Superman's physique/build?

[Netherman14]

How well-built should Superman be in terms of physique?

I used to think he should be really really buff in terms of being muscular, but my opinion has been changing into my preferring a leaner Superman.

Superman by IMMages.jpg 6256105318ec36353401388f569d5997.jpg

[GreatKungLao]

I think the best physique for me was given to him in DCEU, where he can go from being this



To being like this



Just by changing clothes and posture. Obviously he has to look perfectly buffed, but not overdone in that sense. Should he be the "biggest" super hero? Not at all. His strength lies not in size of his muscles, but in a size of his heart.

[Netherman14]

I think the best physique for me was given to him in DCEU, where he can go from being this



To being like this



Just by changing clothes and posture. Obviously he has to look perfectly buffed, but not overdone in that sense. Should he be the "biggest" super hero? Not at all. His strength lies not in size of his muscles, but in a size of his heart.

I kind of initially wanted to bring up his super-strength in regard to his muscles, but I was afraid it would already derail the thread from the start.

[FishyZombie]

build wise, Cavil is pretty close to ideal. Height wise though, according to the internet Henry Cavill is 6'1, so I'm actually a bit taller than him (6'3). Me being technically taller than Superman feels weird, ideally he should be like 6'4 like Reeve.

[Netherman14]

Was this subject brought up already? may someone inform me please?

[Jon Clark]

Yes those pics of Cavil show the type of build Superman should have. In costume he needs to have an athletic but not overly muscled build, so that as Clark he can pass for an average guy. If he looks like the Hulk then it undercuts his ability to blen into the background with a mild demeanor and a pair of glasses. On the other hand making him look like a classic 98-lb weakling while plausible based on his powers undercuts the visuals of Superman in action.

[Ascended]

When I think of Superman's build, one word comes to mind; bulk.

Superman should be a big, thick guy. He doesn't have to have extreme muscle definition like a body builder; with veins popping out all over his arms and each individual muscle etched out in clear detail, but he should have some serious mass. Back in the day when Ed McGuiness was drawing the character, he said that Superman should look like he can move mountains even when standing still. That always stuck with me.

In MoS, when Cav-El comes out of the water shirtless (after saving people on the oil rig) that's about the kind of build I want to see for Superman.

As for Clark Kent....with a bulk-over-definition build, if he slumps and sticks his stomach out and throws on some thick, loose clothes, he'll look like a big-boned guy who spent his childhood working a farm but who, in adulthood, has let himself go a little. He'll look soft, and I dont think anyone connects the word "soft" to Superman.

[Dolores - The Worst Poster Ever]

Something that defies and subverts expectations.

Whether that's slim or fat, I'm not sure yet.

I'm over him having a bodybuilder type physique.

[Jon Clark]

When I think of Superman's build, one word comes to mind; bulk.

Superman should be a big, thick guy. He doesn't have to have extreme muscle definition like a body builder; with veins popping out all over his arms and each individual muscle etched out in clear detail, but he should have some serious mass. Back in the day when Ed McGuiness was drawing the character, he said that Superman should look like he can move mountains even when standing still. That always stuck with me.

McGuiness is one of the first things to come to mind for me as what Superman's build should not be. I prefer Superman looking more like David than Goliath. Just going on looks you'd expect most bruisers to wipe the floor with Superman ... then the next scene is the same bruiser struggling in vain to move Superman's pinky.

[Powerboy]

I'd prefer something along the lines of George Reeves, fit but not a bodybuilder. But, alas, when almost every female character could be a porn star and every male character could be a world champion bodybuilder, even if he's Reed Richards and works in a lab most of the time, a Superman who is less than Arnold in his prime would be thought of as wimpy looking compared to other heroes.

I'm also curious about this strange phenomenon where all the Superman actors (Chris Reeve, Routh and Cavill) actually work out and are muscular but the Batman actors (Keaton, Clooney, Kilmer, Bale, Affleck) wear muscle suits.

[Osiris-Rex]

I'd prefer something along the lines of George Reeves, fit but not a bodybuilder. But, alas, when almost every female character could be a porn star and every male character could be a world champion bodybuilder, even if he's Reed Richards and works in a lab most of the time, a Superman who is less than Arnold in his prime would be thought of as wimpy looking compared to other heroes.

I'm also curious about this strange phenomenon where all the Superman actors (Chris Reeve, Routh and Cavill) actually work out and are muscular but the Batman actors (Keaton, Clooney, Kilmer, Bale, Affleck) wear muscle suits.

Look how many people thought Tyler Hoechlin was too skinny to be Superman. Some even likened him to Superboy. Even though Tyler himself is quite fit.

960full-tyler-hoechlin.jpg

[Netherman14]

Look how many people thought Tyler Hoechlin was too skinny to be Superman. Some even likened him to Superboy. Even though Tyler himself is quite fit.

960full-tyler-hoechlin.jpg

Makes me remember just exactly why I hate that godawful costume, he looks way too thin wearing when wearing it. yes, I have a problem with the opposite extreme as well. unless it's justified like with the Flashpoint version of Kal.

[Soubhagya]

Look how many people thought Tyler Hoechlin was too skinny to be Superman. Some even likened him to Superboy. Even though Tyler himself is quite fit.

960full-tyler-hoechlin.jpg

He looks great. One can't tell that by his costume.

How can't i post one of Cavill?



He looks awesome. I prefer a hairy chest. Since we are talking of shirtless Supermen why can't i post my favorite?

[Kuwagaton]

No offense to him at all, I'm glad people love him, but Hoechlin to me is awkward looking in the context of Superman. That shirtless flexing picture didn't help me. From the smoothness of his skin and the flat, weak looking muscle bellies in his abs compared to his definition elsewhere, the picture is set up to make him seem way more ripped than he really is.

It feels like he's a "hard work Superman" where Reeve, Reeves, and Cavill are "natural" if that makes sense.

Meanwhile Benoist is pretty much perfect aside from being an attractive woman in her late 20s as opposed to the kid looking Kara from the comics. she looks like Matrix.