Warning: Spoilers for Superwoman Special #1
Lois Lane has officially taken to the skies as DC's newest character Superwomanand Superman is no longer the only one with Kryptonian powers in their relationship. However, although they now possess similar skill sets, Lois has a critical weakness that sets her apart from Clark. Superwoman's surprising weakness suggests she's not quite on Superman's level yet, though she doesn't let that stop her from becoming a hero.
Superwoman shows off her new powers in Superwoman Special #1 by Joshua Williamson, Edwin Galmon, Laura Braga, Nikola ÄŒižmeÅ¡ija, Rex Lokus and Dave Sharpe. Lois assembles her own Kryptonian team with Supergirl and fellow Superwoman Lana Lang, and as the three discuss her abilities, she admits that there is one feat she cannot accomplish: “I wasn't faster than a speeding bullet.”
Superman may be one of the fastest characters in the DC Universe, but Lois Lane's Superwoman hasn't reached his speed yet. This weakness makes her more vulnerable than he is, and is one of several important differences between her and Superman.
Superwoman doesn't have Superman-level super speed
Unlike Superman, Superwoman needs to rely solely on durability
In Lois' first appearance as Superwoman, she springs into action to save Chief Kekoa from an onslaught of bullets, even after being instructed by Mercy Graves to resist using her powers for now. It is through this meeting that Lois discovers that her speed is not as accelerated as she expected when a bullet hits her.. Fortunately, like Superman, Lois has invulnerability that protects her from injury when shot. Regardless, the experience of being hit by a bullet ends up being humiliating for Lois, and she holds onto the bullet as a reminder that she is not invincible.
Characters from across the DC Universe have switched superpowers, so Lois Lane suddenly has Kryptonian abilities at her disposal. To learn more about how this energy exchange occurred, check out the Absolute power miniseries by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, now available on DC Comics!
Superman's enormous array of Kryptonian powers gives him an incredible advantage over most enemies he faces. Even if an enemy manages to land heavy blows on him, for example, he can get around this obstacle by employing his speed and gaining an advantage in this way. Superwoman, on the other hand, doesn't have Superman's versatility because of her weakness. Without speed to fall back on, if an enemy managed to overpower her, Lois would have no choice but to bear the brunt of the impact. Superwoman's durability can only take her so far, and therefore she could be defeated much more easily than Superman.
Superwoman's slower speed isn't her only weakness in DC history
Lois Lane's Kryptonian powers pose potential risks when she uses them
Superwoman's biggest weakness is her slower speed compared to other Kryptonian heroes, but her Kryptonian superpowers have other drawbacks that Superman doesn't have to deal with. In Superman #19 by Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora, when Lois embarks on a mission as Superwoman, Mercy Graves keeps an eye on her SuperCorp vitals and instructs her on what powers she can use. She tells Lois that she can use her icy breath, but her heat vision may be too much for her body to sustain. Superman can use any of his powers at will, while Superwoman must be careful of potential harm.
Ultimately, the main downside to Superwoman's powers is the fact that they are not a natural part of her. Superman doesn't need to care what his powers do to his body because they are compatible with his Kryptonian biology. Superwoman, on the other hand, is a human who has been imbued with the powers of a separate Kryptonian. These superhuman abilities do not organically belong to Lois, so her body is not equipped to withstand them as a pure-blood Kryptonian would be. Her cells could be incinerated if she used her heat vision, so she is held back by that limit.
Lois Lane may be vulnerable as Superwoman, but she's still fighting alongside Superman
Superwoman will not let any danger stop her from being a hero
Superwoman must be exceptionally careful with how she uses her powers, but at the end of the day, Lois Lane refuses to stand by when she has the ability to help people in need – even if it puts her at risk. As different as she is from Superman due to her limitations, she is also similar to him in that aspect. Superman wouldn't hold back if fighting for good had a chance of hurting him, and neither would Superwoman.
In addition to having an unwavering desire to be a superhero, Lois is also being taught by Superman to develop better control over her powers. If anyone can help her improve her lackluster speed and learn how to outrun a bullet like a true Kryptonian, it's the Man of Steel himself. Superman training her and Mercy Graves keeping her under control, Superwoman He will definitely be a great hero, despite his shortcomings.
Superwoman Special #1 is now available from DC Comics.