Superman X
The Man from the Edge of Tomorrow !
Context
I rather liked the short-lived Legion of Super Heroes animated series this character came from and was very disappointed to see it cancelled.
This 2006 animation serial, launched on the CW TV network, lasted for but 2 seasons (26 episodes).
Superman X was stated, by the show’s writer, to be meant to fill the place of Mon El aka Lar Gand or Valor, a particular favorite of mine. The character was also stated to draw inspiration from the Eradicator, and Conner Kent.
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Background
- Real Name: None.
- Other Aliases: Kell-El.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Superman I (Kal-El, clone source).
- Group Affiliation: Legion of Superheroes.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile aboard Chameleon Boy’s starship.
- Height: 6’1” Weight: 200 lbs.
- Note: Height and Weight are assumptions built using the official height and weight for Kal-El, and doing side by side comparisons between Kal-El and Kell-El.
- Eyes: Green (w/black sclera) Hair: Black
Powers & Abilities
While Kell is a clone of Superman.
However, his DNA has been altered in some way that incorporates Kryptonite (don’t ask me). This has changed some of his powers while also making him immune to Kryptonite.
In addition to the standard Kryptonian powers of strength, flight, superspeed, durability and sensory abilities he also possesses the abilities of crystal production, and two separate ranged attack powers.
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He also has the power to form energy shields projected from the backs of his hands, these shields (which are in the shape of the S shield) can be used to block, and to enhance the effect of his attacks (in DC Heroes terms, Sharpness), they can also be used together to form a single larger shield. It is possible these shields are actually gadgets.
Kell was grown rapidly, in a matter of days in fact, and was basically programmed, and the majority of that programming was combat related. He therefore had a difficult time relating to people, and his level of concern for random bystanders wasn’t great.
However he grew to respect the Legion and gradually to see them as friends (more importantly, to know what that meant) by the end of the series.
History
In the early 41st Century, the Milky Way Galaxy had spent nearly 1000 years in a golden age of peace inspired by the 31st Century’s Legion of Super Heroes.
From a far region of space an enormously powerful cyborg named Imperiex, who commanded a vast legion of robots and ships, invaded the galaxy. His forces swept over everything in his path, sparing no one.
In a desperate attempt to stop Imperiex the leader of the resistance, an AI named K3NT, used a sample of the DNA of Superman (Kal-El) to create an altered clone, immune to Kryptonite, and dedicated to destroying Imperiex. Dubbed Superman X even this powerful clone was no match for Imperiex, barely escaping from his first battles.
In the ruins of a New Metropolis museum K3NT discovered a device called a “Warp Key” which opens doorways in time, and decided to send Superman X to the 31st century to ask the Legion for help.
When Superman X arrived in the past he appeared inside Legion HQ, and (rather rudely) requested the help of the first Legion members he encountered. Returning to the 41st century with a small contingent of Legionnaires they managed to defeat Imperiex when he attacked the resistance HQ on Earth.
While the Legion members were preparing to return to their own time Imperiex’s cyborg body activated a backup power supply. Acting quickly Imperiex seized the Warp Key from Superman X and fled into the past.
Wiping the future clean
After Imperiex escaped to the past waves of antimatter began to spread as he made changes in the past which would eliminate Superman X’s timeline. Working quickly the Legion members and Superman X managed to jury rig a means to travel into the past, though one of Triplicate Girl’s bodies was lost to the antimatter.
After they returned to the 31st century they began to fight against Imperiex’s attempt to conquer the 31st century.
Superman X, while resistant to working with a team initially, eventually became a part of the Legion family, in large part thanks to the presence of his genetic source Kal-El. When Brainiac 5 lost himself to his ancestor Brainiac 1’s malevolent code and destroyed Imperiex Superman X was left without a purpose and for a brief period he simply gave up.
When Brainiac seemingly killed Kal-El Superman X realized he could sense Kal’s mind. Alerting the Legion that Kal was still alive the team recovered his body and were able to use Kell’s blood to filter the kryptonite from Kal’s blood.
The two Supermen then merged their minds and entered into Brainiac 5’s mind to free him from Brainiac 1’s corruption.
After the threat was finally ended a portal from the future opened and Duo Damsel was reunited with her missing body, becoming Triplicate Girl once more. Before he returned to the future Kell-El (Superman X) formally took the Legion Oath as the now organic Brainiac 5 departed to find himself.
Description
Superman X is a tall young man physically in his 20s. He has a very muscular build, though not overly so, dark haired with a wild lock of hair that hangs down in front of his eyes. His eyes are very noticeable, having green irises and black sclera (“whites”).
His costume is a recognizable version of the Superman costume, sans cape, and with a few “futuristic” differences. He has never been seen wearing civilian clothing.
Personality
Originally programmed as a weapon Superman X was rude, insulting, uncaring, and single minded in the pursuit of his goal to destroy Imperiex.
His experiences with the Legion and his ancestor Kal-El have changed him for the better. While still brusque and impatient with people he has become a staunch hero, even willing to temporarily ally with Imperiex to save a child from an assassin sent by his own creators.
Quotes
“Words can’t convey the horror I come from, this is something you will need to see for yourself, but know 44 trillion lives hang in the balance !”
“I’m Superman.”
