The DC Animated Universe is the first connected franchise that took off in popularity decades before the MCU and the DCEU. Characters such as Superman and Batman had their own TV series that led to a Justice League show in which the universe’s heroes banded together to stop galactic threats.
Superman was the leader of the Justice League and the face of the organization, with everyone idolizing him for staying true to the symbol he is. The best way to understand why Superman was the best hero is through his quotes, which reveal his human traits, the mantra he stood by, and the best things he did in his life as a superhero.
When Superman Acknowledged He Needed Help
"I Once Thought I Could Protect The World By Myself, But I Was Wrong."
Superman was controlled by Darkseid to attack the Earth, only barely escaping the mind control and salvaging his reputation. He came to the conclusion that, while he was incredibly powerful, a real hero needed to acknowledge that he couldn’t do everything by himself.
To this end, Superman came up with the idea to form the Justice League, asking the other heroes to stand side by side because they were strongest as a unit. It took real courage to admit to his own flaws, and Superman’s proposal ended up creating the greatest legion of superheroes.
When Superman Wanted Retribution From Darkseid
"Any Minute Now, Brainiac Will Explode. And Guess What. You're Going With Him."
There’s always been a long-running cliche about Superman that he’s too much of a good guy to be interesting. However, this quote was a pre-ass-kicking one-liner that he said to Darkseid that should leave no doubt that Superman is in a league of his own when he means business.
Having fooled Superman into trusting him, Darkseid was about to leave Brainiac and Superman to perish when the latter broke free. Although he acted uncharacteristically violent, Superman knew Darkseid’s threat needed to be neutralized. In the end, Darkseid was abandoned and died in the ensuing explosion.
When Superman Faced Off Against Batman
"I Won't Have Vigilantism In My Town."
Superman is technically a vigilante himself since no one actually appointed him to be a superhero. Still, he’s had the spirit of a guardian and saw Metropolis as his home that he needed to protect, even from heroes like Batman who used brutal methods against bad guys.
Superman uttered this quote to Batman when they first met, claiming he wouldn’t allow the Dark Knight to manhandle people. Batman was intrigued by Superman’s attitude, as he saw a man with extraordinary powers holding back when he didn’t need to.
When Superman Gave Draaga A Life Lesson
"The Real Test Of Honor Isn't How You Die. It's How You Live."
There’s been significant interest in the idea of an evil Superman in recent times, but the best version has to be the original. Superman is meant to inspire, having the ability to bring good in people that would never appear to have any redeemable qualities.
Superman convinced War World’s Draaga to stop chasing after an honorable death and to live as a leader instead. He defeated Draaga, yet refused to take his life because Superman wanted to give Draaga to chance to be good rather than die what was ultimately a meaningless demise. It was through Superman’s words that Draaga ended Mongul’s oppression on War World.
When Superman Paid Tribute To Dan Turpin
"Goodbye, Old Friend. In The End, The World Didn't Really Need A Superman. Just A Brave One."
One of the times fans really felt bad for Superman was when his friend, Dan Turpin, was slain by Darkseid. Dan was the most defiant against Darkseid’s forces, which got him killed when Darkseid used his Omega beams to completely obliterate Dan.
Superman mourned on Dan’s gravesite, claiming that brave men were more important than those who had superpowers. It displayed Superman’s modesty, as he admired a normal person far more for their fighting spirit and the way he got inspired to continue to fight against Darkseid’s forces.
When Superman Accepted Responsibility
"Superman Is A Lifetime Commitment."
While there are plenty of Superman origins stories out there, an older Superman is hard to find. Superman Beyond, a comic book companion to the DCAU, showed how Superman was decades into the future around the time when Batman Beyond was active.
After Batman helped him overcome his mind control from Starro, Superman chastised himself for overlooking his responsibility as the world’s greatest superhero. It went to show that even someone as seasoned as Superman was capable of making mistakes, but this quote confirmed that he knew when to remember who he was supposed to be.
When Superman Paid Tribute To The Justice League
"That Man Won't Quit As Long As He Can Draw A Breath. None Of My Teammates Will."
Darkseid launched a full invasion of Earth in the final episode of Justice League Unlimited, bringing every superhero into action. Darkseid scoffed at the idea of Batman challenging when the latter interjected on Superman’s behalf, which allowed Superman to recover.
Gaining the upper hand, Superman paid tribute to Batman and the Justice League by claiming that all of them would fight to their dying breath. Superman may have been the main powerhouse, but he never saw the others as anything less than him and made sure to let their greatest foe know firsthand.
When Superman Brought Jon The Comfort Of Family
"I Wasn't Going To Leave You In Alone In The Watchtower For Christmas Eve."
J’onn J’onzz’s family died centuries ago on Mars, a trauma which he never got over. Superman saw that J’onn was choosing to stay by himself rather than feel alienated among people celebrating Christmas and wasn’t going to let his friend be alone.
Bringing J’onn to the Kent family farm, Superman let the former experience the comfort of being around family when he spent Christmas with Jonathan and Martha Kent. The event sparked a recovery in J’onn’s mindset, who felt happy after so long that he’d forgotten what it felt like.
When Superman Respected Kara's Wish To Leave
"Kara's Headstrong But She's Always Made Good Decisions. I Trust Her Judgement."
Supergirl was always seen as Superman’s kid cousin, which she wasn’t able to grow out of no matter what she did. She felt she truly belonged in the future after being transported there and chose to stay back, sending a farewell message to Superman.
The Man of Steel was saddened for losing his cousin but understood her judgment, showing that Superman was mature enough to accept his sadness if it meant Kara was happy. It also proved that Superman never saw Kara as a child like others did and knew her better than anyone else.
When Superman Refused To Break His Main Rule
"I'm Not The Man Who Killed President Luthor. Right Now, I Wish To Heaven I Was, But I'm Not."
An entire arc was dedicated to Lex Luthor discrediting Superman enough for the latter to shed his moralities and cross the lines he swore never to break. The Flash defeated the Luthor/Brainiac hybrid and vanished into the speed force, which is when Luthor scoffed that Superman would kill him.
However, Superman proved once and for all that he was incorruptible when he refused to end Luthor, stating he wanted to be like alternate universe counterpart who had killed his version’s Luthor but still wouldn’t break his no-kill rule. It left Luthor angered that all his planning was for naught because Superman continued to defy him.