Superman is the ideal of the human race, a goal for mortals to strive for when flying through life. The character has drawn allegories to the likes of Jesus of Nazareth, another significant figure in history who serves as a model for moral living for many.
Unlike the Biblical figure, though, Kal-El has experienced countless reimaginings and reboots, not all of them particularly inspiring. Whether he's corrupted by his own sins, driven to madness by the cruel deeds of others, or tragically fallen from grace, the archetype of an "Evil Superman" continues to be a terrifying prospect to consider. A standard for righteous living plummeting to the depths of depravity is tragic; that same figure imbued with magnificent powers proves petrifying.
10 Kal-El The Government Crony (Earth-31)
Writer and artist Frank Miller did not like Superman, and it's clear in his portrayal of the character in his Batman magnum opus, The Dark Knight Returns. Miller's world is deeply dystopian with the Man of Steel rendered feckless by his absolute submission to government oversight. The character is scary in that he's willfully given up his autonomy to corrupt human creatures. No matter his intent, the admins of governments tend to drift into the pursuit of power. Superman learns this lesson by way of Batman's fists and this comic somewhat defines an aspect of his mythology.
9 Rant The Corrupted Insectoid (Dark Multiverse)
A brief appearance does not limit the frightful nature of Rant, a version of Superman corrupted by Red Kryptonite. Plucked from his universe by Perrus the Benevolent in Dan DiDio, Max Raynor, and Trevor Scott's Sideways #8, Rant feeds Perrus his life energy in exchange for protection.
This makes him a member of the so-called Unseen, along with many other people from across the destroyed worlds of the Dark Multiverse. His insect-like appearance and the fate of his world add to the unsettling aura surrounding Rant and contribute to the impact his short appearance had.
8 Kal-El The Killer Baby (Bump In The Night)
Reminiscent of the recent film Brightburn or Rick Veitch's The Maximortal, Kal-El appears as a classic horror villain in DC House of Horror #1. Written by Keith Giffen and Edward Lee with illustrations from Howard Porter, the story entitled "Bump in the Night" ties close to Superman mythology until the future Man of Steel crashes on Earth. Jonathan Kent is killed by the rampaging Kal-El, a sort of twisted infant that subsequently stalks Martha throughout the house and barn. It's ridiculous, but also traditionally scary in its execution.
7 Kal-L The Soviet Leader (Earth-30)
On Earth-30, Kal-L did not land in the United States but instead arrived in the Soviet Union. The character is raised as a symbol of national pride by the government, eventually taking over as leader. Adapted to an animated film of the same name, Mark Millar and Dave Johnson's Superman: Red Son is discomforting in the same way The Dark Knight Returns is: Superman has relinquished his individuality to a particular government.
In this case, it's a historical one of oppression and fuels a response from America that begins a superhero arms race. An example of Superman's depravity includes his converting of dissidents into mindless drones for his tyranny.
6 Kal-L The Nazi Conqueror (Earth-10)
A grim alternative to the Superman of Earth-30, Earth-10's Kal-L crashed in Sudetenland which was occupied by the Nazis. First appearing in Grant Morrison and Jim Lee's The Multiversity: Mastermen, Adolf Hitler himself raises the child and gives him the name Overman. While the story does get a little more complicated when Overman leaves Earth for three years, the concept of a Nazi Superman is every moral person's nightmare. A god-like being dedicated to the eradication of an entire group of people, not to mention the insatiable need for power, proves this Kal-L a severely depraved alternative to the shining Blue Boy Scout.
5 Kal-ll The Tyrant (Earth 3)
Ultraman is the evil version of Superman from Earth-3, gaining prominence in Geoff Johns and David Finch's Forever Evil storyline. He is the leader of the Crime Syndicate, a band of miscreants that are similar alternatives to Superman's Justice League members.
Fittingly, he is first spotted by Lex Luthor stealing a shard of Kryptonite, which empowers instead of weakens him. Kal-Il is only after power, entering the main universe to conquer Earth. By greeting mainline Earth with the words "THIS WORLD IS OURS," Kal-Il is well-versed in inducing sheer terror.
4 Kal-El The Perpetrator Of Injustice (Earth Twenty-Two)
Perhaps the most well-known of the disgruntled Supermen, Kal-El of Tom Taylor's Injustice universe suffered an appalling tragedy at the hands of the Joker. Tying the detonation of a nuclear bomb to Lois Lane's heartbeat, the Clown Prince gassed the Man of Steel with Scarecrow's fear toxin which caused him to hallucinate. He subsequently kills Lois, believing her to be Doomsday; darker still, she is pregnant with their child who perishes with her. In a fit of rage, Superman kills the Joker and imposes authoritarian rule over Earth-Twenty-Two.
3 Kal-El The Serial Killer (Earth-1)
Superman makes a brief appearance in Frank Tieri, James Tynion IV, and Tony S. Daniel's Batman: The Devastator and leaves quite the unnerving impression. Due to some unknown reason, Kal-El goes on a murderous rampage across the globe; Batman speculates whether he's corrupted or inhibited in any way. Turns out, the Man of Steel was simply lying to everyone about his hope and ideals. Batman resolves to infect himself with a strain of the Doomsday Virus, finally killing his former friend as a new monstrous offshoot of the famed supervillain. The vanity this Kal-El possesses to take life so frivolously marks him a truly chilling version of the hero.
2 Kal-El The Zombie (DCeased)
Superman... as a zombie! Readers never thought it would happen, but Injustice creator Tom Taylor collaborated with artists Trevor Hairsine and James Harren to write DCeased. A mash-up of the DC roster and an undead virus brings a mindless animalistic Superman bent on consuming flesh.
To his credit, Kal-El attempts to flee Earth once he's infected but doesn't make it far enough before his hunger takes over. It's a simultaneously disturbing and thrilling moment when Zombie Superman returns to Earth via his "superhero landing."
1 Kal-El The Apokoliptian (Earth-1198)
John Francis Moore and Kieron Dwyer imagined the most alarming version of Superman in the multiverse: Kal-El from Earth-1198, first appearing in Superman: The Dark Side. Having landed on Apokolips instead of Earth, Superman is raised to become the most powerful warrior on the planet by Darkseid. This Superman turns good in the end, but the epitome of all death and destruction in the DC Universe rests on the shoulders of the leader of Apokolips. To imagine the "ideal" hero demonstrating the moralities of the worst DC has to offer is... quite frankly, apocalyptic.