Kryptonians are a highly technologically advanced people. Their technology seems to be based on self-grown crystals which made up the vast majority of their planet's surface. Vast amounts of data and information could be stored on relatively small crystals. Kryptonians made use of their advanced science to create a world where scientific inventions and research influenced much of daily life. Robots and computers were used for many tasks on Krypton, even for determining what career paths young Kryptonians would take as they grew up. Scientific and technological research were highly valued on Krypton, with the ruling body of Krypton named the "Science Council". The Kryptonian Science Council was an assemblage of esteemed scientists gathered together in the capital city of Kandor and later in Kryptonopolis to govern the progress of Krypton's technocratic bureaucracy. The assembly speaker was known as a Drygur and presided over a council of Molioms.
Each Kryptonian family is called a "House" and each family for example, is represented by a crest like the House of El has an "S"-like shape. Kryptonian society mainly places its values on arts, science, military might, and theology, strictly dividing its citizens into the five respective guilds. The five guilds are Military, Science, Artist, Religious and Labor. Kryptonians are depicted as a genetically-engineered race of beings. They are artificially grown in "genesis chambers" using information from the Codex, a skull containing the entire genetic code of the Kryptonian race. With this method, Kryptonians are designated pre-determined roles in society at their conception – for example, Jor-El is a Scientist, whereas General Zod is a Warrior.
In the distant past, Cleric was an alien missionary. His faith lead him to Krypton, where his peaceful message and denunciation of cloning quickly gained him a following. The Kryptonian Science Council was threatened by the preacher, and asked Kem-El to develop a device to kill him and to "prevent any similar act of heresy". Kem-El ultimately developed the Eradicator. With his xenophobic views, altough, Kem-El built the Eradicator so no more Kryptonians would leave the planet, and no outsiders would've come, preserving his ideal of Kryptonian culture. When it was used, the Eradicator merely incapacitated the Cleric, but it instigated a riot that left many dead.
The surviving Cleric took the Eradicator and left Krypton with a group of Kryptonian followers, however the Kryptonians needed a link to their planet, and without it, they slowly withered away and died. Cleric felt responsible and went into exile.
The Phantom Zone Projector is a Kryptonian device created by Gar-El. It can be used to transport prisoners and objects to and from the Phantom Zone, an inter-dimensional realm outside the normal space/time continuum which is a barren and insubstantial null area absent of any physical material. Its main controls are a black button and a white button, used to send and retrieve respectively.
One of Krypton's moons, Wegthor, was accidentally destroyed by the Kryptonian scientist Jax-Ur, who was experimenting with a nuclear missile that was diverted from its intended destination. The disaster killed 500 inhabitants of the moon and Jax-Ur became the first and only criminal to be banished eternally to the Phantom Zone. This disaster also prompted the Science Council of Krypton to ban space flight completely.
A brilliant scientist, Jor-El served Krypton's ruling council loyally for many years. Among his many accomplishments was thwarting High General Dru-Zod's attempted coup d'état. When the space program was abolished after the destruction of the inhabited moon Wegthor, Zod attempted to take over Krypton. Zod created an army of robotic duplicates of himself, all bearing a resemblance to Bizarro. Conspiring with Non and Ursa, Zod was planning to overthrow the Kryptonian government and replace it with his own. Discovering intelligence of the uprising, Jor-El gathered a small force of militia and captured one of the rebel parties, using their communications equipment to send out a signal that disabled the rest of Zod's forces. The three were captured, and the council unanimously agreed to cast Zod, Ursa, and Non into the Phantom Zone. Before Zod is imprisoned, he attempts to persuade Jor-El to block the council's action, as it required a unanimous decision. Zod alters his plea with threats that he will attack the House of El with promises of prestige and unbounded political power "You could be a powerful voice in the new world order, second only to my own". A Phantom Zone portal descends upon the trio, signifying Jor-El cast his guilty vote, causing Zod to swear revenge.
