How do Kryptonians fly?

[Azurewrath]

Hi, I'm a huge Smallville fan, but I don't know this.

Is there superman background that says HOW kryptonians fly?

Also, are Kryptonians powerful on Krypton? still powerfull but not to the extremes as they are on earth? Powerless? The whole yellow/red sun thing. Thanks. :)

[DarkseidNow]

Here's the thing:

On Krypton, which orbits a red sun, Kryptonians are like regular humans. They have no powers whatsoever.

But under a yellow sun, Kryptonians have all the powers that Clark has. They are like living solar batteries under a yellow sun, and the potency of their powers usually depends on how much solar energy they absorbed.

As for them flying, basically that is related to the bioelectric aura that a Kryptonian gives off when powered by a yellow sun. It allows them by force of will to defy gravity and propell themselves in any direction.

Long-winded and geeky I know, but does that answer your question?

[litew8]

I'm no expert. But from what I understand -

The Earth's yellow sun and Kryptonians biological make-up grants them super powers and their ability to defy gravity (fly). Kryptonians on Krypton did not have any powers.

[faz]

The flying thing, I can't answer for you, I was only a casual supes fan growing up, but on Krypton no, they did not have powers. The red sun made them like normal people.

[Azurewrath]

100% what I was looking for, Darkseid. I'm a long time forum user and that's probably the best answer I've ever gotten. Lol ;D

Now my question is, did Kryptonians use portals to go to yellow sun planets to have fun? I mean, If I had the knowledge that on an inhabitable planet I could outrun a bullet, lift trains, etc, and had a portal there, I'd go.

Was there a place they could do stuff? Which also leads into the question, how does Kara know how to fly if she's like a human on Krypton?

Edit: Oh, got 2 more good answers, thanks guys ^^

[krypt0man]

Then why do their powers differ in strength? WHat about the whole "accepting your destiny" schtick? How come Zod/Lex kicked Clark's butt? Clark grew up under the yellow sun, so he should have been "charging" his whole life. Zod was around for... what? Even after a minute or two, at NIGHT, in lex's body, he propelled a helpless clark into the PZ. Gotta be more to it.

[DarkseidNow]

Originally posted by Azurewrath
Was there a place they could do stuff? Which also leads into the question, how does Kara know how to fly if she's like a human on Krypton?

I wonder that too. In "Kara", Kara mentioned to Clark that her ship had some learning matrix, so that could be a possibility. Or its just lazy writing by Al/Miles. (Shocking, I know)

The Learning Matrix would explain why every Kryptonian masters their powers within two secs under Earth's sun, while Clark can't even walk and chew at the same time.

[Azurewrath]

Ok, also, wouldnt Brainiac be supremely powerful on Krypton? I'm guessing he was powerful there, he could have owned that **** up, lol

[litew8]

Originally posted by Azurewrath
Now my question is, did Kryptonians use portals to go to yellow sun planets to have fun? I mean, If I had the knowledge that on an inhabitable planet I could outrun a bullet, lift trains, etc, and had a portal there, I'd go.

Was there a place they could do stuff? Which also leads into the question, how does Kara know how to fly if she's like a human on Krypton?

Edit: Oh, got 2 more good answers, thanks guys ^^ In this last episode, Lara said something about a 'Portal' to Kara. So, as far as Smallville is concerned, that's how Jor-El, Zor-El, Lara and Kara came to Earth before Kal-El arrived.

[Mello Penelo]

In the golden age, Kryptonians on Krypton had powers. But that was waaaay back in the day.

[litew8]

Originally posted by Azurewrath
Ok, also, wouldnt Brainiac be supremely powerful on Krypton? I'm guessing he was powerful there, he could have owned that **** up, lol I think Brainiac is essentially 'DATA' that can take the form/knowledge of anything. But like any computer - they are only as good as their programmers, and to some degree - do not work for themselves. Brainiacs primary objective (I think), is to do what he was programmed to do (by Zor-El).

Oops, I think Jor-El created Brainiac (for good), and Zor-El hacked him (turned it evil).

[faz]

Originally posted by krypt0man
Then why do their powers differ in strength? WHat about the whole "accepting your destiny" schtick? How come Zod/Lex kicked Clark's butt? Clark grew up under the yellow sun, so he should have been "charging" his whole life. Zod was around for... what? Even after a minute or two, at NIGHT, in lex's body, he propelled a helpless clark into the PZ. Gotta be more to it.

Because Clark's a wimp and Zod's a bada$$.

[Randy G.]

[Mod Note:] Great topic! This was something I've often thought about too.
I'm changing the title to be a little more specific though.

R.G.

[jazzylg]

TPTB altered clark's dna so that he's the only kryptonian that can't fly!

[Coyote]

Clark will start to fly when he finally gains the awesome power to shoot fire out of his butt, so he can take off like a rocket.

