No other character in DC Comics and the entire DCEU is more famous and maybe more powerful than Superman. Since the world got to see Christopher Reeves play the character of Superman in the first movie adaptation of the comic in 1978, we’ve seen others try to embody it.
If you’re quite conversant with the Arrowverse series, Tyler Hoechlin would be the face of Superman. On the other hand, if movies are your thing, then Henry Cavill is the face of your Superman in the DCEU. But who plays the character better? Here are four quick points to describe each actor’s unique character portrayal.
Tyler Hoechlin
Let’s get started with Tyler Hoechlin.
The Formative Years of Superman
credit: Superman and Lois
Maybe it’s because Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman is featured in a series, but fans are able to follow the superhero character as he grows. If you’re looking to fill in the gaps in the growing years of Superman, Superman & Lois does justice to that. Other than a few references to his planet Krypton, there’s little about Henry Cavill’s younger Superman years.
Clark Kent’s Personality
credit: Superman and Lois
For fans, one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Superman is how he’s unrecognizable as Clark Kent when the most obvious disguise is a pair of glasses. Well, with longer viewing hours, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman gives fans and viewers an exposé into the life and persona of Clark Kent. Superman’s personality as Clark Kent is significantly different from Superman, and Tyler Hoechlin delivers a superb performance to make it believable.
Superman as a Family Man
credit: Superman and Lois
Yup, you read that right! If you’ve only been introduced to the superhero character through the movies, this is a shocker for you. But then, it makes sense. There has to be more to Superman/Clark Kent’s relationship with Lois Lane. In Superman and Lois, Superman has a family and two teenage boys. Now, that’s how you blend in as a superhero in normal society!
A Superhero in a Multiverse
credit: CW
Thanks to Marvel, the concept of a Multiverse makes the superhero storyline more believable. Since superheroes cannot live in isolation, there has to be interaction and connections with others like them. Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman offers this possibility more than we see with Henry Cavill’s Superman. With the DCEU’s reinvention, hopefully, things will begin to change.
Henry Cavill
Now, let’s take a look at Henry Cavill’s Superman portrayal.
Face-off with Iconic Villains
credit: Man of Steel
Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman may have battled several villains in the Arrowverse, but they pale in comparison to the grandeur of villains fought by Henry Cavill’s Superman. DC Comics fans will agree that Henry Cavill’s Superman has fought more realistic comic villains than Hoechlin’s. There aren’t villains in the Arrowverse that can be compared to a villain like Michael Shannon’s portrayal of General Zod.
The Justice League
credit: Justice League
What’s more glorious than having a group of superheroes team together to save the world? While Henry Cavill’s Superman may not yet interact with other superheroes in his solo films, the Justice League remains one of the greatest teams in the cinematic universe. This is because Henry Cavill’s Superman plays a crucial part in the team. You can try to find a similar team like the Justice League in the Arrowverse, but none even comes close.
Superhuman Rivalry
credit: Black Adam/Man of Steel
It’s fun to compare superheroes’ strengths with one another, but Superman has always ranked high on screen for quite a long time. With the DCEU Black Adam, fans and viewers can finally get a superhero that can probably match the strength and tenacity of Superman in Black Adam. It was also fun to watch Henry Cavill’s Superman go head-to-head with Flash for who’s the fastest.
Superhuman Power
credit: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Henry Cavill’s Superman packs more experience fighting off stronger villains than Hoechlin’s. We have also seen him fight a fellow Kryptonian General and win. While it makes for a fun argument, there’s no doubt Henry Cavill’s Superman is much more powerful than Tyler Hoechlin’s.
True, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman is yet to perish in the hands of Doomsday, but comically, it’s bound to happen. So, kudos to Henry Cavill’s Superman for his resurrection. Let’s not forget he came back more powerful in a beautiful black suit!
Who’s your favorite Superman actor? Who do you think portrays the comic Superman better?
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