David Corenswet’s Superman in the upcoming James Gunn-led DC Universe film presents a powerful new take on the Man of Steel, yet several Arrowverse heroes might hold an unexpected edge against him in combat. While Superman is traditionally seen as nearly invincible due to his incredible abilities granted by Earth’s yellow sun, these seven characters from the Arrowverse offer unique skills and experience that could potentially overwhelm Corenswet’s Superman in a fight.
Superman’s Strengths and Vulnerabilities in the New DC Universe
In conventional DC portrayals, Superman remains the dominant metahuman, wielding super strength, flight, heat vision, and other extraordinary powers. However, James Gunn’s DC Universe devotes attention to showing a more vulnerable side of Superman, highlighting his struggles, including an opening scene where he is defeated by the Hammer of Boravia, a clone engineered by Lex Luthor. This choice signals a readiness to explore conflicts where Superman is challenged rather than invincible, opening the door for capable heroes within other franchises to stand against him.
The Arrowverse, a long-running DC television universe on The CW, presents metahumans and heroes seasoned by countless battles across multiple crossover events and years of fighting villains. These characters bring knowledge and combat experience that Corenswet’s Superman has yet to face, positioning them as plausible contenders in any confrontation.
1) Green Arrow: The Skilled Strategist and Tactical Fighter
Oliver Queen, known as Green Arrow in the Arrowverse, fulfills a role similar to Batman’s as a grounded, street-level vigilante. Operating mainly in Star City, Oliver uses a combination of archery, martial arts, and tactical intelligence to take down criminals. Importantly, he possesses contingency measures against powerful foes, such as his Kryptonite arrow, which he has employed even against Earth-X’s Supergirl. While he couldn’t match Superman’s raw power in a direct fight, Oliver’s preparedness and strategic mindset could give him the advantage necessary to deliver a winning move against Corenswet’s Superman.
2) Reverse-Flash: A Speedster with Past Kryptonian Fights
Eobard Thawne, or the Reverse-Flash, is infamous for his incredible speed and villainous cunning throughout the Arrowverse. He actively confronts Kryptonians during the “Crisis on Earth-X” event, teaming with Nazis against heroes including Supergirl. Notably, Reverse-Flash has claimed to have battled Superman in the future and outpaced the Kryptonian, emphasizing a competitive edge in speed. Given that the DC Universe’s Superman has yet to experience encounters with speedsters, Reverse-Flash’s lightning-fast abilities could represent a formidable and unexpected challenge.
3) Supergirl: The Experienced Kryptonian Cousin
Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman, already appears within the DC Universe, yet the Arrowverse’s Supergirl boasts a longer track record of battles against diverse threats. Over six seasons, she has confronted countless adversaries and gained substantial combat experience. While it is probable that her power level is comparable to Corenswet’s Superman, the CW’s Supergirl’s seasoned victories and resilience in battle provide a clear upper hand in a direct fight, making her a strong rival to Corenswet’s portrayal.
4) The Anti-Monitor: A Cataclysmic Threat Beyond Superman’s Match
Superman’s limitations become evident when faced with threats like the Anti-Monitor, an entity of immense strength introduced during the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” This villain has the terrifying ability to destroy entire universes with ease. Multiple versions of Superman, including the Arrowverse heroes, fail to halt the Anti-Monitor’s rampage. This cosmic-level adversary would overwhelm Corenswet’s Superman in seconds, confirming there are dangers far beyond the Man of Steel’s power to combat.
5) Martian Manhunter: The Stealthy and Formidable Ally
Although not yet introduced in Gunn’s DC Universe, the Martian Manhunter is a key figure in the Arrowverse. J’onn J’onzz blends telepathy, shapeshifting, flight, and super strength, augmented by his Martian physiology. In the Arrowverse, Martian Manhunter’s unpredictable nature and his willingness to keep Kryptonite close to weaken Superman add complexity to their relationship and tilt the scale when matched against the Kryptonian. Should he appear, Martian Manhunter could pose a serious threat to Corenswet’s Superman, especially given their tense history in the TV continuity.
6) The Spectre: A Divine Force Beyond Mortal Limits
Green Arrow ultimately assumes the role of The Spectre, an immensely powerful supernatural entity representing divine justice. Despite how daunting this transformation is to even the Anti-Monitor, the Spectre triumphs and plays a pivotal role in reshaping the multiverse. This being’s power surpasses anything the Man of Steel has demonstrated, capable of creating entire universes. Although this incarnation of Oliver Queen is a unique case, The Spectre’s immense abilities clearly outclass those of Corenswet’s Superman.
7) The Arrowverse Superman: The Veteran Kryptonian Champion
Finally, the Arrowverse itself houses its own Superman, an enduring hero with years of experience protecting Earth-38. This version has encountered and defeated a diverse roster of villains across many story arcs, honing his skills and awareness. Compared to David Corenswet’s relatively new Superman, the Arrowverse’s Kal-El likely possesses superior combat knowledge and battle savvy to overpower the newer iteration, making him the toughest opponent from the list.
Why These Arrowverse Heroes Could Outmatch Corenswet’s Superman
David Corenswet’s Superman, while formidable, is a fresh face in the cinematic DC Universe, still learning and growing into his role. In contrast, the Arrowverse heroes benefit from years of development across multiple seasons and crossover events, accumulating both experience and tactical knowledge. They have faced Kryptonians, cosmic threats, and supervillains with varied powers, equipping them with different approaches to combat an opponent like Superman.
Additionally, some of these heroes possess advantages that go beyond brute strength, such as speedsters like Reverse-Flash or cosmic entities like the Anti-Monitor and The Spectre, whose power levels dwarf typical superhuman limits. Others, like Green Arrow, employ careful planning and specialized tools like Kryptonite weaponry, showing that strategy can outmatch sheer power.
Looking Ahead to Future Battles and Crossovers
With the DC Universe under James Gunn’s direction promising to explore new narrative possibilities, the prospect of pitting Corenswet’s Superman against these seasoned Arrowverse heroes is compelling and could redefine the Man of Steel’s role in future conflicts. Fans eager to see if these individuals can indeed overcome the latest Superman will be watching closely as the story unfolds, potentially leading to exciting crossovers or challenges that test Superman’s limits.
As Superman continues his journey in theaters now, conversations around how the Arrowverse’s finest might fare against this version remain intense and highly anticipated among DC fans worldwide.
