Superman comics can vary in tone. Sometimes they take on darker elements to add depth and complexity to the character and his universe. However, the core of Superman's goodness and heroism still shines through, even in the darker moments.
In traditional Superman stories, he is a symbol of hope and justice. But in dark superman fanfiction, he can be a villain or an anti - hero. For example, in the regular stories, he saves the day. However, in fanfiction, he might be the one causing destruction.
Well, generally in a 'dark side' story, Superman could be corrupted by some external force. Maybe he falls under the influence of a powerful, evil entity that makes him question his values. This could lead to him using his powers for less noble causes, like ruling over the world instead of protecting it. He might also struggle with his identity, as the traditional image of Superman is all about truth, justice, and the American way. In this 'dark side' version, he could break away from those ideals, causing chaos and conflict with his former allies.
One example could be 'Injustice: Gods Among Us'. In this story, Superman is pushed to the dark side after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis. He then sets up a totalitarian regime. Another is 'Red Son' where Superman lands in the Soviet Union instead of the United States. His upbringing in a different ideological environment shapes him in a more morally ambiguous way compared to the traditional Superman.
Dark superman stories often explore complex moral issues. For example, in stories where Superman becomes a dictator, it makes readers think about the nature of power and how it can corrupt. This kind of deep exploration of themes attracts many readers. Also, it can add more realism to the character as it shows that even the most powerful and 'good' beings can have a dark side.
One famous 'dark superman story' is 'Injustice: Gods Among Us'. In this story, Superman is pushed to the dark side after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis. He then becomes a dictator - like figure, trying to impose his version of justice on the world.
The main character is Superman. However, in a story about his dark side, characters like Jor - El (his Kryptonian father) might make an appearance, perhaps in some sort of vision or memory that Superman grapples with. Perry White from the Daily Planet could be in it too, as he's an important figure in Superman's life. And then there are the villains. Darkseid could be a key figure, either as the one who instigates Superman's fall to the dark side or as someone who takes advantage of Superman's new, more menacing state.
One interesting 'dark superman fanfiction' could be where Superman is corrupted by an alien force. He starts to use his powers for his own gain rather than for the good of humanity. For example, he might take over Metropolis and rule it with an iron fist, making people live in fear.
One possible plotline is that Superman is tricked by an alien race into believing that Earth is a threat to the universe. So, he decides to use his powers to stop Earth from 'causing harm', which is really him going to the dark side as he's misinformed.
In a Superman dark side story, it could explore how external factors like dark magic or mind control push him to the dark side. Imagine if Lex Luthor manages to use some Kryptonian technology to manipulate Superman's mind. He could then start causing destruction instead of protecting the city. This would be a complete reversal of his normal heroic self.