{"id":13487,"date":"2025-08-05T06:10:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/?p=13487"},"modified":"2025-08-05T19:31:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T00:31:02","slug":"the-symbol-of-superman-a-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/05\/the-symbol-of-superman-a-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The Symbol of Superman: A History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols on the planet<\/strong>: a pentagon, usually yellow, with a stylized \u201cS\u201d in the center. Although it did not appear in this form from the beginning, the \u201cS\u201d has always been present on the chest of the character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Since then, its meaning, origin, and even its connection to the name \u201cSuperman\u201d and the costume itself has changed over time. On some occasions, the emblem\u2019s existence has even preceded the public adoption of the name by our esteemed reporter from Metropolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broadly speaking, the symbol\u2019s origin falls into two main categories: Earth-based and Kryptonian, though some stories across various media blend both approaches, while others ascribe to it more metaphysical meanings. Let us begin with the terrestrial origins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I. The S Stands for Superman<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The very first time anyone refers to Kal-El as \u201cSuperman\u201d occurs in Action Comics #1<\/em>, when the editor of the Daily Star<\/em> asks Clark Kent whether he knows anything about a man the press is calling \u201cSuperman.\u201d There is little in this first appearance to suggest the origin of the emblem, and one can only assume it was simply an \u201cS\u201d chosen by Clark to represent his name: Superman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 1942, The Adventures of Superman<\/em> by George F. Lowther was published. It holds the distinction of being the first book ever released about a superhero, and it introduced numerous foundational elements to the mythos of the Man of Steel. While Siegel and Shuster had already developed characters like Jor-L and Lora in newspaper comic strips, it was Lowther who greatly expanded the mythology and established the nomenclature Jor-El and Lara, now universally recognized as the spelling of Superman\u2019s Kryptonian parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, Lowther firmly established the formative role of the Kents in shaping Clark\u2019s moral compass. The Kents, formerly \u00aba passing motorist\u00bb, did not appear until the third retelling of Superman\u2019s origin in Superman Vol. 1 #1<\/em>, and Siegel and Shuster quickly wrote them off, having them die just one page later. In contrast, Lowther portrayed the moral integrity of the Kents\u2014then named Sarah and Eben\u2014what builds and transforms Clark Kent into Superman. Regarding the costume, Lowther wrote that Ma Kent crafted it for a costume party, as the couple was too poor to rent a suit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As for the name, Eben bestows it upon Clark before dying, urging him to use his powers for the good of humanity. Both the origin of the costume and the significance of Pa Kent\u2019s death would become recurring elements in later iterations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In this version, one can infer that the \u201cS\u201d was added to the costume once Clark arrived in Metropolis and began his heroic activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, in the comics, More Fun Comics #101<\/em> (1945) marked the debut of Superboy\u2014one of the earliest attempts at franchise expansion through character variants. In that issue, we are explicitly told that Clark \u201csecretly fashions a colorful red-and-blue costume\u201d to create his Superboy identity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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It would take some time before the narrative unified Superman with his earlier career as Superboy. Thus, in 1948, Bill Finger and Wayne Boring reintroduced elements from Lowther\u2019s novel in Superman Vol. 1 #53<\/em> and, for the first time, established that \u201cClark\u201d was Ma Kent\u2019s maiden name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Though by this time no stranger to adaptations, in both the radio serial The Adventures of Superman<\/em> (1940) and the Fleischer cartoon Superman<\/em> (1941), little is said about the origin. The radio show introduces Superman as an adult emerging from the rocket that brought him to Earth. In the 1948 15-part live-action serial Superman<\/em>, starring Kirk Alyn, elements from Lowther\u2019s novel are reused: Pa (Eben) gives Clark his name, and Ma (Sara) makes his costume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the first episode of The Adventures of Superman<\/em>, now starring George Reeves, several key elements are repeated: Ma Kent, we are told, crafts the costume, and for the first time it is revealed that, although the design is terrestrial, the suit itself is indestructible and made from baby Kal-El\u2019s blankets, what would become a recurring element from this point on.