Superman's debut introduced readers to a new kind of hero, one different from the pulp adventure heroes and detectives who came before him. He also introduced the world to the Kryptonians, a race of aliens from the destroyed plant of Krypton. Under the yellow sun of Earth, Kryptonians gain amazing powers, easily outpacing other heroes and villains from Earth and beyond.

For over eighty years, DC fans have been introduced to many Kryptonians. These beings' power levels have made them extremely formidable, and they've all made an impact on the DC Multiverse. Of course, power levels differ between them, and some have proven significantly more powerful than others.

Updated on December 29th 2023 by Sage Ashford: This list has been updated to add more information about the most powerful Kryptonians.

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16 Seyg-El Earned His Family's Spot On The Science Council By Protecting Krypton

Seyg-eil from the show Krypton, standing in front of a flaming Superman logo

First Appearance:

World Of Krypton Vol. 2 #3

Creators:

John Byrne, Mike Mignola, Rick Bryant, Petra Scotese, John Workman

Seyg-El is also known as Jor-El I in the Silver Age of comics, or Seg-El in the television series Krypton. He is the patriarch of the El family, and grandfather to Kal-El. In most interpretations, he’s a genius and a scientist who advances Krypton’s technology and imparts his knowledge to his son, Jor-El. The character’s name is a derivation of Siegel, the family name of Jerry Siegel, one of Superman’s creators.

In comics, Seyg-El is one of the leaders of the Kryptonian Council, a powerful body that guides Krypton’s fate. He’s one of the most influential and intelligent people on the planet. In the television series Krypton, Seyg-El is rewarded with a spot on the Science Council after his heroic actions against a group of rebels.

15 Krypto Is A Kryptonian's Best Friend

Superman's pet dog Krypto standing on his dog house from DC Comics

First Appearance:

Adventure Comics Vol. 1 #210

Creators:

Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Seymour Barry

Krypto first appeared in 1955’s Adventure Comics as Superboy’s trusted companion. Also known as Superdog, Krypto was the El family pet when Kal was a toddler. Before sending his son to Earth, Kal’s father, Jor-El, tested a similar rocket with Krypto as its passenger. It was chance that caused Krypto’s rocket to land on Earth after it was knocked off course. With exposure to the Earth's sun, Krypto gained the same abilities of strength, invulnerability, and flight as Superman, albeit on a proportional level.

Because he’s a dog, some of Krypto’s senses are sharper than Superman’s — but Krypto’s most important trait is his loyalty, since he’s the first to leap into danger to defend his master. The Silver Age Krypto spent years operating both as a member of the Legion of Super-Pets and as a member of the Space Canine Patrol Agency. While Krypto possesses superior senses, he's not as skilled a fighter as some of the other Kryptonians, making it hard for him to rank any higher.

14 Cir-El Gained Kryptonian Powers Through Brainiac's Experiments

Cir-El as Supergirl from DC Comics

First Appearance:

Superman: The 10¢ Adventure

Creators:

Steven T. Seagle, Scott McDaniel, Andy Owens, Tanya Horie, Richard Horie, Richard Starkings, Comicraft

Cir-El, also known as Cheryl Kent, was created in 2003 to be the new Supergirl. Unlike the bright colors of Superman’s costume, she wore a black and blue suit with a simplified S symbol on her chest. There was an aura of mystery surrounding Cir-El when she first appeared, and she claimed to be Superman’s daughter from the future.

Later, it was revealed that Cir-El was a human victim of Brainiac who genetically altered her with Kryptonian DNA. Despite not being Clark’s true daughter, Cir-El followed Superman’s heroic example, sacrificing herself to save the day. Besides the typical Kryptonian attributes, Cir-El could focus her solar energy into an explosive blast, delivering it through her hands.

