Miracle Monday.
In WHTTMOT, all of his major villains are dead, it's implied most of the others are out of commission too, and the world just got a massive influx of heroes due to Crisis, including the similarly powerful Captain Marvel (and Superwoman and Vartox are also present). He comes across as borderline ready to retire by the time the story opens. That's a valid question, but I don't think that's a great example.
Buh-bye
Figured it was one of those- thanks! In a way, I'm more okay with Bronze Age Superman deciding to give up his powers if he killed someone than I am with any other version of Superman just because no other version of Superman has been a super-hero since they were a kid. I think a decision like that is sort of childish in a "black and white morality" sort of way that I think works for Batman, but it only works for Superman if it's an ideal he's held since he was a child.
Captain Marvel is great, seriously awesome. I don't think Vartox and Superwoman are in the same league as Cap and Superman, but Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel would certainly help pick up Kal-El's retirement slack. That said, I really do think Superman is needed in most situations like that if only because he's got the most experience out of anyone. I agree that if there's any world that would be able to get by without Superman, it's that one, but what if Mxyzptlk decided to turn evil twenty or so years earlier? Superman kills him probably about the same way, and he voluntarily loses his powers and what? The first time Brainiac comes to Earth, we lose Metropolis. Billy Batson is in suspended animation in another universe, the super-heroes are not yet organized like they will be later on, in fact it's totally possible that cutting his career short keeps the Legion from coming into existence and starts the Kamandi timeline or something.In WHTTMOT, all of his major villains are dead, it's implied most of the others are out of commission too, and the world just got a massive influx of heroes due to Crisis, including the similarly powerful Captain Marvel (and Superwoman and Vartox are also present). He comes across as borderline ready to retire by the time the story opens. That's a valid question, but I don't think that's a great example.
You are correct that Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is not a great example just because he's close to the end of his career anyway, like how at the end of All-Star Superman, the world is prepared for the difficult, inevitable task of moving on. However, I think Superman giving up his powers in general is a bad idea, and something he should avoid. Especially when he's closer to the start of his career, when the world really does need him and he should be full of desire to make the world a better place.
Superman V.S. Muhammad Ali
Now I know Superman is losing, but even without his powers, Ali can't knock him down.
Then it turns out, Ali is such a great sportsman, he won't.
Indeed.