Superman is one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC Comics universe, a fact that hardly needs any elaboration. In fact, this character is often considered a potential threat to all of humanity, especially if his immense power goes unchecked. However, no one is invincible; there will always be someone stronger, which means even a mighty being like Superman must face challenges. So, who are the characters that have successfully taken down Superman? Let’s explore together with GameK.
1. Batman
According to the theory, there is no way for a human like Batman to defeat Superman, even if he is the World’s Greatest Detective. However, with the help of Kryptonite, everything changes. This situation was clearly depicted in the blockbuster film released last month: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.
2. Doomsday
If you have seen Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, you surely remember how the creature known as Doomsday ended the life of the Man of Steel. Doomsday, a monster created by Lex Luthor, caused significant devastation in the story arc Death of Superman, making him a formidable adversary. Doomsday can be considered one of the few characters to have managed to kill Superman.
3. The Avengers
You might be surprised to see The Avengers included in this list, as this superhero team occupies a completely different universe than Superman. However, these characters have clashed in the comic series Avengers/JLA #2. In this crossover, Superman faced off against Thor, and when the God of Thunder was ready to unleash his full power, he bore the full brunt of Superman’s strength as well. The members of The Avengers include Iron Man, Hercules, She-Hulk, and The Vision.
4. Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is perhaps the most consistent adversary of Superman. There have been many occasions where he has managed to outsmart this superhero, making it hard to choose a single example. However, a notable story is Superman #149, where Lex Luthor tricks Superman into believing he has the cure for cancer, only to ambush him with Kryptonite gas. Following this, Wonder Woman apprehends Lex, but it remains a rather tragic tale.
5. Mongul
If Doomsday is an example of a monstrous force that can overpower Superman and Lex Luthor embodies the cunning adversary, then Mongul represents a character who can combine both attributes. Mongul has defeated Superman multiple times, often testing his resolve. For instance, in Superman Annual #11 by Alan Moore, Mongul imprisoned Superman in a dream of his own making. Fortunately, Mongul was later defeated by Robin, allowing Superman to escape from the dire threat posed by Mongul.
(To be continued)
