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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This Superman is by no means weak and at least in the top ten list of most powerful people in the ''DCAU''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* AdaptationDyeJob: In the comics and most versions, Superman has blue eyes. Here, he has black irises as a result of having transparent sclera (although he does have blue irises and a white sclera in the ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' episode “Toys in the Hood”.
* AdaptationalWimp:Only This is only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This Superman is by no means weak and at least in the top ten list of most powerful people in the ''DCAU''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
* AdaptationalWimp:
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* UnrelatedInTheAdaptation: Because of ExecutiveMeddling (DC's then-current policy of taking Superman's nickname of "Last Son of Krypton" literal), Supergirl reimagined as an adopted cousins rather than a biological one.
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[[folder:Tropes A to F]]
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[[folder:Tropes G to L]]
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* RousingSpeech: Even more than the original comics, this Superman knows how to talk the talk as much as he can walk the walk [[PhysicalGod (all over your face)]]. If he can't beat the bad guy without killing him ([[IAmNotLeftHanded because he most certainly can]]), then he'll be TalkingTheMonsterToDeath.
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* RousingSpeech: Even more than the original comics, his comic book counterpart, this Superman knows how to talk the talk as much as he can walk the walk [[PhysicalGod (all over your face)]]. If he can't beat the bad guy without killing him ([[IAmNotLeftHanded because he most certainly can]]), then he'll be TalkingTheMonsterToDeath.
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[[folder:Tropes S to Y]]
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[[folder:A-F]]
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* ClothingDamage: In "The Doomsday Sanction", Superman takes a savage beating from Doomsday while fighting in a volcano, leaving him shirtless. This is the only instance in the DCAU where his costume is destroyed.
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* ClothingDamage: In "The Doomsday Sanction", Superman takes a savage beating from Doomsday while fighting in a volcano, leaving him shirtless. This is the only instance in the DCAU ''DCAU'' where his costume is destroyed.
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[[folder: G-L]]
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[[folder: M-R]]
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* RousingSpeech: Even more than the original comics, Superman here knows how to talk the talk as much as he can walk the walk [[PhysicalGod (all over your face)]]. If he can't beat the bad guy without killing him ([[IAmNotLeftHanded because he most certainly can]]), then he'll be TalkingTheMonsterToDeath.
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* RousingSpeech: Even more than the original comics, this Superman here knows how to talk the talk as much as he can walk the walk [[PhysicalGod (all over your face)]]. If he can't beat the bad guy without killing him ([[IAmNotLeftHanded because he most certainly can]]), then he'll be TalkingTheMonsterToDeath.
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[[folder: S-Y]]
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The quintessential [[TheCape Cape]] and FlyingBrick of the ''Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse''.
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* TheWorfEffect: Throughout the first season of ''Justice League'', Superman was portrayed as unnaturally weak and vulnerable to the point where he was was often the first to be defeated in battle. The writers apologized for it and did their best to make up for it later on. In "Secret Society" they even worked this in, where Superman admits that he deliberately places himself in the line of fire to draw attention from the more vulnerable members of the League and give them time to react.
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* TheWorfEffect: Throughout the first season of ''Justice League'', Superman was portrayed as unnaturally weak and vulnerable to the point where he was was often the first to be defeated in battle. The writers apologized for it and did their best to make up for it later on. in the second and ''Unlimited'' seasons.
** In the episode "Secret Society" they even worked this in, where Superman admits that he deliberately places himself in the line of fire to draw attention from the more vulnerable members of the League and give them time to react.
** In the episode "Secret Society" they even worked this in, where Superman admits that he deliberately places himself in the line of fire to draw attention from the more vulnerable members of the League and give them time to react.
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The quintessential [[TheCape Cape]] and FlyingBrick of the DC Animated Universe.
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The quintessential [[TheCape Cape]] and FlyingBrick of the DC Animated Universe.
''Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse''.
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[[folder:A-F]]
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* ClarkKentOutfit: Trope Namer. Wears a suit, glasses, hair slicked back without the loop, etc.
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* ClarkKentOutfit: Trope Namer. Wears He wears a suit, glasses, hair slicked back without the loop, sylized curl, etc.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: G-L]]
[[folder: G-L]]
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* {{Leitmotif}}: The intro theme to the ''Superman: The Animated Series''. In "The Doomsday Sanction" , when Superman throws Doomsday in the volcano, after the line "I guess I'll need a bigger fire", [[DarkReprise an extremely dark variation on the Superman: The Animated Series theme plays.]]
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* {{Leitmotif}}: The intro theme to the ''Superman: The Animated Series''.
** In "The Doomsday Sanction" , when Superman throws Doomsday in the volcano, after the line "I guess I'll need a bigger fire", [[DarkReprise an extremely dark variation on the Superman: The Animated Series theme plays.]]
** In "The Doomsday Sanction" , when Superman throws Doomsday in the volcano, after the line "I guess I'll need a bigger fire", [[DarkReprise an extremely dark variation on the Superman: The Animated Series theme plays.]]
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[[/folder]]
[[folder: M-R]]
[[folder: M-R]]
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[[/folder]]
[[folder: S-Y]]
[[folder: S-Y]]
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* MeaningfulName: He was given the moniker of Superman by Lois due in part to the Kryptonian crest of the House of El resembling an "S" and in reference to the works of the Ubermensch of Nietzchean texts.
-->'''Lois Lane:''' He's strong. He flies. He's the Nietzchean fantasy ideal all wrapped up in a red cape. The Superman.
-->'''Lois Lane:''' He's strong. He flies. He's the Nietzchean fantasy ideal all wrapped up in a red cape. The Superman.
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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in the top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in the top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''.in the ''DCAU''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to the top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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Dude, this peace of information is accurate for the DCAU Superman. You don’t have to be ineffectual to undergo Adaptational Wimp. Look at the trope page that is about the MCU Black Panther.
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%% * AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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I'm pretty sure I've contested this before. Adaptational Wimp is when the character is significantly more ineffectual than in the source material or in other adaptations. It's more than just power and fighting skills, it also includes agency, intelligence and independence. Invincible Hero is also more than just "hero wins all his fights", it's also "hero wins so often that his confrontations lack dramatic tension." Not only does this get reversed in time, the reasons for this are explained in The Worf Effect. Also, Characteriation Tags are not allowed.
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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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%% * AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* InvincibleHero: Averted. This Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
** Superman had faced various foes, but none of them could withstand him in a conventional fight for long - not even Brainiac or Metallo. In "Father's Day", Superman fights off Kalibak with some difficulty, but then he meets the lord of Apokolips Darkseid and is laid low in seconds as a warning and a command to bend the knee.
** In "Apokolips... Now!", Darkseid outright defeats Superman and strings him up for the world to see and despair at.
** In the first season of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', he suffers from TheWorfEffect often.
** Superman had faced various foes, but none of them could withstand him in a conventional fight for long - not even Brainiac or Metallo. In "Father's Day", Superman fights off Kalibak with some difficulty, but then he meets the lord of Apokolips Darkseid and is laid low in seconds as a warning and a command to bend the knee.
** In "Apokolips... Now!", Darkseid outright defeats Superman and strings him up for the world to see and despair at.
** In the first season of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', he suffers from TheWorfEffect often.
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Nope, every Caucasian male had that skin tone in STAS. It was just an artistic choice to further distinguish them from women (who were depicted with paler skin), rather a conscious decision of depicting Superman with a darker skin than usual.
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* AdaptationDyeJob: Played with. In ''Superman: TAS'', this Superman has tan skin and dark eyes to complement his dark hair, while most versions of Superman have pale skin and blue eyes. However, in his subsequent appearances in the ''DCAU'', this Superman has paler skin (along with blue eyes at one point) due to his redesigns.
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* {{Foil}}: To Batman as usual. They both have their own animated series. Superman averts DeceasedParentsAreTheBest while Batman deals with OrphansOrdeal. Superman won the SuperpowerLottery and Batman is a Exaggerated BadassNormal. Superman gave Lois an exclusive interview, his motivation being to alleviate public fears by ensuring that people knew where he came from and why he was here, or, as his adoptive mother put it, so that people would not think he was like "that nut from Gotham City."
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* {{Foil}}: To Batman as usual. They both have their own animated series.series in the ''DCAU''. Superman averts DeceasedParentsAreTheBest while Batman deals with OrphansOrdeal. Superman won the SuperpowerLottery and Batman is a Exaggerated BadassNormal. Superman gave Lois an exclusive interview, his motivation being to alleviate public fears by ensuring that people knew where he came from and why he was here, or, as his adoptive mother put it, so that people would not think he was like "that nut from Gotham City."
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* TheHero: Of the DCAU as a whole. Compared to [[Franchise/{{Batman}} his distinguished colleague]], Superman is a more traditional type of hero.
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* TheHero: Of the DCAU ''DCAU'' as a whole. Compared to [[Franchise/{{Batman}} his his]] [[Characters/DCAUBatman distinguished colleague]], Superman is a more traditional type of hero.
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* IdealHero: [[DeconReconSwitch Deconstructed and Reconstructed throughout the DCAU.]]
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* IdealHero: [[DeconReconSwitch Deconstructed and Reconstructed Reconstructed]] throughout the DCAU.]]''DCAU''.
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* InvincibleHero: Averted. Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
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* InvincibleHero: Averted. This Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
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** In WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague he suffers from TheWorfEffect often.
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** In WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague the first season of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', he suffers from TheWorfEffect often.
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* LastOfHisKind: He is the last Kryptonian.
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* LastOfHisKind: He is the last Kryptonian.Kryptonian, as per usual.
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* LovesMyAlterEgo: Lois isn't at all interested in Clark Kent while at the same time develops feelings and eventually a relationship, in Justice League Unlimited, with Superman.
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* LovesMyAlterEgo: Lois isn't at all interested in Clark Kent while at the same time develops feelings and eventually a relationship, in Justice ''Justice League Unlimited, Unlimited'', with Superman.
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* NerdGlasses: Wears them as Clark Kent.
* NiceGuy: He is courageous, noble and benevolent and treats everyone with kindness and respect.
* NiceGuy: He is courageous, noble and benevolent and treats everyone with kindness and respect.
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* NerdGlasses: Wears He wears them as Clark Kent.
* NiceGuy: He is courageous, idealistic, noble and benevolent and treats everyone with kindness and respect.
* NiceGuy: He is courageous, idealistic, noble and benevolent and treats everyone with kindness and respect.
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** SuperSpeed: Though he's not quite as fast as Flash. In WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond "The Call", he had no trouble catching up to Batman's flying batmobile which travelled at mach 3.
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** SuperSpeed: Though he's not quite as fast as Flash. In WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "The Call", he had no trouble catching up to Batman's flying batmobile which travelled at mach 3.
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* WolverinePublicity: Averted in Justice League and JLU.
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* WolverinePublicity: Averted in Justice League ''Justice League'' and JLU.''JLU''.
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* ArtEvolution: In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Superman was initially redesigned to appear larger in physical girth than he was in ''Superman: TAS'', along with a bit of a squint to his eyes and pronounced cheek bones that were meant to make him look older in addition to having a change in coloration and a noticeable shining streak to his hair. Fans did not like the older appearance and in the second season, he received another redesign (which he retained in the ''Unlimited'' seasons of the show): the streak was toned down to the point of almost disappearing and the age lines and pronounced cheek bones were removed, making Superman to resemble how he was back in ''Superman: TAS'' (although his design still retained the bulk, hairstyle, and coloration of his Season 1 design).
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* ArtEvolution: In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', this Superman was initially redesigned to appear larger in physical girth than he was back in ''Superman: TAS'', along with a bit of a squint to his eyes and pronounced cheek bones that were meant to make him look older in addition to having a change in coloration and a noticeable shining streak to his hair. Fans did not like the older appearance and in the second season, he received another redesign (which he retained in the ''Unlimited'' seasons of the show): the streak was toned down to the point of almost disappearing and the age lines and pronounced cheek bones were removed, making Superman to resemble how he was back in ''Superman: TAS'' (although his design still retained the bulk, hairstyle, and coloration of his Season 1 design).
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* BewareTheSuperman: The Cadmus Story arc in JLU takes place partly due to the events of the Superman The Animated Series episode "Legacy", when Superman was brainwashed by Darkseid and attacked the earth.
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* BewareTheSuperman: The Cadmus Story arc in JLU ''JLU'' takes place partly due to the events of the Superman The Animated Series ''Superman: TAS'' episode "Legacy", when Superman was brainwashed by Darkseid and attacked the earth.
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* CharacterDevelopment: Across the series DCAU, you can see Superman becoming DarkerAndEdgier or at least losing some of his innocence and lightness as he transitions from NaiveNewcomer at Metropolis in the early episodes of Superman: TAS to becoming hero for the planet, and then being confronted by Darkseid, a force who can't simply be beaten in a fight or with all his powers. In Justice League Unlimited during the Cadmus Story arc, he becomes increasingly paranoid to the point that even Lois and Batman are concerned and receives a WhatTheHellHero speech. Superman's development is also influenced by [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]], and while several characters fear him becoming the Justice Lord, Superman chooses to adhere to being the TheCape, despite the tough choices he has to make.
