Superman having only one superpower… everybody did that. Kryptonians being the oldest sentient species in the DC universe with along with the Coluans, sentient plants, and organic robots… I already did that… Wait…
Welcome back to Comic Theory a segment that piggybacks off the details in comics and theorize what doesn’t come up. Now in my last post, I mentioned that Kryptonians are arguably the fastest growing civilization since they’ve been around for 10 billion years and have been capable of intergalactic travel. Oh man… all those eons of progress and they still couldn’t just make a new planet to live on? Krypton, if your last son is meant to be what humankind strives to be; your civilization is what reminds everyone that we are doomed as a species.
What’s with Kryptonians Looks?
But why do Kryptonians look so much like humans? Krypton is practically crystalline wastelands and tundras. Sure there are apes present but there shouldn’t be, apes live in vegetative areas with trees. There isn’t a tree in sight whenever Krypton comes up; or at least none that ever seemed enough for apes to swing around or climb on. Not to mention, some of Krypton’s species look suspiciously like Earth’s including dogs like Krypto.
Despite what people say about human evolution, the humanoid form alone is inefficient. Just the feet alone are a big flaw. Why would a species with billions of years of evolution take forms that are inherently flawed and remain unchanged? Even convergent evolution moves onward after so many generations. I had to suspend my suspension of disbelief and think on why this is the case.
A Glimpse?
To start, let’s look at DC’s 2017 Halloween comic DC’s House of Horror. One story retells Superman’s coming to Earth. When found by the Kents, he is a vicious monster. It was at this point as well as the origin of Irredeemable’s Plutonian that I came up with a theory.
Now this is going to be the most far-fetched theory of all. There is practically nothing that would suggest otherwise in the comics. But again nothing Kryptonians do make sense from a biological or physics perspective.
Spoilers ahead for Irredeemable.
Dun-Dun-Dun!
Now for the reveal… Kryptonians and the rest of Krypton’s species are in fact Eldritch Abominations. For those of you who don’t know; Eldritch Abominations are entities whose very existence warps reality disregarding the laws of nature and physics. The term was coined by the works of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos to describe the horrific godlike beings that occupy the greater universe.
Wait Isn’t This Forbidden Knowledge?
As stated in Irredeemable, beings like Superman telekinetically control matter on the atomic level under the illusion of numerous powers. The Plutonian’s humanoid appearance forms from the strong emotion of his ‘mother’, an unstable woman desperate for a child; this would suggest they are powerful telepaths too. Think about a baby Kryptonian found by a human couple; the baby would unconsciously have the humans see him as an infant humanoid instead of his true form. The same applies when a scared Kent family gets a monster in the House of Horror.
Or Just An Assumption?
Superboy-Prime, the Clark Kent of Earth Prime displays a reversal of this process. Earth Prime is a world where superheroes are only supposed to be in comic books. While it was explained in universe that he was always Kryptonian, Grant Morrison shows how ideas are contagious in Multiversity. When Superman appears on Earth Prime; the idea of meeting his counterpart grants the Clark Kent of that world the chance to become a genuine Superboy. Since there were no Batmen or Wonder Women anywhere; Superboy is the only exception to this rule (except that Ultra Comics guy). Also of note is the fact that Superboy-Prime’s punch actually shatters a dimensional barrier which caused ripples throughout reality. It even causes changes like Jason Todd coming back from the dead. Something like that shouldn’t even be physically possible.
This leads me to believe that Superman’s power-set is based on the perception of him. The very human perception is susceptible to taking what they think they see rather than the actual picture. (This document here describes the process really well). His weakness to Kryptonite and running on solar power count too. After all some creators give Superman weird powers like making smaller versions of himself until that’s thrown out.
He’s Not Even Aware of Krypton
Now for something that connects Superman directly to the editorial department of DC; and by extension the ‘memesmiths’ (a collective unconscious) of Earth 33. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman’s cousin Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog phase out of existence. This was to make Superman Krypton’s only survivor as he was originally meant to be; at least until they come back. And that’s not the only thing; Superman has brought up time and again that he can’t have children with regular women. Due to differing biologies and the fetus could kill the mother thanks to the strength inherited from Kal-El. Yet eventually he has a son named Jon Kent with Lois Lane. Jon even got some of his father’s powers and became Superboy.
I don’t know about any of you; but this says that Superman is in fact one of the very factors that controls the DC Universe’s narrative.
Some More Horrible Truths About Kryptonians
But what about the rest of the Kryptonians? If General Zod could achieve this feat of bending matter to his whim, worlds would be at his feet. Remember that other post that describes how Superman’s powers, friends, enemies, and family are all in his head? Well going off that… Kryptonians have a humanoid appearance and godlike powers is because that is the perception of what they are. It might even be fair to say that Krypton and the Kryptonians might never have existed; merely a byproduct of Superman’s imagination to justify him being so different from his peers.
As long as Superman acts a focal point for the “memesmiths” of Earth Prime, reality is warped on his side. It’s just whatever Superman and the public at large want it to be. As long as humans stick to their tribal ways, no one will be able to see what Superman really is; a being so horrifically powerful, he’s tied to the very fabric of the inner world of the DC multiverse.
Thanks for coming to the end, remember to like, share, comment, and remember to always look between the panels.