Superman is one of the strongest beings in the DC Universe, and also one of the kindest people to wield the kind of power that he does. so it stands to reason that the Man of Steel will help out a god or two, given his immense strength and power.
There are a lot of Superman stories that have a lot of metaphor and meaning baked into them, usually about the nature of Superman’s responsibilities to the world. When a being is as powerful as Superman, it is usually something to do with living his life with the utmost care, as shown by his famous ‘World of Cardboard’ speech. However, the time he helped Atlas hold up the sky was a different but integral metaphor for the character after all.
Superman’s holding of the sky was a metaphor for the weight of the world
Atlas, the Titan tasked with keeping the sky apart from the Earth, walked his daughter Calypso down the aisle for her wedding, having Superman take up the duties of holding the sky. While Superman was away, average citizens and other heroes took up Superman’s duties, from saving cats from trees to beating up bad guys.
When Atlas returned, he thanked Superman, telling him that those who have the weight of the world on their back would never wish it on another, but it is nice to know that people will step in to help when required. This version of Superman then collapses, exhausted from holding up the sky. However, the comic serves as a reminder of what Superman thinks and feels when he talks about protecting the world. This type of thought process is what gives us the Superman from Injustice, the one who believes he is responsible for the weight of the world.
Superman, as the strongest member of the Justice League, needs to be the kindest as well
Tons of evil Superman pastiches have been popping up in media, but they seem to miss the point about why a character like Superman is required to be kind and good.
While Superman is an all-powerful being, it is expected that what comes next, narrative speaking, is the power going to his head. However, what makes Superman interesting is the fact that despite the powers that he possesses, the character is not corrupted. That’s what makes him Superman, that despite his unfathomable power, the man decides to use it in service of people rather than for himself.
The kindness that Superman shows as a superhero is something that is important to balance out other members of the League, or just other superheroes that end up working in and around Metropolis. Superman not only keeps them honest, but he does so to himself as well.