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* CharacterDevelopment: Across the series DCAU, ''DCAU'', you can see this Superman becoming DarkerAndEdgier or at least losing some of his innocence and lightness as he transitions from NaiveNewcomer at Metropolis in the early episodes of Superman: TAS ''Superman: TAS'' to becoming hero for the planet, and then being confronted by Darkseid, a force who can't simply be beaten in a fight or with all his powers. In Justice ''Justice League Unlimited Unlimited'' during the Cadmus Story arc, he becomes increasingly paranoid to the point that even Lois and Batman are concerned and receives a WhatTheHellHero speech. This Superman's development is also influenced by [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]], and while several characters fear him becoming the Justice Lord, Superman chooses to adhere to being the TheCape, despite the tough choices he has to make.
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* AdaptationDyeJob: Played with. In ''Superman TAS'', this Superman has tan skin and dark eyes to complement his dark hair, while most versions of Superman have pale skin and blue eyes. However, in his subsequent appearances in the ''DCAU'', this Superman has paler skin (along with blue eyes at one point) due to his redesigns.
* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show or in WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, comic book Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show or in WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, comic book Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* AdaptationDyeJob: Played with. In ''Superman ''Superman: TAS'', this Superman has tan skin and dark eyes to complement his dark hair, while most versions of Superman have pale skin and blue eyes. However, in his subsequent appearances in the ''DCAU'', this Superman has paler skin (along with blue eyes at one point) due to his redesigns.
* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his showor in WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague. and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, comic book Superman Comics!Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show
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* AdaptationalWimp: Only by comparison with his mainstream comic book counterpart. This version of Superman is by no means weak and at least in to top ten list of most powerful people on his show or in WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague. But while this Superman can punch Darkseid across a city through several skyscrapers, comic book Superman can crack the moon in half and under stress, shift the earth right out of its orbit. He also hasn't had the extensive combat training of his mainstream counterpart who's been trained by many warriors like Batman, Wonder Woman, Mongul, Orion and he hasn't been in nearly as many battles or crises that his comic book version has gone through. (Though his comic book version has been around for decades so this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]])
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* EstablishingCharacterMoment: In the episode Last Son of Krypton, Part 2, a teenage Clark Kent is going through some serious personal problems related to his powers developing quickly (most likely due to the onset of puberty as, though he was strong enough as an infant to break a man's finger, he was nowhere near as powerful as he started to become in his teen years). Clark feels like an outsider and is dealing with feelings of isolation not sure of his place in the world. Then, suddenly a camper crashes into a gas station and without hesitation or even conscious thought, Clark speeds in to help, tearing the camper apart and saving the people inside while rescuing their little girl at the last second. This version of Clark may have more doubts and insecurities (in other words, more human qualities) than previous versions to that point, He is still Superman, the BigGood who will always step up to save the day.
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** In "Divided We Fall", after stopping Luthor, he admits the League has been guilty of arrogance, and has alienated the people it was trying to protect. He decides to disband the League. Green Arrow and the crowd convince him otherwise and it becomes a turning point for Superman: After so many years, [[RebuiltPedestal he feels he has finally regained the trust he lost when he in "Legacy".]] Superman and the League decide to continue their heroics with cooperation with the people.
--->'''Lois Lane''': I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone, especially on Superman. That's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break. He's only human. You know what I mean.
--->'''Lois Lane''': I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone, especially on Superman. That's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break. He's only human. You know what I mean.
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** In "Divided We Fall", after stopping Luthor, he admits the League has been guilty of arrogance, and has alienated the people it was trying to protect. He decides to disband the League. Green Arrow and the crowd convince him otherwise and it becomes a turning point for Superman: After so many years, [[RebuiltPedestal he feels he has finally regained the trust he lost when he in "Legacy".]] Superman and the League decide to continue their heroics with cooperation with the people.
--->'''Lois Lane''': I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone, especially on Superman. That's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break. He's only human. (Pause) You know what I mean.
--->'''Lois Lane''': I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone, especially on Superman. That's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break. He's only human. (Pause) You know what I mean.
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* BadassInDistress: In "Feeding Time", Superman is kidnapped and has his powers drained by [[PowerParasite Parasite]]
* BatmanGambit:
** "Mxyzpixilated" is an entire episode of Superman playing Mxy every time the rules are set, especially in their last battle.
** In "Double Dose", a powerless Superman takes a swipe at the electrically-powered Parasite with a broom. Gloatingly, the supervillain zaps it, setting the end on fire. Just what he counted on, the Man of Steel raises the broom to the smoke detectors, which activates the sprinklers, dousing Parasite with water and giving him a massive electrical shock.
* BatmanGambit:
** "Mxyzpixilated" is an entire episode of Superman playing Mxy every time the rules are set, especially in their last battle.
** In "Double Dose", a powerless Superman takes a swipe at the electrically-powered Parasite with a broom. Gloatingly, the supervillain zaps it, setting the end on fire. Just what he counted on, the Man of Steel raises the broom to the smoke detectors, which activates the sprinklers, dousing Parasite with water and giving him a massive electrical shock.
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* BigBrotherMentor: He's good at being there for young people (usually Supergirl or Jimmy Olsen). He even managed to be this for ''Robin'' when forced to sub for Batman in "Knight Time."
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* BigBrotherMentor: He's good at being there for young people (usually people, usually Supergirl or Jimmy Olsen).Olsen. With Supergirl and him refering to each other as cousins. He even managed to be this for ''Robin'' when forced to sub for Batman in "Knight Time."
* BroughtDownToNormal: Whenever he is exposed to red sun radiation such as in "Solar Power". Superman rapidly loses his powers, reverting to the stature of a normal human. A nod to the comics that Superman derived his power from the yellow sun of Earth.
* CombatPragmatist: In "Double Dose", Superman wears a rubber suit to combat against Livewire and Parasite's powers.
-->'''Livewire:''' Well, what do you know? The boy scout brought protection.
-->'''Parasite:''' That ain't fair!
-->'''Superman:''' I didn't realize there were rules.
-->'''Livewire:''' Well, what do you know? The boy scout brought protection.
-->'''Parasite:''' That ain't fair!
-->'''Superman:''' I didn't realize there were rules.
* InvincibleHero: Averted. Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
** Superman had faced various foes, but none of them could withstand him in a conventional fight for long - not even Brainiac or Metallo. In "Father's Day", Superman fights off Kalibak with some difficulty, but then he meets the lord of Apokolips Darkseid and is laid low in seconds as a warning and a command to bend the knee.
** In "Apokolips... Now!", Darkseid outright defeats Superman and strings him up for the world to see and despair at.
** In WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague he suffers from TheWorfEffect often.
** Superman had faced various foes, but none of them could withstand him in a conventional fight for long - not even Brainiac or Metallo. In "Father's Day", Superman fights off Kalibak with some difficulty, but then he meets the lord of Apokolips Darkseid and is laid low in seconds as a warning and a command to bend the knee.
** In "Apokolips... Now!", Darkseid outright defeats Superman and strings him up for the world to see and despair at.
** In WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague he suffers from TheWorfEffect often.
* MundaneUtility: In "Mxyzpixilated", Superman uses his heat vision to shave.
* SarcasticConfession: In "The Last Son of Krypton"
-->'''Lois:''' How'd you get here before me?\\
'''Clark:''' Well, I just flew.
-->'''Lois:''' How'd you get here before me?\\
'''Clark:''' Well, I just flew.
*** BulletCatch: In "The Last Son of Krypton", Superman catches a whole volley of bullets and throws them back at the shooters' feet.
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** SuperStrength: In the JLU finale, when he finally cut loose, revealing to Darkseid that the world was like cardboard to him before proceeding to send him across the city and through at least three skyscrapers with one punch. In "Little Girl Lost", he was able to hurl a huge comet through space to stop it from hitting Earth.
to:
** SuperStrength: In the JLU finale, when he finally cut loose, revealing to Darkseid that the world was like cardboard to him before proceeding to send him across the city and through at least three skyscrapers with one punch. SuperStrength
*** In "Little Girl Lost", he was able to hurl a huge comet through space to stop it from hittingEarth.Earth.
*** [[KungFuSonicBoom His fight with Captain Marvel in "Clash" destroys Lexor city.]]
*** In "Destroyer", following his WorldOfCardboardSpeech, [[MegatonPunch Superman delivers a single, earth-shattering punch that sends Darkseid flying into the air and through several skyscrapers.]]
*** In "Little Girl Lost", he was able to hurl a huge comet through space to stop it from hitting
*** [[KungFuSonicBoom His fight with Captain Marvel in "Clash" destroys Lexor city.]]
*** In "Destroyer", following his WorldOfCardboardSpeech, [[MegatonPunch Superman delivers a single, earth-shattering punch that sends Darkseid flying into the air and through several skyscrapers.]]
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** In "Livewire"
-->'''Livewire''': At least we know you hit girls.
** In "Secret Society" he hesitates against Giganta who brings this up, so Wonder Woman ends up hitting her instead.
-->'''Livewire''': At least we know you hit girls.
** In "Secret Society" he hesitates against Giganta who brings this up, so Wonder Woman ends up hitting her instead.
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Removing out-of-place tropes and tropes that lack context.
Changed line(s) 49,54 (click to see context) from:
* BroughtDownToBadass:
** In the ''Justice League'' episode "Hereafter", Superman gets {{depower}}ed and handles himself on an AfterTheEnd Earth pretty well, including forging a sword out of rebar and turning a pack of wolves that had been hunting him into sled dogs.
** Luminus filters all sunlight except red to depower Supes, then baits him into a HardLight death trap. Supes manages to survive until he destroys the sun blocker.
** In the second part of "The Main Man," he gets some alien goons to throw him into a cage with a dodo and a simulated yellow sun.
** In "Double Dose," he defeats the Parasite with a ''mop''.
** In "Legacy: Part II", Superman is about to be executed by Luthor, and is placed under red solar rays, stripping him of his powers. Superman manages to resist by throwing Luthor a punch (the only time at any point in the [=DCAU=] that he has ever been able to do so). When we see Luthor later, he's wearing a neck brace and has his jaw wired shut!
** In the ''Justice League'' episode "Hereafter", Superman gets {{depower}}ed and handles himself on an AfterTheEnd Earth pretty well, including forging a sword out of rebar and turning a pack of wolves that had been hunting him into sled dogs.
** Luminus filters all sunlight except red to depower Supes, then baits him into a HardLight death trap. Supes manages to survive until he destroys the sun blocker.
** In the second part of "The Main Man," he gets some alien goons to throw him into a cage with a dodo and a simulated yellow sun.
** In "Double Dose," he defeats the Parasite with a ''mop''.
** In "Legacy: Part II", Superman is about to be executed by Luthor, and is placed under red solar rays, stripping him of his powers. Superman manages to resist by throwing Luthor a punch (the only time at any point in the [=DCAU=] that he has ever been able to do so). When we see Luthor later, he's wearing a neck brace and has his jaw wired shut!
to:
* BroughtDownToBadass:
** In the ''Justice League'' episode "Hereafter", Superman gets {{depower}}ed and handlesBroughtDownToBadass: He can handle himself on an AfterTheEnd Earth pretty well, including forging a sword out of rebar and turning a pack of wolves that had been hunting him into sled dogs.
** Luminus filters all sunlight except red to depower Supes, then baits him into a HardLight death trap. Supes manages to survive untilwell enough in situations where he destroys the sun blocker.
** In the second part of "The Main Man," he gets some alien goons to throw him into a cage with a dodo and a simulated yellow sun.
** In "Double Dose," he defeats the Parasite with a ''mop''.
** In "Legacy: Part II", Superman is about to be executed by Luthor, and is placed under red solar rays, stripping him ofcan't use his powers. Superman manages to resist by throwing Luthor a punch (the only time at any point in the [=DCAU=] that he has ever been able to do so). When we see Luthor later, he's wearing a neck brace and has his jaw wired shut!powers.
** In the ''Justice League'' episode "Hereafter", Superman gets {{depower}}ed and handles
** Luminus filters all sunlight except red to depower Supes, then baits him into a HardLight death trap. Supes manages to survive until
** In the second part of "The Main Man," he gets some alien goons to throw him into a cage with a dodo and a simulated yellow sun.
** In "Double Dose," he defeats the Parasite with a ''mop''.
** In "Legacy: Part II", Superman is about to be executed by Luthor, and is placed under red solar rays, stripping him of
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* DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: Averted.
Deleted line(s) 93 (click to see context) :
* FountainOfYouth: In JLU's "Kid Stuff", Superman alongside Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are transformed into [[KidHero eight-year-olds in a desperate attempt to save the world from the magic of Mordred. ]]
Deleted line(s) 123,124 (click to see context) :
* InvincibleHero: Averted. Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
* KungFuSonicBoom: Done to demonstrate his SuperStrength against opponents in his weight class: With Captain Marvel in "Clash", their fight destroys a city and with Darkseid in "Destroyer" where he "cuts loose".
* KungFuSonicBoom: Done to demonstrate his SuperStrength against opponents in his weight class: With Captain Marvel in "Clash", their fight destroys a city and with Darkseid in "Destroyer" where he "cuts loose".
Deleted line(s) 131,136 (click to see context) :
* LetsGetDangerous: In "Twilight"
-->'''Darkseid:''' You really are a glutton for punishment. Time and again, I have beaten you, humbled you. What makes you today's outcome will be any different?\\
'''Superman:''' Because this time, [[UnstoppableRage I won't stop until you're just a greasy smear on]] ''[[UnstoppableRage my fist]]''. [[BringIt Let's go!]]
** On a meta level, this episode served to change the direction of Superman's character from the fan backlash he recieved in the first season of Justice League.
