Superman has many abilities as a hero that make him one of the most powerful figures in comic history. However, an absurd ability has fallen into oblivion over time, even though it is actually quite useful.
What is that ability? Superman made his first appearance in 1938 in Action Comics #1. However, the early years of superheroes were not always as serious and consistent as we know today.
Over his nearly 90-year history, Superman has had some abilities that are no longer known today. Among them is Super-Ventriloquism. But although it sounds absurd, the ability is quite useful.
Not Really Ventriloquism
What can Superman do with it? Superman primarily used the ability to protect his identity or deceive others. The first appearance of the ability was in the comic Superman #13. There, he used the ability to distract enemies in order to save Lois Lane (Source: diversetechgeek.com).
Cbr.com has compiled a small collection where the hero has used this ability. With his ability, he was able to project voices and messages into radios or telephones or speak
from a great distance. One of the last uses of the ability was in DC Comics Presents #87 in 1985.
It is also absurd that his dog, Krypto, possessed the ability. In Superman #177 from 1965, Krypto could imitate human voices.
After 1985, the ability largely disappeared from the hero’s repertoire. In Wonder Woman #7 from 2024, however, homage was paid to Super-Ventriloquism. Superman mentions in the comic that it is an ability that people quickly forget.
In the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the ability is used in the episode Red Kryptonite
from season 3. Batman and Superman use the ability there to disguise themselves and defeat Lex Luthor (via Batman: The Brave and the Bold Wiki).
Why has the ability disappeared? In the early days of well-known heroes, there were many villains, abilities, and stories that were quite silly and absurd. Later, the focus shifted more towards consistent abilities and stories (even though there are regular reboots). This is probably one of the reasons why the ability has never been mentioned or used in a film.
Super-Ventriloquism is simply not an ability that would be relevant today, and it probably only works as a joke. Nonetheless, it can always happen that a writer draws upon old, forgotten aspects. In a list, we have listed 7 Batman villains that film directors should utilize: 7 Villains of Batman that should finally get a big screen appearance instead of the Joker