Conducting research on a series of earthquakes rocking Krypton, Jor-El discovered evidence which he said predicted the planet's imminent destruction. Before sharing his findings with the Council, he prepared a rescue plan for the planet's population that required sending all of Krypton's populace into the Phantom Zone, allowing himself, traveling in a one-man spacecraft, to release them on a new planet. His proposal was unanimously rejected, with some councilmen scoffing at the absurdity of having all Kryptonians take up residence among convicted criminals.
Brainiac is the supercomputer that runs most of the day-to-day operations on the planet Krypton. He heeds Jor-El's warning about Krypton's imminent destruction. But rather than validate Jor-El's claims, he dismisses them as false while secretly working to save himself. As he contains Krypton's collective knowledge, Brainiac reasons that should he inform the government, they would put him to work to stop the inevitable and ultimately doom both parties. So his findings were deliberately dismissed by the supercomputer Brainiac who the Council decided to believe. Still unwilling to admit that he might be mistaken, Jor-El investigated, and found that Brainiac had deliberately lied in order to give himself time to escape. By then, it was too late, as Krypton was to explode in a matter of hours. Jor-El could only put his backup plan into effect: to use his spacecraft to save his son, Kal.
Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van built a spaceship they could use to save their unborn son Kal-El in his gestation chamber. Jor-El administered a serum that would prevent Kal dying due to the biological link with Krypton that the artifact called Eradicator had previously established in each of the inhabitants of that planet (the proximity to their planet was required for them to live; this was why Jor-El and Lara did not leave Krypton; the serum also supposedly would only work in fetuses). Jor-El wanted his son to reclaim the fullness in life denied him by the sterility of Kryptonian culture, a world where its inhabitants rarely had direct contact, and preferred to interact with each other virtually. Jor-El planned to send his son to a distant planet orbiting a yellow sun he had been studying for some time: Earth. Meanwhile, the view on a monitor of a Earthling working in a rural area startled Lara, who noticed he exposd his skin to the sun and stepping on unprocessed soil. Jor-El explained that exposure to the yellow sunlight would charge Kal-El cells into living solar batteries and gift him with incredible powers. Programming the ship to carry Kal to Earth, Jor-El offered to send Lara with him. She refused, saying that her place was with her husband. Before the ship departed, Jor-El and Lara recorded a message, telling their son that they loved him, and to always use his powers in a responsible way.
Kandor, the capital city of the planet of Krypton, home of the Council and the Temple of Rao. The city was shrunk and stolen by Brainiac. Brainiac had admired the beauty and architecture of Kandor and wanted to preserve the city from destruction. Brainiac's ship fired three lasers that pummeled the surrounding crust around Kandor and literally upheaved the city from Krypton's surface, apparently annihilating it to outside observers. A force field was then erected around the city which contracted, shrinking the city and its inhabitants and leaving only a smoking crater. Later on, out in deep space, some extraterrestrials retrieve the Brainiac satellite. Brainiac then kills the aliens and takes over their ship, linking himself online with their computer. Brainiac would amass quite a collection of bottle cities, as well as a veritable arsenal of hi-tech weaponry.
Jor-El and Lara watched the Kal's ship depart, and then kissed each other as their world ended around them.
Zor-El and Alura In-Ze lived in Argo City together with their daughter Kara Zor-El and for a while Alura's father. When Kara was a teenager, Brainiac stole Kandor. Zor-El and his wife heeded Jor-El's warnings, and using an android left behind by Brainiac, and managed to recreate his force-field technology to build a dome which protected Argo City when Krypton exploded.
Kal's ship crash-landed on Earth in an open field outside of Smallville, Kansas. It was there that the spaceship and the young Kal-El were discovered by small land farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent. Upon finding the young boy, Martha became attached to Kal-El while Jonathan elected to have the child's true family found. Martha persuades Jonathan to keep the boy as their adopted child, naming him Clark.
