Superman is one of the strongest beings in the DC Universe, having pulled off countless jaw-dropping feats of strength over his 87 years in comics. But have you ever wondered what the Man of Steel’s bench press number might be? We have the answer.
Superman has had numerous moments throughout his comic history in which he has borne the weight of Earth on his shoulders, not just metaphorically. He has quite literally bench-pressed the planet’s weight.
That means Superman has proven he can bench about 13.17 septillion pounds, which is the estimated mass of Earth. To put that into perspective, that’s 13,170,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 pounds, or roughly 5,974,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms.
Superman Bench Pressed Earth’s Weight for 5 Days Straight
Comic Panel Comes From Scott Lobdell’s Superman #13 (2012) – Art by Kenneth Rocafort
When it comes to proof of Superman bench-pressing the weight of the Earth, one of the most impressive examples appears in Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort’s Superman #13 (2012) from the New 52 era. In this issue, the Man of Steel is shown bench-pressing Earth’s weight for five straight days without rest.
This feat is awe-inspiring because it demonstrates not only that Superman can bench an incomprehensible amount of weight, but also that he possesses extraordinary endurance. Holding that much mass for days suggests Superman could bench far more than 13,170,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 pounds, a possibility that is later supported by another comic-book moment.
Superman Took Over for Atlas, Lifting the Weight of the Sky & Heavens
Comic Page from Robert Venditti’s Superman: Man of Tomorrow #12 (2020) – Art by Scott Hepburn
Robert Venditti and Scott Hepburn’s Superman: Man of Tomorrow #12 (2020) further proves Clark is capable of bearing Earth’s weight, and more. In the issue, Superman encounters Atlas, the Titan, eternally punished with holding up the heavens and sky. Clark temporarily takes on Atlas’s burden so the Titan can attend his daughter Calypso’s wedding.
Before Superman assumes the weight of the heavens and sky, he asks Atlas how much it weighs. The Titan responds, “…the most you can bear… plus more.” Since Superman has already proven he can lift the weight of the Earth, this dialogue confirms that Clark can handle more than 13.17 septillion pounds, pushing his strength even further into the absurd.
The exchange also reveals that bearing the heavens isn’t purely physical. Atlas tells Superman, “Take it not… with your hands… take it with your heart.” This reframes the feat as one of moral endurance and raw power, aligning with Superman’s character, in which strength is measured not just by muscle but by his character-defining heart.
- Created By
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Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- First Appearance
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Action Comics
