The Strongest Superman Counterparts From Other Franchises

Key Takeaways

Superman has inspired various powerful and evil character variations in different franchises.
These variations, like Homelander and Ikaris, exhibit similar powers but with distinct storylines and morals.
Metro Man stands out with super speed feats that exceed other Superman counterparts, showcasing unique abilities.

As a scholar of superhero lore, I must say that each of these characters carries a unique twist on the Superman archetype, each with their own captivating stories and extraordinary abilities.

It’s highly probable that you’re familiar with Superman, often referred to as the Last Son of Krypton, the Big Blue Boy Scout, or the Man of Steel. This iconic figure is the first DC Comics superhero and arguably the most renowned hero across the entire franchise. Over time, various adaptations have been made to this legendary character, cementing his place in the world of superheroes.

In various power spheres and unique narratives, it’s not uncommon for other comic book series featuring their own superhero realms to offer interpretations (or twists) on the iconic character, Superman. Let me share with you five such renditions, arranged according to their supposed potency.

5 Homelander

The Only Man In The Sky

The Strongest Superman Counterparts From Other Franchises

Franchise: The Boys
Played By: Antony Starr

Known as the World’s Greatest Superhero, and arguably the most notorious villain among the Superman cast, “The Boys” – a series that has aired four out of five planned seasons – is likely the most renowned work of fiction that satirizes superheroes. Within the world of “The Boys”, many superheroes are revealed as self-centered, vain, and childish celebrities, with Homelander being the epitome of this degradation.

In simpler terms, Homelander, who resembles Superman in many ways but with an unsettling twist, appears to be both mentally unstable and comparatively weak. Despite having powers such as super strength, laser vision, and flight, he has demonstrated weaknesses that suggest his power is overstated. For instance, in Season 2, a collapsed tunnel was able to momentarily incapacitate him, allowing the main characters to escape safely. In Season 3, even characters like Hughie and Queen Maeve, with limited training, were able to physically challenge Homelander, causing him harm. However, when interacting with other similar characters, Homelander fails to live up to the divine image he holds of himself.

4 Brightburn

Mr. “Take The World”

Franchise: Brightburn
Played By: Jackson A. Dunn

Without a doubt, Brightburn’s protagonist is reminiscent of a mischievous child from another planet, leaving Jonathan and Martha Kent doubting their choice to nurture an alien child with immense powers. Regrettably for this extraterrestrial child and humanity at large, Brandon ultimately finds himself ostracized by his peers due to bullying. This isolation could potentially foster a darker path in many supervillain origins. However, what truly set Brandon apart was when he was driven by the spaceship to pursue the ambition of “Conquering the world.

He interprets this as his go ahead to take the pain inside him and thrust it out onto the world at large in psychotic displays of murder. He kills relatives, commits acts of terrorism and crimes against humanity, and adopts the alias Brightburn, with plans to keep ‘taking the world’, conquering and dominating with brutal force.

Although he wields immense power, it’s important to remember he’s just a young being, and his behavior can be unpredictable at times. He instills awe among children in his own universe, but when measured against other Superman equivalents, there’s room for improvement.

3 Ikaris

Icarus Of The Eternals

Franchise: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Played By: Richard Madden

This version of the list resides within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is part of the renowned team, the Eternals. The Eternals are a group of advanced beings who possess the ability to shape human history through their powers, or they can opt to stay neutral and refrain from intervention.

Ikaris might be reminiscent of the ‘evil Superman’ archetype in some ways, yet it’s not entirely correct to pigeonhole him as such. In the movie “Eternals,” he is predominantly portrayed as a noble character striving for righteousness. Although he took on a villainous role in the climax, where he worked towards ensuring the Emergence and eliminated a teammate to execute what he believed was a virtuous plan, it’s important to note that even then, his actions were tinged with guilt. In the end, he made a self-sacrificing move, mirroring the tragic fate of his namesake who flew too close to the sun.

Ikaris, with his radiant golden eyes rather than the typical red for such characters, boasting immense strength, swiftness, and the ability to fly, stands tall among his cinematic Superman equivalents. However, there are a couple of others who pack a slightly greater punch compared to him.

2 Omni-Man

Nolan The Viltrumite

Franchise: Invincible
Played By: J.K. Simmons

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but appreciate how both the comic book and television adaptations of Invincible explore a fascinating concept: what if an alien similar to Superman descended upon Earth with a distinct mission? Instead of the last survivor of a dying race being raised to protect our planet, Omni-Man is a deceptive figure; a formidable member of an extremely powerful race of conquerors who secretly intend for him to prepare Earth for their imminent Viltrumite invasion.

Nolan Grayson, more commonly known as Omni-Man, lacks the laser vision that earlier characters had, but his physical strength surpasses theirs significantly. In the initial season of the series, he’s depicted as obliterating an entire civilization. He can withstand blasts of immense power that could flatten vast areas, and he’s resilient enough to endure a devastating punch from his son, Invincible – who possesses great strength in his own right, and is able to shrug off its effects without any visible harm.

One of his initial displays of strength on screen involves him single-handedly defeating a whole squad of opponents who resemble members of the Justice League, demonstrating his power immediately.

1 Metro Man

The Fastest Superman Clone Around

Franchise: Megamind
Played By: Brad Pitt

In the realm of Megamind, the lead character, voice by Brad Pitt, is both attractive, charismatic, self-centered, and hilarious. Initially, this hero served as the main antagonist for our protagonist before his mysterious disappearance. Known as Metro Man, he embodies a satire of Superman with extra perks, boasting superpowers reminiscent of a typical Superman but with additional advantages.

Unlike many characters in his category, Metro Man boasted speed abilities that surpassed them significantly and were on par with the super-speed of Superman from comic books. Uniquely, Metro Man even experienced a prolonged midlife crisis during which he could reflect, read, and ponder deeply while time stood still for everyone else.

If superhero TV shows and films have shown us anything, it’s that characters who can move so quickly that everything around them appears still are among the fastest. Consequently, Metro Man is one of the fastest when compared to Superman’s counterparts, consistently outperforming others due to his extraordinary speed feats.

2024-09-16 15:33