Superman has defined and continues to define what it is to be a superhero. On his own, he's fought villains, aliens, and every kind of threat imaginable. Being one of the most prominent heroes ever, he naturally takes center stage when he works with the Justice League of America.
The JLA itself has gone through many incarnations, some of which are made up of the biggest names out there, and others that keep a smaller roster of lesser-known heroes. When the League fights its toughest battles, they need their biggest gun, and that's Superman. When the situation requires Superman to go all out to save the day as only he can, he leaves the rest of the League behind.
10 The Justice League Needed Superman To Travel Through Time
Even during the early days of the Justice League, the team needed Superman's power. After confronting the Time Lord in Justice League of America #10, the League had to abandon their fight to stop Felix Faust. When they returned to the Time Lord, he'd used his time travel powers to flee into the future.
Because Superman caught a glimpse of the Time Lord's device, he was able to construct a time bubble. With the Justice League inside the bubble, Superman used his speed to bring them all into the future.
9 Superman Elevated The New 52 Justice League
The New 52 created a new continuity for the Justice League, and it began with an invasion of Earth by Darkseid. While Batman and Green Lantern were investigating parademons, they found Superman's strength more than they could handle. However, they soon realized they were on the same side and other heroes joined them.
Although Darkseid's arrival knocked the heroes out, Superman recovered quickly. And despite The League rallying together to fight Darkseid, it was Superman who turned the tide in their favor, which ultimately led to the formation of the team.
8 Superman Held Himself Back Until Needed
Superman knows his power level is above those of his teammates in the Justice League. While magic, kryptonite, and advanced technology have been able to incapacitate him, Superman can usually solve any problem quickly and with less damage than anyone else.
Superman has admitted to not interfering unless he has to. In Justice League of America #70, aliens were able to take the powers of some Justice Leaguers and defeat them. When they tried this on Superman, his powers overloaded their devices because he has so many of them.
7 Superman Held His Own Against Doomsday Better Than The Entire Justice League
The biggest fight of the Death of Superman is Superman's fight against Doomsday, but the first round involved the Justice League. While Superman was being interviewed by Cat Grant, the League followed Doomsday's trail of destruction.
The League underestimated Doomsday, which gave him the upper hand as he quickly fought through them. However, Superman learned what was happening and arrived just in time to save Booster Gold. Despite Superman adding his powers to the Justice League's, their combined powers were unable to hurt Doomsday. He knocked out the entire team with the exception of Superman.
6 Superman Was Chairman To The League At Its Strongest
After a few incarnations of the Justice League with less powerful members, the biggest heroes came together to form a new team. Calling themselves the JLA and building a base on the moon, Superman became the official chairman of a team, which included the Big Seven and expanded with new members.
Shortly after the JLA formed, Superman's powers became electromagnetic. Superman questioned his place as a leader and wondered if he could live up to his own legend, but the other heroes continued to look up to him for guidance.
5 Superman Returned The Power To The Justice League International
Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new Justice League formed. Businessman Maxwell Lord backed the team financially, and they became known as the Justice League International, operating in embassies around the world until they lost UN backing.
Known for their comedic exploits, the JLI were one of the least efficient incarnations of the League. When Max Lord continued to call the shots, Superman had to step in to remind them what they could be. By returning to work alongside the League, he elevated them to a higher status.
4 The Justice League Needed Superman To Save Reality
Superman is no stranger to dealing with threats from the fifth dimension in the form of Mr. Mxyzptlk, but when reality was threatened, the League learned about the sixth dimension and the World Forger, who wanted to make a perfect multiverse.
Superman was imprisoned in the sixth dimension while the World Forger tried to get Batman on his side. As the Justice League teamed up with the Legion of Doom, Batman sent many suns to power Superman, who escaped the realm of imagination itself and stopped the World Forger just in time.
3 Superman Disarmed A God-Killing Machine
Mageddon, a weapon from the age of the Old Gods, made its way to Earth. With the ability to induce madness in others, Mageddon was one of the biggest threats the JLA faced. Superman attacked Mageddon head-on and was trapped inside it.
While the world was losing hope, Martian Manhunter and Batman made telepathic contact with Superman. With their words of encouragement, Superman broke free of Mageddon's bonds. Then, using his ability to drain solar power, Superman absorbed the anti-sunlight of Mageddon, flew into its center, and ripped out its warhead.
2 Superman Beat The Crime Syndicate By Himself
The Justice League of America are the greatest heroes on their Earth, and the Crime Syndicate are the greatest villains on their Earth. With the Crime Syndicate having evil versions of the Justice League among their ranks, they're a match for the Justice League.
When the Crime Syndicate captured civilians from the Justice League's Earth, Superman's anger prompted him to fight Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman himself while the League fought the others. Due to his greater experience, Superman beat the evil versions of himself, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
1 Superman Restored The Earth During Final Crisis
Final Crisis saw Darkseid acquiring the Anti-Life Equation, leading the Justice League (and pretty much every other hero around) to gather and fight his forces. The smartest people the heroes could gather shrunk the Earth and put all its people in stasis. They then created a Miracle Machine to fight Darkseid.
Superman countered Darkseid's vibrational frequency with a musical note and defeated him. He then took power from Mobius Chair belonging to Metron of the New Gods to run the Miracle Machine. Through the power of his will, Superman restored the Earth.