Superman [Beyond] (DC Comics | Justice League)

Superman, whose real name is Clark Kent (birth name Kal-El), appears in the Batman Beyond timeline of the DC Animated Universe as an aged version of the iconic hero. He first appeared in the two-part episode "The Call" (aired November 11 and 18, 2000), part of Batman Beyond's third season. In this future setting, approximately four to five decades after the events of Justice League Unlimited, Superman serves as the stern and authoritative leader of an expanded Justice League Unlimited. Having distanced himself from Bruce Wayne following a past disagreement, he operates with a more isolated and pragmatic demeanor, reflecting the toll of years combating global threats while maintaining his role as Earth's primary protector.

Superman retains his full array of Kryptonian abilities, including superhuman strength, flight, invulnerability, heat vision, freeze breath, x-ray vision, and enhanced senses, powered by Earth's yellow sun, with no evident diminishment despite his advanced age. Visually, he is depicted with his classic red-and-blue costume, though his black hair now features prominent gray streaks at the temples, emphasizing his maturity. Voiced by Christopher McDonald—distinct from his earlier portrayal by George Newbern—this casting choice underscores his evolved, more hardened personality and physical aging, positioning him as a veteran hero who commands respect within the League.

In "The Call," Superman recruits Terry McGinnis, the new Batman, to investigate suspected treachery within the Justice League, only for it to be revealed that he himself has been unknowingly controlled by the parasitic alien Starro for an extended period. Terry's ingenuity exposes and removes the parasite, freeing Superman and enabling him to destroy the primary threat. This event restores Superman's clarity, earns his acknowledgment of Terry as a legitimate successor to Bruce Wayne's legacy, and marks his final chronological appearance in the DC Animated Universe. Subsequent references, such as in Justice League Unlimited's "Epilogue" (2005), affirm his continued leadership in the future era, highlighting themes of endurance and mentorship across generations.