13 Chris Kent/Lor-Zod Gained New Powers Living In The Phantom Zone

First Appearance:

Action Comics Vol. 1 #844

Creators:

Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Adam Kubert, Rob Leigh

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Chris Kent is a young hero who crash-landed in Metropolis from Krypton. Clark Kent and Lois Lane, with the help of Bruce Wayne, created the identity of Chris Kent for the young boy. Lois and Clark also fostered the child while he learned Earth’s customs. Chris became a hero called Nightwing, named after a Kryptonian god. However, in current continuity, he's Lor-Zod, the son of General Zod.

Because of his time in the Phantom Zone, Chris experienced accelerated aging and gained additional abilities. Though not as strong as Superman, Chris can move objects with his mind, and he’s resistant to kryptonite. After merging with the Kryptonian Nightwing entity, Chris could also teleport and create shadow constructs. As Lor-Zod, he no longer has the Nightwing powers, and since he hasn't spent as much time under a yellow sun, isn't as powerful as other Kryptonians.

12 Flamebird Became Bonded To An Ancient Kryptonian Deity

flamebird Thara Ak-Var from DC Comics

First Appearance:

Superman Vol. 1 #681

Creators:

James Robinson, Renato Guedes, José Wilson Magalhaés, David Curiel, John J. Hill

In the character's latest Kryptonian version, Thara Ak-Var took the mantle of Flamebird after she bonded with the mythical Flamebird entity. Thara proved an excellent combatant, and she became chief of security for Kandor. Thara was first approached by a religious cult believing her to be the reincarnation of the Flamebird Kryptonian god.

After a ceremony, Thara gained visions of the Flamebird avatar, and eventually its abilities. Besides her psychic link to Chris Kent, she could generate flames, and she had an immunity to gold kryptonite. Like other Kryptonians, Thara shared the same powers as Superman, but not on his level. She hasn't appeared in current continuity since before Flashpoint.

11 Ursa Spent Years Training As A Kryptonian Warrior

Ursa and her son Lor-Zod from DC Comics

First Appearance (In Comics):

Action Comics Vol. 1 #845

Creative Team:

Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Adam Kubert, Dave Stewart, Rob Leigh

Ursa is one of several villains trapped in the Phantom Zone when Krypton exploded. Like other criminals, she eventually escaped her prison to cause havoc in Superman’s life. Interestingly, Ursa first appeared in the 1978 film, Superman: The Movie. It wasn’t until after Infinite Crisis that she made her comic book debut.

Usually standing with General Zod in battle against Superman, Ursa's shown many of the same powers as Superman and Zod, but at weaker levels. However, her ruthlessness and military training have made up for any deficiencies in power. Ursa is a ferocious combatant, which has made all the difference. While she wasn't skilled in using her powers at first, she's spent some time outside the Phantom Zone alongside her son and husband, and has become just as efficient with them as Zod.

10 Conner Kent's Tactile Telekinesis Gives Him More Options In Battle

First Appearance:

Adventures of Superman vol. 1 #500

Creators:

Karl Kesel, Tom Grummett, Doug Hazlewood, Glenn Whitmore, Albert DeGuzman

Conner Kent, also known as Kon-El, was the product of genetic manipulation. He was created by Project Cadmus using Clark Kent’s DNA, when it appeared that Superman had died fighting Doomsday. Kon-El was artificially aged, given the personality of a teenager, and acted as a replacement Superman.

Conner's powers were different from Superman's for years. Most of them came from tactile telekinesis, which gave him super strength and speed, invulnerability, and flight. As the years went on, Conner developed more traditional Kryptonian powers, including heat vision and the various super senses. He's powerful, but his youth and inexperience mean he's not on the level of a pure Kryptonian for now. However, as Conner's powers and telekinesis develop, he'll eventually become even more powerful than other Kryptonians.

9 Jor-El Expanded His Power By Spending Time In The Multiverse

Jor-El reveals his identity to Lois Lane in Superman: Rebirth comics

First Appearance:

More Fun Comics #101

Creators:

Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Like his father, Jor-El was an exceptional scientist who predicted the fall of his world. Because his society had become arrogant, they ignored Jor-El’s warnings. Determined that his child would survive Krypton’s destruction, Jor-El and his wife Lara agreed to send their son on a journey through the galaxy — to the backwards world of Earth, supplying DC Comics with an amazing origin story for Superman.

