Comic Book TALK: Goku & Superman's Similarities

Comic Book TALK: Goku & Superman's Similarities

Welcome 2012! this is Hybrid0027 with another Comic Book TALK, today's topic is similarities between Son Goku/Kakkarot & Superman/Kal-El, enjoy!

Editorial Opinion
By Hybrid0027 - Jan 01, 2012 02:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

As requested by SUPERBATSPIDERMAN, here is an editorial on Goku & Superman's similarities.

1) Origins: Goku is from planet Vegeta, sent to Earth just before Vegeta explodes. Once he lands on Earth, a humble old man (Grandpa Gohan) finds him & raises him into a very caring individual. Superman, similarly, is from the planet Krypton, sent to Earth just before Krypton explodes. Once he lands, an older couple, (also humble people), raise him into a very caring individual. Also, they were both sent to Earth in space pods (neat fact).



2) Biological Fathers: Both Goku & Superman's fathers were highly respected in their societies. The Saiyans(Goku's race)were a warrior race, with Bardock, Goku's father, being the strongest/best warrior of his time, (proven by him becoming the second known Super Saiyan and surpassing the sayain king's power level before Bardock reached his prime). The Kryptonians (Superman's race) were a scientific/technological race, Superman's father Jor-El was the top scientist of his time, shown by his various advances in technology & science with the Fortress of Solitude & his crystals being examples. So essentially, both biological fathers were at the "top" of their societies main profession.


3) Powers: Goku & Superman both have the following powers do to their alien origins...strength (incalculable limits), speed (both can move at supersonic speeds appearing as flicks in the air but Goku can teleport too), durability (extremely powerful force needed to hurt them), senses (better than top predator animals known, and longevity (stay in prime condition/appearance for hundreds of years), even being considered the most powerful non-magical beings of their respected universes. Abilities that they share also include flight (supersonic) & energy projection (ki blast/heat or x-ray vision).

4) Physiology affected by special radiation: Goku & all saiyans transform into giant monkey capable of incredible destruction whenever they are exposed to Green Spectrum radiation, usually in the form of Blutz Waves produced by a full moon, if the moon or his tail is destroyed or blocked/ cut off, he returns to normal. Superman infamously in the presence of Green Kryptonite radiation suffers intense pain until the Green Kryptonite is removed from his presence.
or


5) Role Models: Goku & Superman are both continuously used as examples of good role models. The reason is because both have good values of caring for all people, family, friends, and second chances to those in need of it. Examples of the last point because it may be debatable is Goku giving chances of redemption to Piccolo & Vegeta or Superman giving Bizarro & Livewire chances of redemption.

6) Global: Both heroes are now usually not (at least anymore) restricted to saving one area but the whole world & many times the entire universe too. Great examples of this is their current rouges gallery, Goku has Frieza, Cell, Buu, Raditz, Omega Shenron, Cooler, Janemba, Andriods, Broly, Dr. Geru, Garlick jr., etc. which are all world-to-universe threats, usually the latter. Superman has Darkseid, Doomsday, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Zod, Bizarro, Mister Mxyzptlk, etc. also usually world-to-universe threats, usually the latter.


Please check out my youtube channel for more:
Comic Book VS Playlist - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL15D4B13B3BAE8611&feature=viewall
Comic Book TALK Playlist - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBD63EB87A07FC5F9&feature=edit_ok
Video on this article -
SUPERMAN Actor Frank Grillo Teases First Trailer: My Skin Was Hot And I Had Goosebumps
Related:

SUPERMAN Actor Frank Grillo Teases First Trailer: "My Skin Was Hot And I Had Goosebumps"

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn On His Next DCU Project: I've Got Four Different Things That I Could Do
Recommended For You:

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn On His Next DCU Project: "I've Got Four Different Things That I Could Do"

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

jazzman
jazzman - 1/1/2012, 2:23 PM
its not really similarities. Akira Toriyama wanted to make a Japanese superhero version of Superman and also The Monkey King (Sun Wukong) thats all.
BigK1337
BigK1337 - 1/1/2012, 5:26 PM
@jazzman

Technically speaking, the whole Superman traits in Goku were never thought of at first when Toriyama created Dragon Ball. He purposely made Dragon Ball into a homage/parody of the Journey to the West stories.

