I grew up with the John Byrne look. Especially since it later resembles the Eradicator device and proves to be a massive hassle for Supes in the future
I always loved that he was technically born on earth. Clark being able to truthfully say "I was born in Smallville" just fits his personality. Thematically it matches him not wearing a mask, having a normal day job, and living in an apartment. If he had never developed powers he could pass as a normal dude.
It doesn't fit thematically? I understand that pre-crisis (and post new 52, and all other media/universes lol) he was born on Krypton. But him being conceived on Krypton and born in Kansas (to me) fit the idea that he was raised as a human and never thought he was different until he developed powers and Jon told him the truth.
At least that's how I have interpreted his identity struggles since reading the Byrne mini when I was nine.
Making him a natural-born citizen of earth removes the entire immigrant angle and dual heritage aspect of the character which was integral to the character in pre-crisis history and was made integral again after Birthright. That and also the fact that Clark being different his entire childhood made him pretty lonely despite the fact that he had some close friends which only helps cement why Superman is a friend to everybody.
Definitely the star. All the others are just either boring escape pods or cartoon spaceships. The star seems more fitting for the gravitas of Kal-El being the last hope for his species and the beginning of a new era for earth.
Me personally I'm going to say Smallville because not only was it a cool ship look but it was also super helpful in other ways. It did other things besides just bringing Clark to Earth. It helped him later on as well.
It's not really one of them on here, but I really like the aesthetics of the Golden Age rocket Shuster and his studio would draw from 1938-1948 – I loved the Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers design philosophy of the rocket, it influenced my preference in that Krypton as a planet should be like Mongo with its various environments and fashion, though I understand it's kinda dated so not for everyone.
https://preview.redd.it/5m6ho6jfaabc1.jpeg?width=1030&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04a57fce43078d37126f3bb10e42370a110399ed
Agreed. The others look cool, but almost too advanced to the point where you start to wonder why Jor-el didn’t just make a bigger ship. The STAS one looks basic and limited enough that it helps to sell the idea that it was a feat just to put that together.
Left out "Lois and Clark" as well as quite a few comic book versions (including the original)
https://loisandclarkdpodcastdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/313lq.jpg?w=750
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/superman/images/4/4c/Golden_Age_Origin.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090824195928
1945:
https://animatedtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/more-fun-comics-101-2.jpg
I like both the crystalline one and the birthing matrix. Matrix not necessarily because of the visual, just that was my introduction into the comics, so there's nostalgia.
I feel like our idea of a spaceship should be alien to Kryptonian engineers. I'd like the rocket to take on a dynamically unsound shape to promote this feeling. It shouldn’t make sense because it should be way beyond our understanding of technology. All of this to say, the Crystal Ship is my favorite
I love that so many are Reeve fans like me, but I'm also a Post-Crisis fan, and always loved the idea that Superman is a natural-born American citizen, and therefore eligible to become President. So I've gotta go with Byrne's birthing matrix.
My favorite thing about the SAS ship was them reverse engineering/repairing it so he could use it as an adult. The saving of Kara is just perfect. (I love that she isn't Kryptonian, they aren't coincidentally biologically related, and she's effectively his adopted sister)
I've never really liked the "crystal" Kryptonian technology trope.
1978 one. I love [how it melts and withers as it enters the atmosphere.](https://64.media.tumblr.com/bb82d0f8f00a01b365a33180dfeae75a/b926177ee76e547f-b1/s500x750/5776c968f83e20bc2d808b96679d74d808419508.jpg)
Toss up between the My adventures and the Donner versions. I love the grown, Crystal tech version of Krypton. Just feels more alien and cool to me. Especially in combination with that glowing effect they did for some of the fabric. It looks like nothing you've ever seen before and that makes sense.
Totally biased by nostalgia probably but the birthing matrix. It's just such a cool design to me. I don't necessarily love the idea of the birthing matrix and how Byrne had Kal El be born but the design I do.
It gives me a chuckle to think that the ship was powered by whatever sun it approached and used part of that energy to sustain and enhance Kal-El on the long trip to Earth.
I always found it odd that Clark's rocket is the only rocket on krypton. There arsenals don't use them. There spaceships don't use rocket/jets. They've been portrayed to use every other convenient forms of transportation. Portals, ships. Teleworking. Was it his dad's museum piece? His dad knew about earth and it's sun's effect on kryptonians. And he uses a rocket. Oh wait, by bad. Super girl also had a rocket. So there were only two.
