The Philosophy Behind Superman’s Strength

Why is Superman the strongest character in the DC universe? One reason is because he’s a super powered-alien with laser eyes who can fly and lift 10-storeyed buildings with one hand. But that doesn’t explain his character strength that makes him the symbol of hope. The fact is that we (or at least I) often forget that Superman is the loneliest character ever. Making peace with that is what makes him strong.

Loneliest character? That’s not right! Superman has his wife and son, and tons of super friends (including Batman).

Yet, we can’t deny that he’s the only Kryptonian alive. For sure it’s not easy being the only one of your kind left. Imagine being the only human in the Planet of the Apes.

Just look at his secret base: the Fortress of Solitude. Why didn’t superman pick a happier name, like “Super-base” or the “hero sanctum”. Don’t you think it sounds more like what Batman would come up with? It’s because the base isn’t just a secret base. It’s also a memorial for his people. The base is filled with artifacts of the old Krypton (including statues of his parents). It is also located in an isolated location in the arctic (with a super-heavy key that only superman can lift) to further emphasize that his loneliness does not belong in his "present" world. More importantly, the base is a reminder that he’s the only Kryptonian on Earth. That means no one can relate to him on that level. And Superman has to accept that he won’t ever escape his loneliness.

I think that forms the core of his (character) strength. Making peace that you are essentially alone in the world. Just like we all are. And maybe, that’s how you’ll gain the strength to do good for others in ways you couldn’t imagine.