Superman's physique/build?

[Kuwagaton]

That's quite an expression on Wonder Woman.

I love the much earlier Boring compared to what he drew in the Superman Silver Age. I love when Superman would leap around with action lines in dynamic poses, versus the static looking flight even in some of the more impressive art out there.




He was a tougher looking guy back then imo. Very well muscled for a drawing from an era when physical aesthetics weren't close to what they are now.

[Stanlos]

You know, he doesn't have to look buff at all I guess. I confess I like the buff look because it is hot. But neither of the DCU's strongest really need muscular builds since their powers don't come from bench press. Fit is good enough I guess even though I never tire of buff Cavill

[Jon-El]

I'm not ready for an unmuscular super hero so he definitely has to look fit. I'm not into the bodybuilder look with no neck. For me, it's got to be something along the lines of the Swan, Garcia Lopez, or Neal Adams versions. Muscular but not huge. Tall but not too thick. Same with Batman. He jumps off buildings so to me he should look acrobatic. Muscular but lean.

[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.

[daBronzeBomma]

I want to look at Superman standing still and not wonder why he is called Superman.

I shouldn't be surprised that he can do amazing things. He is not Surprise Man.

Many of his own enemies, like Brainiac or Darkseid, can tower over him and dwarf him in stature, giving him that coveted "David" status to their goliaths.

But normal humans? Superman should look like a Super Man to them.

In terms of actors:

Give me

1. Joe Manganiello's frame (6'5", 235 lbs)
2. Henry Cavill's face and physique
3. Christopher Reeve's Reassuring Smile

Supes is a big guy, but Clark looks only average in stature, bring on the super-slouching and looser clothing.

[daBronzeBomma]

In terms of Super artists' Superman physique: Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. All day, everyday:

[DochaDocha]

I didn't read every post here in detail, but just a few comments.

6'3" 225 lbs (for our metric friends, that's 1.9 meters and 100 KG) used to be the standard, and I agree with it. He should be physically bigger than Batman, who himself is a pretty buff fellow at 6'2" and 210 lbs. (metric: 1.88 meters and 95 KG). So, that makes Superman something like a lean NFL linebacker, and Batman something like a QB. So go ahead and Google some pics of NFL linebackers and quarterbacks. I'd also point out that while some of the older pics posted in this thread don't go out of their way to show every last cut of definition, those are still some sturdy-looking pics nonetheless and pretty much in line with the traditional Superman stats.

I know a lot of people don't like the bodybuilder look, but at least for live-action, you can't have Superman looking like an unconditioned athlete while everyone else looks like they injected themselves with-- I mean, spent a lot of time in the gym, particularly the Marvel heroes.

Also, I generally like what WB did with Henry. They made sure that he's muscled out, but since lycra spandex always slims down, they padded the suit. It's basically the equivalent to drawing Clark Kent to have one body habitus while Superman has a seemingly different one. It's not exactly ideal, but it captures the spirit of the comics.

[Soubhagya]

Of course live action is something else. You need a great body to get the oohs and aahs. One has to be in the show business. (Was that a pun?).

But personally i always imagine him as medium built. You don't need big muscles when you are talking of Superman. He transcends the need of great muscles. Frank Quitely is ideal. The other being Shuster.

[DochaDocha]

I don't consider Quitely's drawings as medium build, though I guess for comic standards, it's pretty run-of-the-mill, hah. Quitely's Superman has the frame of a heavyweight boxer, a class which is anything above 200 lbs (91 KG).

[Soubhagya]

Is it so? Please reconsider. Here are they again.







What would be the physique for the above two? I am kind of poor in estimating that. I guess medium will not work for them. What term shall i use? If both are too different do specify. Sometime back i posted that both look similar. I may end up being wrong. Nothing wrong with that. Better be corrected then having misconceptions.

[Kuwagaton]

I want to look at Superman standing still and not wonder why he is called Superman.

I shouldn't be surprised that he can do amazing things. He is not Surprise Man.

I know a lot of people don't like the bodybuilder look, but at least for live-action, you can't have Superman looking like an unconditioned athlete while everyone else looks like they injected themselves with-- I mean, spent a lot of time in the gym, particularly the Marvel heroes.

Also, I generally like what WB did with Henry. They made sure that he's muscled out, but since lycra spandex always slims down, they padded the suit. It's basically the equivalent to drawing Clark Kent to have one body habitus while Superman has a seemingly different one. It's not exactly ideal, but it captures the spirit of the comics.

These are where I sit. I've always been fond of method acting performances like Day Lewis and de niro put on. If we're not gonna get to see the character come alive to that level physically and emotionally , the least they can do is hit the gym.

But a padded suit is necessary if they want to have the actor in costume resemble the comic, because of course no one could look like that in a plain fabric.

[Ascended]

What would be the physique for the above two? I am kind of poor in estimating that. I guess medium will not work for them. What term shall i use? If both are too different do specify. Sometime back i posted that both look similar. I may end up being wrong. Nothing wrong with that. Better be corrected then having misconceptions.

Well, by comic book standards both images are fairly middle build. They're not super skinny like, say, Jimmy Olsen or lean like a Miles Morales, but they're not overly muscled body builders like Hulk, Cable, or basically any male character from the 90's.

By the standards of reality, both images are heavy weight boxing material. Look at Clark's arms in those images; they're as thick as his head! Are *your* arms as thick as your head? I know mine aren't, and I'm in pretty fit shape. Even at my prime, when I was bench pressing reps of 350 pounds, my arms weren't that big. These images look like Clark could be a linebacker for the NLF, and those are not small boys.