Thought dead for years, Jor-El was saved by Doctor Manhattan from the destruction of Krypton and left on Earth. He developed the requisite Kryptonian powers and became Mr. Oz, traveling the Multiverse and broadening his knowledge. Jor-El eventually enmeshed Earth's heroes in his machinations before surrendering himself to the UP and was executed after being sent back in time to Krypton's destruction. Jor-El's power level was average on a Kryptonian scale.

8 Van-Zee Nightwing Experiment On Himself To Gain Powers Similar To Superman

Nightwing and Flamebird from pre-Crisis Kandor from DC Comics Cropped

First Appearance:

Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane Vol. 1 #15

Creators:

Otto Binder, Kurt Schaffenberger

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Like other Kryptonians, Kal-El's cousin Van-Zee survived their planet’s destruction by residing in Kandor, a bottle city shrunken by the villainous Brainiac. He met Lois Lane and fell madly in love. When he realized he couldn’t win Lois’ heart, Van-Zee met and married another Earther, Sylvia DeWitt. Van-Zee was also inspired by Superman.

Van-Zee returned to Kandor, eventually taking on the role of the city’s protector, the legendary Nightwing. With the help of a scientist, Van-Zee became enlarged, gaining similar abilities to Superman. On occasion, when Kal-El couldn’t perform his duties as Superman, Van-Zee temporarily assumed his cousin’s heroic identity. A pre-Crisis character, Van-Zee no longer exists in the continuity. However, given he possesses Pre-Crisis level strength, it's hard not to see him as one of the most powerful Kryptonians.

7 Jon Kent Is Rapidly Catching Up To His Father's Powers

Jon Kent flying forward with the symbol of Ultraman in the background in DC Comics.

First Appearance:

Convergence: Superman #2

Creators:

Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Brad Anderson, Tom Napolitano

The Superman family has grown a lot, and a brilliant addition has been Jon Kent. The son of Lois and Clark, he eventually became a hero and teamed up with Damian Wayne to form the SuperSons. After going on an expedition with his returned grandfather, Jor-El, Jon got trapped on Earth-3 by Ultraman for years. He didn't escape until he was a teenager, yet he arrived back on Earth-0 not long after he'd initially left.

Jon Kent's unique half human/half Kryptonian heritage made him very powerful, and he took his father's place as Superman for a time. His power levels are lower than his father's, but he's still more powerful than most humans. Jon started to develop the old energy powers his father had for a time, which gave him a power boost and allowed him to defeat his old foe Ultraman easily.

6 Power Girl Brings Her Kryptonian Strength From Another Earth

Power Girl from DC Comics flying at the reader

First Appearance:

All-Star Comics Vol. #58

Creators:

Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, Wally Wood

Karen Starr is the alter ego of the Kara Zor-El from the pre-Crisis Earth-2. Kara Zor-L was like a daughter to that universe's Superman and Lois, working with the All-Star Squadron and the Justice Society. DC Comics changed the powerful Golden Age DC legacy hero many times, but Power Girl survived.

Kara Zor-El's power level is greater than most humans, but she's still weaker than Superman. However, since she has the potential to be more powerful than Superman, Power Girl almost certainly has the same, made greater by the fact that she's a pre-Crisis Kryptonian. On top of that, she's recently gained telepathic abilities from the Lazarus volcano, giving her an extra dimension to her powers.

5 General Zod Is One Of The Only Physical Threats To Superman

First Appearance:

Adventure Comics #283

Creators:

Robert Bernstein, George Papp

General Zod is one of the deadliest Kryptonian foe to face the Man of Steel, arguably even Superman's strongest nemesis. Like his lover Ursa, General Zod was a prisoner of the Phantom Zone. His crime was attempting to usurp control of Krypton. He knew and despised Jor-El, and his hatred of Kal-El’s father carried over to Superman.

