The Utterly Bizarre History of Superman's Powers

We’ve all heard the spiel about Superman before. He’s faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. In short, he’s one of the most powerful fictional characters ever conceived, able to break the laws of physics and bend time itself with impunity.

That said, Superman’s powers are nothing if not evolving. They’ve ebbed and flowed a lot over the decades, with the character evolving from super-strong defender of the downtrodden to all-powerful, godlike superhero to the more well-rounded character he is today. The only constant with Superman is his inconsistency.

With actor David Corenswet introducing moviegoers to the latest cinematic incarnation of the Man of Steel, let’s take a step back to examine how Superman’s powers have evolved and changed over the years, from the earliest Superman comics to the campy excesses of the Silver Age and right on into the modern era.

Superman is directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced. The film hits theaters on July 11, 2025.