<P> During a New 52 storyline Superman fell victim to a complex plot by Vandal Savage that saw him being contaminated with a rare form of radiation that inhibited his body's ability to process solar radiation, gradually depriving him of his powers as he exhausted his solar energy reserves . He was eventually able to overcome this handicap by exposing himself to kryptonite as a form of chemotherapy, but this killed him shortly afterwards, Superman surviving just long enough to stop Vandal Savage's plan, say goodbye to his allies and friends, and pass on his role as Superman to his' predecessor' from the pre - "Flashpoint" universe, shortly before turning to ash upon death . </P> <P> As presented in Action Comics #1 and the 1939 Superman newspaper comic strip, Superman's powers are inherent in all indigenous Kryptonians because of their advanced evolution . Thus, all Kryptonians were shown using the same powers that Superman would have on Earth . </P> <P> Starting in mid 1939 newspaper daily strips, the notion of Krypton having a greater gravitational pull was introduced as a reason for Superman's great strength . After this, most stories in the 1940s and 1950s would indicate that Superman (and other Kryptonians) would only gain superpowers when free of Krypton's heavy gravity (and in some stories, also its "unique atmosphere"), or when not under Krypton - like environmental conditions . </P> <P> Superman's original powers mainly consisted of super-strength, super-speed, super-senses, and invulnerability . As described in Action Comics #1 (June 1938): "When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1 / 8th of a mile (200 meters); hurdle a twenty - story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than an express train...and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!" </P>

When did superman get the ability to fly