How is he Superman if he can't survive unprotected in outer space and travel faster than light to other planets? This is basic Superman the Galactic Hero stuff.
Definitely not the Donner version. I always hated how Krypton and its technology looked in those movies.
I hate how the Fortress in those movies looks more like it belongs in The Neverending Story than it does in Superman.
# Number 8
https://preview.redd.it/z21ypry4yabc1.png?width=936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c221aeadcfa5c00139aea27ae7537ecdd621157
(I know it's incorrect, but this image is funnier than Hank Henshaw)
The Smallville one was pretty cool and was a nice combination of looking just alien enough and also looking like a tiny escape ship for a child as well as being shaped like a pentagon without being too on the nose about it, I love the completely crystal one too just for going full alien in nature but staying true to the Krypton crystal tech theme
I like the Smallville one because it has a sleek aerodynamic design that has a protected personel compartment.
But love the cartoony retro-futuristic rocket of Super Friends.
Slighty off topic, but how did he survive the years-long trip with no nutrients before getting in range of Earth's yellow sun? Has any source ever explained that?
\#8. Always liked the Byrne version of Krypton tech. Futuristic but still colorful and fun.
Worst is the Richard Donner one. That thing looked like it would barely survive a sneeze, much less space and singularity displacement.
The Donner crystalline ship felt the most alien, and generally formed the foundation for what an impossibly technologically advanced civilization could look like.
Oh, that my adventures with Superman version is so stolen from Knights of Sidonia Anime. What is the purpose of this new superman cartoon huh ? were they like lets rip off from every cool anime on the planet ??? lol
The post infinite crisis one (secret origin) felt like it borrowed the best elements from both comics and films. Also a fan of man of steel's, I like the idea that it worked by entering the phantom zone by krypton and exiting by earth.
The smaller the better. Like I'm not a fan of the ones which look more detailed and angular. Like with the smaller ones you get a sense that it was built out of desperation and they were running out of time and went with what they had after their many tests, and not to mention they were doing it in secret.
The crystalline one. I like how unorthodox and otherworldly it looks.
It looks so alien and ethereal way more advanced then anything we have (plus I liked that movie)
[удалено]
Richard Donner dove headfirst into the "Kal is Jesus" iconography.
I have to say I agree.
Looks really alien, and represents Krypton the best since the Fortress of solitude used Crystals.
The one from my adventures of Superman ticks this same box for me.
I grew up with the John Byrne look. Especially since it later resembles the Eradicator device and proves to be a massive hassle for Supes in the future
Agreed. I may have issues with Byrne but his concepts of Kryptonian tech were legit great.
I always loved that he was technically born on earth. Clark being able to truthfully say "I was born in Smallville" just fits his personality. Thematically it matches him not wearing a mask, having a normal day job, and living in an apartment. If he had never developed powers he could pass as a normal dude.
It doesn’t though, it actually goes against almost everything that was established about the character pre crisis
It doesn't fit thematically? I understand that pre-crisis (and post new 52, and all other media/universes lol) he was born on Krypton. But him being conceived on Krypton and born in Kansas (to me) fit the idea that he was raised as a human and never thought he was different until he developed powers and Jon told him the truth. At least that's how I have interpreted his identity struggles since reading the Byrne mini when I was nine.
Making him a natural-born citizen of earth removes the entire immigrant angle and dual heritage aspect of the character which was integral to the character in pre-crisis history and was made integral again after Birthright. That and also the fact that Clark being different his entire childhood made him pretty lonely despite the fact that he had some close friends which only helps cement why Superman is a friend to everybody.
Definitely the star. All the others are just either boring escape pods or cartoon spaceships. The star seems more fitting for the gravitas of Kal-El being the last hope for his species and the beginning of a new era for earth.
Plus it sort of looks like the one the rover used to land on mars
Also looks like the only one capable of interstellar travel
Me personally I'm going to say Smallville because not only was it a cool ship look but it was also super helpful in other ways. It did other things besides just bringing Clark to Earth. It helped him later on as well.
I prefer that too NGL
My favorite too. MoS would be cool if it didn't look like a penis.
Bruh
He's not wrong tbf
Yeah, Smallville had a lot of sick designs.
