Superman: A Look at Characters He Has Killed in DC Comics

Overview of Superman’s Dark Side

Superman has committed acts of murder in the comics, illustrating that even the noblest heroes grapple with moral dilemmas.
A range of characters, including Doctor Light and Darkseid, have met their demise at Superman’s hands.
Alternate realities depict Superman engaging in lethal confrontations with fellow heroes like The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Batman.

DC Comics’ Superman stands out as a paragon of heroism, serving as a defining template for superhero narratives. While the character is imbued with extraordinary power, it is ultimately his human compassion that resonates as his most profound ability.

Even as a bastion of morality and virtue, Superman has shown a darker side by killing on certain occasions within the comics. These occurrences challenge the notion that even the greatest protectors remain impervious to the darker impulses of their humanity.

Latest Update (February 1, 2025, by Ben Painter): In contrast to Batman’s firm stance against killing, Superman has occasionally crossed this moral line. A notable instance is from the 2013 film Man of Steel, where he kills General Zod to save innocents. This highlights Clark’s willingness to act decisively for what he believes is justified. While many scenarios listed here explore various iterations and realities of Superman, numerous entries refer back to the primary Superman from the comics. In addition, this updated list includes two new instances of DC characters that Superman has killed.

21. Parasite

Thrown Into The Sun

Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 5 #3

The Injustice video game introduces an alternate universe where Superman embraces his darker nature, transforming into a tyrant. This theme resonated with fans, leading to a comic series expansion.

In various adaptations, Parasite emerges as a formidable foe for Superman, capable of absorbing vast energy levels. In the fifth year of Superman’s regime, he intervened as Cyborg and the Yellow Lantern battled this menacing creature, ultimately hurling Parasite into the sun, likely killing him instantly in a brutal display of power.

20. Doctor Light

Received A Heat Vision Blast To The Face

Justice League (Vol.2) #22

In the issue titled “The Infinity War, ”Doctor Light faced a grim fate at Superman’s hands. Under the influence of Kryptonite manipulated by Atomica, who was secretly aligned with the Crime Syndicate, Superman became an unwitting weapon, unleashing a devastating heat vision blast that killed Doctor Light. However, as often occurs in comics, this death was not permanent, with Doctor Light later resurrected in a new form.

19. Darkseid

Dragged Into The Center Of The Sun

Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #2

Darkseid, the quintessential nemesis of the Justice League and an imposing figure in the DC Universe, usually possesses the upper hand over Superman. In the Elseworlds narrative “Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman, ”however, an epic confrontation culminates in Superman dragging Darkseid into the core of a dying sun, sacrificing both in a final act of heroism, which leaves Wonder Woman as the sole survivor of Earth.

18. Kryptonian Dragon

Incinerated In Heat Vision Powered Oil

Superman Kills A Kryptonian Dragon DC Comics

Superman (Vol.3) #13

In a rare encounter with a non-humanoid foe, Superman confronted a massive alien dragon in Superman #13. Responding to Chaos in Ireland, he resorted to using his heat vision to incinerate this creature, unwittingly killing a native Kryptonian species. While the act was arguably defensible in the face of imminent danger, it nevertheless highlighted Superman’s capacity for lethal force.

17. Crucifer

Took A Stake Through The Chest

JLA #99

Superman’s entanglements with vampires reached a highlight with the infamous lord, Crucifer. In a gripping encounter where Crucifer drank Superman’s blood aiming to turn him into a Kryptonian servant, Superman ultimately freed himself from this curse. He killed Crucifer by driving a stake through the vampire’s chest, showcasing his readiness to eliminate evil when necessary.

16. General Zod, Quex-Ul, & Zalora

Used A Green & Gold Kryptonite Combination

Superman (Vol.2) #22

In a fateful encounter orchestrated by the Time Trapper, Superman found himself forced to eliminate three malevolent Kryptonians, including General Zod. Utilizing a blend of gold and green Kryptonite, effective due to their unfamiliar origin, Superman acted decisively to save countless lives, highlighting the ethical complexities he navigates in his role as protector.

15. Imperiex & Brainiac 13

Sent To The Big Bang

Action Comics (Vol.1) #782

This monumental narrative shifted the DC Universe’s landscape and witnessed the formation of the Superman Revenge Squad. Imperiex’s ambition to reconstruct the universe prompted a devastating conflict, resulting in Superman, forced into an alliance with villains, sending both Imperiex and Brainiac 13 to their demise just before the Big Bang.

14. Mister Mxyzptlk

Made Him Say His Own Name Backward

Action Comics (Vol.1) #583

In one of the final tales of the Silver Age, Superman faced off against Mister Mxyzptlk, who had transformed into a more sinister version of himself. After orchestrating a series of tragic events, Mxyzptlk was ultimately defeated when Superman tricked him into saying his name backward, resulting in a dramatic disintegration—serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of underestimating this mischievous entity.