Years later while playing football, a young Clark Kent accidentally breaks Pete Ross's arm. The next day, Clark panics when he discovers x-ray vision and nearly burns his school down with his heat vision upon kissing Lana Lang. Clark's parents Jonathan and Martha Kent realize it is time and they show him the rocket that brought him to Earth. The rocket reveals a holograph of Jor-El and Lara, who tell him about themselves and the planet Krypton, and that he is not one of "them." Elsewhere in Smallville, a young Lex Luthor discovers a chunk of Kryptonite and takes it to a street fair the next morning where he is selling his stuff. There he meets Clark, who is now wearing glasses. After Clark becomes weak and almost damages the Kryptonite, a tornado appears without warning and he rescues Lana while learning he can fly.
Later, he tells his parents what happened and that he wants to help people; Martha determines he will need an outfit and makes one with the "S"-like shape based on the image from his spaceship. Clark tries it on and swears that he will never wear it again. A drunken Lionel Luthor, Lex's father, drives off a cliff but is rescued by Clark. Because he is embarrassed by the costume, no one sees the rumored "flying boy." After Lex refuses to be friends, Lana leaves because Clark wants to be just friends, and overhearing other kids teasing him, a depressed Clark is amazed to meet Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Chameleon Boy of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
The Legion told Clark of their origins and that he was destined to become a great hero. They needed his help in the 31st century to stop an onslaught by a group of villains called the Fatal Five. Reluctantly, Clark agreed. When he arrived in the 31st century, he learned of his future legacy and that he was destined to become Earth's greatest champion Superman. Donning a red and blue costume, he joined the ranks of the Legion and helped to defeat the Fatal Five. At this stage in his life however, he was only just beginning to develop his super-powers and was still having difficulty adjusting to his new abilities, particularly flight. In short order however, he begins to master his unique talents and became one of the Legion's most valued members. Meanwhile, Lex upon hearing his father died from heart failure, plans to use Lionel's insurance policy to go to Metropolis. After travelling to the future, young Clark assumes the identity of Superboy and gradually learns to control his abilities, becoming the hero he is destined to be. Brainiac 5 angrily reminds them of the consequences of their actions and the Legionnaires return Clark to the present. They leave Clark with a Legion flight ring to which to communicate, though agreeing telepathically not to tell him about his future. He returns to the present around the same time he left.
Jumping forward to Clark’s years in high school, he re-discovers that he has extraordinary speed, strength, and can even see through walls. He uses his super powers to rescue a family in a gas station accident, and his girlfriend Lana Lang is surprised that he emerged unscathed. Clark uses his heat vision, and after demonstrating to Jonathan that he can melt metal with his eyes, he expresses concern about how abnormal he is. Jonathan realizes it is time to tell Clark the whole truth. He reveals Clark’s extraterrestrial origins, shows him the spaceship, and gives him access to a recorded message from Jor-El and Lara.
At 18, soon after Jonathan's death from a heart attack, Clark hears a psychic "call" and discovers a glowing green crystal in the remains of his spacecraft. It compels him to travel to the Arctic where it builds the Fortress of Solitude, resembling the architecture of Krypton. Inside, a hologram of Jor-El explains Clark's true origins, and after 12 further years of educating him on his powers and his reason for being sent to Earth, he leaves the Fortress wearing a blue and red suit with the House of El family crest emblazoned on his chest.
Years later, a now adult Clark Kent walks around Metropolis, awestruck. Arriving at the dilapidated Daily Planet, he meets Rudy Jones, the janitor, as well as the staff that consists of Ron Troupe, Steve Lombard, Cat Grant, photography intern Jimmy Olsen, and finally Lois Lane and Perry White. Because billionaire and businessman Lex Luthor nearly killed the Planet financially because of a story they had about him, Perry forbids Lois to get involved with Luthor. Ignoring the warning, Lois takes Clark, her new partner, to Lexcorp. Lois disguises herself and sneaks inside Lexcorp while Clark distracts the guards as Planet reporters are not welcomed. Lois watches as Lex unveils Metallo, his powered exoskeleton battlesuit, but is found by the security guards. She flees, but a mistake sends her falling from the roof. Clark sneaks into an alley, changes into his costume, and rescues her, revealing his superpowered self to the public. While in awe over the "flying man", others are scared and the police question him. Clark flees, fearing that he has made a "big mistake."