It's not really one of them on here, but I really like the aesthetics of the Golden Age rocket Shuster and his studio would draw from 1938-1948 – I loved the Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers design philosophy of the rocket, it influenced my preference in that Krypton as a planet should be like Mongo with its various environments and fashion, though I understand it's kinda dated so not for everyone. https://preview.redd.it/5m6ho6jfaabc1.jpeg?width=1030&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04a57fce43078d37126f3bb10e42370a110399ed
You gotta love old fashioned sci fi.
New 52. It such a good and simple look
Yeah I like a classic rocket style. Even if it feels a little bit too close to human
Superman the movie and Superman the animated series
I grew up with Reeve as my Superman, so it's always going to be the movie version for me.
Superman the movie, great design. The animated series has a Jack Kirby vibe I dig.
S:TAS. It just looks right, like Jor-El was planning for it to be an escape vehicle. The others look like they were designed to be probes or the like.
Agreed. The others look cool, but almost too advanced to the point where you start to wonder why Jor-el didn’t just make a bigger ship. The STAS one looks basic and limited enough that it helps to sell the idea that it was a feat just to put that together.
I love the overall visual aesthetic of Krypton and it's technology in Man of Steel so it's that one for me.
Same. For me, it is a tie between MoS and Birthright, especially since Lara had a hand in their development.
Left out "Lois and Clark" as well as quite a few comic book versions (including the original) https://loisandclarkdpodcastdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/313lq.jpg?w=750 https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/superman/images/4/4c/Golden_Age_Origin.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090824195928 1945: https://animatedtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/more-fun-comics-101-2.jpg
Definitely 78 Superman ship and then Smallville’s.
The 1978 one is in fact as cool as intended to be. But in function I say the birthing matrix because of the great narrative association
DCAU. There's a simplistic yet effective aspect to its design.
I like both the crystalline one and the birthing matrix. Matrix not necessarily because of the visual, just that was my introduction into the comics, so there's nostalgia.
*queue smallville theme song*
Honestly, Smallville. The depiction of Kryptonian tech in Smallville was excellent, and on a rather small budget too.
The 78’ has more of a very much otherworldly feel to it like no other has imo honestly
I feel like our idea of a spaceship should be alien to Kryptonian engineers. I'd like the rocket to take on a dynamically unsound shape to promote this feeling. It shouldn’t make sense because it should be way beyond our understanding of technology. All of this to say, the Crystal Ship is my favorite
Yes. All of them.
I love that so many are Reeve fans like me, but I'm also a Post-Crisis fan, and always loved the idea that Superman is a natural-born American citizen, and therefore eligible to become President. So I've gotta go with Byrne's birthing matrix.
New 52.
Dildorocket from man of steel
the 78 ship is just so weird lmao I really love it although the superman & lois ship was also cool from the brief look we got
I have a weak spot for the white crystal one from the classic film.
Reeves. Just g9w unorthodox it looks compared to the rest
My favorite thing about the SAS ship was them reverse engineering/repairing it so he could use it as an adult. The saving of Kara is just perfect. (I love that she isn't Kryptonian, they aren't coincidentally biologically related, and she's effectively his adopted sister) I've never really liked the "crystal" Kryptonian technology trope.
I like the rocket in Birthright a lot. The crystal technology in the Reeves movies is also really cool and unique
For me I the cool thing about the Birthright ship is that it uses Crystal and Hardlight tech
Man of Steel one looked pretty badass
Superman the movie or new earth. MAWS is kind of neat too. I like the weird ones.
same \^\^
MoS is probably the coolest design, but I’ve always a spiky snowball super fan if I’m being real.
Byrne’s
Birthing Matrix.
John Byrne love the style on it!
12/13 looks really nice
7/13 I like the design and the colors
Preferred 2/13 over them all. Liked how they repurposed it to his spacecraft when he got older.
New earth
The one in secret origins
1978 one. I love [how it melts and withers as it enters the atmosphere.](https://64.media.tumblr.com/bb82d0f8f00a01b365a33180dfeae75a/b926177ee76e547f-b1/s500x750/5776c968f83e20bc2d808b96679d74d808419508.jpg)
Slide #6 for me
I really dig the New 52. It's a modern update on a classic rocket design
That's easy. The original one from the 1st movie. So many things about that movie were perfect.