-->'''[[WordOfGod Bruce Timm]]:''' "We felt we needed to draw a line in the sand and say, 'This is our mission statement for Season Two, which is "Goodbye Superwimp."' We may have overcompensated in ['Twilight,' where the Man of Steel told Darkseid, 'I'm not stopping until you're a greasy smear on my fist']; some of his dialogue is a little out there. Still, I think it's definitely in context of him dealing with Darkseid. He'd never say it to Luthor, but he could to Darkseid. In any case, it represented a major change from Season One.”
* LightningBruiser: Standard Superman qualities.
-->'''Darkseid:''' You really are a glutton for punishment. Time and again, I have beaten you, humbled you. What makes you today's outcome will be any different?\\
'''Superman:''' Because this time, [[UnstoppableRage I won't stop until you're just a greasy smear on]] ''[[UnstoppableRage my fist]]''. [[BringIt Let's go!]]
** On a meta level, this episode served to change the direction of Superman's character from the fan backlash he recieved in the first season of Justice League.
-->'''[[WordOfGod Bruce Timm]]:''' "We felt we needed to draw a line in the sand and say, 'This is our mission statement for Season Two, which is "Goodbye Superwimp."' We may have overcompensated in ['Twilight,' where the Man of Steel told Darkseid, 'I'm not stopping until you're a greasy smear on my fist']; some of his dialogue is a little out there. Still, I think it's definitely in context of him dealing with Darkseid. He'd never say it to Luthor, but he could to Darkseid. In any case, it represented a major change from Season One.”
* LightningBruiser: Standard Superman qualities.
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* MegatonPunch: In "Destroyer", following his WorldOfCardboardSpeech, Superman delivers a single, earth-shattering punch that sends Darkseid flying into the air and through several skyscrapers.
* MoralityChain:
** Lois Lane as shown in "Brave New Metropolis". Lois ends up in a [[AlternateUniverse parallel universe]], where her double was killed by a car bomb. While in her own reality, Superman got there just in time to save her, this world's Superman failed and has never forgiven himself. Since then, he has become much less forgiving to criminals and abandoned his "no killing" rule, blasting any criminal he sees with his EyeBeams. When Lois encounters this version of Superman, he no longer wears the same uniform and appears to be working with ComicBook/LexLuthor. She manages to set him right, though.
** The Flash as shown in the WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague episode "A Better World".
* MuggingTheMonster: In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "The Call," Inque took a hostage who turned out to be Superman. [[CurbStompBattle You can guess the rest]].
* MoralityChain:
** Lois Lane as shown in "Brave New Metropolis". Lois ends up in a [[AlternateUniverse parallel universe]], where her double was killed by a car bomb. While in her own reality, Superman got there just in time to save her, this world's Superman failed and has never forgiven himself. Since then, he has become much less forgiving to criminals and abandoned his "no killing" rule, blasting any criminal he sees with his EyeBeams. When Lois encounters this version of Superman, he no longer wears the same uniform and appears to be working with ComicBook/LexLuthor. She manages to set him right, though.
** The Flash as shown in the WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague episode "A Better World".
* MuggingTheMonster: In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "The Call," Inque took a hostage who turned out to be Superman. [[CurbStompBattle You can guess the rest]].
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* {{Nerf}}: {{Subverted}}. Although still a very difficult character to beat, he is portrayed as being noticeably weaker than he is in the comics and most versions through the fact that his power level has been lowered in order to keep his opponent viable threats.
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!!! '''Voiced in Latin-American Spanish by''': Orlando Noguera (''Superman: The Animated Series''), Luis Miguel Pérez (''Justice !!!League''-''Justice League Unlimited''), Víctor Hugo Aguilar (''Static Shock'')
to:
!!! '''Voiced in Latin-American Spanish by''': Orlando Noguera (''Superman: The Animated Series''), Luis Miguel Pérez (''Justice !!!League''-''Justice League''/''Justice League Unlimited''), Víctor Hugo Aguilar (''Static Shock'')
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Changed line(s) 167 (click to see context) from:
* OneManArmy: The first scene in "Legacy", a race of aliens desperately fight an army of Apokoliptian soldiers. At first it seems that they have won, as the army has stopped its advance, but then a lone soldier bursts into the ceiling of the palace throne room. All attempts to stop him are futile and the king of the planet, seeing that his forces have been defeated, hands over his scepter: his symbol of power to [[BranwashedAndCrazy a brainwashed Superman]].
to:
* OneManArmy: The first scene in "Legacy", a race of aliens desperately fight an army of Apokoliptian soldiers. At first it seems that they have won, as the army has stopped its advance, but then a lone soldier bursts into the ceiling of the palace throne room. All attempts to stop him are futile and the king of the planet, seeing that his forces have been defeated, hands over his scepter: his symbol of power to [[BranwashedAndCrazy [[BrainwashedAndCrazy a brainwashed Superman]].
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* AlternateSelf:
** "Brave New Metropolis" depicts Lois being transported into an alternative dimension where she has been killed by Intergang, and Superman, [[MoralityChain distraught over Lois's death]], [[KnightTemplar has teamed up with Luthor to turn Metropolis into a police state.]]
** Justice Lord Superman from "A Better World".
** "Brave New Metropolis" depicts Lois being transported into an alternative dimension where she has been killed by Intergang, and Superman, [[MoralityChain distraught over Lois's death]], [[KnightTemplar has teamed up with Luthor to turn Metropolis into a police state.]]
** Justice Lord Superman from "A Better World".
* EnemyMine: With Lex Luthor in [[GrandFinale JLU's "Destroyer"]].
-->'''Lex Luthor:''' Let's be clear about this: we're not here to help you save the world — you're here to help me get revenge on Darkseid. When this is over, it's back at business as usual.
-->'''Superman:''' (glares at Lex for a long moment) Wouldn't have it any other way.
-->'''Lex Luthor:''' Let's be clear about this: we're not here to help you save the world — you're here to help me get revenge on Darkseid. When this is over, it's back at business as usual.
-->'''Superman:''' (glares at Lex for a long moment) Wouldn't have it any other way.
* HeroicSecondWind: In "Destroyer", as Darkseid prepares to kill Batman, Superman who now has his second wind, knocks Darkseid through a wall and starts unleashing his full power against Darkseid, cue WorldOfCardboardSpeech (See below}.
* MegatonPunch: In "Destroyer", following his WorldOfCardboardSpeech, Superman delivers a single, earth-shattering punch that sends Darkseid flying into the air and through several skyscrapers.
* MoralityChain:
** Lois Lane as shown in "Brave New Metropolis". Lois ends up in a [[AlternateUniverse parallel universe]], where her double was killed by a car bomb. While in her own reality, Superman got there just in time to save her, this world's Superman failed and has never forgiven himself. Since then, he has become much less forgiving to criminals and abandoned his "no killing" rule, blasting any criminal he sees with his EyeBeams. When Lois encounters this version of Superman, he no longer wears the same uniform and appears to be working with ComicBook/LexLuthor. She manages to set him right, though.
** The Flash as shown in the WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague episode "A Better World".
* MoralityChain:
** Lois Lane as shown in "Brave New Metropolis". Lois ends up in a [[AlternateUniverse parallel universe]], where her double was killed by a car bomb. While in her own reality, Superman got there just in time to save her, this world's Superman failed and has never forgiven himself. Since then, he has become much less forgiving to criminals and abandoned his "no killing" rule, blasting any criminal he sees with his EyeBeams. When Lois encounters this version of Superman, he no longer wears the same uniform and appears to be working with ComicBook/LexLuthor. She manages to set him right, though.
** The Flash as shown in the WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague episode "A Better World".
* OneManArmy: The first scene in "Legacy", a race of aliens desperately fight an army of Apokoliptian soldiers. At first it seems that they have won, as the army has stopped its advance, but then a lone soldier bursts into the ceiling of the palace throne room. All attempts to stop him are futile and the king of the planet, seeing that his forces have been defeated, hands over his scepter: his symbol of power to [[BranwashedAndCrazy a brainwashed Superman]].
Changed line(s) 163 (click to see context) from:
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: In "The Doomsday Sanction", after failing to lobotomize Doomsday with heat vision...
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* PreAsskickingOneLiner: PreAsskickingOneLiner:
** In "Twilight"
-->'''Darkseid:''' You really are a glutton for punishment. Time and again, I've beaten you, humbled you. What makes you think today's outcome will be any different?
-->'''Superman:''' Because this time, I won't stop until you're just a greasy smear on my fist. Let's go.
** In "The Doomsday Sanction", after failing to lobotomize Doomsday with heat vision...
** In "Twilight"
-->'''Darkseid:''' You really are a glutton for punishment. Time and again, I've beaten you, humbled you. What makes you think today's outcome will be any different?
-->'''Superman:''' Because this time, I won't stop until you're just a greasy smear on my fist. Let's go.
** In "The Doomsday Sanction", after failing to lobotomize Doomsday with heat vision...
Added DiffLines:
*** In "Destroyer", Darkseid unleashes the [[AgonyBeam The Agony Matrix]] on Superman, although immobilized, he survives.
--->'''Darkseid:''' Imagine the worst pain you've ever felt in your life, times a thousand. Now imagine that pain continuing forever. Oh, that's right. You don't have to imagine.
--->'''Darkseid:''' Imagine the worst pain you've ever felt in your life, times a thousand. Now imagine that pain continuing forever. Oh, that's right. You don't have to imagine.
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Changed line(s) 187 (click to see context) from:
** SuperSpeed: Though he's not quite as fast as Flash.
to:
** SuperSpeed: Though he's not quite as fast as Flash. In WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond "The Call", he had no trouble catching up to Batman's flying batmobile which travelled at mach 3.
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Changed line(s) 54 (click to see context) from:
* CharacterDevelopment: Across the series DCAU, you can see Superman becoming DarkerAndEdgier or at least losing some of his innocence and lightness as he transitions from NaïveNewcomer at Metropolis in the early episodes of Superman: TAS to becoming hero for the planet, and then being confronted by Darkseid, a force who can't simply be beaten in a fight or with all his powers. In Justice League Unlimited during the Cadmus Story arc, he becomes increasingly paranoid to the point that even Lois and Batman are concerned and receives a WhatTheHellHero speech. Superman's development is also influenced by [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]], and while several characters fear him becoming the Justice Lord, Superman chooses to adhere to being the TheCape, despite the tough choices he has to make.
to:
* CharacterDevelopment: Across the series DCAU, you can see Superman becoming DarkerAndEdgier or at least losing some of his innocence and lightness as he transitions from NaïveNewcomer NaiveNewcomer at Metropolis in the early episodes of Superman: TAS to becoming hero for the planet, and then being confronted by Darkseid, a force who can't simply be beaten in a fight or with all his powers. In Justice League Unlimited during the Cadmus Story arc, he becomes increasingly paranoid to the point that even Lois and Batman are concerned and receives a WhatTheHellHero speech. Superman's development is also influenced by [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]], and while several characters fear him becoming the Justice Lord, Superman chooses to adhere to being the TheCape, despite the tough choices he has to make.
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Added DiffLines:
* {{Animorphism}}: In JLU's "Dead Reckoning", he is transformed into an ape by Grodd's EvilPlan, but Superman manages to destroy the generator, turning everyone back into humans.
Added DiffLines:
* {{Foil}}: To Batman as usual. They both have their own animated series. Superman averts DeceasedParentsAreTheBest while Batman deals with OrphansOrdeal. Superman won the SuperpowerLottery and Batman is a Exaggerated BadassNormal. Superman gave Lois an exclusive interview, his motivation being to alleviate public fears by ensuring that people knew where he came from and why he was here, or, as his adoptive mother put it, so that people would not think he was like "that nut from Gotham City."
** In "Hereafter"
-->'''Batman:''' I've got some things to say. I should've said them when you were here, but... despite our differences, I have nothing but respect for you. I hope you knew... know that. You showed me justice doesn't always have to come from the darkness. I'll miss...
-->(explosion in distance)
-->'''Batman:''' What did you always call it, Clark? The Never Ending Battle?
** In "Hereafter"
-->'''Batman:''' I've got some things to say. I should've said them when you were here, but... despite our differences, I have nothing but respect for you. I hope you knew... know that. You showed me justice doesn't always have to come from the darkness. I'll miss...
-->(explosion in distance)
-->'''Batman:''' What did you always call it, Clark? The Never Ending Battle?
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* HeroOfAnotherStory: Superman was often absent from JLU episodes due to this trope. In JLU's "Patriot Act", Eiling accuses Superman of being a coward when he doesn't show up. Shining Knight informs Eiling that Superman is billions of miles away, saving a star system of alien lives from a planetary crisis.
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!![[Franchise/{{Superman}} Superman / Clark Kent / Kal-El]]
[[quoteright:450:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/46e17578b71adeebe327e516d65c1f9e.png]]
!!! '''Species:''' Kryptonian
!!! '''Voiced by:''' Creator/TimDaly (''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''), Creator/JasonMarsden (''Superman: The Animated Series'', teenager), Creator/ChristopherMcDonald (''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'', old man), Creator/GeorgeNewbern (''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'')
!!! '''Voiced in Latin-American Spanish by''': Orlando Noguera (''Superman: The Animated Series''), Luis Miguel Pérez (''Justice !!!League''-''Justice League Unlimited''), Víctor Hugo Aguilar (''Static Shock'')
!!! '''Voiced in Japanese by''': Hikaru Hanada
!!! '''Voiced in French by:''' Emmanuel Jacomy (''Superman: The Animated Series'', ''Justice League'', and ''Static Shock''), Damien Boisseau (teenage Clark Kent in ''Last Son of Krypton Part 2''), Pascal Germain (''Batman Beyond''), François Bourcier (''Justice League Unlimited'')
!!! '''Appearances:''' ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' | ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' | ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' | ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' | ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited''
-->''"I always try to help people whenever possible."''