Lex's daily tradition is to select someone from a crowd around his tower, and provide them with a new life; the newest member happens to be Rudy. Rudy is brought in and offered all he can eat. He eats a donut that was dropped in bio-waste, which causes him to turn into something hideous. Curious about the "flying man", Lex meets with Lois and Clark. Clark goes and changes into Superman uniform then leaves to confront Rudy as the Parasite. Clark manages to get Parasite out of the building and freeze him. The people are grateful but don't know what to make of Clark. It becomes worse when Lex arrives and claims the "flying man" isn't even human. Clark leaves and on the roof of the Daily Planet, sees Jimmy on the ledge. They talk about how they're currently feeling, with Jimmy thinking of returning to home. Clark persuades Jimmy to stay, since he's his "only friend" in Metropolis, and lets Jimmy take his picture. The next issue of the Daily Planet runs with Lois's story and Jimmy's picture, naming "Superman" as the city's new savior. Lex, furious, declares a personal war on Perry White.
The leader of Intergang, Bruno "Ugly" Mannheim, sits in his boardroom on the 95th floor of his skyscraper in downtown Metropolis awaiting the arrival of his top lieutenants. He has a plan to make sure that superman can't stop their operations. Mannheim plans to build a car that can drive thru buildings, walls and bank vaults. It will have armor, guns, nitro boost and a four-man crew to go along with the car.
The group of dangerous terrorists- that will be known only as The Bulleteers- are destroying Metropolis' city landmarks and utilities. They issue a ultimatum: unless the Mayor and city officials turn over the entire contents of the city treasury within 48 hours, the Police building, power systems and other city services will be destroyed. Of course, the Mayor and the city officials have no intention of giving in to the extortionists; they prepare themselves and the city for attack. The clock strikes midnight. A strange, bullet-shaped rocket-car blows right through the police department, leaving an explosion in its wake. After reading (in the Daily Planet, of course!) of the city's refusal to give in to their demands, the angry Bulleteers take off in their BulletCar for an all-out assault on Metropolis.
Perry White calls Lois Lane and Clark Kent into his office. Just as he is explaining the report, on all channels a pirate broadcast comes on with the announcement that this reign of terror will continue until their demands are meet and that they'll contact someone with information on how to pay the ransom. The leader of the "Bulleteers", as Lois later calls them, is shown laughing from his hideout atop a hill outside of town. Over the TV, Clark, Lois, and the rest of the town hear it: Turn over the city treasury or other municipal buildings will be next as their last warning!
Later that day, Lois asks the mayor what he is doing about the problem. The mayor announces that he will not be swayed by criminals. That day, Maggie Sawyer, Dan Turpin and other policemen all over town setup sandbag fortifications for their machine guns and searchlights in preparation for the Bulleteers. At midnight, the gang strikes again, first destroying the town's power plant, bullets from defending policeman bouncing harmlessly off the bullet-car's sleek surface. The attack is merciless- even the Daily Planet's presses are wrecked. When Lois Lane drives off to the scene of the Bulleteers' latest attack, Clark Kent heads for the service entrance of The Daily Planet, and, making sure that he is not seen, he changes to his secret identity. In a Suicide Slum bar called the Ace o' Clubs. When Superman comes in looking for information, Bibbo, thinking this is "some clown in a Superman suit", punches Superman, damaging his hand. He gains respect for the Man of Steel. He would later refer to Superman as his "fav'rit" hero.
