The Evil Versions of Superman: From Bizarro to Superior Man

Who is Supermans evil twin? This question has puzzled many comic book enthusiasts and fans of Superman's story. However, the concept of an evil Superman is not new and has appeared in many versions over the years. From Bizarro to Superior Man, here we explore some of the most famous evil versions of Superman.

The Classic Evil Superman: Ultraman

In the early days of the comic book universe, the concept of an evil Superman was introduced through Ultraman. Ultraman, originally from Earth-Three, is the evil analogue of Superman. This character was introduced as one of the many Earth-Three heroes and thus represented the evil counterpart of Supermen from different dimensional worlds. However, with the retirement of the Multiverse, the depiction of Ultraman shifted. Now, Ultraman is an alien from the planet Qward with powers similar to the original Superman, but his intentions are evil.

My Favorite: Injustice Superman

Among the many evil versions of Superman, my absolute favorite is the Injustice Superman. This character embodies the essence of an evil hero. Unlike the traditional portrayal, where Superman fights villains with compassion and mercy, Injustice Superman crushes his enemies without remorse. His actions and demeanor make him an interesting and complex character, providing a new perspective on the classic superhero narrative.

The Earth 3 Heroes: Evil Versions of Main Heroes

The concept of Earth 3, or the world of the evil counterparts, extends beyond just Ultraman to include all the heroes from that universe. Earth 3's version of Batman, for example, is a brutal and sadistic villain, while the Flash's counterpart is an arrogant and selfish individual. This further adds to the richness and depth of the comic book universe.

The Evil Superman Versions

Let's delve into some of the more well-known evil versions of Superman:

Version 1: Bizarro

Bizarro is an imperfect clone of Superman created by Lex Luthor. While his intentions may not be always evil, his actions often portray a sense of justice that is antagonistic. Bizarro's imperfection makes him say things that are the complete opposite of what he means. For instance, he might say "Goodbye" instead of "Hello" or "No" instead of "Yes". Despite this, Bizarro possesses the power similar to that of Superman. However, Bizarro's character is not always static; he can vary in his behavior and appearance.

Version 2: Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw)

Unlike Bizarro, Hank Henshaw/Cyborg Superman is not a clone but a former astronaut who became a Cyborg due to his hatred for Superman. Hank Henshaw's wife died while they were on a spaceship, where Superman was not present to help. This event led Hank to develop a deep resentment towards the Man of Steel. In the storyline where Superman was absent, Henshaw claimed to be Superman and attacked his friends and allies. However, Superman eventually returned and defeated him.

Version 3: Superior Man

Superior Man is another clone of Superman, but this time, he appears in the Red Son timeline, where the Superman from the DC Comics storyline crash-landed in war-torn Russia instead of rural Kansas. Supervillain Lex Luthor created this version in an imperfect manner, but he still retained the ability to speak fluently. However, Superior Man is far from being a fully evil character. He unhesitatingly does what Lex Luthor asks, contributing to his spot as an evil version of Superman. In the movie adaptation, he was constantly powered up by Luthor, leading to a massive destabilization and eventual physical deformation.

Conclusion

From Bizarro to Cyborg Superman and even Superior Man, the concept of an evil Superman spans a wide range of storylines and interpretations. Each version adds a unique layer of complexity to the grand narrative of Superman. If you are interested in seeing these versions of Superman in action, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll provide links to videos showcasing their performances.