The quintessential [[TheCape Cape]] and FlyingBrick of the DC Animated Universe.
An alien orphan named "Kal-El" who was launched to Earth as an infant to avoid suffering a cataclysmic death on his home planet of Krypton. His craft landed in a Kansas field, where he was discovered by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised the boy as their son under the name "Clark." As Clark matured under Earth's yellow sun, he gained superhuman powers such as nigh-unlimited physical strength and the power of {{flight}}. As an adult, he moved to Metropolis to work as a newspaper reporter at the ''Daily Planet''. It is here he becomes aware of the corruption and evil in the world, deciding [[ComesGreatResponsibility he must use his gifts]] to right these wrongs and taking the name "Superman" after a story of his deeds is published in the ''Daily Planet'' by Lois Lane, who uses the term.
After having worked long and hard since the end of "Legacy" (from ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'') to regain the world's trust in him, it is he who first suggests that he and the other superheroes form the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' in order to deal with future threats as great as the Imperium. According to the series' promotional information, he was shown to be the face of the League, as well as the peacemaker for the other members.
----
* TheAce: Of the Justice League and to all heroes in the ''DCAU''. His apparent death in "Hereafter" presented a huge blow to the League with several members questioning if they could continue to handle future threats. Also, in JLU, he's often requested for missions only to already be away handling another mission. In "Patriot Act", a super powered General Eiling demanded to fight Superman because he was the League's poster boy.
* ActionHero: He's Superman, after all. He is willing to use violence when the situation calls for it.
* AdaptationDyeJob: Played with. In ''Superman TAS'', this Superman has tan skin and dark eyes to complement his dark hair, while most versions of Superman have pale skin and blue eyes. However, in his subsequent appearances in the ''DCAU'', this Superman has paler skin (along with blue eyes at one point) due to his redesigns.
* {{Adorkable}}: In [[ChristmasEpisode "Comfort And Joy"]], Superman is eager to light the Christmas tree, tries to use his X-ray vision to sneak peaks at his presents, and still believes in Santa Claus.
* AfraidOfTheirOwnStrength: Superman's greatest fear is the prospect of losing control of his powers. In "Legacy", he felt he couldn't win back the trust of the planet after being brainwashed by Darkseid and attacking the earth. In "Only A Dream", Superman's nightmare caused by Dr. Destiny featured his powers increasing beyond his ability to control them and he accidentally causes massive destruction and kills all those he loves.
* AndThisIsFor: Darkseid got one for Dan Turpin.
* ArchEnemy: Lex Luthor and Darkseid, as always.
* ArtEvolution: In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Superman was initially redesigned to appear larger in physical girth than he was in ''Superman: TAS'', along with a bit of a squint to his eyes and pronounced cheek bones that were meant to make him look older in addition to having a change in coloration and a noticeable shining streak to his hair. Fans did not like the older appearance and in the second season, he received another redesign (which he retained in the ''Unlimited'' seasons of the show): the streak was toned down to the point of almost disappearing and the age lines and pronounced cheek bones were removed, making Superman to resemble how he was back in ''Superman: TAS'' (although his design still retained the bulk, hairstyle, and coloration of his Season 1 design).
* BadassArmFold: While in midair no less.
* BadassBeard: In "Hereafter" when he's sent into the future. Despite Wonder Woman's suggestion, he doesn't keep it.
* BadassCape: His iconic red cape.
* BewareTheNiceOnes:
** Against Darkseid, see ItsPersonal below.
** Against Mongul, see UnstoppableRage below.
** Against Doomsday in "The Doomsday Sanction", Superman has taken a savage beating from Doomsday, and is desperate enough that he tries the unthinkable: Burning into Doomsday's brain with his heat vision. NotSoDifferent from [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]]. But this doesn't work, and Superman changes tactics, grabbing Doomsday and hurling him into the volcano.
* BewareTheSuperman: The Cadmus Story arc in JLU takes place partly due to the events of the Superman The Animated Series episode "Legacy", when Superman was brainwashed by Darkseid and attacked the earth.
* BigBrotherMentor: He's good at being there for young people (usually Supergirl or Jimmy Olsen). He even managed to be this for ''Robin'' when forced to sub for Batman in "Knight Time."
* BigGood: Of the Justice League. Several heroes admitted they looked up to him. His "death" in "Hereafter" presents a huge loss and concern to the Justice League's future heroics. The Flash admitted he didn't always have to worry about the situation with Superman around, and Batman showed his respect admitting he learned from Superman that justice didn't always have to come from the shadows.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Twice. First, he was brainwashed by Darkseid in "Legacy" and then he was possessed by a parasite creature for '''several years''' by the time of the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' two-parter "The Call."
* BrokenPedestal:
** In "Legacy" (the finale of ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''), after being brainwashed and attacking the earth, nearly everyone refuses to trust Superman, thanks to the lies spread by Luthor, with only his closest friends defending him. Superman is also afraid at the prospect of losing control again and feels he can't win back the trust of the planet.
** For Captain Marvel in "Clash." It was Lex Luthor's [[XanatosGambit plot]] to make people distrust Superman and it worked well for Captain Marvel, that even Superman thought what he was doing was wrong, but the other founding members immediately showed that it was all a ploy.
** For Professor Hamilton revealed in JLU's "Question Authority". Hamilton explains that he joined Cadmus to protect the world from people like Superman.
-->'''Superman:''' Humanity doesn't need protection from us.\\
'''Hamilton:''' I used to believe that. I thought you were a guardian angel come to answer our prayers, but Lucifer was an angel, too, wasn't he?
*** He also reminds Superman of how he himself once threatened Hamilton personally for initially refusing to give medical treatment to Supergirl when she was injured in "Legacy".
* BroughtDownToBadass:
** In the ''Justice League'' episode "Hereafter", Superman gets {{depower}}ed and handles himself on an AfterTheEnd Earth pretty well, including forging a sword out of rebar and turning a pack of wolves that had been hunting him into sled dogs.
** Luminus filters all sunlight except red to depower Supes, then baits him into a HardLight death trap. Supes manages to survive until he destroys the sun blocker.
** In the second part of "The Main Man," he gets some alien goons to throw him into a cage with a dodo and a simulated yellow sun.
** In "Double Dose," he defeats the Parasite with a ''mop''.
** In "Legacy: Part II", Superman is about to be executed by Luthor, and is placed under red solar rays, stripping him of his powers. Superman manages to resist by throwing Luthor a punch (the only time at any point in the [=DCAU=] that he has ever been able to do so). When we see Luthor later, he's wearing a neck brace and has his jaw wired shut!
* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: [[TropeCodifier Obviously]].
* TheCape: The original and, most would say, still the best.
* CharacterDevelopment: Across the series DCAU, you can see Superman becoming DarkerAndEdgier or at least losing some of his innocence and lightness as he transitions from NaïveNewcomer at Metropolis in the early episodes of Superman: TAS to becoming hero for the planet, and then being confronted by Darkseid, a force who can't simply be beaten in a fight or with all his powers. In Justice League Unlimited during the Cadmus Story arc, he becomes increasingly paranoid to the point that even Lois and Batman are concerned and receives a WhatTheHellHero speech. Superman's development is also influenced by [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]], and while several characters fear him becoming the Justice Lord, Superman chooses to adhere to being the TheCape, despite the tough choices he has to make.
* ChestInsignia: The iconic big S. In "Clash", the ChestInsignia is destroyed by Captain Marvel's lightning bolt to symbolize Superman not upholding his values in that episode and Captain Marvel's loss of respect of him.
* ChickMagnet: Clark Kent was irresistible in high school, and Lana Lang even complained about his ability to attract every woman in the area.
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: With Lana Lang when he was a teenager, as in the Post-Crisis comics.
* ClarkKentOutfit: Trope Namer. Wears a suit, glasses, hair slicked back without the loop, etc.
* ClarkKenting: Lampshaded in "My Girl." Clark's friend Lana Lang does not buy his act for a second. She also has the advantage of having known him for nearly his entire life.
* ClothingDamage: In "The Doomsday Sanction", Superman takes a savage beating from Doomsday while fighting in a volcano, leaving him shirtless. This is the only instance in the DCAU where his costume is destroyed.
* ComesGreatResponsibility: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", Superman leaves his [[YourHeartsDesire dream world]] because of his belief in his responsibilities as a hero.
-->"You are everything I ever wanted in a son. This... this is everything I ever wanted in a life... But I've got responsibilities Van, and I... have to go now."
* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: Averted. Throughout the entirety of ''Twilight'' in ''Justice League'', Superman insists that Darkseid can't be trusted despite his seeming sincerity about stopping Brainiac. Superman turns out to have been right as Darkseid and Brainiac were working together the entire time. Likewise in season 2 of ''Justice League Unlimited'', Superman doesn't buy that Lex Luthor was making a legit HeelFaceTurn. As it turns out, he was right again.
* CostumeEvolution: ''By WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'', he's since switched to a capeless black and white outfit with an abstract S-symbol.
* CursedWithAwesome: As a teenager, Clark viewed his powers as him being a freak. These powers included flight, super-strength, super-speed, heat vision, and super-hearing. All with no drawback.
* CynicismCatalyst: Anyone close to him dying is at risk of becoming this: there are at least two alternate realities where someone being killed led to him becoming a KnightTemplar, and even in the main reality hurting his loved ones is ''the'' fastest way to enrage him. If Superman has one shortcoming, it's that he doesn't handle death too well, especially if he feels he should've been able to prevent it.
* DeadpanSnarker: He can go toe-to-toe with Lois and come out on top.
* DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: Averted.
* {{Determinator}}: He will never give up on someone who needs his help, even if he seemingly has no chance of winning.
-->'''Doctor Fate''': You went back. You didn't stand a chance and you went back. Till then, I thought it was only the forces of evil that wouldn't give up. [[Heartwarming/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries I was wrong.]]
* EtTuBrute: In "Question Authority", he discovers Professor Hamilton, one of Superman's most valuable allies in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', has been working for Cadmus, insisting that the world needs protection from Superman and his kind.
* EternalHero: He's still very much active in the WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond Era leading the Justice League. Having only aged slightly with greying hair on the sides.
* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: He spins rapidly quite a bit in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', often to [[ThisIsADrill drill]] through the ground.
* EvilMeScaresMe: After the Justice Lords saga.
* ExtremityExtremist: Whenever he fights, Superman almost exclusively uses his fists - the exceptions usually being enemies it would be extremely unwise to touch with his bare hands.
* EyeBeams: His famous heat vision - useful for heroics and [[MundaneUtility shaving]].
* TheFettered: Discussed in Justice League's "A Better World". After witnessing [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman's]] [[MurderIsTheBestSolution actions]], [[NotSoDifferent Superman admits that he has the same urges and temptations as his Justice Lord counterpart.]] The difference is that Big Blue doesn't allow himself to give in to them.
* FightOffTheKryptonite: A couple of times.
* FingerPokeOfDoom: In Justice League he did it to Grodd at the end of "Secret Society", knocking him across a football stadium, also adds a little Crap Under the Radar since Superman uses his middle finger to do it. . He did the same thing to Ten in "Wild Cards".
* FlashStep: Uses his SuperSpeed like this frequently.
* FlyingBrick: The TropeNamer.
* FountainOfYouth: In JLU's "Kid Stuff", Superman alongside Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are transformed into [[KidHero eight-year-olds in a desperate attempt to save the world from the magic of Mordred. ]]
* FreakinessShame: Teenage Clark wasn't very happy to learn that he's an alien at first.
-->'''Teen Clark''': It's not true. I'm not a freak. I'm not. (''punches a wall'') '''''I'M NOT!!'''''
* GoshDangItToHeck: Objecting to trusting Luthor and the Legion of Doom in helping the Justice League to combat Darkseid's invasion of Earth.
-->Oh, come on, it's Lex-flippin'-Luthor!
* GuileHero: In "Mxyzpixilated", Mr. Mxyzptlk seeing Superman as the ultimate challenge began playing various pranks on Superman using magic. In order to come out on top, Superman would get him to say, spell, or otherwise reveal his name backwards so he would leave for ninety days. Superman outsmarted him several times in a battle of wits until they both reached a conclusion where Superman came out the victor.
* HappilyAdopted: Granted, he didn't know he was adopted until later in life, but his interactions with Ma and Pa Kent make it clear that they were loving and supportive raising him and that he had a happy life growing up. Indeed, they are one of the reasons he has such a good-hearted and heroic nature.
* HeatVision: Just like most versions, he is able to project massive amounts of solar energy stored within the body through his eyes in focused beams of heat. When he was under Darkseid's control, Superman disintegrated the main wall of an alien fortress with his heat vision, then used it to make the building explode. He also killed a whole army of parademons with a huge blast of heat vision. After being released from the Black Mercy's fantasy, Superman got so angry he released a burst that set Mongul's chest ''on fire''.
* TheHero: Of the DCAU as a whole. Compared to [[Franchise/{{Batman}} his distinguished colleague]], Superman is a more traditional type of hero.
