What became of Superman?

Agent Richard07 · January 19 2009, 06:55 PM

In the most recent episode of Smallville called "Legion", the Legion of Super-Heroes travel back from the 31st century to the present where they meet Clark Kent. Throughout the episode, they refer to Clark in the past tense, making it clear that he wasn't around in their time. Also, on the animated series Legion of Super-Heroes, it's the same thing. No Superman and a big museum dedicated to him which includes his costume.

So my question is this... What became of Superman?

Trekker4747 · January 19 2009, 07:00 PM

It's possible they were just trying to make it SOUND like he wasn't around in their time as part of some Temporal PD sort of thing.

Brent · January 19 2009, 07:03 PM

Forgive me, my knowledge of this stuff isn't that great, but I remember hearing about or reading somewhere that for some period of time in Superman's life he decided to go live inside the core of the Sun for a very long time, is this correct? how much time was it?

DeafPoet · January 19 2009, 07:09 PM

Brent wrote:

Forgive me, my knowledge of this stuff isn't that great, but I remember hearing about or reading somewhere that for some period of time in Superman's life he decided to go live inside the core of the Sun for a very long time, is this correct? how much time was it?

I know even less about the non-movie Superman mythos than you do, but that sounds like a pretty fucking boring way to spend any stretch of time.

They don't even get Teh Internet there!

Guy Gardener · January 19 2009, 07:20 PM

IN DC 1 Million, by Grant Morrison (mostly), set a million months after the publication of action comics #1, Superman did live in the centre of the sun till the late 853rd century when the Martian Manhunter had finaly killed that evil sun and they pulled Krypton through time from seconds before it was supposed to have exploded.

Alan Moore Wrote "What ever became of the Man of Tomorrow" to cmoplete the silver age as the Original crisis began to reboot everything, to mark the end of of everything. Clark Gold Krytonited himself (Powers gone forever) dyed his hair blonde and lived happily ever after with Lois and had children.

Or you could believe in John Byrne and His batman Superman Generations insanity.

Trekker4747 · January 19 2009, 07:21 PM

Guy Gardener wrote:

IN DC 1 Million, by Grant Morrison (mostly), set a million months after the publication of action comics #1, Superman did live in the centre of the sun till the late 853rd century when the Martian Manhunter had finaly killed that evil sun and they pulled Krypton through time from seconds before it was supposed to have exploded.

Alan Moore Wrote "What ever became of the Man of Tomorrow" to cmoplete the silver age as the Original crisis began to reboot everything, to mark the end of of everything. Clark Gold Krytonited himself (Powers gone forever) dyed his hair blonde and lived happily ever after with Lois and had children.

Or you could believe in John Byrne and His batman Superman Generations insanity.

I'll take death.

EnsignRicky · January 19 2009, 07:38 PM

I don't follow the comics either, and I'm sure there could be good reasons to the contrary, but I would just think that by the 31st century, he would be long dead of old age. I know Kryptonians gain super powers from our yellow sun, But I never got the impression that they were immortal, or even that their lifespan overly exceeded that of humans.

Trekker4747 · January 19 2009, 07:41 PM

EnsignRicky wrote:

I don't follow the comics either, and I'm sure there could be good reasons to the contrary, but I would just think that by the 31st century, he would be long dead of old age. I know Kryptonians gain super powers from our yellow sun, But I never got the impression that they were immortal, or even that their lifespan overly exceeded that of humans.

Smallville has suggested it. In one episode they encounter a Meteror Freak who can see how people will die by touching them. When he touches Clark he doesn't see Clark's death but an image of a red cape with a yellow "S-shield" on it flapping in the "wind" against a space/galactic backdrop. The kid says that it "seems as though if you go on forever, Clark, like you never die." -or something to that effect.

TGTheodore · January 19 2009, 07:42 PM

No, Superman did age, but much more slowly. (Silver Age mythos, I believe). So perhaps he finally just died "naturally", or went out saving someone again.

