5 Times Arrowverse Threw Shade At Superman

Tyler Hoechlin's Superman is a fascinating case of a studio that made a 'product' far more popular than they wanted it to be. The Man of Steel was never intended to be seen on TV's Supergirl, but rather a hidden presence they could occasionally name-drop. However, a much-needed publicity boost for the Supergirl's relaunch on The CW was a job for Superman. Hoechlin's Superman was an instant hit, and fans wanted a new series for him. What they didn't want was the character being shoved back into Pandora's Box.

The network shied away from the character, but Arrowverse fans didn't forget. Once 'out of sight, out of mind' failed, the writers instead tried staging stories with the intent of convincing viewers that we shouldn't actually want to see him. So they used a weapon against Superman even more dangerous than Kryptonite: the script.

As part of this Anti-Superman campaign, they've written stories that make him look ineffective, they had other characters throw shade at him, and worst of all they made him insult himself. Not even Lex Luthor himself could manage that.

The writers seem overly concerned about fans asking why doesn't Supergirl call Superman when faced with overwhelming odds. It is technically a fair question, but doesn't that also hold true of all the Arrowverse characters? Why didn't Barry Allen call in Supergirl to beat Savitar? Why didn't The Legends call in The Flash to help fight Reverse-Flash? Or any speedster for that matter?

Super-powered help would certainly have helped Arrow on more than one life-risking battle. Audiences understand though that the drama of any series is lost if the hero doesn't overcome great adversity. Viewers don't really expect weekly crossovers.

The writers know this and don't bother to justify these absences usually; it's just something that is understood. So why did Supergirl's writers try to explain that Superman doesn't help more because he isn't equipped to? In the second season finale, Superman blundered straight into a trap at left him thinking Supergirl was General Zod. Thus he engaged in full force against what he mistook for a lethal threat, and she knocked him out.

Cold.

Later, he lets Kara accept the mortal combat against the Daxamite Queen because he says she is better than him. She very well could be, but this was the beginning of Clark starting to let himself off the hook when danger arises.