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Superman first introduces himself while saving an airport worker dangling from a blimp. Clark refers to himself as \u201cSuperman\u201d when writing the story of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 1959, DC sought to expand the franchise by introducing Kara Zor-El, Superman\u2019s cousin, hailing from Argo City\u2014a Kryptonian city that survived the planet\u2019s destruction. As Argo faced imminent doom, Kara\u2019s father sent her to Earth wearing  a suit and emblem inspired by Superman fashioned by her mother. Thanks to Earth\u2019s transmissions, they were aware of his Kryptonian heritage. The familial connection was a fortuitous coincidence, discovered only later, upon their meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In Superboy Vol. 1 #78<\/em> (1960), the origin of the costume is recounted, marking the inaugural comic book depiction of the concept that it was crafted from Kal-El\u2019s infant blankets. Additionally, young Clark elucidates the significance of the \u201cS\u201d emblem to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the first instance in which the symbol and name are explicitly depicted as being created directly, with a specific focus on the design itself. In all previous iterations, it had been presumed that Ma\u2014either alone or in collaboration with Pa\u2014had designed the symbol prior to presenting it to Clark. Although this scene is not revisited in subsequent origin retellings (such as Superman Vol. 1 #146<\/em> or The Amazing World of Superman<\/em>), it was considered canonical until 1979, when Martin Pasko and Curt Swan provided a comprehensive origin in Action Comics #500<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths <\/em>reboot of<\/em> DC\u2019s comic universe, John Byrne was entrusted with revitalizing the Superman mythos. As part of his mission, he synthesized elements from various previous sources. While he appreciated the concept of Lois naming Kal-El \u201cSuperman\u201d in Superman: The Movie<\/em>, he disapproved of the Kryptonian origin of the symbol. This posed an ontological dilemma: if Lois had created the name, how could the emblem already exist?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a remarkable display of innovative thinking, Byrne had Clark perform his inaugural heroic act in civilian attire. This freed Ma Kent to sew the suit subsequently, while Pa and Clark collaborated to design the symbol after his debut\u2014 as depicted in Man of Steel #1<\/em> (1986):<\/p>\n\n\n

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In 2010, J. Michael Straczynski streamlined the sequence further in Superman: Earth One<\/em>. Ma and Pa Kent created the symbol, although they disagreed on its meaning: for Ma, it meant \u201cSon,\u201d while it was once again Pa who gave him the name \u201cSuperman.\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Despite some variations in the details, for the initial six decades of Superman\u2019s publication history, a consistent element persisted: the creation of the \u201cS\u201d emblem on Earth by the Kents, as a response to the query regarding Clark\u2019s intended use of his powers. This trajectory underwent a transformative shift when the author of The Godfather<\/em> presented the creators of Superman with an offer the couldn’t refuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

II. The S Stands for Krypton<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By the late 1970s, the tremendous success of Star Wars<\/em> had paved the way for big-budget summer films with more idealistic visions than those typically found in theaters. Superman was a character perfectly suited for that cultural zeitgeist. Recognizing the risks involved in such an ambitious project, producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind sought high-profile talent to spearhead the production. They succeeded in securing famed author Mario Puzo to write the screenplay, and none other than Marlon Brando\u2014widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation\u2014to portray Jor-El.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a significant portion of Puzo\u2019s script was ultimately discarded, it introduced a pivotal alteration to the mythology of the Last Son of Krypton: the Kryptonian origin of the \u201cS\u201d symbol. In the screenplay, Jor-El puts \u201cSuperman\u2019s symbol\u2014or Krypton\u2019s\u201d inside the rocket carrying Kal-El to Earth, implying that the emblem may symbolize the planet itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rationale behind Jor-El\u2019s decision to wear the emblem in the film remains nebulous. For many years, there were unsubstantiated rumors suggesting that Marlon Brando personally proposed it, but no concrete evidence supports this claim. Considering Brando\u2019s generally indifferent demeanor towards many of his roles, it appears improbable that he was particularly invested in the costume design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Regardless, the decision was finalized: Jor-El would wear the symbol in Superman: The Movie<\/em>, released in 1978. Director Richard Donner showcased other members of the Kryptonian Council wearing similar\u2014yet distinct\u2014symbols, unequivocally establishing the \u201cS\u201d as the crest of the House of El. In the screenplay, Lois Lane bestows Kal-El with the name \u201cSuperman,\u201d reinforcing the mythical tone of this novel origin. Neither the name nor the symbol would be chosen by Clark himself; both would be externally bestowed upon him, implying that he must earn them through his actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A particularly memorable aspect of the film is the suit, which appears as if conjured by magic at the conclusion of Clark\u2019s \u201ctraining.