Summary
- Superman and Wonder Woman are two of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe, often trading blows despite being allies.
- Superman possesses incredible raw power, including super strength, speed, and fantastical powers like heat vision and invulnerability.
- Wonder Woman, a demi-goddess with super strength and intelligence, can easily hurt Superman using her knowledge and martial arts skills.
Superman is considered one of the strongest characters not only in the DC Universe but also in all of the superhero comics. He is the archetype of strength in superhero comics, with many characters' strength being measured against him. In the DC Universe, not many heroes can match the Man of Steel, but one hero who has often been seen as his equal is Wonder Woman. Created in 1941, just three years after Superman made his debut, Wonder Woman has also been a symbol of strength and moral certainty in a manner similar to Superman.
Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman make up what is known as the DC Trinity, the three most popular and influential heroes in the DC Universe. Yet despite Batman always being written to come out on top in fights, most fans know when it comes to strength he is far from the strongest. Superman and Wonder Woman are two figures that, despite being allies (and even romantic partners in some universes), also find themselves trading blows. This begs the question of who is stronger: Superman or Wonder Woman.
The Case for Superman
Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and debuted in Action Comics #1 in 1938. While he possessed super strength at his creation, he was not as strong as he would later become. He could not fly in his first appearance, but instead, he could leap tall buildings in a single bound. Over time, Superman not only gained the ability to fly but also developed more fantastical powers, and his strength grew.
Superman's abilities include super strength, stamina, invulnerability, and super speed, which is classified as faster than a speeding bullet. He also possesses heat vision, x-ray vision, and powerful breath that can create massive winds and can freeze objects. Many people might just classify Superman as a strong guy, the brawns without the brains, but he is rather intelligent. His super speed allows him to process a lot of information, and he also has access to alien technology in his fortress of solitude.
Over the years, Superman's incredible power has been displayed in many ways. In Superman: The Movie, he is able to travel so fast that he can travel in time by changing the Earth's rotation. Superman Returns showcases him lifting up an entire continent made up of Kryptonite, his biggest weakness. He has faced off and fought some of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, like Doomsday and Darkseid. When combining his strength with his strong moral character, there is a reason why Superman is seen as the greatest superhero ever and one that the heroes of the DC Universe look up to and aspire to be like.
Wonder Woman's Counter Argument
Created by psychologist William Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter, Wonder Woman debuted in All-Star Comics #8. Marston based Wonder Woman on his wife, Elizabeth, and their partner, Olive Byrne. Originally depicted as a clay statue given life by the gods, Wonder Woman has since been established as a demi-god, the daughter of Zeus the Amazon Queen Hippolyta. Wonder Woman was raised on Themisycra, the island of the Amazon, and spent her life training as a warrior. Yet Wonder Woman is not just a skilled fighter but was also taught art, philosophy, and politics and has a great level of both practical and emotional intelligence.
Wonder Woman being a demi-god gives her super strength. She is nigh-invulnerable and possesses enhanced speed, healing, and also the gift of flight. The revelation that she is Zeus's daughter also means she can harness lightning and use it as a weapon. Wonder Woman also possesses a great deal of weapons, including her signature bracelets.
In the original comics, the bracelets increase her strength but also have the ability to take away her power if they are bound together by a man as part of the character's BDSM influence infused by her creators. Later additions removed that element of the bracelets, and they are now used to keep her demi-god powers in check, but the bracelets can still allow her to clash them together to expel a shockwave of electric energy. They also allow her to deflect bullets, a signature move of the character.
How to Watch the Wonder Woman Movies in Order to See Her Full Arc in the DCEU
Six films, multiple filmmakers, and one iconic character. Take a look at Wonder Woman's full arc in the DCEU and her future in the new DCU.Wonder Woman's signature weapon, though, is the Lasso of Truth, also known as the Lasso of Hestia. The lasso forces anyone in it to tell the truth, and the item itself is almost indestructible. Wonder Woman can use the lasso both as an offensive and defensive weapon, as well as giving her the ability to grapple enemies from far away or save people just out of reach.
The fact that Wonder Woman is a demi-goddess gives her a major chance in a fight with Superman. Superman is one of the most powerful characters of all time, but he does have weaknesses. While most people know his signature weakness of Kryptonite, another overlooked one is he has no immunity to magic. This is how the hero Shazam! (formerly Captain Marvel) is able to hold onto his own against Superman. Wonder Woman is magic and, therefore, can harm Superman.