to that list.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Supreme: the Moore years
The High

[WorstThingUS]

Well, no one said they have to be 'direct' analogues. How many traits does the character actually need to be an analogue? Tit for Tat. My examples are analogues to Superman playing off of specific traits he has. Birdman i powered by sunlight. Hulk's an analogue to a 'man of steel' 'who is stronger then a locomotive and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Perhaps the analogues aren't as obvious as it is with some characters, doesn't mean it isn't there. If Supreme didn't wear a cape, would he still be considered a Superman analogue.?

I'm going to have to agree with him that you're stretching the term "analogue" a great deal. Characters like Supreme are clear analogues, while characters like the Hulk are clearly not. Birdman has an aspect that's "analogus" to Superman but is clearly not a Superman analogue anymore than then Hulk is. As you seem to realize on your own, you stretch it to the point where anything in tights is a Superman "analogue" which is obviously not the case, nor is it the goal here.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Alan Moore's Supreme was more Superman than Superman comics were at the time.

[MythicBrawn]

I think Samaritan is the best analog, certainly not rip-off. Asa Martin is how Clark should be if he doesn't want to draw attention to himself and potentially have people figure out his other identity.

[WorstThingUS]

My favorite uses of analogus Supermen were Gladiator and Count Nefaria when they fought the Fantastic Four and The Avengers respectively. It showed what fanwank JLA/Avengers was in terms of power levels. Nefaria only had the Golden Age Superman powers and still kicked the living crap out of a peak Avengers team. Similarly, Gladiator was more than a match physically for the FF.

As a poster once wisely noted, in the MU people with the godlike levels of DCU powers are usually bad guys and that's the point. In fact, it seems to happen a lot. Wasn't Invincible's dad a Superman analogue who wound up a bad guy? And The Plutonian currently in Unredeemable was obviously a Superman analogue. Then there was the serial killer in Marshall Law way back when who was obviously based on Superman, but that was satire. The rule of thumb for other publishers seems to be you can't be that powerful and be that perfect.

[muppet1962]

Alan Moore's Supreme was more Superman than Superman comics were at the time.

LOL... ::sigh:: thank you, I needed a chuckle today. I haven't read any Supreme, let alone Moore's Supreme. Was it very good?

I have read Alan Moore's Wildcats, where he wrote Majestic, the Wildstorm Superman analogue. And I enjoyed it quite a bit, so much in fact that I picked up the Majestic trades that Dan Abentt & Andy Lanning wrote, which I also found enjoyable.

So Alan Moore has written Supreme and Majestic... has he done any other Sups analogues? (I'm relatively new to the DCU, so I don't know, but, I hope he had a chance to write an actual Superman story while he was at it :smile:

[Duy]

My favorite uses of analogus Supermen were Gladiator and Count Nefaria when they fought the Fantastic Four and The Avengers respectively. It showed what fanwank JLA/Avengers was in terms of power levels. Nefaria only had the Golden Age Superman powers and still kicked the living crap out of a peak Avengers team. Similarly, Gladiator was more than a match physically for the FF.

As a poster once wisely noted, in the MU people with the godlike levels of DCU powers are usually bad guys and that's the point. In fact, it seems to happen a lot. Wasn't Invincible's dad a Superman analogue who wound up a bad guy? And The Plutonian currently in Unredeemable was obviously a Superman analogue. Then there was the serial killer in Marshall Law way back when who was obviously based on Superman, but that was satire. The rule of thumb for other publishers seems to be you can't be that powerful and be that perfect.

I'll be snarky and say:

It's because it's easier that way. You get a lot of these complaints about how hard Superman is to write, but that's only true if he's a hero.

But Superman SHOULD be DAMN HARD to write, because he's fricking Superman and he deserves it.

LOL... ::sigh:: thank you, I needed a chuckle today. I haven't read any Supreme, let alone Moore's Supreme. Was it very good?

I have read Alan Moore's Wildcats, where he wrote Majestic, the Wildstorm Superman analogue. And I enjoyed it quite a bit, so much in fact that I picked up the Majestic trades that Dan Abentt & Andy Lanning wrote, which I also found enjoyable.