\u201d This moment, in which the late, great Christopher Reeve dons the costume for the first time in an interpretation that stands the test of time. This portrayal arguably represents the most iconic vision of the character on screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Kryptonian origin of the costume would not return until much later. However, the idea that the name and emblem are given to Kal-El rather than created by him would become a permanent fixture of the mythology\u2014though it would take time for this to be consistently reflected across media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman<\/strong> drew significant inspiration from John Byrne\u2019s post-Crisis<\/em> reboot, but diverged notably in its treatment of the symbol\u2019s origin. Here, once again, it is of Kryptonian provenance. The emblem is found among the baby blankets accompanying Kal-El when Ma and Pa Kent discover him. Ma suggests it\u2019s exactly what the suit needs\u2014referring to the version worn by Dean Cain in his portrayal of Superman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In a scene clearly meant to evoke Superman: The Movie<\/em>, a stunned Lois is the one to name him \u201cSuperman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Come 1996, Bruce Timm produced a new adaptation of Superman in the form of Superman: The Animated Series<\/em> as a follow up to his acclaimed Batman animation. Its opening three episodes, titled \u201cThe Last Son of Krypton<\/em>,\u201d presented a near perfect interpretation of the origin story. Notably, the symbol is never explicitly explained. It is absent from the scenes depicting Krypton and does not appear on Jor-El\u2019s design, which is more inspired by Jack Kirby than previous portrayals. Nevertheless, the emblem is unmistakably Kryptonian and is displayed on a device that synchronizes with Clark\u2019s mind, transmitting a message from his kryptonian parents.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Apart from the \u201cS,\u201d this iteration also features Lois drawing a direct parallel between the Man of Steel and the concept of the \u00dcbermensch<\/em>, as expounded upon by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Smallville<\/strong>, the long-running television series starring Tom Welling, was known both for its appealing and engaging lead characters and for its flexible and often contradictory approach to Superman lore. In this version, the \u201cS\u201d symbol has two separate origins, three distinct representations, and four different meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, let us focus on the Kryptonian version\u2014known in the series as the Mark of El<\/em>. This version resembled an infinity symbol rotated 90 degrees, enclosed within a pentagon. According to the show\u2019s mythology, it literally meant \u201cAir,\u201d and first appeared in Season 2 as a mark seared into Clark\u2019s chest by a  projection of Jor-El, in a rather painful example of paternal bonding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symbol\u2019s first appearance occurred in Season 1, Episode 20, Obscura<\/em>, as part of the carvings on a Kryptonian Key:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Notably, other symbols on the key translated to \u201cHope\u201d\u2014symbols Clark would later burn into the Kent family barn doors. However, those were not specific to the House of El. Smallville<\/em> was the first story to assign an external meaning to the El family crest, interpreting it\u2014\u201cAir\u201d\u2014as a metaphor for the character\u2019s evolving nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Smallville<\/em> could not resist complicating matters further. In Season 6, the character Raya is introduced\u2014an assistant to Jor-El who had survived Krypton\u2019s destruction by escaping into the Phantom Zone. To protect her, Jor-El gives her a crystal engraved with the El family\u2019s crest. From that point onward, the recognizable version of the \u201cS\u201d is used in the show.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As a side note, this El emblem is also identified as the Kryptonian letter for \u201cS.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t until 2003 that the Kryptonian origin of the symbol would be introduced in the comics, thanks to Mark Waid\u2019s Superman: Birthright<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Once again, Ma is responsible for designing the rest of the suit:<\/p>\n\n\n