13. Joe Chill

Face-Melting Heat Vision

Superman: Speeding Bullets

In the Speeding Bullets Elseworlds narrative, where baby Kal-El is raised by the Waynes instead of the Kents, the trajectory of Superman’s morality is altered. After witnessing Joe Chill murder his adoptive parents, Superman succumbs to rage and melts Chill’s face with his heat vision, illustrating a dark twist on the familiar origin of both iconic characters.

12. Doomsday

Both Characters Fought To The Death

The Death of Superman – “Doomsday!”

Doomsday poses one of the greatest threats to Superman and humanity alike, leading to an iconic battle where both combatants perish. The world watched as their titanic clash ravaged the landscape, culminating in the heroic sacrifice where Superman realized he had to fight to the death to save those he loved.

11. Cyborg Superman

Shattered Through Vibration

Reign Of The Supermen

Following Doomsday’s fatal assault, four new entities attempted to assume the Superman mantle. Cyborg Superman emerged as a villain, leading to a dramatic confrontation with the true Clark Kent. Upon resurrecting, Superman executed a devastating blow, shattering Cyborg Superman’s chest in a blaze of betrayal and vengeance.

10. Mogo

Pushed Into A Sun

Superman pushing Mogo the Living Planet into the sun

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year 2 #24

The Injustice comics are rife with brutality, showcasing Superman’s descent into tyranny. One of the most shocking scenarios involves Superman pushing Mogo, a living planet and member of the Green Lanterns, into the sun while wielding a Sinestro Corps ring. This act marks a devastating low for Superman, who had become a puppet of rage.

9. Backbiting

Slams Him Into The Ground

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year 2 #24

As Darkseid’s son, Kalibak entered Superman’s crosshairs during a war on Earth. After invading when peace was declared, Kalibak underestimated Superman’s resolve. In a fit of vengeance, Superman savagely killed him, signaling the depths of darkness that had engulfed the once-heroic Man of Steel.

8. The Flash

Used His Own Body As A Wall

DCeased (Vol.1) #5

In the dystopian series DCeased, a zombie apocalypse engulfs the DC Universe. When The Flash succumbs to the pandemic, Superman is faced with an agonizing decision. He ultimately collides with his infected ally to prevent the spread of the contagion. This act leads to Superman’s peril as he faces infection himself, showcasing the tragic consequences of a world turned chaotic.

7. The Joker

A Punch Through The Chest

Injustice: Gods Among Us #2

The Injustice storyline became notorious for Superman’s execution of The Joker after a nuclear attack orchestrated by the Clown Prince of Crime. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Superman avenged the loss of countless lives by driving his fist through Joker’s chest, marking a pivotal moment that spiraled him into a darker path.

6. Wonder Woman

Strangled With Her Own Lasso

Superman/Batman: Absolute Power (Vol.1) #15

In the “Absolute Power” arc, set in an alternate universe where Batman and Superman assume authoritarian roles, Superman tragically kills Wonder Woman using the Lasso of Truth. This dramatic twist serves as a poignant metaphor about trust and betrayal, amplifying the theme of corrupted power.

5. Green Arrow

Punched To Death

Injustice: Gods Among Us #11

Green Arrow’s demise marked a notable moment in his tragic tale against Superman. In a moment of vengeance following a tragic misfire that resulted in Jonathan Kent’s death, Superman delivered a fatal punch to his longtime ally, showcasing the emotional toll alongside the brutality of his actions.

4. Black Canary

Heat Vision To The Stomach

Yellow Lantern Superman with Black Canary

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year 2 #11

During a poignant arc in Injustice, Black Canary, despite tremendous personal loss, stands against Superman but is ultimately struck down by his heat vision. Although her death was heartbreakingly poignant, she is later resurrected by Doctor Fate, highlighting the complexity of heroism and sacrifice in this gritty narrative.

3. Shazam

Heat Vision To The Head

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year 5 #16

In the increasingly tyrannical landscape of the Injustice universe, Shazam discovers that Superman’s hold over his friends is tenuous. In a heart-wrenching encounter, after taunting Superman with memories of Lois, Superman retaliates by using his heat vision to kill Shazam. This act underscores the tragedy of innocence lost amid chaos.

2. Lois Lane

Drags Her Into Space

Injustice: Gods Among Us #1

One of the most heartrending moments in comics occurs when Superman, misled by the Joker, unintentionally murders Lois Lane. Believing she is Doomsday due to a manipulation involving fear toxins and Kryptonite, he drags her into space, only to realize he has killed the love of his life and their unborn child. This tragic moment marks the beginning of Superman’s total descent into darkness.

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