Superman: 7 Ways Tyler Hoechlin Is Comic Accurate (& 6 Ways Henry Cavill Is Better)

Superman is arguably the first character that comes to mind when anyone thinks of superheroes. His longevity is paired with actors who have played the role with success. Whether it’s through movies or television, both animated and live-action.

Currently, two actors are playing the character on both the big and small screens in live-action. Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin are undoubtedly similar in their portrayals of Superman, yet there are also vast differences. Both versions of their character are connected to the comics in similar ways but taken in different directions. Hoechlin and Cavill individually play the character as flawed people despite their gifts. However, they still manage to be an inspiration to others.

Updated on August 28th, 2021 by Amanda Bruce: Whether or not Henry Cavill will play Superman again is still up in the air, but Tyler Hoechlin still has more small screen time in Superman & Lois on the way. No matter which version of Clark Kent the audience prefers, there are definitely merits to both versions of the character from the actors that deserve to be highlighted.

13 Hoechlin – Connection To Other Heroes

Though Justice League tried to team some of DC’s most iconic heroes up on the big screen for the DCEU, Superman wasn’t actually a big part of the team-up. Instead, the movie spent more time trying to get him back to his heroic state. He doesn’t have the connection–friendship or otherwise–to the heroes he’s supposed to work with in the DCEU, bonds that comic books have forged for decades.

The same isn’t true of the small screen version in CW’s Arrowvese. That version of Superman gets mentioned long before he ever makes an appearance as someone his cousin can go to for advice. When he teams up with the heroes, it feels earned as he and Kara already have a rapport on screen. The Arrowverse crossovers he appears in are arguably closer to the comic book team-ups than the big screen one.

12 Cavill – Traditional Comic Book Look

For fans who are intensely focused on the artwork–and the appearance–of their comic book heroes, it’s easy to argue that Henry Cavill has more of a resemblance to the traditional Superman comic book panels.

Not only does he have a bit larger of a build than Hoechlin, but he also has slightly more of a resemblance to Christopher Reeve, the big-screen Superman the DCEU and many comic book artists have used as inspiration for their depictions of the character.

11 Hoechlin – Personality

Throughout Tyler Hoechlin’s tenure as Superman, many fans will agree that he embodies the personality of the character well. His joyful personality is paired with a serious side when he offers advice to his cousin or his family.

His kindness is also complemented by his heroics, where he acts as a symbol of hope and inspiration to his fellow superheroes. Not to mention how his relatability as the character isn’t infallible and he can make mistakes at times.

10 Cavill – Power

Within the DCEU, Henry Cavill’s Superman is a hero defined by his immeasurable power. Although he fought his fellow Kryptonians, it is clear that he is vastly more powerful and is only balanced out by his naivety.

Over time, the character has been seen as a beacon of hope and a symbol of faith for his colleagues. By the time of his resurrection, he bests the rest of the Justice League with ease and thrashes Steppenwolf, not giving the villain room to breathe.

9 Hoechlin – Experience

Within the CW television series, it is established that Superman is a veteran superhero. Having been around long before Supergirl’s first debut, Superman has fought against Crisis-level threats and has fought villains from different Earths in the past.

He has also saved lives from large-scale events, such as a bridge collapse, all without a shred of doubt or worry. Most would agree that Hoechlin’s Superman is one of the most capable and action-packed heroes.

8 Cavill – Black Suit

Although Hoechlin’s Superman has also worn the black suit, that was through either alternate universes or through Dr. Destiny turning himself into the character. When Cavill’s Superman wore the suit, it was more thematically connected to the source material.

He wears the suit following his resurrection and it reflects a similar use in the comics. Although it was a brief stint in the comics and the films, it remains an important part of the character part for fans.

7 Hoechlin – Rebirth Suit

Although it has some minor differences, Tyler Hoechlin’s suit is similar to the costume worn by the comics’ Superman during DC Rebirth. Specifically when the post-Crisis incarnation merged with his New 52 counterpart, creating the reborn Superman.

Hoechlin’s Superman also makes a fun nod to the Fleischer suit from the 1940s, wearing it during his first adventures in the city of Metropolis as a celebration of the character’s iconic history.

6 Cavill – Uncertainty

As one of the last Kryptonians sent to Earth, Superman never knew his place in the world. Hoechlin’s Superman touched on this topic briefly, but Cavill’s version had this as a focal point in all of the films.

For instance, in Man of Steel, Clark was determined to prove to the world that he could be Superman. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice saw him try to connect to his humanity, and it’s not until Justice League that he reconciles these two halves as viewers see what a powerful hero he can be.

5 Hoechlin – Family Man

Representative of the DC Rebirth line of comics, Hoechlin’s Superman is currently dealing with a new situation outside of super-heroics – raising a family and two teenage boys.

Thanks to his vast experience as a superhero and his romance with Lois being defined, Hoechlin’s Superman is a family man. Although he hasn’t fully balanced it yet, the character has made strides and stands out as being very human despite his gifts.

4 Cavill – Return

It hasn’t been shown yet with Hoechlin’s Superman, but the character hasn’t perished against Doomsday on screen. Meanwhile, Cavill’s movie version of Superman tragically died during his fight with the beast alongside Batman and Wonder Woman.

Despite this, the character eventually returned more powerful than ever following his resurrection. With the amount of religious symbolism in this interpretation of Superman, his return was all the more powerful.

3 Hoechlin – Love

Hoechlin’s Superman is filled with heart. Whether it’s during his appearances in Supergirl or his main portrayal in Superman & Lois, it’s firmly established that the Man of Steel cares about everyone, including his enemies.

Because this Superman isn’t immortal or all-powerful, he makes mistakes. Rather, he confides with his wife and makes amends with his family, while also acting as a beacon of support when they are at their worst. As a result, Hoechlin’s Superman acts as the best father he can be.

2 Cavill – Hope

This is the main purpose behind Cavill’s Superman. Thanks to his iconography and symbolism, Superman acts like a kind of religious allegory in the DCEU, a beacon of hope for those that are suffering from natural disasters or facing other threats.

His colleagues look up to him in good faith and his return offered the edge in defeating Steppenwolf. His family crest is also true to the comics in that it is representative of hope, with that idea being reinforced by the themes of the narratives.

1 Hoechlin – The Clark Kent Persona

While it’s clearly established that Hoechlin’s version of Superman has more to his story than super-heroics with more of a focus on his family, it also needs to be stated that this focus means there’s also a reminder of just how different Superman is from Clark Kent. There’s a reason that people don’t equate the two as the same person in the series – and it’s not just the glasses.

Hoechlin plays Clark Kent with an earnestness and an enthusiasm for life that isn’t present in movie versions of Superman, not just Cavill’s. He’s the closest to Clark Kent seen in the comics–the boy who grew up in Smallville and set out to prove himself at a big-city paper–as any actor has been able to get. Clark’s enthusiasm for Smallville in Superman & Lois especially rings true. He loves small-town fairs and the people who make his childhood home memorable. It’s pure Superman.

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