--Ted

middyseafort · January 19 2009, 07:47 PM

Some writers, like Elliot S! Maggin, speculate that Superman left Earth for deep-space. This short story answers some of your questions but only in terms of the Bronze Age Superman of the 70s and 80s.

http://theages.superman.nu/u/maggin/luthors-gift/

Same with Superman, vol.1, number #400 by Jim Steranko:

http://theages.superman.nu/400/exile.php

Then there's also the version of Superman's death and destiny in All-Star Superman.

In terms of the Smallville episode "Legion," I think that Maggin's sojourn for Superman might be what happens to Clark Kent since Lightening Lad speaks of Clark's influence reaching outward into the galaxy.

EnsignRicky · January 19 2009, 08:06 PM

My question would be that if he is indeed immortal, is it yet another benefit of his exposure to our sun, or is it due to Kryptonian biology. Meaning if and when his existence exceeds the lifespan of a normal Kryptonian, is he then bound to Earth out of the knowledge that the moment he leaves the influence of the sun, his normal aging process will kick in reducing him to dust in the cosmic winds. If that's the case, at some point in the future, some supervillan could sure use that information to their advantage.

Trekker4747 · January 19 2009, 08:09 PM

EnsignRicky wrote:

My question would be that if he is indeed immortal, is it yet another benefit of his exposure to our sun, or is it due to Kryptonian biology. Meaning if and when his existence exceeds the lifespan of a normal Kryptonian, is he then bound to Earth out of the knowledge that the moment he leaves the influence of the sun, his normal aging process will kick in reducing him to dust in the cosmic winds. If that's the case, at some point in the future, some supervillan could sure use that information to their advantage.

Why would it do that? Once he leaves the influence of the sun why wouldn't he just start aging normally? It's not like when he leaves the influence of the sun all of his bones are going the shatter and his discs herniate from all of the battles he's been in and heavy shit he's lifted.

Allyn Gibson · January 19 2009, 08:19 PM

EnsignRicky wrote:

I don't follow the comics either, and I'm sure there could be good reasons to the contrary, but I would just think that by the 31st century, he would be long dead of old age. I know Kryptonians gain super powers from our yellow sun, But I never got the impression that they were immortal, or even that their lifespan overly exceeded that of humans.

The recent conclusion to "Thy Kingdom Come" in Justice Society shows what happens to Clark Kent/Superman in the Kingdom Come timeline; he's still alive when the Legion is active, albeit very aged.

EnsignRicky · January 19 2009, 08:20 PM

Trekker4747 wrote:

EnsignRicky wrote:

My question would be that if he is indeed immortal, is it yet another benefit of his exposure to our sun, or is it due to Kryptonian biology. Meaning if and when his existence exceeds the lifespan of a normal Kryptonian, is he then bound to Earth out of the knowledge that the moment he leaves the influence of the sun, his normal aging process will kick in reducing him to dust in the cosmic winds. If that's the case, at some point in the future, some supervillan could sure use that information to their advantage.

Why would it do that? Once he leaves the influence of the sun why wouldn't he just start aging normally? It's not like when he leaves the influence of the sun all of his bones are going the shatter and his discs herniate from all of the battles he's been in and heavy shit he's lifted.

That's true. He could just resume aging normally from that point as opposed to immediately advancing to the age he would be in relation to the years that he has existed. I may be getting superlore mixed up with vampires or mummies or something; It's all very confusing.

Mysterion · January 19 2009, 08:24 PM

Well aside from that llama ranch he was running near Encino...

January 19 2009, 07:00 PM	#2
Trekker4747 To boldly go... Location: Kansas City	Re: What became of Superman? It's possible they were just trying to make it SOUND like he wasn't around in their time as part of some Temporal PD sort of thing. __________________ Just because it's futuristic doesn't mean it's practical.

