What Happens When...
Superman does not hold back his power and 'cuts loose'? Watch the clip and find out:
What Happens When... (Hover)
This reminded me of the fight scene between Neo and Mr. Smith in Matrix: Revolutions. Did I see that correctly that Superman knocked that guy all the way around the earth? I honestly think Superman could take the Earth and throw it out of orbit and into the far reaches of the galaxy, thus destroying all life form on it.
The video does not really do justice to Superman's power in my opinion. At the same time it does show that every 'nice guy' has a limit. I am not too sure if he could 'throw' a planet, I think that might be a bit over the top since he still struggles with much lighter forces than an entire planet. I think we have a Thread about the comparison of his strength with the Hulk's somewhere around here and there is a lifting value given?
Superman of the pre-Crisis era could move the planet. And has in some of the older stories. John Bryne made a mention of this during his run of the "Man of Steel" relaunch in the early 90's.
The most recent "versions" of Superman has toned down his great power and favored certain realistic physics. Superman can no longer do "everything". His super strength is now considered tactile telekinesis, allowing him to life things he is touching without them falling apart upon themselves. This allows him to pick up that battle ship without cracking apart under its own weight and lack of support.
Many writers applauded this action. It made writing Superman stories easier, as Superman could now be threatened because he had limits.
Now many writers have "back slided" on the attempt to make Superman a more powerful... ignoring physics and continuity. While these make exciting stories, it was doing things like this that spawned "super hypnosis", "super ice breath", and "time travelling ability". These things required the character and his world to be "reset" first by Crisis of Infinite Earths, then two more times as his series was relaunched (and remember while he was an energy being?).
Superman could definitely move the Earth out of orbit...He actually once flew around Earth so fast he reversed it's orbit and moved time backwards....Definitely not a guy I'd recommend takin on without the aid of some nearby Kryptonite...
I totally agree with you Kal. I think Superman Returns offered a good depiction of his strength, since when he was lifting the island into space, he was weakened by more kryptonite that he had probably ever been exposed to.
I always loved that scene because they had Superman fighting just like Goku (Dragonball Z), using his abilities to the upmost limit, which he never does.