* HeroDoesPublicService: In "Speed Demons", Superman competes with the Flash in a charity race to determine who is the Fastest Man Alive.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: The main quality that keeps Superman from going dark. He has a sense of humor and is aware of his failings and willing to apologize for his mistakes. He admits to Flash that he never made it past his Boy Scout merit badge, that he let Luthor push his buttons too many times and that he was a jerk to Captain Marvel. This also leads him to be more forgiving of Hawkgirl after her betrayal (noting that "I believe in second chances") and to Captain Atom who briefly sided with Cadmus but who Superman still considers Justice League. Indeed his alternate universe EvilCounterpart share the opposite trope of CantTakeCriticism and NeverMyFault.
* HumanAliens: All the Kryptonians are outwardly indistinguishable from humans, despite obvious biological differences.
* IAmNotLeftHanded: In his struggle against Doomsday in "The Doomsday Sanction", he takes a brutal beating until he's forced to go all out. And in the grand finale of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'', he unleashes all his strength on ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} after giving him ''[[TropeNamer the]]'' WorldOfCardboardSpeech.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: In "The Doomsday Sanction", after Doomsday is exiled to the Phantom Zone:
-->'''Superman:''' He left us no choice.\\
'''Batman:''' [[NotSoDifferent Spoken like a true Justice Lord.]]
* IdealHero: [[DeconReconSwitch Deconstructed and Reconstructed throughout the DCAU.]]
** Throughout JLU's Cadmus Story Arc, he does what’s right, not what’s easiest. Consider: Superman is powerful enough to end Cadmus right away. Why doesn’t he? He tells Huntress why in ‘Question Authority.’ Later, despite his understandable anger and frustration, rather than going after Cadmus he talks about it with the rest of the Justice League, who he knows will disagree with attacking. As J’onn points out, Superman came there to be talked down.
** In "Divided We Fall", after stopping Luthor, he admits the League has been guilty of arrogance, and has alienated the people it was trying to protect. He decides to disband the League. Green Arrow and the crowd convince him otherwise and it becomes a turning point for Superman: After so many years, [[RebuiltPedestal he feels he has finally regained the trust he lost when he in "Legacy".]] Superman and the League decide to continue their heroics with cooperation with the people.
--->'''Lois Lane''': I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone, especially on Superman. That's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break. He's only human. You know what I mean.
--->'''Clark Kent''': Yeah, I do.
* TheIdealist: In JLU's "Wake the Dead", explaining his tie-breaking vote that allowed Hawkgirl to stay in the Justice League.
-->'''Superman:''' I believe in second chances, I believe in redemption, but, mostly, [[TrueCompanions I believe in my friends.]]
* IJustWantToBeNormal: His greatest fantasy is to live as an ordinary farmer in a world that's free of the problems that require a Superman. His Black Mercy fantasy in "For the Man Who Has Everything" essentially combines both his life on the Kent farm with his potential life on Krypton had it not been destroyed.
* IntrepidReporter: As always, Clark Kent is a newspaper reporter at the Daily Planet, but he also gets involved in stories to help solve cases as well. In "The Late Mr. Kent", while investigating a murder case, he becomes the apparent victim of a murder attempt, and cannot reveal that he survived without exposing his secret identity..
* InterspeciesAdoption: He is a Kryptonian raised by a kindly human couple.
* InterspeciesFriendship: With Jimmy Olsen as shown in "Superman's Pal".
* InterspeciesRomance: He (a Kryptonian) eventually begins a romantic relationship with Lois (a human).
* InvincibleHero: Averted. Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
* KungFuSonicBoom: Done to demonstrate his SuperStrength against opponents in his weight class: With Captain Marvel in "Clash", their fight destroys a city and with Darkseid in "Destroyer" where he "cuts loose".
* KryptoniteFactor: He is the TropeNamer of course.
* KryptoniteProofSuit: The Anti-Kryptonite suit was a full-body jumpsuit created by Emil Hamilton to protect Superman from Kryptonite radiation. It was usually kept in S.T.A.R. Labs for safekeeping and maintenance. He donned the suit to face enemies who he knew carried Kryptonite like Metallo and The Joker.
* LanternJawOfJustice: Lampshaded in "Knight Time," where he poses as Batman and a few characters notice that his chin seems to be much larger.
* LastOfHisKind: He is the last Kryptonian.
* TheLeader: Subverted, despite his Charismatic personality. Although he is the League's public face, the League makes decisions by consensus and other members (especially the original seven) tend to ignore Superman and do what they want if they disagree with him about something.
* {{Leitmotif}}: The intro theme to the ''Superman: The Animated Series''. In "The Doomsday Sanction" , when Superman throws Doomsday in the volcano, after the line "I guess I'll need a bigger fire", [[DarkReprise an extremely dark variation on the Superman: The Animated Series theme plays.]]
* LetsGetDangerous: In "Twilight"
-->'''Darkseid:''' You really are a glutton for punishment. Time and again, I have beaten you, humbled you. What makes you today's outcome will be any different?\\
'''Superman:''' Because this time, [[UnstoppableRage I won't stop until you're just a greasy smear on]] ''[[UnstoppableRage my fist]]''. [[BringIt Let's go!]]
** On a meta level, this episode served to change the direction of Superman's character from the fan backlash he recieved in the first season of Justice League.
-->'''[[WordOfGod Bruce Timm]]:''' "We felt we needed to draw a line in the sand and say, 'This is our mission statement for Season Two, which is "Goodbye Superwimp."' We may have overcompensated in ['Twilight,' where the Man of Steel told Darkseid, 'I'm not stopping until you're a greasy smear on my fist']; some of his dialogue is a little out there. Still, I think it's definitely in context of him dealing with Darkseid. He'd never say it to Luthor, but he could to Darkseid. In any case, it represented a major change from Season One.”
* LightningBruiser: Standard Superman qualities.
* LivingLieDetector: Clark Kent, using his [[SuperSenses superhuman senses]], can gauge heart rate and eye level to make a fairly accurate deduction of a person's honesty.
* LoveInterests: With Lois Lane, as always.
* LovesMyAlterEgo: Lois isn't at all interested in Clark Kent while at the same time develops feelings and eventually a relationship, in Justice League Unlimited, with Superman.
* ManlyTears: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", Kal-El, [[BrokenMasquerade now realizing he is simply imagining his new life]], tearfully says goodbye to a son who can never exist.
* MuggingTheMonster: In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "The Call," Inque took a hostage who turned out to be Superman. [[CurbStompBattle You can guess the rest]].
* NameFromAnotherSpecies: Inverted. Clark, a Kryptonian, is adopted by humans and given a human name. His original name is Kal-El.
* TheNeedsOfTheMany: A more selfless example in "Doomsday Sanction", Superman tells Wonder Woman to stay with the evacuation rather than help him fight Doomsday.
-->'''Superman:''' This isn't important. Getting those people to safety is.
* NerdGlasses: Wears them as Clark Kent.
* {{Nerf}}: {{Subverted}}. Although still a very difficult character to beat, he is portrayed as being noticeably weaker than he is in the comics and most versions through the fact that his power level has been lowered in order to keep his opponent viable threats.
* NiceGuy: He is courageous, noble and benevolent and treats everyone with kindness and respect.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: In "The Doomsday Sanction", Doomsday clobbers Superman for much of the episode, but the Man of Steel reverses it in the end.
* NotSoAboveItAll: During Christmas in [[ChristmasEpisode "Comfort And Joy"]]
* NotSoDifferent: From his Justice Lord counterpart, it really wouldn't take much to push him in the direction as Prime!Superman himself admits:
-->'''Superman''': I knew you wouldn't be able to change his mind.\\
'''The Flash''': Yeah, how?\\
'''Superman''': Because I've felt the same temptations that he has. They're pretty strong.\\
'''The Flash''': So you’re not such a Boy Scout after all?\\
'''Superman''': [[HeroicSelfDeprecation Never even made it to my first merit badge.]]
* NotSoSimilar: In JLU's "Divided We Fall", proving once and for all...
--->'''Superman''': (to Lex Luthor after Flash's apparent death) I'm not the man who killed President Luthor. Right now, I wish to Heaven that I were, but I'm not!
* OlderThanTheyLook: By ''Batman Beyond'', Clark has clearly aged better than Bruce since he's Kryptonian.
* TheParagon: He is just, strong, and a damn good leader.
** In "The Hand of Fate", Doctor Fate was inspired by Superman's effort fighting a magical monster even though he didn't stand a chance. This proved to Fate that the forces of evil weren't the only ones that would never give up. Superman was also the first to suggest that the Justice League work together.
** In "Hereafter" of Justice League,
-->'''J'onn J'onzz''': The Man of Steel possessed many extraordinary gifts, and he shared them with us freely. None of these gifts were more remarkable than his ability to discern what needed to be done, and his unfailing courage in doing it, whatever the personal cost.
* PerpetualFrowner: He gets this reputation during the Cadmus arc of ''Justice League Unlimited'', a combination of bad PR, betrayal by Hamilton, Luthor's Presidential campaign takes a toll on him. It's gotten so bad that the the other League, including Batman, gravitate to Captain Marvel because "he's sunny". This culminates in a hilarious exchange between him, Green Arrow and The Flash, where Green Arrow defends his criticism of the League and understanding for Cadmus' position, with Green Arrow noting that he's playing the Devil's Advocate role that Batman recommended:
-->'''Superman''': Do I look like Batman to you?\\
'''The Flash''': Actually you kinda do. Especially when you get all scowly.
* ItsPersonal: With Darkseid after the events of "Legacy". In "Twilight", Superman would rather let his homeworld by exterminated by Braniac than help Darkseid, and in a fight between the two Darkseid is the one exception to Superman's restraint (see WorldOfCardboardSpeech below).
* PhysicalGod: Becomes part of the conflict with Cadmus, post-Justice Lords.
* PowerIncontinence: His greatest fear, as revealed in "Only a Dream" is losing control over his powers to such an extent, that he can no longer function among people, and be among the ones he loves. As he tells memorably to Darkseid, he lives in a world made out of cardboard, and if he loses control of his powers, people will die.
* PowerLossMakesYouStrong: Memorably in "Hereafter."
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: In "The Doomsday Sanction", after failing to lobotomize Doomsday with heat vision...
-->'''Superman:''' Then I guess I'll need a bigger fire.
-->(Beats and tosses Doomsday into a volcano)
* PrimaryColorChampion: His traditional blue and red costume. Ditches the primary color part in ''Batman Beyond''.
* RapidFireFisticuffs: Whenever he faces someone as strong as he is, he'll resort to this. Just ask Darkseid, Braniac, Captain Marvel, Mongul and Doomsday.
* RebuiltPedestal: At the start of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', many people on the World Council saw him as a BrokenPedestal after the ''Superman: TAS'' finale when Darkseid brainwashed him into leading the charge against his adopted home world. He only got proof that his efforts to fix his image paid off after Green Arrow stood up to him in "Divided We Fall."
* RedEyesTakeWarning: When he uses his EyeBeams.
* RobotMe: It's emphasized in "A Better World" that Superman has robot duplicates of himself to keep things in check when he's not around. His Justice Lord counterpart uses ''his'' robot duplicates to maintain order at Arkham Asylum (and presumably elsewhere as well).
* RousingSpeech: Even more than the original comics, Superman here knows how to talk the talk as much as he can walk the walk [[PhysicalGod (all over your face)]]. If he can't beat the bad guy without killing him ([[IAmNotLeftHanded because he most certainly can]]), then he'll be TalkingTheMonsterToDeath.
* SecretIdentity: Clark Kent.
* ShootingSuperman: As early as the first season of ''Superman Adventures,'' he tells a mook who pulls a gun on him, "You must be new in town." In "Question Authority", Doctor Moon pulls a gun on Superman, who shouts, "Don't be stupid! Drop it." Moon meekly drops the gun.
* SignatureMove: The famous single or double-fisted flying punch, actually called a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_punch Superman punch]] in real life. He uses it against Darkseid in the ''Justice League Unlimited'' finale.
* SkilledButNaive: Is this earlier in his career, always thinking the best of everyone and often having people take advantage of him. Because of this he gets a lot more cynical as time goes on, to the point of receiving a WhatTheHellHero speech from [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] in JLU. Eventually he finds a middle ground, though some [[KnightTemplar alternate versions of himself]] took it to [[PoliceState much more extreme]] lengths.
* StrongAsTheyNeedToBe: Supes' strength seems to be all over the place sometimes. In "Paradise Lost" of Justice League, Wonder Woman was a match for him and their was no cause to hold back as they were both seeing each other as monsters. In "For the Man Who Has Everything", Wonder Woman gets handed a CurbStompBattle by Mongul, who Superman beats right afterwards.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: He looks (and at the proper age, [[TimeShiftedActor sounds]]) ''exactly'' like his Kryptonian father Jor-El.
* {{Superhero}}: TropeCodifier and TropeNamer.
* SuperheroesWearCapes: TropeCodifier.
* SuperpowerLottery: Earth's most devastating FlyingBrick - and he has a generous helping of additional powers. In general, his only serious challenges are beings of the DimensionLord or galactic conqueror level.
** EyeBeams: Not exactly lasers, not exactly heat rays, but... ''[[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS1E2ForTheManWhoHasEverything Burn]]''.
** FlyingBrick: The TropeCodifier.
** NighInvulnerability: He and Doomsday have their only DCAU showdown knee-deep in lava. In "Flashpoint", he was hit by the outer fringes of a blast from the Watchtower's Binary Fusion Generator, which was directly stated to have the punch of a small nuclear weapon, although Superman was left floating unconscious in space.
