Superman is easily one of the greatest heroes of all time. It's not just his plethora of powers that makes him so great, although they certainly help. It's not just that he fights the most dangerous villains in the Multiverse, although that's certainly a boon. No, what makes Superman so great is that he is an inspiring person, one who gives his all in order to make the world a better place.
Superman has spent years providing a good example for everyone, both fictional superheroes and those who read his books. Few heroes are as inspirational as he is and the ones who try to be borrow a lot from him.
10 He Knows When To Stop Fighting
Kingdom Come, by writer Mark Waid and artist Alex Ross, is one of the greatest DC stories of the '90s. While it showcases many of DC's greatest heroes, Superman is undoubtedly the focus of the whole thing. The final issue sees him battling against Captain Marvel to stop him from making the battle at the Justice League Gulag even worse.
However, he realizes that the biggest mistake he's made since his return is using his fists to solve problems, so he stops fighting. He appeals to Captain Marvel as a person and later does the same to assembled leaders of the UN. Violence isn't always the answer and Superman knows that.
9 His Time As Superboy Proves That Anyone Of Any Age Can Stand Up For The Downtrodden
It's hard to know if Superman's past as Superboy is in canon- sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't- but it still represents one of the most inspirational times in his superhero career. Superman started fighting the good fight early and while it can be said that he wasn't really in danger, it's still a pretty big deal.
Superman's morality was so developed that he knew at an early age that he was able to help others and he did so. He understood that he had skills and abilities that could make a difference in people's lives and he worked to accomplish that. He understood that no one is too young to help others.
8 His Battle Against Doomsday Showed That Not Even Certain Death Could Stop Him
There have been a lot of Superman stories that changed him but one of the biggest changes for the character came at the end of "The Death of Superman" when he changed from alive to dead. As the battle against Doomsday went on, Superman knew that the outcome probably wouldn't be very good for him but that didn't stop him.
Superman knew that he could die fighting Doomsday. The monster had run through the Justice League and everything else in its way. This didn't stop him because if he didn't, millions of people would die. Superman kept fighting to the inevitable end, never giving up the good fight, showing just how far he'd go to do the right thing.
7 He Took Time Out To Save A Suicidal Girl
All-Star Superman, by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, is one of the greatest Superman stories of all time. Throughout the story, Superman does a lot of amazing things but the greatest act he performs is probably the simplest. Throughout issue 10, readers keep hearing about a girl named Regan, whose therapist is held up by a robot attack Superman foils.
She needed that session and when readers finally meet her, she's about to jump off a building. However, Superman gets there before she can. He hugs her and tells her she's stronger than she knows, giving her the strength to carry on one more day. Superman stops everything to simply care about another person, an act of selflessness that even people without powers can perform every day.
6 He's Teamed Up With Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is one of Superman's greatest foes but there have been times when he has decided to not be so antagonistic to the Man of Steel and other DC heroes. Whether it was when he was President of the United States or acting as a hero for his own reasons, Superman has worked with Lex Luthor.
Superman has proven that he can put aside his differences with his arch foe and work with him when he needs to. To Superman, working for the greater good is better than holding grudges and he's willing to work with anyone as long as they fight for good.
5 He Lets Batman Think He's The Greatest
The whole Superman vs Batman debate is pretty ridiculous when it comes down to it because if Superman wanted to, none of Batman's anti-Superman countermeasures would work against the Man of Steel. In fact, Superman outclasses Batman is every single way but he always lets his friend get the upper hand.
Superman knows that being the best means a lot to his friend, so he lets him have his way. He lets Batman think he can win or that he can get the better of him because Batman's life is ultimately sad. Superman looks out for his friends, even at the expense of himself.
4 He Never Even Tries To Hold Lois Back
Superman and Lois Lane have a pretty great relationship, one that is pretty much goals for anyone, real or otherwise. In all the years that they've been with each other, Superman has never ever stood in her way and always let her be exactly who she was- the intrepid and unstoppable award-winning investigative reporter he fell in love with.
While he keeps an eye on her, he never tries to stop her and he trusts her implicitly. He fell in love with Lois Lane and that means letting her be who she is. Holding her back and trying to change her would make her into a different person, not the one he fell in love with.
3 His Work At The Daily Planet Does As Much As Good As His Superheroing
Being a superhero may seem like it easily outweighs Superman's job as a reporter but journalism is just as important, if not more so, than being a superhero. Sure, saving people's lives is great, but exposing corruption at the highest levels actually has an impact on society. Superman's desire to help others extends far beyond saving their lives- it means he wants to make their lives better.
Journalism keeps America free. It keeps those in power honest and Superman knows this. Truth is something he has always fought for and revealing the truth as a reporter is one of the most admirable things he does.
2 The Example He Set For His Son Jon Made Him An Amazing Hero
Jon Kent is Superman's son and one of the most powerful members of the Superman family. He's quickly become one of the most popular members as well and a fine hero in his own right. All of that is because of Superman's example, not only because he's Superman, but also the things he's taught his son.
Being a father isn't easy and being a superhero on top of that can only compound things. However, Superman has done an amazing job with Jon, teaching him everything he needs to know to excel and become one of the greatest heroes of his generation, a shining example just as great as his father.
1 Revealing His Secret Identity Proved His Dedication To The Truth
Superman having a secret identity has always felt kind of weird. He doesn't really need one- he can be anywhere on Earth in seconds, so he could save any of his family members if they were attacked. The Daily Planet gets attacked anyway, so it's not like he's protecting them at all with his secret identity.
Superman's entire civilian identity is about revealing the truth and the fact that his entire superhero identity was based on a lie was weird. Revealing his identity was the right thing for someone like him to do and it showed that his dedication to the truth was absolute.
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