4) Ultraman
The evil doppelganger from an alternate universe is an old trope, but it’s one that DC has got a lot of great mileage out of over the years. Mainly through the Crime Syndicate, the supervillain counterpart of the Justice League from Earth-Three. Their number includes Batman analogue Owlman, Flash-alike Johnny Quick and Green Lantern knock-off Power Ring. Their leader is the worst of the bunch, though: the evil Superman-esque Ultraman.
There have been many revamps of Ultraman over the years, but The New 52’s is the best one for painting him as the anti-Superman. Raised on a cruel version of Krypton, Kal-ll is sent to Earth to avenge the planet’s destruction and is raised by drug addicts Johnny and Martha Kent – who he murders when he has no more use for them. Oh, and he also gains power when exposed to kryptonite. And has the hots for Wonder Woman’s evil doppelganger Superwoman.
First appearing back in 1964, Superman and Ultraman have battled many times over the decades. The most recent was in the 2013/2014 Forever Evil arc that saw various Justice League teams – including Lex Luthor’s Injustice League – join together to face the threat of Ultraman and his Crime Syndicate.