So Alan Moore has written Supreme and Majestic... has he done any other Sups analogues? (I'm relatively new to the DCU, so I don't know, but, I hope he had a chance to write an actual Superman story while he was at it :smile:

Moore's Supreme is VERY, VERY good. It really was more Superman than Superman at the time. It's NOT an exaggeration.

Moore wrote three Superman stories, all in the paperback collection of his stories for DC.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

All told, Alan Moore only told a handful of actual Superman stories.

But Moore wrote dozens of Supreme stories. This was where Moore was able to go longform like Geoff Johns is doing with Green Lantern and Superman now.

Up there with All Star Superman for me is Moore's Supreme.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Alan Moore's Supreme was more Superman than Superman comics were at the time.

I distinctly recall Moore himself saying pretty much the same thing in George Khoury's book back in '03.

[eggie]

Of all the Superman analogues I like Majestic the best, but think he is the least like Superman because he knows what life was like on his planet, Maj grew up on Khera while Sups grew up on Earth dreaming of Krypton...Majestic is a soldier, a warrior while Superman is not, he's just trying to help as much as possible.

[Duy]

All told, Alan Moore only told a handful of actual Superman stories.

But Moore wrote dozens of Supreme stories. This was where Moore was able to go longform like Geoff Johns is doing with Green Lantern and Superman now.

Up there with All Star Superman for me is Moore's Supreme.
Reading Supreme by taking each chapter as an era in the history of comics, and not just the history of Superman, is an amazing experience.

The Supremacy, Golden Age origin tale in the first issue, the EC tributes, the tributes to Steranko and the experimental style, the tributes to the JLA covers which emphasize that the really memorable thing about the JLA back then were the covers-- great, great stuff. I absolutely love it.

[Slumber Hulk]

I'm surprised Sentry hasn't gotten a bigger negative response.

I've never read Supreme.

And for that matter I kind of like the Sentry's schitzo twist on Superman.

[Kid Kyoto]

Moore's Supreme and the Superman analogues in Busiek's Astro City are head and shoulders above any Superman story DC has published.

A lot of people have mentioned Supreme but I think Astro City has to get equal mention. Busiek's Sameritan is a great take on the incredible burdon Superman must take on, no time for himself, no friends, no life, every day spent flying around the world saving lives. Stopping for coffee could mean someone dies and he cannot accept that.

Atomicus is a brilliant spin on the Lois and Clark relationship. It starts as a normal Silver Age story with the hero trying to hide his true identity from his one true love (which is a pretty creept and odd idea if you think about it). But we learn Atomicus is not hiding out of spite or to tease her, he's hiding because he's an alien and afraid of people knowing what he is.

The whole idea that Superman goes to such psychotic lenths to hide his true nature out of fear totally changes how you look at the character.

So yeah, these characters have only shown up a few times but they're worthy additions to the Superman mythos.

[WorstThingUS]

Moore's Supreme and the Superman analogues in Busiek's Astro City are head and shoulders above any Superman story DC has published.



Yeah, there's this thing called All Star Superman...

And having read Samaritan (whom I can't believe it took us two pages to remember as he's one of the most obvious) I can think of half a dozen Superman stories that are better that I'd rather read.

Atomicus is a brilliant spin on the Lois and Clark relationship. It starts as a normal Silver Age story with the hero trying to hide his true identity from his one true love (which is a pretty creept and odd idea if you think about it). But we learn Atomicus is not hiding out of spite or to tease her, he's hiding because he's an alien and afraid of people knowing what he is.

The whole idea that Superman goes to such psychotic lenths to hide his true nature out of fear totally changes how you look at the character.

It was an interesting twist of the myth, but Roy Thomas actually looked at that in his Elseworlds Superman: War of the Worlds where all his fears came true when the people looked at him the way they looked at the invading Martians.

[dancj]

Moore's Supreme and the Superman analogues in Busiek's Astro City are head and shoulders above any Superman story DC has published.
I wasn't mad about Supreme and the Samaritan chapters in Astro City aren't my favourites. I'd put Secret Identity, Red Son, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow and For the Man Who Has Everything above those.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I'm surprised Sentry hasn't gotten a bigger negative response.

I've never read Supreme.

