While people may look up to Superman as its number one symbol of hope, the hero secretly thinks he stands for the exact opposite. Infinite Crisis #5 reveals the Man of Steel's private thoughts on what Superman means for the DC Universe.
Out of all the people fighting to make the world a better place, few are looked up to by civilians and superheroes alike as Clark Kent. Since his introduction to the world, Superman has used his powers for good and become one of the biggest icons in the world. Everyone who sees the infamous "S" symbol of Superman knows that it stands for truth and justice, and that the hero will fight to his last breath to protect the innocent. As one of the most revered modern legends, many in the DC Universe and in real life look to the hero as a figure that stands for hope.
However, it seems that the Kryptonian himself may disagree with that line of thinking. In Infinite Crisis #5 by Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, Jerry Ordway, and Ivan Reis, Superman ventures to the recently resurrected Earth-Two where he sees its version of Superman grieving over the death of his Lois. The Golden Age Superman furiously attacks his counterpart, blaming him and New Earth for squandering the opportunities they were given. As the Supermen duke it out, Wonder Woman comes to her Superman's aid and restrains Kal-L with her lasso. The elder Superman critiques the dark things that the modern heroes have done, such as Wonder Woman's murder of Maxwell Lord. Kal-L tells his counterpart that he needed to bring back his world, one that was "perfect" compared to New Earth. But Superman tells Kal-L that if a world has a Superman, it can't be perfect.
A Perfect World Shouldn't Need Superman
It’s a stunning thing to hear him admit, but Superman may be right. As cheerful and optimistic as the Big Blue Boy Scout often is, he exists mainly to fight the things that no one else can. Alien conquerors, mad scientists, and extradimensional forces bent on destroying Earth are all in a day’s work for Superman. But if these things didn't exist to threaten the DC Universe, then there wouldn't be a need for Clark, so there may be truth to Superman's surprisingly candid admission.
Now, the lack of Superman may not be only thing that makes a world perfect. After all, the real world doesn’t have its own Man of Steel, and it’s far from perfect. But the DC Universe has the added elements of powerful, evil forces that only someone like Clark has the ability to stop. From the hero's perspective, only a world devoid of the ills that require Superman can be considered perfect. This means that Clark sees himself not as a symbol of light, but as a response to the failures of his world. It's a darker interpretation for Superman, but one that's also hard to argue with.