Superman is one of the greatest heroes on the planet. There are few heroes more respected than him in the DC Universe and in his superhero and civilian life he does everything he can to protect the people of the universe. From fighting the most dangerous villains in the Multiverse to stopping crime to merely being there for everyone he comes across, Superman is the ideal hero.

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Superman works hard every day to make a difference in the world and it's undeniable that he's made it a better place in a way that most superheroes can only dream of. His dedication to the world and its people is absolute.

10 His Job As A Reporter Has Helped People In A Myriad Of Ways

Clark Kent alongside other staff members of the Daily Planet in DC Comics.

Being a superhero is all well and good but it's not the only way that Superman has made the world a better place. As Clark Kent, he works as a reporter for the largest newspaper in Metropolis, The Daily Planet, and his work there has done a lot of good for the people of not just Metropolis but the world.

From exposing corrupt politicians to shining a light on the plight of the poor to letting the world know who the real Lex Luthor was, Superman did a lot of good for the world as a reporter. Sure, it isn't as showy as his superheroics but it's been important work nonetheless.

9 His Reporting Made Lois Lane Work That Much Harder

Lois Lane Earthstone

Clark Kent is good at his job but Lois Lane is that much better. She's the star reporter of The Daily Planet and while she was good before he joined the paper, she got that much better after he started working there. Lois is a person that thrives on competition, so having Clark there made her that much better.

Lois always wants to be the best, so having Clark around made her work that much harder. This led her to do more investigative reporting, working harder to be the best, using her skill as a reporter and writer to find the truth and expose it to the public.

8 Finding Supergirl Brought Another Great Hero Into The Mix

Superman meets Supergirl in DC Comics' Action Comics 252

There's a chance that even if Clark never became Superman, Supergirl might have still become a superhero. However, the fact that he found her and gave her an example to follow made it that much easier for her to take up a costume and become Supergirl. Supergirl has made a world of difference over the years, even saving her cousin at times.

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Supergirl has more proven her place in the DC Universe and her cousin is the shining example she follows. There's a lot of problems in the world but with Supergirl around, there's another Kryptonian out there to make things right.

7 He Defends Metropolis From Evil

Superman Y2k Metropolis 2

Metropolis is easily the greatest city in the DC Universe. It's the shining city on the hill, the City of Tomorrow. It's clean, technologically advanced, and a bastion of culture. It's home to millions of people, all striving for a better life. It's home to Superman and while he defends the world, he takes a special interest in Metropolis.

Metropolis is full of great scientists and artists and by saving the city, Superman enables them to work and create, making things that make the world a better place.

6 He's Protected The Earth From More Threats Than Anyone

Superman flying through rain

Beyond Metropolis, Superman saves the entire world on a regular basis. It's kind of a no-brainer why this makes the world a better place- if it didn't exist, there's no way it could be better. No matter what the situation, Superman fights to save the Earth.

Superman's protection of the Earth and its people- whether it be from villains, aliens, cosmic phenomena, or natural disasters- have allowed the people of the world to wake up the next day and work to make the world a better place.

5 His Leadership Of The Justice League Has Allowed The Team To Triumph Multiple Times

An image of Superman with the entire Justice League gathered behind him in DC Comics

Superman is pretty synonymous with the Justice League. For most of the team's existence, Superman has been at the forefront of the League, proving just how clutch he can be. It's almost definite that without Superman, there are plenty of threats the team would not have been able to defeat.

The spiritual core of the team, Superman's time with the League has enabled them to reach heights they wouldn't have otherwise. His power and leadership has made the difference in nearly every situation he's been in and because of him, the team has been able to save the Multiverse time and again.

4 In The Real World, Superman's Example Has Inspired Millions

03. SUPES - GOODWILL AMBASSADOR - Peace on Earth Alex Ross Superman Flies with Planet of Faces Below

Sometimes, the relationship people have with fiction is one of the most important of their lives. Fiction is the place where humanity puts its hopes and dreams. It inspires those it touches and the example of its characters can spur people on to greater heights.

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Superman is one such character. He's a modern-day myth and that's important. Millions have decided to be a little better in their daily lives because of Superman. He's an inspiration- the ultimate distillation of everything pure and good about the human spirit, a god who chooses to be human. His stories have had a profound effect on the people they've touched.

3 He's Kept The World Safe From Lex Luthor's Worst Excesses

panel from Superman in Excelsis

Lex Luthor was once the greatest man in Metropolis. Everyone looked up to him and he was the hero of the city. However, behind closed doors, he was only out for himself, working to give himself greater power and wealth. Superman showing up put all of that out in the open and revealed Luthor for who he rally was- a vain, arrogant man who was a danger to everyone.

Superman protected the world from Luthor's worst excesses, exposing him for who he was, and making sure that his threat was nullified. Luthor was always a bad person and Superman made sure his evil couldn't hurt the world.

2 He Serves As Inspiration For The Heroes Of The DC Universe

Superman Batman Wonder Woman Justice League

Superman is the undisputed leader of the DC Universe's superheroes. In the most terrible situations, the heroes look to Superman for guidance and his example serves to spur them on. His heroism has given every hero he knows inspiration. He's a symbol for all of them, the one hero who everyone else looks up to.

Superman's example has made the heroes of the DC Universe better heroes. Everyone wants to live up to him and when they need him, he's always there. Superman is the one hero who exemplifies everything they want to be.

1 He Helped Hurt The Ku Klux Klan In The Real World

Superman Smashes the Klan Cropped

Superman's radio serial, The Adventures Of Superman, was one of the most popular radio shows of its day and it made history in a very wonderful way- it spoke out against the Ku Klux Klan. The writers of the show used it to take a stand against the racist organization and it actually worked.

Children listened to the show and it changed their view of the organization. People all over the country were exposed to the dangers of the Klan by one of the most trusted voices of the time- Superman. This radio serial did wonders, hurting the Klan's recruitment and showing people just how terrible the organization was and all because of a Superman radio show, which was recently adapted into comic form.

NEXT: 10 Times Superman's Powers Changed Throughout DC History