And for that matter I kind of like the Sentry's schitzo twist on Superman.

The recent Age of The Sentry mini-series was wonderful.

[md62]

Definitely Alan Moore's Supreme. If you liked All Star Superman you will like his version of Supreme.

I also like Majestic. His two series were great. The first by Casey & McGuiness was my favorite.

[Utility Belt]

Why has noone mentioned the most obvious one? Captain Marvel. An almost complete analogue. Can fly, super stregnth and invulnerable. Is it any wonder we've had so many Superman vs Captain Marvel stories in the past?

[WorstThingUS]

Why has noone mentioned the most obvious one? Captain Marvel. An almost complete analogue. Can fly, super stregnth and invulnerable. Is it any wonder we've had so many Superman vs Captain Marvel stories in the past?

Because the OP said "other publishers." It's also why characters like Mon-El haven't come up either.

[Kid Kyoto]

Yeah, there's this thing called All Star Superman...



Honestly ASS did little for me. The background characters and the situations were interesting but Superman himself is still a cypher with a benin smile. No real personality even as he's dying.

Supreme, the Samaritan and Atomicus all managed to wed godlike power to a flawed (though noble) human.

[Kid Kyoto]

I wasn't mad about Supreme and the Samaritan chapters in Astro City aren't my favourites. I'd put Secret Identity, Red Son, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow and For the Man Who Has Everything above those.

All good picks and (interestingly) almost all of them out of continuity.

Man of Tomorrow and Man Who has Everything were great for giving Superman a personality. Red Son and Secret Identity weren't really Superman, they were parallel world analogues.

Secret Identity was fantastic as far as making an interesting version of Supes.

[Zero Hunter]

The Hyperion reboot from JMS in the Supreme Powers series was very good at showing what would have happend had Superman been created today in my opinion.

[dupersuper]

Don't forget Underdog, Super Grover, the leader of The Seven in Ennis' The Boys, Sunshine Superman, 2 different Ultramen, the Overman from Morrisons last Animal Man issues, Superman/boy Prime, the Supermen in the last issue of Final Crisis and in Superman Beyond, and the Superman Squad that defends the time stream...
Plus all the evil doppelgangers that show up in the actual DCU; Cyborg Superman, Composite Superman, the Russian Zod...they're on their 3rd Bizzaro...

[Xybernauts]

Don't forget Underdog, Super Grover, the leader of The Seven in Ennis' The Boys, Sunshine Superman, 2 different Ultramen, the Overman from Morrisons last Animal Man issues, Superman/boy Prime, the Supermen in the last issue of Final Crisis and in Superman Beyond, and the Superman Squad that defends the time stream...
Plus all the evil doppelgangers that show up in the actual DCU; Cyborg Superman, Composite Superman, the Russian Zod...they're on their 3rd Bizzaro...

i don't think characters from DC comics that are part of the Superman mythology count.

Honestly ASS did little for me. The background characters and the situations were interesting but Superman himself is still a cypher with a benin smile. No real personality even as he's dying.

Supreme, the Samaritan and Atomicus all managed to wed godlike power to a flawed (though noble) human.

ASS, LOL :biggrin:

[STC]

Of all the Superman analogues I like Majestic the best, but think he is the least like Superman because he knows what life was like on his planet, Maj grew up on Khera while Sups grew up on Earth dreaming of Krypton...Majestic is a soldier, a warrior while Superman is not, he's just trying to help as much as possible.

I agree. Majestic doesnt like humans, he tolerates them. Majestic is what got me interested in the Wildstorm universe.

The Hyperion reboot from JMS in the Supreme Powers series was very good at showing what would have happend had Superman been created today in my opinion.

Supreme Power was a great series.

[dupersuper]

I've only skimmed; any one mention Sentry yet?

[Infernorhythm]

In terms of pure visual design? The gray Superman-analogue alien from the pseudo JLA in Planetary #1. Just an awesome design from John Cassiday.

In terms of overall? Samaritan. Great character.

[Pinball]

Do parodies count?
If so, Megaton Man.

And it's too bad Miracleman isn't more readily available, or he might get some votes.

