Jami Compares Clarks

Last night we caught an episode of the new Justice League. I am fairly sure it was a repeat, but I hadn't seen it. Let me just pause here to say that 1. Yes, I'm a considerably big geek but 2. Not necessarily a comic book geek. I know plenty of the background thanks to many years of marriage to the Husband, but overall, I haven't read the "graphic novels" themselves. But I digress. So, watching the new JLA, there is a scene where Superman goes to the Daily Planet as Clark Kent (of course), and his appearance really struck me. No way is that Superman (we'll call him the animated one) going to get away with the CK disguise. Look at him! I couldn't find a full body Clark shot, but: even in this picture, you can see how cut he is, totally built up top, but with the slender legs favored by so many male superheroes. While you can get away with saying that Clark is a farm boy who likes to stay in shape, no one is going to believe this hulking mass is an innocent bumbling reporter. Not gonna happen. Plus, with that distinctive jaw, you're going to say "Hmm, you sorta look like Superman, doncha?" Yes. This lead me to ponder the Superman/Clark combos over the years, and I've come up with my personal picks on the matter. So here goes. Best Superman - Dean Cain, in my opinion, besides being the absolute hottest, was the best Superman. He was smart, funny, looked heroic, and maintained the boyish charm while saving the world. Of all the Supermans (Supermen?), I think he most embodies the ideal. Best Clark - Easily, in my opinion, Christopher Reeves. Bumbling, in his sly way, tremor in the voice for being shy or scared, earnest and not built like a superhero, he was the one most believable as the smalltown fish out of water at the big city paper. Best Combo - Christopher Reeves. His transformation in voice, body and facial appearance is the most believably different. His Clark, as mentioned above is the easiest to dismiss and his Superman was brave, strong, kind and in good shape, as you'd expect from someone who doesn't have to exercise. Worst Superman - George Reeves. The man had a pot belly. Come on! Sure, Superman doesn't have to work out but he shouldn't look like he'd get winded running down a flight of stairs. Worst Clark - I'm going to have to give it to animated JLA Superman. As mentioned, he doesn't look very different and it's a cartoon - they could have drawn him however they wanted. Instead, he looks like Superman put a suit on to go to a nice dinner. Worst Combo - George Reeves. Not only is Superman pudgy, but Clark is too old to still be a lost smalltown boy. I didn't include the Superman from Smallville in this as I haven't watched it. When it originally came out and was apparent that it was going to take so many liberties with the Superman lore, the Husband became so upset over the whole thing I was afraid to turn it on in our home. I hear it's great, but not really "Superman" in the sense that it follows any particular comics or history. More like a really good different comic with characters all the same name. (come on, really? I mean, Lois in Smallville? Lex at the same high school and the same age? even I know how wrong that is!) I also left out the original Superfriends Superman, as I don't recall him ever being Clark. I did consider Brandon Routh in Superman Returns. I felt he really fell in the middle in all categories, though overall he did a fine turn as the Man of Steel. I did only watch it once in its entirety, but I didn't love it, so that may have hurt his chances. Now, it's your turn - agree, disagree, rave on about the excellence of Smallville's Clark or whoever. And what about Lois??