The Superman similarities became apparent when Toriyama made Dragon Ball Z; and those traits between Goku and Superman are similarities. If Goku IS a Japanese version of Superman, he would of had some sort of secret identiy, had education and a high profile job, and have a friendship with the Japanese's Batman (which wouldn't really happen, seeing that the Death Note universe is different from the Dragon Ball universe).
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 1/1/2012, 7:51 PM
I dodn't even think you would do this article but good job man. Goku is pretty much a Japanese Superman but he is still an awesome character. Goku is like an exaggerated version of Superman with ridiculous power.
darknlight
darknlight - 1/1/2012, 9:00 PM
he also got super tag on him- supersaiyan
jazzman
jazzman - 1/2/2012, 5:03 AM
@BigK1337

Toriyama known he took element of Superman. Goku is a Japanese version of Monkey King and Superman its well known. Goku in Dragonall had elements of the Monkey King and Dragonabll Z went all Superman element.

@TheGODDAMNSUPERGUY

well said homie :P
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 1/2/2012, 5:18 AM
I'd say that piccolo is more the "batman" of the series. Vegeta is the "zod" to goku's superman...
Kryptonlastson22
Kryptonlastson22 - 1/2/2012, 7:07 AM
Hi! I agree with those similarities. In "Superman The Movie" Superman was able to lift the land from San Andres Fault after and Hearthquake. Son Goku did the same in Dragon Ball GT while fighting with an evil dragon in the last saga of this version which means Superman is stronger than Goku because Goku did the same thing but in Super Saiyan 4 transfirmation. =)

Don't forget the "Supaman" from Dr. Slump that is the Superman parody in this story that also belongs to Akira Toriyama.

On the other hand, I really find quite interesting the article about Superman / Captain Marvel that you talk about above. I'll be looking forward to reading it.
BBally
BBally - 1/2/2012, 9:29 AM
Personally I consider Astro Boy to be Japan's answer to Superman, Astro's creator and the Godfather of manga, Osamu Tezuka was said to be a huge Superman fan.
Connerkentver1
Connerkentver1 - 1/2/2012, 5:58 PM
Everyone copies Superman. Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
darknlight
darknlight - 1/3/2012, 9:37 AM
last son of krypto and vegeta still not the only one-vegeta=zod,nappa=nom or whatever his name was can to attack both's adoptive planet, jimmy=kullian the bald guy,piccolo's power = j'onn j'onz power,many of the villains are also similar
JULEZ13
JULEZ13 - 1/3/2012, 11:28 AM
Nice article, but I see one thing that wasn't exactly right.

In point number 2, it was stated: "The Saiyans(Goku's race)were a warrior race, with Bardock, Goku's father, being the strongest/best warrior of his time, (proven by him becoming the second known Super Saiyan and surpassing the sayain king's power level before Bardock reached his prime). "

Bardock was not the strongest known warrior on the planet. In fact, throughout both the film "Bardock: The Father of Goku" and Dragonball Z, it was repeated many a times that Bardock was in fact a 'low level' Saiyan - one of the weakest on the planet. In the film about Bardock, it showed his leap from being a low-level to quickly becoming one of the strongest with the potential of becoming a Super Saiyan, but Frieza destroyed the planet before anyone knew of his new found strength. Therefore, though he was known, he was NOT known as THE most powerful Saiyan on the planet, let alone known as being stronger than King Vegeta himself. And I never ever saw him become a Super Saiyan and I have watched Dragon Ball Z religiously throughout my life - but it is widely known that Bardock would've definitely had became one if he survived.
TheBatman777
TheBatman777 - 1/8/2012, 10:44 AM
GOKU>SUPERMAN PERIOD!!!! I don't see how superman would have a chance
Kurosaki
Kurosaki - 1/11/2012, 7:05 AM
@Hybrid0027. I'd like to know if there are multiple version of the Bardock special because in the one I saw he did not become a super saiyian. Julez13 is right in he's or her's description.
View Recorder