[marshal99]

Superduperman. :wink:

http://kitscomics.com/captain/34.JPG

[Chad]

As much as I love Supreme, this is one time where Alan Moore will have to settle for coming in second to someone else playing the same game.

The best Superman analogue has to be Ultiman seen here in the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's as imagined by the likes of Joe Shuster, Wayne Boring, Curt Swan, and Jack Kirby respectively.

[FistofIron]

I think the best Superman analogue is Mr. Majestic. I loved his appearance in the DCU.

[gryhpon]

I've only skimmed; any one mention Sentry yet?

this thread is for good ripoffs/analogues

[Xybernauts]

I just wanted to say, in defense of the character Birdman, the fact that he gets his powers from the sun isn't the only analogy you can make. He also has angelic traits like Superman and Mr. Majestic, they are just more overt. If you remember, The El in Superman's name Kal-El was derived from the El you see in many angelic names like Uriel , Raphael , Michael , Gabriel , etc.

[Duy]

I just wanted to say, in defense of the character Birdman, the fact that he gets his powers from the sun isn't the only analogy you can make. He also has angelic traits like Superman and Mr. Majestic, they are just more overt. If you remember, The El in Superman's name Kal-El was derived from the El you see in many angelic names like Uriel , Raphael , Michael , Gabriel , etc.
He's still not an analogue any more than Firelord is.

[Pinnacle]

Threads like this one always remind me that I need to read Supreme.

I really liked Supreme Power. To me, it was basically a good example of what would happen if the JLA were in our world.

The only Majestic I've read was when he briefly crossed over with Superman a few years ago. Seemed like an interesting character.

[Duy]

Threads like this one always remind me that I need to read Supreme.

I really liked Supreme Power. To me, it was basically a good example of what would happen if the JLA were in our world.

The only Majestic I've read was when he briefly crossed over with Superman a few years ago. Seemed like an interesting character.
In Alan Moore's Wild Worlds, there is a Majestic story about what happens at the end of time. It's great; with some tweaking it works as a Superman story, substituting Brainiac and maybe the Phantom Stranger for some of the characters.

The Majestic story is well worth it, and I think you'd be able to find it in quarter bins.

[Kid Kyoto]

As much as I love Supreme, this is one time where Alan Moore will have to settle for coming in second to someone else playing the same game.

The best Superman analogue has to be Ultiman seen here in the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's as imagined by the likes of Joe Shuster, Wayne Boring, Curt Swan, and Jack Kirby respectively.

I really wish someone would collect and reprint Big Bang comics. I've seen them around and they look neat but I never bought them.

[Kid Kyoto]

In Alan Moore's Wild Worlds, there is a Majestic story about what happens at the end of time. It's great; with some tweaking it works as a Superman story, substituting Brainiac and maybe the Phantom Stranger for some of the characters.

The Majestic story is well worth it, and I think you'd be able to find it in quarter bins.

Unfortunately it's based on/stolen from an Issac Asimov story which totally ruined it for me. :evilangry:

[Duy]

Unfortunately it's based on/stolen from an Issac Asimov story which totally ruined it for me. :evilangry:
What does that have to do with story quality?

[Will.S]

I haven't read any of the Alan Moore Supreme or Kurt Busiek's Astro City but I did really enjoy the Wildstorm Mr. Majestic book by Joe Casey and Ed Mcguinness since it combined a lot of elements which were cool such as science, general superheroics, and gritty wildstorm characters.

I also thought that the first Sentry mini series as well as Age of the Sentry were terrific.

[Damiean Dark]

I know you all probably hate him but love the Sentry from Marvel trust them to make him a agoraphobic, mental case afraid of his power but he isnt Superman who is an alien and slowly got used to his power he is a simple human who suddenly had godlike power thrust upoun him.

Another good one is Appollo from the Authority making him gay and in love with a slight Batman clone was great inventive stuff.

And who can forget Gladiator Marvel does it againin granting him amazing powers but the added genius that it is almost entirely built upoun his confidence mindset when he uses said power Cannonball using this flaw against him to knock him for six was great stuff.

[Will.S]

Another good one is Appollo from the Authority making him gay and in love with a slight Batman clone was great inventive stuff.