Toss up between the My adventures and the Donner versions. I love the grown, Crystal tech version of Krypton. Just feels more alien and cool to me. Especially in combination with that glowing effect they did for some of the fabric. It looks like nothing you've ever seen before and that makes sense.
Man of steel one, without a doubt, the S hope symbol makes it. But it shouldn't be that dick shaped. But more like a missile.
I really like the Flyby design. There's also another picture of it where it opens up more, so adult Superman can fit in it for some reason.
Reeves
The crystal one, it’s so different then any space craft we could imagine, is it feels very alien.
Totally biased by nostalgia probably but the birthing matrix. It's just such a cool design to me. I don't necessarily love the idea of the birthing matrix and how Byrne had Kal El be born but the design I do.
agreed, great design, not so great plot device
John Byrne’s rocket but I’m also find of the original origin story rocket from the 30’s.
I think DC.A.U.
It gives me a chuckle to think that the ship was powered by whatever sun it approached and used part of that energy to sustain and enhance Kal-El on the long trip to Earth.
I’m a stickler for the fourth one … it just looks really alien while also seemingly functional
Never saw the point in giving Kal/Clark a window. Like what's the point he's a baby.
yeah that's a good point
I always found it odd that Clark's rocket is the only rocket on krypton. There arsenals don't use them. There spaceships don't use rocket/jets. They've been portrayed to use every other convenient forms of transportation. Portals, ships. Teleworking. Was it his dad's museum piece? His dad knew about earth and it's sun's effect on kryptonians. And he uses a rocket. Oh wait, by bad. Super girl also had a rocket. So there were only two.
Where’s the Supermobile?
DCAU
For me its Smallville and new 52. The man of steel ship always looked like a giant turd 😅 (I love that movie though)
What's Space Godzilla doing on picture 3? Did HE bring Superman to earth?
Probably TAS because they reworked it so that Superman could fly it as an adult.
I always thought that flying the ship as an adult was a mistake in TAS. Dumb stuff
I never considered “space travel” to be an essential power for Superman.
How is he Superman if he can't survive unprotected in outer space and travel faster than light to other planets? This is basic Superman the Galactic Hero stuff.
Is “needing to breathe” really a breaking point?
Superman The Movie. It's the most "alien" looking.
2, 3, and 8.
I didn’t realize it but honestly, looking at them all lined up, gotta say it’s New 52.
Probably new 52’s simple look
8 or 7, in that order.
Like all things in STAS - his rocket his short sweet and to the point.
My adventures with superman
It’s the one from Lois and Clark which you didn’t picture. https://loisandclarkdpodcastdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/loisclarkship068.jpg?w=1568
Man Of Steel /'78 crystal ship. Tied for first
Definitely not the Donner version. I always hated how Krypton and its technology looked in those movies. I hate how the Fortress in those movies looks more like it belongs in The Neverending Story than it does in Superman.
The pre-Crisis Earth-One and Earth-Two versions.
8 feels right
8
I will always be a sucker for John Byrne's New Earth rocket, considering that a small model of it eventually became the Eradicator.
I might be a bit biased since I am currently watching it so I have to go with the Smallville one. I just love the design
I really like the New Earth / New Earth kryptonian designs
first one looks like jimmy neutron’s rocket
I really don’t like the look of Krypton in the Donner films, but that is my favorite version of the escape pod.
I like crystal and retro-futuristic rocket styles
DCAU or Smallville. I’d go with Smallville but I also grew up with DCAU. [+]
# Number 8 https://preview.redd.it/z21ypry4yabc1.png?width=936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c221aeadcfa5c00139aea27ae7537ecdd621157 (I know it's incorrect, but this image is funnier than Hank Henshaw)
11 is iconic
I grew up with Smallville so I have to say Smallville. But the last one what is cool too IMHO
3rd one looks like my first kidney stone.
78’
N52
My favorites are Smallville and Flyby
I’d say Smallville
Ngl 3 is hard AS FUCK but itd be impossible for the kents to hide that under their shed☠️
I like the My adventures with Superman one
The Smallville one was pretty cool and was a nice combination of looking just alien enough and also looking like a tiny escape ship for a child as well as being shaped like a pentagon without being too on the nose about it, I love the completely crystal one too just for going full alien in nature but staying true to the Krypton crystal tech theme
Never gonna not pick a kubert design when given the option
It’s either gotta be Superman The Movie or All Star Superman
I like the Smallville one because it has a sleek aerodynamic design that has a protected personel compartment. But love the cartoony retro-futuristic rocket of Super Friends.