** SuperBreath: Can be hurricane-force winds or arctic cold. In Justice League's "Starcrossed", Kragger attempts to use one of Mr. Freeze's freeze guns on Superman, but is easily overpowered by Superman's own freeze breath.
** SuperSenses: XRayVision, Microscopic vision, Super Hearing...
*** He uses Microscopic Vision in JLU's "Dark Heart" to discover that at the centre of the alien structure is a [[TitleDrop Dark Heart]] which is replicated in each of the alien attack robots.
** SuperSpeed: Though he's not quite as fast as Flash.
*** SuperReflexes: In his fight with Captain Marvel in "Clash", Marvel grabs him in a bear hug and calls down a [[LightningCanDoAnything magic lightning bolt with his word of power]]. After two painful strikes, Superman reacts to the third and reverses the bear hug, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard so Marvel is struck by the magic lightning and transformed into the harmless Billy Batson.]]
** SuperStrength: In the JLU finale, when he finally cut loose, revealing to Darkseid that the world was like cardboard to him before proceeding to send him across the city and through at least three skyscrapers with one punch. In "Little Girl Lost", he was able to hurl a huge comet through space to stop it from hitting Earth.
* TakingTheBullet: Discussed in "Secret Society", he admits he refuses to let the other Justice League members take any hits in a battle because of his superior invulnerability. In "Hereafter", Toyman takes aim at Batman and Wonder Woman. Superman throws himself in front of them and takes the blast, disappearing without a trace leading to his supposed death. Unknown to any of them, Superman had not been destroyed, only sent into the future.
* ThouShaltNotKill:
** A very, very strong believer in this code, and most of the time he makes it work. "A Better World" revealed what he'd be like without it - essentially, [[Literature/NineteenEightyFour Big Brother.]] There ''are'' a few cases where he felt obliged to use lethal force, but as he admits in the ''Unlimited'' episode "Divided we Fall," he cannot bring himself to abandon his code - even though it's tempting.
** He'll make an exception for Darkseid though. Brainiac definitely doesn't count towards this trope.
* TimeShiftedActor:
** Superman on ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' is voiced by Creator/ChristopherMcDonald.
** In the FiveEpisodePilot, teenage Clark was played by Creator/JasonMarsden.
* TranquilFury: In "Twilight", Superman's fight with Darkseid.
* TurnTheOtherCheek: In "War World"...
-->'''Draaga''': Pathetic. The whole lot of you. Not a real warrior in the bunch. And you, the Kryptonian, you're the biggest disappointment of all. (Spits on Superman and walks away. Superman breaks out of his chains.)
-->'''Alien''': Why didn't you do that when Draaga was here?
-->'''Superman''': It's called "turning the other cheek."
* UnstoppableRage: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", nearly blind with rage after waking from his [[YourHeartsDesire dreamworld]], [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown Superman batters Mongul]], even using his heat vision to burn Mongul's chest. However, before he can strike the decisive blow, Superman is distracted by a statue-his parents holding Krypton aloft and is saved by Wonder Woman.
* UnwittingPawn: In "Clash", the purpose of the Kryptonite power source was to arouse Superman's suspicion and cause an incident that would tarnish the League's reputation. Superman and Captain Marvel's clash not only caused the destruction of Lexor City, but embarrassed Superman and boosting Luthor's "benevolent" public image as well.
* VoiceChangeling: Superman could mimic voices thanks to precise muscle control and a really good ear, which severely creeps out Robin when he demonstrates it.
* WeirdnessMagnet: Where he goes, weird stuff that probably wouldn't bother Earth comes in search of him.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** In "Twilight", to the shock of his teammates, Superman is willing to let Apokolips be destroyed due to his grudge, but Darkseid notes that Brainiac will not stop with Apokolips. Batman has to lecture Superman to help him stop Braniac.
** In "The Doomsday Sanction", Batman calls him out for casting Doomsday into the phantom zone.
** In "Clash", Captain Marvel is disgusted by Superman's actions and calls a meeting with the League founders.
-->"My whole life, I've looked up to the League. You were my heroes. Every one of you. And you (Superman)... you were more than a hero. I idolized you. I wanted to be you. Whenever I was out there facing down the bad guys, I'd think, "What would Superman do?" Now I know. I believe in fair play. I believe in taking people at their word and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Back home, I've come up against my share of pretty nasty bad guys, but I never had to act the way they did to win a fight. I always found another way. I... I guess I'm saying I-I like being a hero, a symbol, and that's why I'm... quitting the Justice League. You don't act like heroes any more. "
* WillfullyWeak: Superman has the tendency of holding back his powers during most of his battles in order to prevent people from getting killed, which also allows villains to get the best of him in some occasions. There is also the fact that the first season of ''Justice League'' subjected him badly to TheWorfEffect.
* WolverinePublicity: Averted in Justice League and JLU.
* TheWorfEffect: Throughout the first season of ''Justice League'', Superman was portrayed as unnaturally weak and vulnerable to the point where he was was often the first to be defeated in battle. The writers apologized for it and did their best to make up for it later on. In "Secret Society" they even worked this in, where Superman admits that he deliberately places himself in the line of fire to draw attention from the more vulnerable members of the League and give them time to react.
* WorldOfCardboardSpeech: His speech at the end of ''Justice League Unlimited'' is the TropeNamer.
-->''"[[Franchise/{{Batman}} That man]] won't quit as long as he can still draw a breath. None of [[ComicBook/JusticeLeague my teammates]] will. Me? I've got a different problem. I feel like I live in a '''[[TropeNamer world made of cardboard]]''', always taking constant care not to break something, to break ''someone''. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could ''die''. But you can take it, can't you, [[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} big man]]? What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose and show you just how powerful I really am."''
* WouldHitAGirl: Although he's willing to put up with a lot more from them before he resorts to it.
* WoundedHeroWeakerHelper: Often the case whenever kryptonite is around and Supes needs assistance from an ally.
* YourHeartsDesire: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", the Last Son of Krypton is subdued by a [[LotusEaterMachine telepathic plant from a distant galaxy that renders its victims helpless and delusional in a dream world]] created from their heart's desires. Superman's fantasy is a Krypton that never exploded. He lives on a small farm, married to a Kryptonian woman named Loana, with his son Van-El, and Brainiac, whom he visualizes as the helpful AI attendant of his home.
----
[[quoteright:450:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/46e17578b71adeebe327e516d65c1f9e.png]]
!!! '''Species:''' Kryptonian
!!! '''Voiced by:''' Creator/TimDaly (''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''), Creator/JasonMarsden (''Superman: The Animated Series'', teenager), Creator/ChristopherMcDonald (''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'', old man), Creator/GeorgeNewbern (''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'')
!!! '''Voiced in Latin-American Spanish by''': Orlando Noguera (''Superman: The Animated Series''), Luis Miguel Pérez (''Justice !!!League''-''Justice League Unlimited''), Víctor Hugo Aguilar (''Static Shock'')
!!! '''Voiced in Japanese by''': Hikaru Hanada
!!! '''Voiced in French by:''' Emmanuel Jacomy (''Superman: The Animated Series'', ''Justice League'', and ''Static Shock''), Damien Boisseau (teenage Clark Kent in ''Last Son of Krypton Part 2''), Pascal Germain (''Batman Beyond''), François Bourcier (''Justice League Unlimited'')
!!! '''Appearances:''' ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' | ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' | ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'' | ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' | ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited''
-->''"I always try to help people whenever possible."''
The quintessential [[TheCape Cape]] and FlyingBrick of the DC Animated Universe.
An alien orphan named "Kal-El" who was launched to Earth as an infant to avoid suffering a cataclysmic death on his home planet of Krypton. His craft landed in a Kansas field, where he was discovered by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised the boy as their son under the name "Clark." As Clark matured under Earth's yellow sun, he gained superhuman powers such as nigh-unlimited physical strength and the power of {{flight}}. As an adult, he moved to Metropolis to work as a newspaper reporter at the ''Daily Planet''. It is here he becomes aware of the corruption and evil in the world, deciding [[ComesGreatResponsibility he must use his gifts]] to right these wrongs and taking the name "Superman" after a story of his deeds is published in the ''Daily Planet'' by Lois Lane, who uses the term.
After having worked long and hard since the end of "Legacy" (from ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'') to regain the world's trust in him, it is he who first suggests that he and the other superheroes form the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' in order to deal with future threats as great as the Imperium. According to the series' promotional information, he was shown to be the face of the League, as well as the peacemaker for the other members.
----
* TheAce: Of the Justice League and to all heroes in the ''DCAU''. His apparent death in "Hereafter" presented a huge blow to the League with several members questioning if they could continue to handle future threats. Also, in JLU, he's often requested for missions only to already be away handling another mission. In "Patriot Act", a super powered General Eiling demanded to fight Superman because he was the League's poster boy.
* ActionHero: He's Superman, after all. He is willing to use violence when the situation calls for it.
* AdaptationDyeJob: Played with. In ''Superman TAS'', this Superman has tan skin and dark eyes to complement his dark hair, while most versions of Superman have pale skin and blue eyes. However, in his subsequent appearances in the ''DCAU'', this Superman has paler skin (along with blue eyes at one point) due to his redesigns.
* {{Adorkable}}: In [[ChristmasEpisode "Comfort And Joy"]], Superman is eager to light the Christmas tree, tries to use his X-ray vision to sneak peaks at his presents, and still believes in Santa Claus.
* AfraidOfTheirOwnStrength: Superman's greatest fear is the prospect of losing control of his powers. In "Legacy", he felt he couldn't win back the trust of the planet after being brainwashed by Darkseid and attacking the earth. In "Only A Dream", Superman's nightmare caused by Dr. Destiny featured his powers increasing beyond his ability to control them and he accidentally causes massive destruction and kills all those he loves.
* AndThisIsFor: Darkseid got one for Dan Turpin.
* ArchEnemy: Lex Luthor and Darkseid, as always.
* ArtEvolution: In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Superman was initially redesigned to appear larger in physical girth than he was in ''Superman: TAS'', along with a bit of a squint to his eyes and pronounced cheek bones that were meant to make him look older in addition to having a change in coloration and a noticeable shining streak to his hair. Fans did not like the older appearance and in the second season, he received another redesign (which he retained in the ''Unlimited'' seasons of the show): the streak was toned down to the point of almost disappearing and the age lines and pronounced cheek bones were removed, making Superman to resemble how he was back in ''Superman: TAS'' (although his design still retained the bulk, hairstyle, and coloration of his Season 1 design).
* BadassArmFold: While in midair no less.
* BadassBeard: In "Hereafter" when he's sent into the future. Despite Wonder Woman's suggestion, he doesn't keep it.
* BadassCape: His iconic red cape.
* BewareTheNiceOnes:
** Against Darkseid, see ItsPersonal below.
** Against Mongul, see UnstoppableRage below.
** Against Doomsday in "The Doomsday Sanction", Superman has taken a savage beating from Doomsday, and is desperate enough that he tries the unthinkable: Burning into Doomsday's brain with his heat vision. NotSoDifferent from [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]]. But this doesn't work, and Superman changes tactics, grabbing Doomsday and hurling him into the volcano.
* BewareTheSuperman: The Cadmus Story arc in JLU takes place partly due to the events of the Superman The Animated Series episode "Legacy", when Superman was brainwashed by Darkseid and attacked the earth.
* BigBrotherMentor: He's good at being there for young people (usually Supergirl or Jimmy Olsen). He even managed to be this for ''Robin'' when forced to sub for Batman in "Knight Time."
* BigGood: Of the Justice League. Several heroes admitted they looked up to him. His "death" in "Hereafter" presents a huge loss and concern to the Justice League's future heroics. The Flash admitted he didn't always have to worry about the situation with Superman around, and Batman showed his respect admitting he learned from Superman that justice didn't always have to come from the shadows.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Twice. First, he was brainwashed by Darkseid in "Legacy" and then he was possessed by a parasite creature for '''several years''' by the time of the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' two-parter "The Call."
* BrokenPedestal:
** In "Legacy" (the finale of ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries''), after being brainwashed and attacking the earth, nearly everyone refuses to trust Superman, thanks to the lies spread by Luthor, with only his closest friends defending him. Superman is also afraid at the prospect of losing control again and feels he can't win back the trust of the planet.
** For Captain Marvel in "Clash." It was Lex Luthor's [[XanatosGambit plot]] to make people distrust Superman and it worked well for Captain Marvel, that even Superman thought what he was doing was wrong, but the other founding members immediately showed that it was all a ploy.
** For Professor Hamilton revealed in JLU's "Question Authority". Hamilton explains that he joined Cadmus to protect the world from people like Superman.
-->'''Superman:''' Humanity doesn't need protection from us.\\
'''Hamilton:''' I used to believe that. I thought you were a guardian angel come to answer our prayers, but Lucifer was an angel, too, wasn't he?
*** He also reminds Superman of how he himself once threatened Hamilton personally for initially refusing to give medical treatment to Supergirl when she was injured in "Legacy".
* BroughtDownToBadass:
** In the ''Justice League'' episode "Hereafter", Superman gets {{depower}}ed and handles himself on an AfterTheEnd Earth pretty well, including forging a sword out of rebar and turning a pack of wolves that had been hunting him into sled dogs.
** Luminus filters all sunlight except red to depower Supes, then baits him into a HardLight death trap. Supes manages to survive until he destroys the sun blocker.
** In the second part of "The Main Man," he gets some alien goons to throw him into a cage with a dodo and a simulated yellow sun.
