What If Superman Was Raised on Krypton?

Superman, the iconic superhero known for his extraordinary abilities, was born on the planet Krypton and sent to Earth as a baby. The conditions on Krypton, where his home planet had a red sun, significantly differed from the yellow sun on Earth, which
gave us a clue about how Superman would have grown up differently if he stayed on Krypton. This article explores the alternative scenario where Superman is raised on Krypton and the impact it would have on his life and powers.

Birth and Original Planets

Superman's origin story in comic books typically describes him as a Kryptonian infant who was sent to Earth, a much younger Krypton begins to blow up. This event is crucial because it not only explains how Superman gained his powers when his ship landed on Earth but also implies that he wouldn't have grown up with the same abilities on Krypton.

Without Krypton's Destruction

If Superman had not been sent to Earth, he would have remained on Krypton, under the red sun which would have neutralized his powers. In this scenario, he would have been raised as a regular Kryptonian, pitted against the planet's challenges without the aid of his superhuman abilities.

Superman's Identity and Powers

In a series episode of Justice League Unlimited, admirers of the hero can see how his life might have been different if Krypton had not exploded. Specifically, in the second episode, titled “For the Man Who Has Everything,” Superman encounters the Black Maria plant, which alters his reality. The experience shows us that under these circumstances, Superman would not have become the hero we know and love. He would have been an ordinary person, a regular Kryptonian citizen, possibly involved in scientific research like his birth parents.

Alternative Life on Krypton

Even if Superman retained his superpowers, he would still be significantly different from his Earth-raised self. If he followed in his parents' footsteps and became a scientist, his contributions would be limited to Krypton's society. However, Kryptonians were portrayed as isolationist, with little interaction with other planets and their societies. Their space program had been abandoned, and they didn't engage with the cosmic world in the same way Earthlings do.

Moreover, without Superman, the world would miss a powerful advocate and defender. Although there are other heroes like Captain Marvel who could fill the gap, Earth would lose its greatest champion. The absence of Superman would mean a significant void in the cosmic struggle.

Conclusion

The exploration of Superman's life on Krypton reveals how crucial his upbringing on Earth was to his hero status. It underscores the importance of both the environment and the context in shaping a person's abilities and destiny. Would Superman have been as great a hero on Krypton? The answer seems to be no, as both his physical and moral development were profoundly influenced by his time on Earth.