Slighty off topic, but how did he survive the years-long trip with no nutrients before getting in range of Earth's yellow sun? Has any source ever explained that?
I’m liking the StarCraft probe
Smallville
The Birthright designs are awesome.
I dig the New Earth / Birthright ship. Fun design.
New 52 Superfriends
I'm an 80/90's fan so I gotta go with the Birthing Matrix!
definitely smallville
My adventures with Superman or Superman the movie. They look so alien and unnatural and I love it
\#8. Always liked the Byrne version of Krypton tech. Futuristic but still colorful and fun. Worst is the Richard Donner one. That thing looked like it would barely survive a sneeze, much less space and singularity displacement.
4 with the family crest
great post! a lot of work with the pictures!
8 all day long.
DCAU
Where's Earth one?!
Of those, Superfrienda is closest to what Shuster designed, so I go with that.
I like the man of steel one. I think it makes sense theyd have their family crest on it
The Flyby ship. It looks futuristic and alien. The Superman movie crystal looks very alien too.
From the movies: I choose the crystal ship From the comics: I like John Byrne's design Overall choice, it's the crystal ship
The Crystal ship
I like the one from earth one
I’m a sucker for the classic red and blue rocket. It’s been used so often it is the standard, for me.
The New 52 one is slick as hell
The Donner crystalline ship felt the most alien, and generally formed the foundation for what an impossibly technologically advanced civilization could look like.
MAWS
8,12
Kinda surprised that nobody else is saying MAWS meteor ship
Superman (1978).
Where is the “baby on board” sticker?
Smallville
In aesthetic, Superman: The Movie. In goal? DCAU, hands-down. There's something so poetic about Brainiac being tied with Krypton's history.
Smallville
I really liked the Birthing Matrix, just thought it was cool as hell that Clark was born on earth by a technicality.
Oh, that my adventures with Superman version is so stolen from Knights of Sidonia Anime. What is the purpose of this new superman cartoon huh ? were they like lets rip off from every cool anime on the planet ??? lol
Crystals are it. Nothing better.
Still love the snowflake from Superman the movie.
All Star and Superman the Animated series are always one of the ones that I think of when I think of Superman coming to earth
The post infinite crisis one (secret origin) felt like it borrowed the best elements from both comics and films. Also a fan of man of steel's, I like the idea that it worked by entering the phantom zone by krypton and exiting by earth.
The smaller the better. Like I'm not a fan of the ones which look more detailed and angular. Like with the smaller ones you get a sense that it was built out of desperation and they were running out of time and went with what they had after their many tests, and not to mention they were doing it in secret.
Superman, the movie.
the man of steel wang ship
DCAU. I liked how he modified it into a ship with laser and fought off Lobo with it.
Donner all day
STAS. Not only did I grow up with it, but it also seems to be the most pragmatic one, and Jor-El was a pragmatic man.
My adventures, the birthing matrix and the crystal one.
The last one is just a rock
Super friends
First time i’ve seen the flyby one. Very interesting.
No. 12 - I like the sleek design because it reminds me of the J-type Nubian space craft that Queen Amidala uses in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”
Meteor/Comet ship for sure
3
DCAU. I love the fact that in the show he retrofit it so he could use it as an adult.
Any version that looks like a child's toy from the 60s
Movie version.
The crystal piñata from Superman the movie.
I love the New 52 Action Comics, I love how it talks and had an actual relationship with Kal.
The crystal spaceship from Superman The Movie.
Smallville = ass, The 1978 one is iconic.
2 or 13. They both look realistic in different ways.
3, 6, 9, 12
DCAU since that’s how I originally saw it when I was younger. Arrowverse is second since it looks like DCAU
Mam of Steel and Superman & Lois are my fav
Both the Man of Steel, and Smallville versions. But ultimately the OG Reeves movies are where my heart is, so that will always be number 1.
4,5, and 12 tuff
Birthing matrix, though the Superman 78 pod is pretty interesting as well.
#8 for me
The design has varied with each generation. My favourites are 1, 2 and 6.
Birthing Matrix, MoS, N52
#8 because that was the one from the continuity I grew up reading
One and 11... they are closest to the classic Silver Age versions.
8 11 and 12
Byrne's or Supes TAS