[litew8]

Originally posted by faz
Because Clark's a wimp and Zod's a bada$$. I'm thinking that Zor-El is much bigger than Zod. Zod probably worked for Zor-El.

Edit Note: Some people are saying that Zod is the one that hacked Brainiac, not Zor-El. I guess it was mentioned sometime durring the series. I don't recall.

[Azurewrath]

Got a mod note!! Should move it and sticky it to another forum.. >_>

*My dream to be stickied* :P Just jokin'. Thanks Randy, that's some nice bling in your av. ;P

I think they should say in the show that they had a portal to another uninhabited yellow planet, and there they trained, that'd be cool.

[strmbldr317]

It has to do with embracing his full kryptonian identity. When he was just Kal-El in "Crusade" he could fly perfectly fine. But he's been resisting that part of his abilities...that's why he can't fly...because he doesn't really want to.

[chantal]

Kara should have made Clark watch Ugly Betty tonight. It ended with the song "Defying Gravity" from Wicked.


"It's time to start defying gravity!"

[Mello Penelo]

They wear hats with propellers on them. :lol:

[nabadua]

Originally posted by krypt0man
Then why do their powers differ in strength? WHat about the whole "accepting your destiny" schtick? How come Zod/Lex kicked Clark's butt? Clark grew up under the yellow sun, so he should have been "charging" his whole life. Zod was around for... what? Even after a minute or two, at NIGHT, in lex's body, he propelled a helpless clark into the PZ. Gotta be more to it.

You have to also recognize that although everyone mentioned is genetically Kryptonian, Clark is psychologically human. Perhaps on Krypton, people are raised not to doubt themselves and so when they get to Earth, they are not 'weighed down' by self-doubt and ego fears and can naturally fly through mere will. Clark is 'messed up' and needs to grow into this power of will as he matures.

[Kryptonian-Ronin]

Originally posted by strmbldr317
It has to do with embracing his full kryptonian identity. When he was just Kal-El in "Crusade" he could fly perfectly fine. But he's been resisting that part of his abilities...that's why he can't fly...because he doesn't really want to.

Pretty much, its a psychological thing, heck even the phantom that took over his body knew how to fly right away.

[FaaipDeOiad31]

The gravity on Earth is less that it is on Krypton. I've also read that when Superman flies, he's simply willing himself to do so, much like we do when we walk. If you can remember back to "Vortex", Clark told Pa Kent that when he was in the tornado, he felt like he was flying... and that he almost "willed himself" to move toward Lana.

[litew8]

Yea, they don't actually 'fly' like birds.
They defy gravity and are able to project themselves in a direction.
Remember when Kal-El 'flew' for the first time on Smallville?
He bent down then PUSHED himself off of the ground - to defy gravity. Much like what a human would do on the Moon's surface.

[supergirl945]

to answer a prev. ?, at the end of s. 5 it was revealed that Brainiac is an extension of his ship that was created by Zod.

oh btw, flying is a mind thing

[Guidron]

Originally posted by Coyote
Clark will start to fly when he finally gains the awesome power to shoot fire out of his butt, so he can take off like a rocket.

Okay, I lol'd at that one :lol:

It would give a whole new meaning to the term Blue Angel.

[The Wave]

You would think they would let him fly already.

I guess its cheaper special effects to use a "Swoosh" sound and spin a chair implying super speed.


It can't possibly be cheaper then making him look like he's running at superspeed.

Maybe Welling is afraid of heights and doesn't want to be be put on wires.

Maybe making Supergirl flying is taking away all thier Special Effects budget from Clark.

I saw a few episodes ago where Kara implied that Clark was not as mature as her and maybe that was it.

It seems to me Clark has been out of HS a few years now and should be plenty matrue engough.


These writers have obviously never say the superboy Cartoons or read any superboy Comics.

Non Purist!!!!

[Dodge006]

Originally posted by nabadua
You have to also recognize that although everyone mentioned is genetically Kryptonian, Clark is psychologically human. Perhaps on Krypton, people are raised not to doubt themselves and so when they get to Earth, they are not 'weighed down' by self-doubt and ego fears and can naturally fly through mere will. Clark is 'messed up' and needs to grow into this power of will as he matures.

Good point. It all steams back to Clark/Superman's time with humans where he learned to take it easy with his powers (I.E. playing basketball with Pete, or football). It has been brought up a few times when fighting...I think Darkside, that he is one of the few people he can fight without restraint or fear of hurting him. So the same thing happens with fighting Zod, he doesn't know how strong he can be because he's been afraid to see what his limit is. It has been argued that Superman has the strength to strike the earth hard enough to split it in half.

[DarkChilde]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy states: "There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. It knack lies in learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, that provides the difficulties."

[jessestuber]

Question: How does superman fly at night.

Answer: Watch "The Big Bang Theory" Sheldon says why.

lol that has been my favorite part of the season.