The Bulleteers take aim now at the city's treasury building, but Superman steps in front of them and knocks the rocket-car off course. As they struggle to regain control, he leaps in the air and grabs its front trying again to force it off-course, but the Bulleteers, through wild maneuvering, manage to shake him off the car to the ground below. Superman lunges to keep them from the treasury, only to arrive too late. Piles of rubble from the explosion bury him.
Lois Lane arrives at the scene in time to see the gang throwing bags of money into their car. She sneaks into its cockpit and tries to smash the controls with a wrench, but the gang returns, taking off with her. Superman, meanwhile, emerges from the rubble and chases after the car, grasping it by one of its retractable wings, and then by its tail-fins to throw it off course. As it spirals downward, he claws his way to the cockpit, rips it open, and pulls Lois and the three gangsters out. The car crashes to the ground far below.
The newspaper next day reports Superman's heroic feat and the gangsters' arrest for their rampage. Reading it, Clark remarks, "Nice going, Lois. Another great scoop for you." Lois replies, "It was easy, thanks to Superman."
After Superman puts out a fire in the Daily Planet’s main warehouse, he tells Jimmy and Lois that the fire was arson, part of an attack on Planet. While still wary, public opinion is improving on Superman thanks to the Planet, and their circulation rises by 700%. Lex calls upon General Wade Eiling and General Sam Lane, Lois' father, who agrees to help Lex in exchange for weapons technology. Lex reveals that Superman is an alien, and can likely be stopped by the kryptonite rock Lex has, which also powers the Metallo battlesuit. Lois is greeted by Sgt. John Corben, with whom her father prefers she has a relationship. Lois refuses to date him, but John persists, and Clark steps in when Corben gets abusive.
John leaves to meet Lex and Sam and agrees to pilot Metallo. Clark takes Lois to lunch, where she continues to notice that he's not all he seems to be. Clark hears an explosion and leaves to become Superman but the explosion was a fake; Sam Lane had caused it in order to meet Superman. Sam accuses him of being an alien and wants to know what his goals are, particularly with Lois. Superman, feeling as if he is being interrogated, and tries to leave, but Sam tells Superman that if he leaves he'll be declared an enemy. Superman leaves anyway, and Sam orders the Army to attack. The soldiers do little to Superman, but John, in the Metallo suit, manages to weaken him by exposing him to the kryptonite. Ricocheting bullets hit the kryptonite, which explodes and injures John and allows Superman to escape. Sam and his troops arrive at the Daily Planet, and orders it shut down until they can get definitive answers about Superman.
Lex takes John into surgery and replaces his heart with a kryptonite generator, turning him into Metallo. Sam reveals to Lois, Perry, and the Daily Planet staff that Superman is an alien. While Jimmy distracts the soldiers with his camera, Lois escapes. Soldiers find Superman in the sewers and the battle erupts onto one of the main streets of the city. Metallo enters the fight, injuring his own soldiers in order to get to Superman. Lois arrives to warn him about the kryptonite and tells him to leave, but he refuses to give up. Metallo attacks Superman with a kryptonite ray, threatening the bystanders. Superman melts a manhole to cover the kryptonite and flies Metallo into space until the lack of oxygen knocks him out. Sam arrives and orders Superman and Lois arrested.
The crowd turns on the Army, and Superman orders the crowd to stop, telling them that they are meant to be Metropolis's saviors. Not the Army, not Lex Luthor, nor Superman himself. Superman meets with Lex and tells him Metropolis does not belong to him anymore. Lex angrily objects since Superman is not from Earth. Superman replies, "This is my home," and leaves. Later, Lex goes to pick another person from the crowd to give a new life, only to find no one there. The Daily Planet celebrates becoming the top-selling newspaper in the city and now the nation. Superman visits Lois atop the Daily Planet building and thanks her for making him feel like he belongs there. He starts the Planet’s rusty globe spinning again. Lois asks, "Are you a man or an alien?" His response is, "I'm Superman, Lois" and then flies across Metropolis.