And who can forget Gladiator Marvel does it againin granting him amazing powers but the added genius that it is almost entirely built upoun his confidence mindset when he uses said power Cannonball using this flaw against him to knock him for six was great stuff.
Almost forgot about those two as well, good ones.

[Vic Vega]

I'm surprised nobodys yet mentioned Red Circle/Archie Comic's Lancelot Strong, the Shield.

He's more of a Superman analogue than the original Shield is.

There's also Icon.

[Bergman]

My favorite uses of analogus Supermen were Gladiator and Count Nefaria when they fought the Fantastic Four and The Avengers respectively. It showed what fanwank JLA/Avengers was in terms of power levels. Nefaria only had the Golden Age Superman powers and still kicked the living crap out of a peak Avengers team. Similarly, Gladiator was more than a match physically for the FF.

As a poster once wisely noted, in the MU people with the godlike levels of DCU powers are usually bad guys and that's the point. In fact, it seems to happen a lot. Wasn't Invincible's dad a Superman analogue who wound up a bad guy? And The Plutonian currently in Unredeemable was obviously a Superman analogue. Then there was the serial killer in Marshall Law way back when who was obviously based on Superman, but that was satire. The rule of thumb for other publishers seems to be you can't be that powerful and be that perfect.

Supershock from Powers.

[Bergman]

Why has noone mentioned the most obvious one? Captain Marvel. An almost complete analogue. Can fly, super stregnth and invulnerable. Is it any wonder we've had so many Superman vs Captain Marvel stories in the past?

I think by analogue we mean a character that was made to specifically substitute for Superman in a story. It's a way for a writer to say this is how I would do the character if I had complete control of him, or this is what Superman would be like in the Marvel Universe, for example. It's just a way to do a different take on a character.

Captain Marvel does count as a direct Superman rip-off however, and was probably the most successful.

[Kid Kyoto]

What does that have to do with story quality?

Asimov did it better. The Moore story is cute but doesn't flow well (what no one noticed the other survivor?) Asimov's a rich imaginative version, Moore was a cute shaggy dog story.

[Duy]

Asimov did it better. The Moore story is cute but doesn't flow well (what no one noticed the other survivor?) Asimov's a rich imaginative version, Moore was a cute shaggy dog story.
Aside from the basic premise and maybe the ending, there's also pretty much no other resemblance.

[Jimmy'sFriend]

I think by analogue we mean a character that was made to specifically substitute for Superman in a story. It's a way for a writer to say this is how I would do the character if I had complete control of him, or this is what Superman would be like in the Marvel Universe, for example. It's just a way to do a different take on a character.

Captain Marvel does count as a direct Superman rip-off however, and was probably the most successful.

I agree with that. But was he that successful?

[[]D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite]

I agree with that. But was he that successful?

He outsold Superman.

[Duy]

D[]/\/\[]D @ Nite/So-tite;8858410']He outsold Superman.
And had a franchise of titles larger than Superman.

[WorstThingUS]

I just remember the superhero who was actually a Skrull in a Spider-Man book. He even had it down to the "Clark Kent" persona, being raised by a nice couple. Get it? Super-powered alien raised by nice couple? I wonder if Bendis crapped all over him too in Secret Invasion.

[Xybernauts]

I just remembered that Goku from Dragonball Z is another Superman analogue or more to the point, he was adapted into a Superman analogue.

He is an alien who came to earth in a spacepod that crash lands in the mountains. He was raised by a stepparent who found him in the spacepod; Gohan, and he has become a beacon of hope for his friends and family. His planet exploded, or more to the point it was destroyed. He has superman-like superpowers with a martial arts spin to it. These powers include flight, superstrength, and superspeed amongst others.

[Blind pugh]

I'm with the Hyperion vote.
Makes me miss the days when Marvel & D.C were different:frown:

[Hair]

Samaritan. He is a great examination of the Superman character, but still very unique and not a direct rip off (any more than any other obvious analog). Samaritan gets to the heart of Superman, his humanity, and his inhumanity. But I recently said the Confessor was the best Batman analog, so maybe I am an Astro City fanboy.

[Alex L]

The Samaritan, to me, is a response to "why doesn't Superman spend his every waking moment saving people?"

