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How Taco Bell helped Rob Liefeld create his Superman homage, Supreme
Rob Liefeld named his personal Superman analogue Supreme after a menu item from Taco Bell
NewsbyGeorge Marston, Contributing writer
Published on Tue Aug 04 2026
Popverse’s coverage of Comic-Con International: San Diego 2026 is brought to you byDark Horse Comics.
Rob Liefeld’s Supreme is the creator’s take on his own version of Superman, a comparison the character has always worn on his sleeve. It’s no secret at all that Supreme as a Superman analogue is completely intentional on Liefeld’s part. But what’s lesser known is where the hero got his name, and weirdly enough, Liefeld himself thanks a burrito for the inspiration.
“That would be Supreme,” Liefeld says in his spotlight panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2026 when asked about his favorite analogue character that he created.
“When I was a kid, the first Superman analogue I encountered was at Marvel, Hyperion. It was obvious he was Marvel’s Superman with Marvel’s Flash, Marvel’s Green Lantern, the whole Squadron Sinister, then Squadron Supreme were analogues,” he explains. “I remember being seven years old going, ‘This guy’s cool, Marvel has their own.’ And then Marvel was like, ‘We won’t stop there, we’ll do the Legion.’ And they made their own Legion of Superheroes, which is the Imperial Guard, with Gladiator, who became popular on the Imperial Guard.”
Gladiator is yet another very specific analogue for Superman, representing the Man of Steel’s place among DC’s futuristic Legion of Super-Heroes. As Liefeld asserts, it’s another totally intentional homage, with the heroes designed by former LoSH artist Dave Cockrum.
“So anyway, Hyperion and all these other Superman analogues, and I’m like, ‘You’ve got to get the S.U.P. in there.,’ Liefeld says “And I’m in there, I’m in Taco Bell, at like 1986, and I’m getting a Supreme burrito, and I’m like, I’m taking the Supreme off this burrito, and I’m making my Superman.’ So that’s the best analogue I ever did. Supreme. Boom, thank you Taco Bell.”
Supreme’s status as a Superman homage extends beyond his name and powers, with various takes on the character over the years introducing his own versions of Supergirl, Lex Luthor, and Krypto.
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About Comic-Con International: San Diego
Comic-Con is the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive multimedia, and so much more! Enjoy cosplay galore and take part in unique programming, exclusive <a href="https://comicvibe.com/ben-10-4-preview-circus-of-horrors-tests-bens-skills/” title=”Ben 10 #4 Preview: Circus of Horrors Tests Ben's Skills”>previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.
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George Marston: George Marston is a media critic and journalist who has specialized in superheroes and comics for nearly two decades. Along with focusing on comics and superhero media at Newsarama, George has honed a critical voice exploring TV, movies, and video games with bylines at Total Film, SFX Magazine Online, Space.com, GamesRadar+, and more. During George’s time at Newsarama, the site received the 2020 Tripwire award for Best Comics-related Website / Publication. (They/Them)
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