Action 850 and the "new" origin...

[Ruby Spears Superman]

The best origin in the comics (perhaps outside of Birthright) was the Story of Superman, I don't know if that was the seventies origin who were refering to.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I don't really like the origins that have him develope his powers over time, even though this is the most common version. My screen name is actually taken from the version whose origin I like the best. He had all of his powers from day one and used them. I guess I never saw the Pre-crisis Superman that way because even though he couldn't control his powers right away, he still had them and (supposedly) knew about them. I have often thought that perhaps I am being too picky about this sort of thing. Feel free to chew me out if you agree, I probably need it!

I see it as like a near death experience, once you see the pinnacle of what he can be, everything else seems lackluster by comparison.

[carmine]

I like any origin where baby clark is on a tricycle and riding around so fast he catches on fire.

[Uncle Mxy]

He had all of his powers from day one and used them. I guess I never saw the Pre-crisis Superman that way because even though he couldn't control his powers right away, he still had them and (supposedly) knew about them.

How would Ma and Pa Kent have survived?

I've often thought that there should be a followup to the Larry Niven piece, about what it'd be like to raise a baby with all of Superman's powers.  Think "Letitia Lerner", but more serious.  Imagine if Pa Kent and Ma Kent kept kryptonite because it was the only thing that could keep their unruly two year old under control.  Or, maybe with that super-brain, the six month old would have mastered all the world's languages (except for the article "I") and be wanting to leave the nest. 

[carmine]

Growing up as a superbaby would screw you up so I have to figure Baby Clark had a super-brain (well super for a baby though he never said "I" just "me")

me build super baby robot
me solve Fermat's Last Theorem.

[Ruby Spears Superman]

Actually, today I found Action #857, and while it didn't have flying babies in it, it did say that he had most of his powers, including flight, by about age ten (estimated based on the picture). I think I can live with that one.

Still, I would rather he have flight as a baby then super strength. At least you could tie him down to something!

[NotSuper]

Speaking of a "super-brain," Superman does indeed have a kind of "super-intelligence" now. This new power emerged when he regained his powers.