Guess who is the Strongest Man in DC’s Universe? Of course, Superman! He is the greatest of all other Superheroes. However, his greatest weakness was exposed when he attained the age of 40 years. More precisely saying- when he became a senior citizen superhero.
When the writers started favoring the series of stories and comical strips, is when the Man of Steel started experiencing bizarre stories. As it made him use his powers in less destructive and offbeats situations. One of the most popular ones was when a sudden transformation took place, for example when the Super Man to communicate with monster ants that came from outer space, he grew a monster ant’s head. But what was the most terrifying thing was when Super Man grew old, in Action Comics#251.
Almost everyone agrees that Superman is Immortal and that rather than becoming weaker with age he became more powerful. One reason for him becoming more powerful might be his body’s ability to absorb more solar energy. However, a feeble Superman was shown in the comics who overtime grew old and lost most of his powers as he aged. And it seemed more like age-unfairness.
How the Story began is itself an interesting story. It all began when a story was been done on a scientist by Clark Kent who had developed a magical drink, which could add more years to a human’s life. An elderly scientist said he was ready to use himself as a guinea pig, but Clark drank the potion so that scientist’s life wasn’t at risk. However, what Clark did was nothing more than a stupid act as he should have known that as he was a Kryptonian, the drink wouldn’t affect him in the same way as it would to a human. Clark soon realized his mistake but it was too late to even ponder upon what could have happened.
What was Kryptonite Drink made of?
What the Scientist discovered after Clark drank the potion was that he didn’t shout at the reporter for ruining his whole life’s work but rather thanked him as he took the risk for Clark. He later discovered that the potion only had some isotopes that were like Kryptonite and realized why he was unaffected by the potion.
But what happened the next day was super interesting! Clark realized that the potion he drank last night had made him older. The potion made him 40 years old and he resembled an elderly Rip Van Winkle. Not just his looks but his health also felt like a 40-year-old man. He felt tired and weak. He got worried and went back to the scientist who told him that the effects of the potion will go away in three days.
Soon living as a 40-year-old man Clark realized how difficult it is to live the life on an old man and how bigotry views people have against elderly people. He realized it when he went to the Daily Planet and Perry White joked that Clark should now retire as he is too old to be a reporter.
Since his powers were declining with time, he thought of coming up with some creative ideas to stop criminals. He thought of producing himself as a Father and the Old Man of the Sea so that he could at least scare crooks and pirates.