“Welcome to my world. New Metropolis in the 41st century.”
[To Kal-El] “By the way, thanks for the DNA.”
[Suddenly bursting through a ceiling as the LSV is about to execute the LSH] “Oh, I’m sorry, did I break your concentration ?”
“Long Live The Legion !”
Kal-El: “You came back.”
Kell-El: “Fighting Imperiex with numerically superior odds made a certain amount of sense, but this doesn’t mean I’m part of the team.”
Kal-El: “Ok, but then I can’t teach you the secret handshake.”
“I’m not good with kids, I… stepped on one once.”
Universe AZ Adaptation
(This material only applies to the version of the character that exists in our contributor’s AzraelFL’s campaign).
In Universe AZ Superman X’s origins remain largely unchanged. However, his genetic base is not Kal El, but probably one of Kal’s 31st century descendants such as Superman (Richard Kent-Shakespeare).
That aside the Legion he interacts with is a second generation Legion whose core is heirs of the first Legion. The elder Legion, now going by the name Guardians of the Galaxy, were in another part of time when Superman X arrived. The young Legion’s Brainiac, known as “5.1” is a technorganic clone of Querl Dox. Furthermore, they brought in Superman (Connor Kent) from 2015 rather than Kal.
Sometime after returning to the 41st century Kell travelled to a distant planet that lost contact with Earth in the 24th century. On this world he met Superboy (Quetzal), who he encouraged to join a new Galactic Legion of young heroes.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Superman X (Kel Ell)
| Dex: 08 | Str: 24 | Bod: 16 | Motivation: Destroy Imperiex, later moves towards Seeking Justice |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 08 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Stop Imperiex, later, professional hero |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 07 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 000 |
| Init: 035 | HP: 100 |
Powers:
Crystal Production: 20, Digging: 10, Directional Hearing: 09, Energy Blast: 10, Extended Hearing: 09, Flight: 30, Force Shield: 20, Invulnerability: 20, Laser Beam: 12, Life Sense: 05, Microscopic Vision: 12, Recall: 18, Sealed Systems: 18, Sharpness (Digging, Physical EV): 05, Super Breath: 10, Super Hearing: 08, Superspeed: 12, Systemic Antidote: 16, Telescopic Vision: 11, Thermal Vision: 11, Ultra Vision: 11, X-Ray Vision: 11
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Digging is contingent on Superspeed. Life Sense only works to find Kal El.
- X-Ray Vision can’t see through Lead.
- Energy Blast and Laser Beam have no AV use Accuracy.
Skills:
Accuracy (Energy Blast, Laser Beam): 10, Martial Artist: 09, Weaponry: 10. Some Gadgetry and Scientist is also possible, likely even. And he may have even picked up 1 or 2 APs of Occultist.
Advantages
Lightning Reflexes, Sharp Eye.
Connections:
Legion of Super Heroes (High), Superman [Kal-El] (High), K3NT (High).
Drawbacks:
- SIA to destroying Imperiex (fades to an MIA after choosing not to kill a child destined to create the technology used to build Imperiex’s body).
- Serious Rage (reduces to Minor by mid-season, and gone at the end).
- Socially Inept (Starts at Serious and ends at Minor, both are Persuasion Only).
- Loss Vulnerability (All powers and physical attributes under a red sun).
Equipment:
- Warp Key [BODY 04, Time Travel: 30, R# 2]. This was stolen by Imperiex to escape to the 31st Century after Superman X and the LSH defeated him in the 41st Century.
- LEGION FLIGHT RING [BODY 05, Acuity: 05, Comprehend Languages: 15, Flash: 08, Flight: 08, Radio Communication: 08, Sealed Systems: 20, Bonuses and limitations: Acuity is limited to Radar Sense, Sonar, and Detect (Life), but does not need to split APs. Comprehend Languages works for both verbal and written languages. Flash is steady illumination only, Radio Comm can connect to the Legion’s Computo mainframe, or the computer on their ship for increased range. R# 2].
When many of its functions are used the ring projects a holographic screen approximately the size of the usual smartphone screen, this includes communication, scanning, maps/gps, etc.
The version of Flight Ring used in this series seems to combine the functions of the comic book Legion’s Flight Rings, Transuits, Telepathic Earplugs, and includes a basic “tricorder” type function.
Design notes
This writeup, unlike those created for Universe AZ, does follow the “Superman’s Dex is 10” benchmark. The attributes in this writeup are determined from examples in the show, with only a few assumptions made.
To give a more direct example, the listed strength is based on the following, in the first episode of the series Clark’s strength is tested by the Legion, Brainy states that he lifted “3000 tons, roughly” putting the young Clark at a solid 19 Str (Using Str -1 to determine lifting capacity).
In the second season Clark has dramatically increased muscle mass, and makes comments indicating he has already joined the JLA in his own time, meaning he is likely at or near his peak so 22-24 seems likely for Clark at this stage. Superman X seems on a par with him physically so the listed stats seem accurate IMO.
Source of Character: Legion of Super Heroes Animated Series season 2, character voiced by Yuri Lowenthal.
Helper(s): Dr. Peter S. Piispanen, Roy Cowan, Frank Murdoch, Chris Cottingham. One illustration from the LOSH wikia.
Writeup completed on the 23rd of November, 2014.