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And the name \u201cSuperman\u201d is given to Kal-El by the expected courageous journalist:<\/p>\n\n\n

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In this case, it\u2019s important to note that while Birthright<\/em> introduces the now-famous concept of the \u201cS\u201d meaning Hope<\/em>, that meaning is earned through Superman\u2019s actions. Initially, the symbol\u2014like in Puzo\u2019s screenplay\u2014represents all of Krypton. Waid rejected the idea that a humble man like Clark would design an \u201cS\u201d for \u201cSuperman,\u201d with or without Pa\u2019s help. Nor did he believe it made sense for it to be the crest of the House of El\u2014because Superman, in his view, did not merely represent his family, but the entirety of his lost civilization. (\u201cHe\u2019s not the Last Son of the House of El,\u201d Waid once wrote.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This idea would linger until DC continuity shifted again with Infinite Crisis<\/em>. While this era didn\u2019t feature a full retelling of Superman\u2019s origin, it introduced a modified version that included elements from the Donner film and a vague reintegration of Superboy\u2019s career\u2014an aspect John Byrne had previously removed. In 52 #2<\/em> (2006), a series co-written by Waid himself, it is established that from that point forward, the \u201cS\u201d officially means \u201cHope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An inverted \u201cS,\u201d meanwhile, was said to mean \u201cResurrection\u201d\u2014a detail that has yet to gain meaningful traction within the Superman mythos.en el mito.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2009, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank retold the origin story in Superman: Secret Origin<\/em>. It revisits many familiar elements almost beat-for-beat: the suit sewn by Ma Kent using Kryptonian fabric, the symbol as the El family crest, and Lois christening him \u201cSuperman.\u201d Concepts from the pre-Crisis<\/em> era also return\u2014such as the idea that the suit is made from Clark\u2019s baby blankets and his glasses being crafted from the remains of his ship:<\/p>\n\n\n

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However, Secret Origin<\/em> introduces a curious paradox: Clark begins his heroic career as a youth, allowing for his adventures with the Legion of Super-Heroes in the future\u2014but he does not receive the name \u201cSuperman\u201d until Lois bestows it years later. Johns avoids the paradox by having the Legionnaires refer to him only as \u201cKal-El,\u201d preserving the timeline while still acknowledging both traditions. This reflects the difficulty authors face when attempting to reconcile conflicting canonical elements: they want Lois to name him, but also want his Superboy era intact. Waid would later find a the way to have this elusive cake and eat it, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2011, another reboot came with Flashpoint<\/em>, bringing a new Superman origin courtesy of Grant Morrison. In Action Comics Vol. 2 #5<\/em>, we see that although Jor-El does not wear the symbol himself (though his dog does wear it on his collar), the emblem originates on Krypton and is tied to the House of El\u2014though no deeper meaning is initially provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Superman\u2019s first costume in this new continuity is a simple t-shirt bearing a stylized \u201cS.\u201d Later issues reveal a Kryptonian battle armor, discovered by Kal-El aboard The Collector\/Brainiac\u2019s ship, in Action Comics Vol. 2 #7<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In Man of Steel<\/em> (2013), the suit and symbol are explicitly of alien origin, and the character states it\u2019s not an \u201cS\u201d but \u201cHope\u201d on his world. Here, it’s random soldiers who coin his alter ego’s name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2015, Supergirl<\/em> was added to The CW\u2019s lineup of superhero television series, starring the endearing Melissa Benoist in the title role. The series adopted the character\u2019s more recent origin, in which Kara is older than her cousin Kal-El but, due to cosmic deviations, arrives on Earth younger than him. Together with her best friend, she designs a costume and adds the symbol to it\u2014clarifying that it is not an \u201cS,\u201d but rather the Coat of Arms of the House of El. In the second episode, its meaning is further expanded: in Kryptonese, it is El mayarah<\/em>, which translates to \u201cStronger together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This series also marked the debut of Tyler Hoechlin as Superman in a role praised for the warmth and humanity he brought to the character; he would later reprise it as the lead in Superman & Lois<\/em>. Although it was eventually revealed that the series took place in different universes, it can be theorized that Hoechlin\u2019s Superman shares the same heraldic traits as Supergirl. In the prologue of Superman & Lois<\/em>\u2019s first episode, Hoechlin dons a suit inspired by the Fleischer