'Cause honestly, Samaritan's life sucks. Continually exhausted and such.

[WorstThingUS]

The Samaritan, to me, is a response to "why doesn't Superman spend his every waking moment saving people?"

'Cause honestly, Samaritan's life sucks. Continually exhausted and such.

Pre-Crisis, there was a Superman story where he became so obsessed with saving humanity, that his friends and family conspired to make him think he was human who'd gained superpowers and not an alien and the perspective would slow him down. And in Superman: King of the World, he pretty much went nuts (while fighting possession by Dominus) and took over the world to save it.

[TROUBLEZ]

Alan Moore's Supreme hands down. Still the best Superman story to me. Supreme was a very likeable character and Moore managed to write him very powerful and yet still gave him interesting challenges.

Pre-50s I would say Captain Marvel.

I too was disappointed with Moore taking Asimov's story because I read the latter's first. Figuring out the DC analogues in the story was fun though.

[Hypestyle]

Icon from Milestone.. though I must qualify that he is not a 'ripoff', and the creator insists that he is not the 'black superman'..

It takes a great concept of an alien visitor but instead of 20th century kansas, the alien lands in 19th century southern USA on a slave plantation.. Way before the "Wolverine" retcons, Icon was living multiple lives throughout the decades, and retaining his full memory..

go seek out the Icon back issues, most should be modestly priced.. hopefully DC will put out some trades within the year, now that they have a renewed deal with the Milestone characters..

[Yunlee]

For me it's a tie between Majestic and Hyperion.

[Chad]

I also have a preference for Clark Oppenheimer/The Caped Wonder from The Tick.

[Dan Felty]

Alan Moore's Supreme contains all the awesomeness of the Silver-Age Superman in pure concentrated form. It's available in two trades from Checker--anyone with interest in Superman should check it out.

Did anyone read The Maximortal by Rick Veitch? It came out right after Bratpack in 1993 and is part of Veitch's statement on superheroes--how they are important and how their contemporary use is flawed. I found the first issue harsh and distasteful, but the sixth (yeah, I found them in cheap bins!) interesting and engaging. I want to read the rest of the story.

[Animation]

I always liked Samaritan from Astro City, in terms of Superman analogues.

As for Supreme, I haven't read any, but my initial impression from reading his entry on Wikipedia was that he was violent and arrogant. Is that true or false? And wasnt Mister Majestic also arrogant and cruel?

Animation

[Will.S]

I always liked Samaritan from Astro City, in terms of Superman analogues.

As for Supreme, I haven't read any, but my initial impression from reading his entry on Wikipedia was that he was violent and arrogant. Is that true or false? And wasnt Mister Majestic also arrogant and cruel?

Animation
Majestic wasn't arrogant or cruel during the time that he had his own book but then again I've never really read his Wildcats/Wildstorm appearances before or after that series.

[Duy]

I always liked Samaritan from Astro City, in terms of Superman analogues.

As for Supreme, I haven't read any, but my initial impression from reading his entry on Wikipedia was that he was violent and arrogant. Is that true or false? And wasnt Mister Majestic also arrogant and cruel?

Animation
True before Moore wrote him, False after Moore got his hands on him.

[TROUBLEZ]

Supreme was an anti-hero before Moore wrote him.

Even in the flashback stories which took place during WWII/the Golden Age, he was melting people.
When the nazi's scream "AAAAaargghhh!" while being heat visioned into ashes Liefeld's Supreme remarks, "Death. Sounds the same in any language."

[Animation]

Well, I never *did* like Liefeld anyway. I keep getting tempted to track down some Supreme. Maybe if he isnt as monstrous as I had feared, I might be able to enjoy some of the post-Liefeld stuff? Maybe?

[Duy]

Well, I never *did* like Liefeld anyway. I keep getting tempted to track down some Supreme. Maybe if he isnt as monstrous as I had feared, I might be able to enjoy some of the post-Liefeld stuff? Maybe?
If you know Alan Moore at all, you'll know his Supreme is worth reading.

[gustopher]

Tom Strong.

Not for the powers, as there is a complete mismatch there, but for the sensibility, warmth and humanity of the character and his supporting cast.

