Superman is often considered one of, if not the most powerful, hero on Earth, with few who can rival his abilities or overall power level. However, DC has revealed that one surprising hero not only rivals the Man of Steel but is, by measurable standards, considered his equal. Still, fans remain unconvinced by the comic publisher’s justification.

DC fans who have been keeping up with current events know that the comic publisher’s ALL IN initiative has brought major changes to the DC Universe. Among these changes is the reinstatement and expansion of the Justice League, which now includes every hero on Earth as a member of the once-disbanded, premier superhero team.

As a symbol of their official induction, each hero received a personalized Justice League hip card. These cards grant access to the new Watchtower and include customized information and designations, including each hero’s specific power level. It is through these power levels that readers learn both Superman and Santa Claus share the same rating of “S-100.”

The Justice League hip Cards Explained

Cover B Lee Bermejo Variant for Justice League Unlimited #6 (2025)

The Justice League Unlimited hip cards were first introduced in DC’s ALL IN Special #1, specifically in the Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere–penned alpha story. Narrated by Superman, readers learn that these cards were forged through a remarkable fusion of the universe’s most advanced technology and potent magic. The creation process combines resources from WayneTech, Steelworks, Queen Industries, TerrificTech, as well as Kryptonian and Thanagarian tech. The cards are powered by the Speed Force, assembled with John Stewart’s architectural precision and Green Lantern willpower, and finally blessed by Wonder Woman with divine magic drawn from realms beyond Earth.

As a result, these cards serve a far greater purpose than simply acting as hip IDs. They are imbued with properties that grant their wielders a powerful upgrade, though the full extent of their abilities has yet to be fully explored in DC’s ongoing narrative. While the combination of advanced technology and powerful magic is impressive, the information displayed on each card is just as noteworthy. Every card includes a picture of the hero, their name, team tier, base of operations, active status, security clearance, and power level. Among these details, the power levels are especially striking, particularly the surprising reveal that both Superman and Santa Claus share the same ranking, as seen on their respective cards.

How Valid Are Superman & Santa’s Power Rankings?

Cover C 1:25 Michele Bandini Variant for Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #5 (2024)

As previously mentioned, both Santa and Superman share the same power level ranking of S-100, which appears to be the highest tier within the Justice League Unlimited. While this clearly implies that DC considers the Man of Steel and the Jolly Ol’ Saint to be on equal footing, it also raises questions about how this ranking was determined. There’s no denying that both characters are incredibly powerful within the DC Universe, but the publisher has yet to explain the logic or criteria used to assign these specific rankings. Without a clear explanation, the validity of the rankings becomes questionable.

With no context provided, these power levels feel subjective at best. For instance, while Superman and Santa are rated at S-100, the Flash is assigned a power level of S-86. This assessment arguably undersells the Speedster’s capabilities, especially considering his ability to alter the entire timeline. That kind of feat could be interpreted as more powerful than anything either Superman or Santa has accomplished. Of course, one could still argue in favor of Superman’s superiority, but the larger issue remains: without a defined framework for how these rankings are calculated, they come across as semi-arbitrary.

How Does Santa Compare to the Rest of DC's Heroes?

Cover D Ben Oliver Rub And Smell Variant for Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight #1 (2023)

While fans may not know the exact logic behind DC’s power level rankings, it seems likely that some thought went into the system, as most of the listed levels do not feel wildly inaccurate. That said, comparing Superman and Santa still feels slightly unfair, since the two possess entirely different types of power. Superman’s abilities stem from physical strength, solar energy, and alien physiology, while Santa's powers fall firmly within the realm of magic. Trying to measure one against the other is like comparing apples to oranges, offering little meaningful insight. Still, it remains interesting that DC chose to place them on equal footing in of power.

A more suitable and informative comparison for Santa would be with another magic-based hero, such as Zatanna. Since both characters draw their strength from magical sources, this comparison feels more balanced. When considering that Zatanna holds a power level of only "S-65," despite being recognized as one of DC’s most powerful sorcerers, it emphasizes just how extraordinarily powerful Santa is meant to be. Other revealed rankings include Batman at "S-75," Green Lantern Hal Jordan at "S-80," John Stewart at "S-90," Wonder Woman and Supergirl both at "S-95," Green Arrow at "S-55," and Aquaman at "S-70." With these values in mind, readers gain a clearer understanding of how DC views the power hierarchy within its hero lineup.

Santa vs. Superman: Who Would Win?

Main Cover by Dan Mora for Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight #1 (2023)

With DC claiming that Santa and Superman share the same power level, it’s only natural to wonder what a fight between the two would look like if DC remained consistent with that ranking, portraying them as true equals. Even so, despite being on the same level, Santa would likely have the upper hand due to his magical prowess. Magic is one of Superman’s greatest weaknesses, which gives Santa a significant edge over the Man of Steel. That said, Clark could always surprise fans by pulling off the ultimate Hail Mary. To determine whether Santa and Superman truly live up to their equal rankings, DC needs to give readers a showdown between the two to settle the matter once and for all.