Superman isn’t only the original superhero—he’s the benchmark. For decades, he’s represented power, justice, and that unbeatable “never give up” spirit. But along the way, DC Comics has made some outrageous moves with the character, introducing a whole range of alternate Supers throughout the multiverse—some good, some horrific, and some outright cosmic in scope. So, who’s the most powerful Superman of them all? From tech-enhanced warriors to universe-altering titans, here’s a peek at 10 versions of Superman that pushed power levels to an entirely new level.
10. Kal-El (DCeased)
During the DCeased narrative, a techno-zombie virus devastates most of the world, and even Superman can’t resist it. Having done everything he can to preserve humanity, he becomes infected himself. The outcome? A virtually unstoppable undead Superman, just as strong as ever but entirely without humanity. So dangerous that the surviving heroes deem it safer to simply leave Earth behind rather than attempt to thwart him. A genuine walking apocalypse.
9. The Eradicator
A Kryptonian relic originally designed, the Eradicator later becomes humanoid and temporarily replaces Superman in his role after his death. While he possesses many of Superman’s fundamental abilities, he also has additional powers to offer, such as energy manipulation, interfacing with technology, and finite telepathy. In certain versions, he is more energy entity than a human, so he’s a fascinating combination of unbridled power and technological finesse.
8. The World Forger
Now we’re talking multiversal scale. The World Forger is a cosmic-level entity tasked with creating entire realities—he can forge new worlds using his Crisis Anvil. At one point, he assumes a Superman-like role in an ideal timeline. While he’s weakened in lower dimensions, when operating at full capacity, he can shape existence itself. Not your average cape.
7. Silver Age Superman
In the old days, Superman’s abilities weren’t merely over-the-top—they were almost infinite. He balanced planets around his fingers, rode out the timestream like a bucking bronco, and did stuff like blasting miniature copies of himself from his palm (seriously). This Superman was so ridiculously mighty that DC needed to perform a hard reset just to make his tales viable once more. Crazy times.
6. Brutal
What happens when Darkseid chooses to clone Superman and upgrade him with a dark twist? Brutaal. This Earth-2 incarnation is fueled by the Omega Force and functions as Apokolips’ enforcer. Without compassion or restraint, Brutaal cleanses foes such as Green Lantern and Atom in one fell swoop. He’s not a guardian—he’s a force of destruction unleashed.
5. Calvin Ellis
From Earth-23, Calvin Ellis isn’t only Superman—he’s also President. Juggling world-saving with leadership of the real world, Calvin embodies hope and brains. He’s got all the typical Kryptonian abilities, but it’s his strategic mind and unyielding determination that send him soaring. When the multiverse is in jeopardy, he’s the type of Superman you’d want to be in charge.
4. Red Son Superman
What if Superman had crash-landed in Soviet Russia rather than Smallville? That is the central flip of Red Son, which reimagines him as the ultimate icon of Soviet strength. Dedicated to communist principles and fantastically powerful, he destroys whole armies and commands with de facto absolute authority. He’s not bad—merely shaped by a very different system.
3. Injustice Superman
In the Injustice universe, a nasty prank by the Joker drives Superman mad, leading him to murder Lois Lane and their unborn baby. From then on, he loses his sense of morality and sets up a tyrannical regime. This one murders indiscriminately, including old friends like Shazam. His immense power plus his totalitarian rule make him one of the most terrifying Supermen around.
2. Kingdom Come Superman
Wiser, battle-tested, and more powerful than ever before, Kingdom Come Superman returns to an unstable world after years in exile. His solar radiation soak has rendered him all but invulnerable—even to Kryptonite. He brushes aside nuclear blasts and defeats mind-controlled superhumans with ease. This incarnation is a living legend: power tempered by experience.
1. Superboy-Prime
Don’t be fooled by the name—Superboy-Prime is no sidekick. From his home universe, where superheroes existed only in fiction, he emerges with powers and becomes more and more unstable. With powers far over most Kryptonians and a solid core conviction that he is the sole true Superman, he becomes one of DC’s greatest threats. He’s defeated teams of heroes by the dozen and cut through universes like they were paper. If brute, destructive power is the measurement, he’s your go-to guy.
From saviors to tyrants to cosmic gods, the multiverse has no lack of Supermen, one-upping what the Man of Steel can do. Whether you love the symbol of hope or dread the godlike annihilator, one thing’s certain: Superman’s power is not solely about brawn—it’s about application. And in these instances, the outcome is unforgettable.