Superman is the champion of truth and justice in DC Comics. He is one of the key figures in the Justice League and has saved the world countless times. He was DC's first superhero and started the trend that DC, Marvel, Image, and other comic publishing companies have continued in the decades that have followed that fateful Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
However, even as powerful as the Son of Krypton is, there are foes that he has never been able to take down, at least not on his own. Superman has powers that a normal human could only dream of, but he's not unbeatable.
10 Superman Would Have To Destroy The World To Truly Beat Swamp Thing
Superman and Swamp Thing actually tussled near the beginning of the Rebirth era, as Superman, at that point, was the newly-arrived Clark Kent from the pre-Flashpoint Earth. Swamp Thing and the Green were uncertain of this interdimensional arrival, and the two fought.
There was no clear winner, but Superman did beat Swamp Thing until he summoned the full might of the Green to bring to bear against the Kryptonian. Ultimately, the two were able to talk it out. However, it's uncertain if Superman could have won against Swamp Thing using his full power.
9 Captain Atom Is Better Trained And Has Power Comparable To Superman
Superman and Batman fought a crew of government-enlisted superheroes during the President Luthor era of DC Comics. The team consisted of Captain Atom, Black Lightning, Power Girl, Green Lantern John Stewart, Starfire, Katana, and Major Force. Supes and Bats were able to hold off the crew together, but it took the help of Power Girl switching sides.
However, Superman has yet to take on Captain Atom one-on-one in the comics, and it's uncertain if Captain Atom, capable of generating red sun radiation, might actually be able to conquer the Man of Tomorrow.
8 Firestorm Has The Potential To Stop Superman, But He's Never Tried
Firestorm and Superman have clashed before, and Firestorm was actually able to push Superman back by creating Kryptonite. However, the fight didn't go much further than that.
Firestorm is easily one of DC's most powerful heroes, capable of manipulating organic matter and emit blasts of radioactive energy. Firestorm could potentially turn an entire city to Kryptonite around Superman, and it's hard to imagine the Man of Steel surviving such an encounter.
7 Superman's Never Tested His Might Against The Spectre
The Spectre is part of the Quintessence, a council of godlike beings that oversee the entire DC Universe. He's been a member of the Justice Society and is commonly referred to as one of the most powerful heroes in DC history.
The Spectre is also believed to be an angel of God and is known as the Spirit of Vengeance. He is a cosmic entity with powers both divine and magical, and it's hard to imagine Superman being able to even make a dent in the Spectre's boundless might.
6 Etrigan The Demon Has Repelled Superman With A Single Blow
Etrigan the Demon is a Prince of Hell attached to the immortal sorcerer known as Jason Blood. Etrigan largely reviles the world of heroes and tries to avoid them as much as possible. However, one of Etrigan's adventures has brought him on a collision course with Superman, and Etrigan was able to fend off the Man of Steel with a single punch.
Superman and Etrigan haven't had a rematch since then, and it seems unlikely that Superman could be a match for the Demon. Etrigan's entire existence is thoroughly permeated with magical energies, and Superman would likely be unable to apprehend the Demon.
5 Wonder Woman Has Never Conceded In A Fight With Superman
Superman and Wonder Woman have actually fought several times over the years. There have been alternate futures and timelines in which Superman has beaten or even killed Diana, but Superman hasn't actually won a fight against her in regular DC continuity.
In fact, Wonder Woman has often been able to hold her own quite well against Superman. While Wonder Woman hasn't been able to definitively beat Superman either, she has had the upper hand on occasion. Usually, Kal-El and Diana either mutually halt the fight or are united by a supervillain threat before either side wins.
4 Shazam And Superman Have Clashed, But Superman Hasn't Definitively Won
Superman and Shazam have also had a handful of showdowns over the years, most notably in the climax to Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross as well as in Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's Justice League Unlimited cartoon. The latter fight saw Superman beating Shazam, but this has yet to occur in the comics.
The Kingdom Come fight saw Superman distracted by the nuclear detonation of Captain Atom before Clark could put down Shazam. Shazam's magical power makes him a potential match for Superman, but it's unclear who the true winner would be in such a battle.
3 Black Adam Has Yet To Be Beaten By The Man Of Steel
Black Adam is a similar case as Shazam; Teth Adam has powers comparable to Superman's and is charged with vast magical energies. Furthermore, Black Adam is ruthless, cruel, and angry. The two have been opposed to one another, but they've never had a definitive fight.
Black Adam could very well beat Superman in a direct fight. Adam's fighting ability and understanding of magic make him a potential victor in a fight with Superman.
2 Superman's Power Pales In Comparison To Mobius The Anti-Monitor
Similar to the Spectre, the Anti-Monitor is a godlike being who exists on a higher plane of reality to us mere mortals--Superman included. It took the combined efforts of multiple Earths to bring down the Anti-Monitor the first time he attacked in Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.
The Anti-Monitor has returned since, but it's taken the likes of Perpetua, a multiversal goddess, to even subdue the Anti-Monitor.
1 Superman Has Never Been Able To Conquer Darkseid Of Apokolips
Darkseid and Superman have clashed countless times over the years, and Superman has found himself the victor in such battles. However, it's usually been with the help of the Justice League. Even then, they've only beaten Darkseid into a retreat without actually conquering the New God.
Alone, it's hard to imagine Superman could ever beat Darkseid into submission. At best, the fight would prove too troublesome for Darkseid, and he would Boom Tube away--only to return at a more fortuitous time. It's hard to call that a clean victory. There is an instance in which Superman was able to beat Dan Turpin, a new host of Darkseid's, during the Final Crisis event by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke. However, one could argue whether Turpin counted as a "true" Darkseid.
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