Superman Gets New Power in SUPERMAN #38

Superman may have celebrated his 75th birthday a couple years ago but he hasn't always been the same character. Superman hasn't always had the same abilities. When he first debuted in 1938, he couldn't even fly.

Over the years, different powers have come about. Some simply by the writers added to what he can do and others based on the story. In this week's SUPERMAN #38, Superman is getting a new power picking up where last issue left off. You can see when he gained his different abilities over the years below.

What does a "Super Flare" do? We'll have to check out the issue to find out, although you can get a glimpse below.

Superman is also getting a new costume, which could be what we showed last week when we debuted John Romita Jr's variant cover for SUPERMAN #39, also on sale later this month (on February 25). It doesn't look too different.

Here's an example of what this Solar Flare can do (posted at USA Today).

What do you think about his new power and costume?

KAKAROOOOOOOOOOTTTTT

Superman be like:

Article's not even been up for 10 minutes and we've already gotten 3 DBZ jokes.

So Superman is basically becoming Goku now.

I bet this 'Super Flare' just means that he REALLY has to sneeze. It's the only explanation as to why he would be making that awkwardly hideous face on the cover.

Ooohhhhh damn son.

Looks cool. My guess is that he is somehow releasing the solar energy in his cells for that one giant attack. It would be a last resort move for him, if I'm right, because it is so destructive and it drains him of his power.

Memory wipe kiss? Throwing a cellophane "S"? Super-ventriloquism? "Rebuild the Great Wall of China"-vision?

I do hope that the new power and costume help to enhance Superman's character, morality and importance to the world rather than being gimmicks to draw temporary fans in. And I damn well hope that Johns stays on as writer and that Romita Jr is only writing one issue.

Supergirl already has this power.

Superman doesn't need to be MORE boring. He already has enough powers that he doesn't use effectively.

They were practically asking for it.

So All Star Saiyan Superman?

Supergirl has had this power since the start of the New 52, and has used it multiple times. Am I the only one who noticed that? >.<

Doesn't feel very "Superman" to me, y'know?

@teerack: I've seen a few other users make the same comparison so you're not the only one who's noticed it.

Thoughts:

1. I didn't realize Heat Vision came so much later than the other powers...

2. I heard he only got flight after Captain Marvel had it first and his owners got worried that Captain Marvel would supplant him.

3. There have been numerous other powers introduced over the years that didn't last--like life vision or time travel. Let's see if this sticks.

4. A yellow buckle on a red belt doesn't seem like a great design choice. I prefer these belt options:

Gallery

No mention of his super breath/cold breath? Seems like an odd omission.

And somewhat appropriately so. I know I laughed.

So basically it's his heat vision on steroids.

Eh I might have laughed it it weren't for how overused those jokes are. Still appropriate for this news though I can't deny.

@captain13: OMG! I almost crashed my car laughing at this kid.

Some what is it this time? Time travel?

@lvenger: And you know what's weird? I was meaning to do one myself. LOL

Solar Flare looks awesome, though.

EDIT: Oh, to Hell with it...

What is This?!?! Superman develops a SOLAR FLARE?!!! Are we witnessing a new evolution of The Man Of Steel? Could Kal-El actually not be a Kryptonian? But a...Super Saiyan?!!!!!!!

What does this mean for Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan? Even for the Justice League? Will we able to do DBZ battle threads now? (JK on that last question)

Find out on the next exciting episode of...DRAGON BALL Z!!

It's the same power as Supergirl, why does everyone act like Kryptonians haven't been able to do this since the New 52's beginning?

@lurkero: "MORE boring"? Kill yourself

@kritikalmassx: I might be able to come round to it due to Superman not being happy with the power. But I'd rather have something like Superman being able to extend his bio electric field to protect people and objects than your standard energy blast power.

So...they are turning Superman into the Sentry?

So, Superman has only 8 basis powers, no Odinforce, Speedforce or Cosmic Power, energy or molecule manipulation, time travel or reality bending – and still he is considered OP like there is no tomorrow? Ok…

Plus it’s not like this is exactly “new” power. Supergirl used similar ability several times already in New-52. Come to think about it, Superman might have as well used prototype of this ability during Throne of Atlantice storyline, when he was heating all that water around him.

Oh joy. Silver age style new powers just cause!

With that said, it makes some sense. Rather then discharging his solar energies from his eyes, he just does it via his cells omnidirectionally. I'm hoping this weakens him quickly and is seldom used because otherwise it sorta negates the need for heat vision save for special circumstances.

It does look cool though, and since Kara can do it, I'm not gonna be too annoyed.

Stop that. Warning.

I mean, it makes sense. Kryptonians store solar energy, they should be able to release it.

I always thought how Superman could have a more sun related powers moveset since he is power up the yellow sun. But i have to see what they do with Flare Power.

@the_stegman said:

He definitely looks like he's "releasing it" in those images :P

Anyhoo, I think the energy should be more red than yellow.

@risingbean: silver age style? Hey, it makes more or less sense, since it's a solar based power. More then the ability to change colors or erasing memories by kissing.

That was just heat vision I think, not a prototype solar flare. It was clear Superman was using his heat vision to melt the water, not the rest of his body.

@teerack: That's cool, I didn't know that. I don't read Supergirl though, so that could easily explain it.

@saren: oh, come on, man! It's a popular internet meme. It's not like I'm actually asking him to jump off a building...alright, alright. I'll watch my tongue.

I really hate that artwork with a passion, it keeps me from reading this. Go back to marvel

Kara and Apollo use this ability already makes time, that's just a natural evolution of his power, but putting that it will gain a new power is most flashy for sales.

I really think it looks badass, but I think it should rather be that he can unleash yellow sun energy in an area of attack.

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I wonder if he'll be able to refine this power, like limit the energy he expends or even direct it, like hand blasts or something.

Very odd omission indeed.

This happens on the page before that spread. Trust me, I read it lol

@teerack: He has better control plus of it.Plus he is using to attack with it he is moving with it so I do not think it is just a giant energy burst.

One of the stuff you have to deal with as a superman fan :/

I'm just hopping Johns doesn't use this as a plot device. ( aka the way he treated new JL members )

Since Supergirl has had a power like this for a while now, and while it seems Superman will not be able to use it correctly I can only hope that he will know how to control it with time.

The only other draw back I see, is on the cover they do not have his Super Breath on it.I guess they forgot about it.

@lvenger said:

That wasn’t so clear to me. I lost this issue when my PC crushed; anyway, I remember Superman eyes and costume both were glowing red, beams from eyes wasn’t shown clearly, but water still evaporated around him. Surely looked like early stage of solar flare, but of course, maybe it’s just wrong angle or quirk of art.

Edit. Wow, that scan already posted above.