11 More Insane Alternative Versions Of Superman You Won't Believe

DC’s Flashpoint series was the most radical shift for DC comics in years. The series followed The Flash navigating a new universe meeting various classic characters with altered histories, including Superman who in this universe was a lab rat of the US government.

In Flashpoint, Kal-El's ship crash landed in Metropolis, killing over 35 thousand and ensuring that the alien be taken into custody by the government in the process. Kal-El grew up having not been properly exposed to sunlight, resulting in this version taking on a skinny and distinctly malnourished disposition. His existence led to Project: Superman, a programme designed to create super-soldiers using genetics from Kal-El as well as other aliens they had previously detained.

During his time in the government facility he met scientist Sam Lane and his daughter Lois who, as you would've guessed, he instantly fell for. Things didn't work out for science Supes however, and the character was eventually placed into a whole other level of imprisonment for a violent outburst.

Years later, The Flash and Cyborg broke into the facility to rescue the Man of Steel. However, they only found the skinny and frightened Kal-El who struggled to speak. Upon rescuing him and escaping outside into sunlight his powers rapidly manifested, causing him to fire his heat vision uncontrollably and then to fly away, nowhere to be seen.