Zod's power level has equalized to about Superman's, possibly slightly weaker. However, Zod was known as Krypton's greatest soldier. His fighting skill and experience in battle have allowed him to prove a threat to the Man of Steel several times over the years. However, while his strength might be close to Superman's, Superman has defeated him far too many times to place him any higher.

4 Supergirl Has The Potential To Surpass Superman

Supergirl flies away from her enemies in DC Comics

First Appearance:

Action Comics Vol. 1 #252

Creators:

Robert Bernstein, Al Plastino

Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, cousin to Superman. In most versions, Kara rocketed towards Earth to escape her home world’s destruction. Her ship arrived on Earth long after Clark had arrived; being a teenager, Kara’s adaptation was more difficult. Supergirl has had several alter-egos. Perhaps her most popular is Linda or Kara Danvers, taking the family name of her adoptive family.

Kara’s powers have fluctuated wildly since her incarnation. Some depictions claim she is even more powerful than her cousin. When she first reappeared in post-Crisis DC, Batman warned Clark that Kara might be unstable — and potentially dangerous. Despite her raw power, Kara Zor-El doesn’t have Superman’s experience in combat.

3 Doomsday Comes Back Stronger From Anything That Kills Him

Doomsday attacks with balled fists in DC Comics

First Appearance:

Superman: The Man of Steel #17

Creators:

Louise Simonson, Jon Bogdanove, Dennis Janke, Glenn Whitmore, Bill Oakley

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The deadliest Kryptonian is Doomsday (aka, The Ultimate), a monster genetically engineered from the remains of an ancient being. He is the monster responsible for the death of Superman, stirring fear in the hearts of heroes everywhere. Doomsday has a fearsome reputation and the power to match.

Doomsday doesn't have heat vision, freeze breath, or flight, but his strength and durability are off the scale. It's never really been established if he's stronger than Superman, but he's at least the Man of Steel's equal in strength. Doomsday's animal ferocity and titanic strength make him extremely dangerous in battle.

2 Superman Has Become Stronger Than Ever Thanks To His Time On Warworld

Superman Mighty pose on Action Comics #1054

First Appearance:

Action Comics Vol. 1 #1

Creators:

Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Superman’s true strength comes from the duality of his heritage. On the one hand, Kal-El is a Kryptonian under a yellow sun, giving Superman nearly unlimited powers and abilities. On the other hand, Clark has the advantage of being raised by parents who instilled him with courage, decency, honesty, and resolve.

Superman's powers of super strength, invulnerability, flight, heat vision, freeze breath, various super senses, and more have changed a lot. He's weaker than he was in the Silver Age, but he's still among the most powerful heroes on Earth. Superman almost lost his powers, but regained them when he was exposed to the Fire of Olgrun. Superman's actually more powerful than he used to be and has begun manifesting entirely new powers as well.

1 Superboy-Prime Has Access To Pre-Crisis Powers That Make Him Nearly Unstoppable

Superboy-Prime flying in Dark Nights: Death Metal The Secret Origin in DC Comics

First Appearance:

DC Comics Presents Vol. 1 #87

Creators:

Elliot S. Maggin, Curt Swan, Al Williamson, Gene D'Angelo, Ed King

Superboy-Prime, otherwise known as Superman-Prime, is an alternate reality Clark Kent. He comes from a world without real-life superheroes. Superboy-Prime survived the obliteration of his reality, helping destroy the Anti-Monitor. Driven wild by his isolation, he helped Alexander Luthor nearly rewrite reality.

Since then, Superboy-Prime has exercised his grudge against Superman and the heroes of Earth before dying in battle with the Doctor Manhattan powered Batman Who Laughs. Superboy-Prime is a pre-Crisis Kryptonian, which puts his power level in rarefied air. He can move planets with ease and cover light-years of distance in seconds. Superboy-Prime had to create special armor to keep his powers while trapped in the Speed Force and proved a powerful foe who could only be defeated by cunning. While other Kryptonians can boast about their strength, none can match what Superboy Prime can do.