cartoons\u2014widely regarded as one of the best live-action adaptations of the costume to date. When a child compliments the suit, Superman responds, \u201cThanks, my mom made it<\/em>,\u201d echoing a similar line from Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman<\/em> and the comic Superman: For All Seasons<\/em> by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2019, Gene Luen Yang and the artistic duo Gurihiru released Superman Smashes the Klan<\/em>, a remarkable story frequently cited among the greatest in the Man of Steel\u2019s history. The now-familiar elements appear once again: Ma Kent makes the suit, and the emblem represents the House of El, carrying the literal meaning of \u201cHope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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That same year, veteran Superman writer Marv Wolfman published Man and Superman<\/em>, a story originally planned for release in 2009. Collaborating with artist Claudio Castellini, Wolfman retells Clark Kent\u2019s arrival in Metropolis and his initial acts of heroism. While the narrative offers no specific explanation regarding the suit or the symbol, it revisits elements such as Clark using his powers prior to publicly donning his costume (despite it already being made). Additionally, although it is Clark himself who first writes about his alter ego under the recurrent ethically ambiguous circumstances, it is Lois who ultimately names him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2023, Superman returned to serialized animation with My Adventures with Superman<\/em>, developed by Jake Wyatt with animation by the Korean studio StudioMIR, and with Jack Quaid and Alice Lee voicing the lead characters. The sequence of events once again draws from John Byrne\u2019s interpretation: Clark publicly displays his powers before wearing a costume, and it is Lois who enthusiastically coins the name \u201cSuperman.\u201d Later, Clark confronts his extraterrestrial heritage through an encounter with an AI of Jor-El, during which he is seen wearing the crest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kryptonian technology is what ultimately develops Superman\u2019s suit, as revealed shortly thereafter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Notably, while Jor-El wears the abstract and highly stylized emblem designed by Alex Ross for the future Superman in the classic Kingdom Come<\/em>, the version worn by Superman emphasizes the features that make it recognizable as an \u201cS\u201d\u2014suggesting that Clark influenced its design at the moment of the suit\u2019s creation to make it appear more terrestrial. Another memorable moment is when Ma Kent sees the costume and remarks that it is \u201cincomplete,\u201d prompting her to sew the iconic red trunks. My Adventures with Superman<\/em> blends Kryptonian and earthly elements in crafting the superhero\u2019s identity, making it one of the most noteworthy adaptations of the Man of Steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, DC Comics launched the Absolute<\/em> line, discarding many traditional elements of its superheroes in order to retell their stories in a new and accessible way. Absolute Superman<\/em>, by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, offers yet another interpretation of the emblem\u2019s meaning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this version, Jor-El and Lara retain their intelligence and rebellious spirit, but unlike other iterations, their revolutionary nature emerges long before Krypton\u2019s destruction. As a result, they are cast out of Krypton\u2019s ruling class and forced to join the working class\u2014the People of Steel<\/em>, represented by the \u201cS\u201d emblem, which they both wear with pride. Of all the origins and backgrounds that have been given to the \u201cS,\u201d this may be the one that most closely aligns with the \u201cChampion of the Oppressed\u201d ethos that Superman\u2019s creators originally envisioned in 1938.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time of writing, Superman\u2019s official origin in the main continuity remains in flux. The new lore guide The New History of the DC Universe<\/em>, written by Mark Waid, references both Birthright<\/em> and Secret Origin<\/em>, while Action Comics<\/em> presents a new account of Clark\u2019s youth, portraying him as operating semi-publicly in a homemade suit. Waid\u2014an author cited multiple times throughout this discussion\u2014ultimately finds the most clever and elegant solution for Superboy\u2019s existence, with Lois being the one to name him in Action Comics<\/em> #1088:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Lois Lane, a high school student who happens to be visiting the Daily Planet<\/em> when Clark acts publicly, is the one who christens him \u201cSuperboy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, we arrive at the most recent cinematic version: Superman<\/em>, written and directed by acclaimed superhero filmmaker James Gunn, with the charming David Corenswet stepping into the role once held by Christopher Reeve. This portrayal of Superman is dynamic and modern, yet retains traditional elements. It adopts what appears to be a Kryptonian origin for the symbol\u2014also inspired by Alex Ross\u2019s design\u2014highlighted by its prominent display at the entrance of the Fortress of Solitude. However, little more is known at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jor-El and Lara, in their brief\u2014and controversial\u2014appearance, do not wear the emblem, leaving their connection to it unclear. A young adult prequel novel, Superman: Welcome to Metropolis<\/em>, offers few answers. Thus, we must wait to see what the future holds for this new incarnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To conclude, here are a couple of additional versions that stand out due to their peculiarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