January 19 2009, 07:03 PM	#3
Brent Admiral Location: TARDIS	Re: What became of Superman? Forgive me, my knowledge of this stuff isn't that great, but I remember hearing about or reading somewhere that for some period of time in Superman's life he decided to go live inside the core of the Sun for a very long time, is this correct? how much time was it? __________________ "Would you mind not standing on my chest? My hat's on fire." - The Doctor My Let's Play Series of STO - http://www.youtube.com/user/JustGaming4Us

January 19 2009, 07:20 PM	#5
Guy Gardener Admiral Location: In the lap of squalor I assure you.	Re: What became of Superman? IN DC 1 Million, by Grant Morrison (mostly), set a million months after the publication of action comics #1, Superman did live in the centre of the sun till the late 853rd century when the Martian Manhunter had finaly killed that evil sun and they pulled Krypton through time from seconds before it was supposed to have exploded. Alan Moore Wrote "What ever became of the Man of Tomorrow" to cmoplete the silver age as the Original crisis began to reboot everything, to mark the end of of everything. Clark Gold Krytonited himself (Powers gone forever) dyed his hair blonde and lived happily ever after with Lois and had children. Or you could believe in John Byrne and His batman Superman Generations insanity. __________________ "Glitter is the herpes of arts and craft." Troy Yingst. My Life as Liz

January 19 2009, 07:38 PM	#7
EnsignRicky Commodore Location: Somewhere Far Beyond	Re: What became of Superman? I don't follow the comics either, and I'm sure there could be good reasons to the contrary, but I would just think that by the 31st century, he would be long dead of old age. I know Kryptonians gain super powers from our yellow sun, But I never got the impression that they were immortal, or even that their lifespan overly exceeded that of humans. __________________ Use Only As Directed

January 19 2009, 07:42 PM	#9
TGTheodore Writer Location: TGTheodore	Re: What became of Superman? No, Superman did age, but much more slowly. (Silver Age mythos, I believe). So perhaps he finally just died "naturally", or went out saving someone again. --Ted __________________ Writer/Composer/Lyricist/Librettist SNW IV, V, VI

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January 19 2009, 06:55 PM	#1
Agent Richard07 The Tim Burton Version Location: Defying Logic	What became of Superman? In the most recent episode of Smallville called "Legion", the Legion of Super-Heroes travel back from the 31st century to the present where they meet Clark Kent. Throughout the episode, they refer to Clark in the past tense, making it clear that he wasn't around in their time. Also, on the animated series Legion of Super-Heroes, it's the same thing. No Superman and a big museum dedicated to him which includes his costume. So my question is this... What became of Superman?

January 19 2009, 07:47 PM	#10
middyseafort Rear Admiral Location: The Bay Area	Re: What became of Superman? Some writers, like Elliot S! Maggin, speculate that Superman left Earth for deep-space. This short story answers some of your questions but only in terms of the Bronze Age Superman of the 70s and 80s. http://theages.superman.nu/u/maggin/luthors-gift/ Same with Superman, vol.1, number #400 by Jim Steranko: http://theages.superman.nu/400/exile.php Then there's also the version of Superman's death and destiny in All-Star Superman. In terms of the Smallville episode "Legion," I think that Maggin's sojourn for Superman might be what happens to Clark Kent since Lightening Lad speaks of Clark's influence reaching outward into the galaxy. __________________ A mild-mannered reporter Literary Masturbation

January 19 2009, 08:06 PM	#11
EnsignRicky Commodore Location: Somewhere Far Beyond	Re: What became of Superman? My question would be that if he is indeed immortal, is it yet another benefit of his exposure to our sun, or is it due to Kryptonian biology. Meaning if and when his existence exceeds the lifespan of a normal Kryptonian, is he then bound to Earth out of the knowledge that the moment he leaves the influence of the sun, his normal aging process will kick in reducing him to dust in the cosmic winds. If that's the case, at some point in the future, some supervillan could sure use that information to their advantage. __________________ Use Only As Directed

January 19 2009, 08:24 PM	#15
Mysterion Rear Admiral Location: Avoiding Commander Gampu	Re: What became of Superman? Well aside from that llama ranch he was running near Encino... __________________ You can't have too much ammunition. Or toilet paper. - Mysterion's First Law of Warfare