** In "Double Dose," he defeats the Parasite with a ''mop''.
** In "Legacy: Part II", Superman is about to be executed by Luthor, and is placed under red solar rays, stripping him of his powers. Superman manages to resist by throwing Luthor a punch (the only time at any point in the [=DCAU=] that he has ever been able to do so). When we see Luthor later, he's wearing a neck brace and has his jaw wired shut!
* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: [[TropeCodifier Obviously]].
* TheCape: The original and, most would say, still the best.
* CharacterDevelopment: Across the series DCAU, you can see Superman becoming DarkerAndEdgier or at least losing some of his innocence and lightness as he transitions from NaïveNewcomer at Metropolis in the early episodes of Superman: TAS to becoming hero for the planet, and then being confronted by Darkseid, a force who can't simply be beaten in a fight or with all his powers. In Justice League Unlimited during the Cadmus Story arc, he becomes increasingly paranoid to the point that even Lois and Batman are concerned and receives a WhatTheHellHero speech. Superman's development is also influenced by [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman]], and while several characters fear him becoming the Justice Lord, Superman chooses to adhere to being the TheCape, despite the tough choices he has to make.
* ChestInsignia: The iconic big S. In "Clash", the ChestInsignia is destroyed by Captain Marvel's lightning bolt to symbolize Superman not upholding his values in that episode and Captain Marvel's loss of respect of him.
* ChickMagnet: Clark Kent was irresistible in high school, and Lana Lang even complained about his ability to attract every woman in the area.
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: With Lana Lang when he was a teenager, as in the Post-Crisis comics.
* ClarkKentOutfit: Trope Namer. Wears a suit, glasses, hair slicked back without the loop, etc.
* ClarkKenting: Lampshaded in "My Girl." Clark's friend Lana Lang does not buy his act for a second. She also has the advantage of having known him for nearly his entire life.
* ClothingDamage: In "The Doomsday Sanction", Superman takes a savage beating from Doomsday while fighting in a volcano, leaving him shirtless. This is the only instance in the DCAU where his costume is destroyed.
* ComesGreatResponsibility: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", Superman leaves his [[YourHeartsDesire dream world]] because of his belief in his responsibilities as a hero.
-->"You are everything I ever wanted in a son. This... this is everything I ever wanted in a life... But I've got responsibilities Van, and I... have to go now."
* TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong: Averted. Throughout the entirety of ''Twilight'' in ''Justice League'', Superman insists that Darkseid can't be trusted despite his seeming sincerity about stopping Brainiac. Superman turns out to have been right as Darkseid and Brainiac were working together the entire time. Likewise in season 2 of ''Justice League Unlimited'', Superman doesn't buy that Lex Luthor was making a legit HeelFaceTurn. As it turns out, he was right again.
* CostumeEvolution: ''By WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'', he's since switched to a capeless black and white outfit with an abstract S-symbol.
* CursedWithAwesome: As a teenager, Clark viewed his powers as him being a freak. These powers included flight, super-strength, super-speed, heat vision, and super-hearing. All with no drawback.
* CynicismCatalyst: Anyone close to him dying is at risk of becoming this: there are at least two alternate realities where someone being killed led to him becoming a KnightTemplar, and even in the main reality hurting his loved ones is ''the'' fastest way to enrage him. If Superman has one shortcoming, it's that he doesn't handle death too well, especially if he feels he should've been able to prevent it.
* DeadpanSnarker: He can go toe-to-toe with Lois and come out on top.
* DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: Averted.
* {{Determinator}}: He will never give up on someone who needs his help, even if he seemingly has no chance of winning.
-->'''Doctor Fate''': You went back. You didn't stand a chance and you went back. Till then, I thought it was only the forces of evil that wouldn't give up. [[Heartwarming/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries I was wrong.]]
* EtTuBrute: In "Question Authority", he discovers Professor Hamilton, one of Superman's most valuable allies in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', has been working for Cadmus, insisting that the world needs protection from Superman and his kind.
* EternalHero: He's still very much active in the WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond Era leading the Justice League. Having only aged slightly with greying hair on the sides.
* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: He spins rapidly quite a bit in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'', often to [[ThisIsADrill drill]] through the ground.
* EvilMeScaresMe: After the Justice Lords saga.
* ExtremityExtremist: Whenever he fights, Superman almost exclusively uses his fists - the exceptions usually being enemies it would be extremely unwise to touch with his bare hands.
* EyeBeams: His famous heat vision - useful for heroics and [[MundaneUtility shaving]].
* TheFettered: Discussed in Justice League's "A Better World". After witnessing [[EvilCounterpart Justice Lord Superman's]] [[MurderIsTheBestSolution actions]], [[NotSoDifferent Superman admits that he has the same urges and temptations as his Justice Lord counterpart.]] The difference is that Big Blue doesn't allow himself to give in to them.
* FightOffTheKryptonite: A couple of times.
* FingerPokeOfDoom: In Justice League he did it to Grodd at the end of "Secret Society", knocking him across a football stadium, also adds a little Crap Under the Radar since Superman uses his middle finger to do it. . He did the same thing to Ten in "Wild Cards".
* FlashStep: Uses his SuperSpeed like this frequently.
* FlyingBrick: The TropeNamer.
* FountainOfYouth: In JLU's "Kid Stuff", Superman alongside Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are transformed into [[KidHero eight-year-olds in a desperate attempt to save the world from the magic of Mordred. ]]
* FreakinessShame: Teenage Clark wasn't very happy to learn that he's an alien at first.
-->'''Teen Clark''': It's not true. I'm not a freak. I'm not. (''punches a wall'') '''''I'M NOT!!'''''
* GoshDangItToHeck: Objecting to trusting Luthor and the Legion of Doom in helping the Justice League to combat Darkseid's invasion of Earth.
-->Oh, come on, it's Lex-flippin'-Luthor!
* GuileHero: In "Mxyzpixilated", Mr. Mxyzptlk seeing Superman as the ultimate challenge began playing various pranks on Superman using magic. In order to come out on top, Superman would get him to say, spell, or otherwise reveal his name backwards so he would leave for ninety days. Superman outsmarted him several times in a battle of wits until they both reached a conclusion where Superman came out the victor.
* HappilyAdopted: Granted, he didn't know he was adopted until later in life, but his interactions with Ma and Pa Kent make it clear that they were loving and supportive raising him and that he had a happy life growing up. Indeed, they are one of the reasons he has such a good-hearted and heroic nature.
* HeatVision: Just like most versions, he is able to project massive amounts of solar energy stored within the body through his eyes in focused beams of heat. When he was under Darkseid's control, Superman disintegrated the main wall of an alien fortress with his heat vision, then used it to make the building explode. He also killed a whole army of parademons with a huge blast of heat vision. After being released from the Black Mercy's fantasy, Superman got so angry he released a burst that set Mongul's chest ''on fire''.
* TheHero: Of the DCAU as a whole. Compared to [[Franchise/{{Batman}} his distinguished colleague]], Superman is a more traditional type of hero.
* HeroDoesPublicService: In "Speed Demons", Superman competes with the Flash in a charity race to determine who is the Fastest Man Alive.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: The main quality that keeps Superman from going dark. He has a sense of humor and is aware of his failings and willing to apologize for his mistakes. He admits to Flash that he never made it past his Boy Scout merit badge, that he let Luthor push his buttons too many times and that he was a jerk to Captain Marvel. This also leads him to be more forgiving of Hawkgirl after her betrayal (noting that "I believe in second chances") and to Captain Atom who briefly sided with Cadmus but who Superman still considers Justice League. Indeed his alternate universe EvilCounterpart share the opposite trope of CantTakeCriticism and NeverMyFault.
* HumanAliens: All the Kryptonians are outwardly indistinguishable from humans, despite obvious biological differences.
* IAmNotLeftHanded: In his struggle against Doomsday in "The Doomsday Sanction", he takes a brutal beating until he's forced to go all out. And in the grand finale of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'', he unleashes all his strength on ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} after giving him ''[[TropeNamer the]]'' WorldOfCardboardSpeech.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: In "The Doomsday Sanction", after Doomsday is exiled to the Phantom Zone:
-->'''Superman:''' He left us no choice.\\
'''Batman:''' [[NotSoDifferent Spoken like a true Justice Lord.]]
* IdealHero: [[DeconReconSwitch Deconstructed and Reconstructed throughout the DCAU.]]
** Throughout JLU's Cadmus Story Arc, he does what’s right, not what’s easiest. Consider: Superman is powerful enough to end Cadmus right away. Why doesn’t he? He tells Huntress why in ‘Question Authority.’ Later, despite his understandable anger and frustration, rather than going after Cadmus he talks about it with the rest of the Justice League, who he knows will disagree with attacking. As J’onn points out, Superman came there to be talked down.
** In "Divided We Fall", after stopping Luthor, he admits the League has been guilty of arrogance, and has alienated the people it was trying to protect. He decides to disband the League. Green Arrow and the crowd convince him otherwise and it becomes a turning point for Superman: After so many years, [[RebuiltPedestal he feels he has finally regained the trust he lost when he in "Legacy".]] Superman and the League decide to continue their heroics with cooperation with the people.
--->'''Lois Lane''': I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone, especially on Superman. That's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break. He's only human. You know what I mean.
--->'''Clark Kent''': Yeah, I do.
* TheIdealist: In JLU's "Wake the Dead", explaining his tie-breaking vote that allowed Hawkgirl to stay in the Justice League.
-->'''Superman:''' I believe in second chances, I believe in redemption, but, mostly, [[TrueCompanions I believe in my friends.]]
* IJustWantToBeNormal: His greatest fantasy is to live as an ordinary farmer in a world that's free of the problems that require a Superman. His Black Mercy fantasy in "For the Man Who Has Everything" essentially combines both his life on the Kent farm with his potential life on Krypton had it not been destroyed.
* IntrepidReporter: As always, Clark Kent is a newspaper reporter at the Daily Planet, but he also gets involved in stories to help solve cases as well. In "The Late Mr. Kent", while investigating a murder case, he becomes the apparent victim of a murder attempt, and cannot reveal that he survived without exposing his secret identity..
* InterspeciesAdoption: He is a Kryptonian raised by a kindly human couple.
* InterspeciesFriendship: With Jimmy Olsen as shown in "Superman's Pal".
* InterspeciesRomance: He (a Kryptonian) eventually begins a romantic relationship with Lois (a human).
* InvincibleHero: Averted. Superman often relies on the assistance of his friends and the Justice League to save the day.
* KungFuSonicBoom: Done to demonstrate his SuperStrength against opponents in his weight class: With Captain Marvel in "Clash", their fight destroys a city and with Darkseid in "Destroyer" where he "cuts loose".
* KryptoniteFactor: He is the TropeNamer of course.
* KryptoniteProofSuit: The Anti-Kryptonite suit was a full-body jumpsuit created by Emil Hamilton to protect Superman from Kryptonite radiation. It was usually kept in S.T.A.R. Labs for safekeeping and maintenance. He donned the suit to face enemies who he knew carried Kryptonite like Metallo and The Joker.
* LanternJawOfJustice: Lampshaded in "Knight Time," where he poses as Batman and a few characters notice that his chin seems to be much larger.
* LastOfHisKind: He is the last Kryptonian.
* TheLeader: Subverted, despite his Charismatic personality. Although he is the League's public face, the League makes decisions by consensus and other members (especially the original seven) tend to ignore Superman and do what they want if they disagree with him about something.
* {{Leitmotif}}: The intro theme to the ''Superman: The Animated Series''. In "The Doomsday Sanction" , when Superman throws Doomsday in the volcano, after the line "I guess I'll need a bigger fire", [[DarkReprise an extremely dark variation on the Superman: The Animated Series theme plays.]]
* LetsGetDangerous: In "Twilight"
-->'''Darkseid:''' You really are a glutton for punishment. Time and again, I have beaten you, humbled you. What makes you today's outcome will be any different?\\
'''Superman:''' Because this time, [[UnstoppableRage I won't stop until you're just a greasy smear on]] ''[[UnstoppableRage my fist]]''. [[BringIt Let's go!]]
** On a meta level, this episode served to change the direction of Superman's character from the fan backlash he recieved in the first season of Justice League.
-->'''[[WordOfGod Bruce Timm]]:''' "We felt we needed to draw a line in the sand and say, 'This is our mission statement for Season Two, which is "Goodbye Superwimp."' We may have overcompensated in ['Twilight,' where the Man of Steel told Darkseid, 'I'm not stopping until you're a greasy smear on my fist']; some of his dialogue is a little out there. Still, I think it's definitely in context of him dealing with Darkseid. He'd never say it to Luthor, but he could to Darkseid. In any case, it represented a major change from Season One.”
* LightningBruiser: Standard Superman qualities.
* LivingLieDetector: Clark Kent, using his [[SuperSenses superhuman senses]], can gauge heart rate and eye level to make a fairly accurate deduction of a person's honesty.
* LoveInterests: With Lois Lane, as always.
* LovesMyAlterEgo: Lois isn't at all interested in Clark Kent while at the same time develops feelings and eventually a relationship, in Justice League Unlimited, with Superman.
* ManlyTears: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", Kal-El, [[BrokenMasquerade now realizing he is simply imagining his new life]], tearfully says goodbye to a son who can never exist.
* MuggingTheMonster: In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' episode "The Call," Inque took a hostage who turned out to be Superman. [[CurbStompBattle You can guess the rest]].