III. Serpents, Swords, and Metafiction<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you remember the bat symbol from Tim Burton\u2019s first Batman<\/em> film? If you look closely, it resembles a set of teeth. Similarly, if you observe Superman\u2019s emblem, it looks like a serpent. The difference is that no one has ever written a story in which Batman\u2019s symbol is inspired by a denture, at least as far as I know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first example comes from The Kents<\/em> #4, written by John Ostrander, in which one of Jonathan Kent\u2019s ancestors is wounded, and his future wife presents him with a blanket bearing the symbol embroidered on it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An ironic decision on Ostrander\u2019s part, considering that one of the possible origins of the name \u201cIroquois\u201d is the French transliteration of irinakhoiw<\/em>, meaning \u201cserpent,\u201d a term their enemies used as an insult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second example is drawn from The Last Days of Krypton<\/em>, a novel written by Kevin J. Anderson and published in 2008:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As you can see, it refers to the Kryptonian symbol of the House of El. Why an alien culture would employ a concept so deeply rooted in terrestrial Abrahamic religious tradition\u2014such as the Serpent of Deceit\u2014remains a mystery we may never be able to unravel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the tortuous development of what eventually became Superman Returns by Bryan Singer, J.J. Abrams wrote a script for a film called Superman Flyby, and while screenplays for unproduced movies may be outside the scope of this writing, Abrams deciding to give each yellow part of the emblem a distinct meaning was too interesting and peculiar to not include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another instance appears in the Smallville<\/em> episode \u201cRogue,\u201d where we are shown a chest plate supposedly worn by Alexander of Macedonia during his conquests:<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Sword of Superman<\/em>, a story by Elliot S! Maggin in Superman Annual<\/em> #10, offers a more\u2026 esoteric origin for the \u201cS.\u201d In this version, the symbol represents the aforementioned Sword of Superman, which has existed since the beginning of time and is a fundamental part of the universe and its Creator:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Which subconsciously influenced Pa Kent when he designed the emblem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One final version of the symbol: a visualization of Superman\u2019s meaning as envisioned by Grant Morrison. It first appeared in the DC One Million<\/em> crossover and later made a special appearance in All-Star Superman<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Its symbolism, as explained in the Absolute All-Star Superman<\/em> edition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To conclude, I leave you with this infographic showcasing the symbol in all its highly trademarkable splendor throughout the years. Originally created by Maurice Mitchell, with a small update added by me:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

(Special thanks to Jason Powell for his help.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols on the planet: a pentagon, usually yellow, with a stylized \u201cS\u201d in the center. Although it did not appear in this form from the beginning, the \u201cS\u201d has always been present on the chest of the character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Since then, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1281,1282,1288],"tags":[2263,2261,2262,2264,28,2265],"class_list":["post-13487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comics","category-croniqueros","category-desde-la-baticueva","tag-comic-book-history","tag-emblem","tag-house-of-el","tag-s-shield","tag-superman","tag-superman-symbol"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Superman-Prime-copy.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13487"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13503,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13487\/revisions\/13503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cronicasdelmultiverso.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}