The origin has a lot of overlap, despite the differences -- small child, heavy gravity environment, orphaned, raised by pleasant country folk, moves to big city.

And he has a big triangle on his chest -- go on, just pencil in that "S".

He's a less obvious analogue than Alan Moore's version of Supreme, and may be much more inspired by Superman than a direct replacement for Superman, but a few more years of age helped Moore hit what makes the character work -- despite his abilities, he doesn't solve problems by brawn, he uses his head and his heart in equal measure. He barely needs the abilities.

[KittyPryde]

I'm partial to Marvel's Gladiator (Shi'ar version...not the Daredevil villain obviously)

[Salvester]

Samaritan for the win! He covers both Supes and Clark Kent.

[ZNOP]

IMHO I am going to say (if it hasn't been already) that it would have to be ICON the character from DC/Milestone comics.

"In the Worlds Collide crossover with the DC universe; Icon and Superman fight. It is shown that Icon is able to hold his own against Superman. Icon even seemed to have a slight upper hand in the battle. Since Icon rarely fights beings of Superman's magnitude, it is possible that Icon is more powerful than he regularly displays. In Justice League #28, Icon punches Superman through the JLA Watchtower, knocking the Man of Steel hundreds of yards into space with one blow. Although Icon's hand was sore after such a massive punch, Superman later admitted that Icon nearly broke his jaw, and that he has rarely been hit that hard in his life."

http://www.growlersworld.com/images/icon-vs-superman.jpg

Where is Icon now? Anyone know?

[warlord1234]

I agree. Majestic doesnt like humans, he tolerates them. Majestic is what got me interested in the Wildstorm universe.



Supreme Power was a great series.

He does like human but he does not socialize with them he keeps himself aloof from humility. He sociallize with a boy called Desmond.

[Free-Man]

Where is Icon now? Anyone know?

Last time he showed up was a super-brief cameo in Robinson's Superman run. He's on one of the monitors that Gen Lane was using.

[Jack]

This bastard I used to know... not only did he break my sister's heart on Xmas, but he did so WHILE IN POSSESSION OF MY SUPREME TRADE.

[Kid Kyoto]

Since this thread started I can think of 3 new Superman analogues there's the Plutonian in Irredemable, the Superman rip-off guy in End League (Astonishman?), and Savior 27 in his self-titled book.

Anyone have thoughts on them? I found End League poor, the barrage of homages just took me out of the story. A flipped through Irredimable and it looks a bit better.

[The Batman]

There's also Alpha One from The Mighty.

[Kid Kyoto]

There's also Alpha One from The Mighty.

Right! Another one... it seems everyone has a good Superman story to tell, but could never tell it with the real one.

[warlord1234]

Yeah i heard about him how is his personality like and is he more powerful then him.

[warlord1234]

Check out Homelander the guy is a complete jerk.

[Peter Svensson]

He's a less obvious analogue than Alan Moore's version of Supreme, and may be much more inspired by Superman than a direct replacement for Superman, but a few more years of age helped Moore hit what makes the character work -- despite his abilities, he doesn't solve problems by brawn, he uses his head and his heart in equal measure. He barely needs the abilities.

Heh. Tom Strong was an attempt by Alan Moore to make a hero that WASN'T inspired by Superman. But hey, I agree with you on this one. He's a very Superheroic character, and has many of Superman's best features.

[DetectiveDupin]

Sentry, and yes that's a serious answer.

[Slaughter]

Sentry, and yes that's a serious answer.

Dunno, Sentry doesn't seem "Superman with Mental Problems" as much as he seems "Triumph with mental problems and less jerkassitude." Triumph himself, alas, was basically Batman on the apex of his manipulating-all-knowing-batjerk persona, but with immense Superman-like powers. Also a very resentfull jerk because everyone forgot him.

[bluebeetle73]

Alan Moore's version of Supreme, no doubt, especially if you're a fan of the history of Superman.
Definitely

[Wolverine12]

I'm with those who said Hyperion from Supreme Power.

[Action Ace]

my favorites would be

Captain Marvel
Alan Moore's Supreme
Samaritan
Mon-El
Invincible

and Plutonian is off to a very good start