* NameFromAnotherSpecies: Inverted. Clark, a Kryptonian, is adopted by humans and given a human name. His original name is Kal-El.
* TheNeedsOfTheMany: A more selfless example in "Doomsday Sanction", Superman tells Wonder Woman to stay with the evacuation rather than help him fight Doomsday.
-->'''Superman:''' This isn't important. Getting those people to safety is.
* NerdGlasses: Wears them as Clark Kent.
* {{Nerf}}: {{Subverted}}. Although still a very difficult character to beat, he is portrayed as being noticeably weaker than he is in the comics and most versions through the fact that his power level has been lowered in order to keep his opponent viable threats.
* NiceGuy: He is courageous, noble and benevolent and treats everyone with kindness and respect.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: In "The Doomsday Sanction", Doomsday clobbers Superman for much of the episode, but the Man of Steel reverses it in the end.
* NotSoAboveItAll: During Christmas in [[ChristmasEpisode "Comfort And Joy"]]
* NotSoDifferent: From his Justice Lord counterpart, it really wouldn't take much to push him in the direction as Prime!Superman himself admits:
-->'''Superman''': I knew you wouldn't be able to change his mind.\\
'''The Flash''': Yeah, how?\\
'''Superman''': Because I've felt the same temptations that he has. They're pretty strong.\\
'''The Flash''': So you’re not such a Boy Scout after all?\\
'''Superman''': [[HeroicSelfDeprecation Never even made it to my first merit badge.]]
* NotSoSimilar: In JLU's "Divided We Fall", proving once and for all...
--->'''Superman''': (to Lex Luthor after Flash's apparent death) I'm not the man who killed President Luthor. Right now, I wish to Heaven that I were, but I'm not!
* OlderThanTheyLook: By ''Batman Beyond'', Clark has clearly aged better than Bruce since he's Kryptonian.
* TheParagon: He is just, strong, and a damn good leader.
** In "The Hand of Fate", Doctor Fate was inspired by Superman's effort fighting a magical monster even though he didn't stand a chance. This proved to Fate that the forces of evil weren't the only ones that would never give up. Superman was also the first to suggest that the Justice League work together.
** In "Hereafter" of Justice League,
-->'''J'onn J'onzz''': The Man of Steel possessed many extraordinary gifts, and he shared them with us freely. None of these gifts were more remarkable than his ability to discern what needed to be done, and his unfailing courage in doing it, whatever the personal cost.
* PerpetualFrowner: He gets this reputation during the Cadmus arc of ''Justice League Unlimited'', a combination of bad PR, betrayal by Hamilton, Luthor's Presidential campaign takes a toll on him. It's gotten so bad that the the other League, including Batman, gravitate to Captain Marvel because "he's sunny". This culminates in a hilarious exchange between him, Green Arrow and The Flash, where Green Arrow defends his criticism of the League and understanding for Cadmus' position, with Green Arrow noting that he's playing the Devil's Advocate role that Batman recommended:
-->'''Superman''': Do I look like Batman to you?\\
'''The Flash''': Actually you kinda do. Especially when you get all scowly.
* ItsPersonal: With Darkseid after the events of "Legacy". In "Twilight", Superman would rather let his homeworld by exterminated by Braniac than help Darkseid, and in a fight between the two Darkseid is the one exception to Superman's restraint (see WorldOfCardboardSpeech below).
* PhysicalGod: Becomes part of the conflict with Cadmus, post-Justice Lords.
* PowerIncontinence: His greatest fear, as revealed in "Only a Dream" is losing control over his powers to such an extent, that he can no longer function among people, and be among the ones he loves. As he tells memorably to Darkseid, he lives in a world made out of cardboard, and if he loses control of his powers, people will die.
* PowerLossMakesYouStrong: Memorably in "Hereafter."
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: In "The Doomsday Sanction", after failing to lobotomize Doomsday with heat vision...
-->'''Superman:''' Then I guess I'll need a bigger fire.
-->(Beats and tosses Doomsday into a volcano)
* PrimaryColorChampion: His traditional blue and red costume. Ditches the primary color part in ''Batman Beyond''.
* RapidFireFisticuffs: Whenever he faces someone as strong as he is, he'll resort to this. Just ask Darkseid, Braniac, Captain Marvel, Mongul and Doomsday.
* RebuiltPedestal: At the start of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', many people on the World Council saw him as a BrokenPedestal after the ''Superman: TAS'' finale when Darkseid brainwashed him into leading the charge against his adopted home world. He only got proof that his efforts to fix his image paid off after Green Arrow stood up to him in "Divided We Fall."
* RedEyesTakeWarning: When he uses his EyeBeams.
* RobotMe: It's emphasized in "A Better World" that Superman has robot duplicates of himself to keep things in check when he's not around. His Justice Lord counterpart uses ''his'' robot duplicates to maintain order at Arkham Asylum (and presumably elsewhere as well).
* RousingSpeech: Even more than the original comics, Superman here knows how to talk the talk as much as he can walk the walk [[PhysicalGod (all over your face)]]. If he can't beat the bad guy without killing him ([[IAmNotLeftHanded because he most certainly can]]), then he'll be TalkingTheMonsterToDeath.
* SecretIdentity: Clark Kent.
* ShootingSuperman: As early as the first season of ''Superman Adventures,'' he tells a mook who pulls a gun on him, "You must be new in town." In "Question Authority", Doctor Moon pulls a gun on Superman, who shouts, "Don't be stupid! Drop it." Moon meekly drops the gun.
* SignatureMove: The famous single or double-fisted flying punch, actually called a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_punch Superman punch]] in real life. He uses it against Darkseid in the ''Justice League Unlimited'' finale.
* SkilledButNaive: Is this earlier in his career, always thinking the best of everyone and often having people take advantage of him. Because of this he gets a lot more cynical as time goes on, to the point of receiving a WhatTheHellHero speech from [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] in JLU. Eventually he finds a middle ground, though some [[KnightTemplar alternate versions of himself]] took it to [[PoliceState much more extreme]] lengths.
* StrongAsTheyNeedToBe: Supes' strength seems to be all over the place sometimes. In "Paradise Lost" of Justice League, Wonder Woman was a match for him and their was no cause to hold back as they were both seeing each other as monsters. In "For the Man Who Has Everything", Wonder Woman gets handed a CurbStompBattle by Mongul, who Superman beats right afterwards.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: He looks (and at the proper age, [[TimeShiftedActor sounds]]) ''exactly'' like his Kryptonian father Jor-El.
* {{Superhero}}: TropeCodifier and TropeNamer.
* SuperheroesWearCapes: TropeCodifier.
* SuperpowerLottery: Earth's most devastating FlyingBrick - and he has a generous helping of additional powers. In general, his only serious challenges are beings of the DimensionLord or galactic conqueror level.
** EyeBeams: Not exactly lasers, not exactly heat rays, but... ''[[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS1E2ForTheManWhoHasEverything Burn]]''.
** FlyingBrick: The TropeCodifier.
** NighInvulnerability: He and Doomsday have their only DCAU showdown knee-deep in lava. In "Flashpoint", he was hit by the outer fringes of a blast from the Watchtower's Binary Fusion Generator, which was directly stated to have the punch of a small nuclear weapon, although Superman was left floating unconscious in space.
** SuperBreath: Can be hurricane-force winds or arctic cold. In Justice League's "Starcrossed", Kragger attempts to use one of Mr. Freeze's freeze guns on Superman, but is easily overpowered by Superman's own freeze breath.
** SuperSenses: XRayVision, Microscopic vision, Super Hearing...
*** He uses Microscopic Vision in JLU's "Dark Heart" to discover that at the centre of the alien structure is a [[TitleDrop Dark Heart]] which is replicated in each of the alien attack robots.
** SuperSpeed: Though he's not quite as fast as Flash.
*** SuperReflexes: In his fight with Captain Marvel in "Clash", Marvel grabs him in a bear hug and calls down a [[LightningCanDoAnything magic lightning bolt with his word of power]]. After two painful strikes, Superman reacts to the third and reverses the bear hug, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard so Marvel is struck by the magic lightning and transformed into the harmless Billy Batson.]]
** SuperStrength: In the JLU finale, when he finally cut loose, revealing to Darkseid that the world was like cardboard to him before proceeding to send him across the city and through at least three skyscrapers with one punch. In "Little Girl Lost", he was able to hurl a huge comet through space to stop it from hitting Earth.
* TakingTheBullet: Discussed in "Secret Society", he admits he refuses to let the other Justice League members take any hits in a battle because of his superior invulnerability. In "Hereafter", Toyman takes aim at Batman and Wonder Woman. Superman throws himself in front of them and takes the blast, disappearing without a trace leading to his supposed death. Unknown to any of them, Superman had not been destroyed, only sent into the future.
* ThouShaltNotKill:
** A very, very strong believer in this code, and most of the time he makes it work. "A Better World" revealed what he'd be like without it - essentially, [[Literature/NineteenEightyFour Big Brother.]] There ''are'' a few cases where he felt obliged to use lethal force, but as he admits in the ''Unlimited'' episode "Divided we Fall," he cannot bring himself to abandon his code - even though it's tempting.
** He'll make an exception for Darkseid though. Brainiac definitely doesn't count towards this trope.
* TimeShiftedActor:
** Superman on ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' is voiced by Creator/ChristopherMcDonald.
** In the FiveEpisodePilot, teenage Clark was played by Creator/JasonMarsden.
* TranquilFury: In "Twilight", Superman's fight with Darkseid.
* TurnTheOtherCheek: In "War World"...
-->'''Draaga''': Pathetic. The whole lot of you. Not a real warrior in the bunch. And you, the Kryptonian, you're the biggest disappointment of all. (Spits on Superman and walks away. Superman breaks out of his chains.)
-->'''Alien''': Why didn't you do that when Draaga was here?
-->'''Superman''': It's called "turning the other cheek."
* UnstoppableRage: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", nearly blind with rage after waking from his [[YourHeartsDesire dreamworld]], [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown Superman batters Mongul]], even using his heat vision to burn Mongul's chest. However, before he can strike the decisive blow, Superman is distracted by a statue-his parents holding Krypton aloft and is saved by Wonder Woman.
* UnwittingPawn: In "Clash", the purpose of the Kryptonite power source was to arouse Superman's suspicion and cause an incident that would tarnish the League's reputation. Superman and Captain Marvel's clash not only caused the destruction of Lexor City, but embarrassed Superman and boosting Luthor's "benevolent" public image as well.
* VoiceChangeling: Superman could mimic voices thanks to precise muscle control and a really good ear, which severely creeps out Robin when he demonstrates it.
* WeirdnessMagnet: Where he goes, weird stuff that probably wouldn't bother Earth comes in search of him.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** In "Twilight", to the shock of his teammates, Superman is willing to let Apokolips be destroyed due to his grudge, but Darkseid notes that Brainiac will not stop with Apokolips. Batman has to lecture Superman to help him stop Braniac.
** In "The Doomsday Sanction", Batman calls him out for casting Doomsday into the phantom zone.
** In "Clash", Captain Marvel is disgusted by Superman's actions and calls a meeting with the League founders.
-->"My whole life, I've looked up to the League. You were my heroes. Every one of you. And you (Superman)... you were more than a hero. I idolized you. I wanted to be you. Whenever I was out there facing down the bad guys, I'd think, "What would Superman do?" Now I know. I believe in fair play. I believe in taking people at their word and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Back home, I've come up against my share of pretty nasty bad guys, but I never had to act the way they did to win a fight. I always found another way. I... I guess I'm saying I-I like being a hero, a symbol, and that's why I'm... quitting the Justice League. You don't act like heroes any more. "
* WillfullyWeak: Superman has the tendency of holding back his powers during most of his battles in order to prevent people from getting killed, which also allows villains to get the best of him in some occasions. There is also the fact that the first season of ''Justice League'' subjected him badly to TheWorfEffect.
* WolverinePublicity: Averted in Justice League and JLU.
* TheWorfEffect: Throughout the first season of ''Justice League'', Superman was portrayed as unnaturally weak and vulnerable to the point where he was was often the first to be defeated in battle. The writers apologized for it and did their best to make up for it later on. In "Secret Society" they even worked this in, where Superman admits that he deliberately places himself in the line of fire to draw attention from the more vulnerable members of the League and give them time to react.
* WorldOfCardboardSpeech: His speech at the end of ''Justice League Unlimited'' is the TropeNamer.
-->''"[[Franchise/{{Batman}} That man]] won't quit as long as he can still draw a breath. None of [[ComicBook/JusticeLeague my teammates]] will. Me? I've got a different problem. I feel like I live in a '''[[TropeNamer world made of cardboard]]''', always taking constant care not to break something, to break ''someone''. Never allowing myself to lose control even for a moment, or someone could ''die''. But you can take it, can't you, [[ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} big man]]? What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose and show you just how powerful I really am."''
* WouldHitAGirl: Although he's willing to put up with a lot more from them before he resorts to it.
* WoundedHeroWeakerHelper: Often the case whenever kryptonite is around and Supes needs assistance from an ally.
* YourHeartsDesire: In JLU's "For the Man Who Has Everything", the Last Son of Krypton is subdued by a [[LotusEaterMachine telepathic plant from a distant galaxy that renders its victims helpless and delusional in a dream world]] created from their heart's desires. Superman's fantasy is a Krypton that never exploded. He lives on a small farm, married to a Kryptonian woman named Loana, with his son Van-El, and Brainiac, whom he visualizes as the helpful AI attendant of his home.
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