"The multiverse has a way of aligning fates...It's written in the stars and in this book, or I wouldn't know that on this Earth, Clark Kent is Superman. Where I come from, that would be ridiculous. He can't see past his glasses."
This article is about the character set in the Superman Returns universe. This article only contains information relevant to the Arrowverse. For information regarding that universe, please see Kal-El (Superman Returns).
He was supposed to be one of the seven surviving individuals in the multiverse before Lex Luthor of Earth-38 rewrote reality and replaced him. He was resurrected when Oliver Queen and the Paragons restored the multiverse, including Earth-96.
Clark once went "nuts and fought himself", and also faced Lex Luthor. He also at some point had a son, Jason. After a reject from Gotham believed the Daily Planet wasn't covering him enough, he played a "practical joke" and gassed the building, killing nearly everyone inside.[1]
After the Monitor found a Kryptonian to be the "Paragon of Truth", Clark was visited by Clark Kent and Lois Lane of Earth-38, and Iris West-Allen, who explained the situation to him, further explaining Lex Luthor to be out to kill him. Luthor appeared, using the Book of Destiny to make Earth-96 Clark kill Earth-38 Clark. They briefly fought, but after Lois knocked Lex out, they were able to get through to Earth-96 Clark. They returned to their base of operations, the Waverider, where Clark met his Earth-38 counterpart's son. Ray Palmer attempted to use a piece of technology to locate the other Paragons, but they only found one, that of Kate Kane, who was in the room with them.[1]
Once back on the Waverider, the heroes are greeted by Harbinger, who has returned after mysteriously disappearing. Pariah also appears and the heroes realize that Harbinger's return is a trap by the Anti-Monitor, who proceeds to kill Mar Novu and destroy Earth-1. Knowing what must be done, Pariah sends the 7 Paragons to the Vanishing Point where the Anti-Monitor can't reach them as the Waverider is destroyed and remaining heroes killed by the antimatter wave. At the vanishing point, the Paragons witness Superman die by the anti-matter and be replaced by Lex Luthor who used the Book of Destiny to make himself the Paragon of Truth.
New multiverse
As compared to the original multiverse, no personal tragedy seemed to have occurred to Clark, still wearing his red and yellow crest as Superman.[2]
Clark has the same personality as Ray Palmer and Barry Allen. Clark was kind of reclusive when he lost his friends and his wife Lois.
Clark as Superman.
"They would want your memories of them to lift you up, not drive you to darkness. That's the truth, Clark, and the truth means everything to you. Remember who you are."
When Clark found out that he might be the key to saving the multiverse, he immediately suited up, prepared to face Lex Luthor. Lois Lane noted him for his caring attitude, despite his selfish claims (while under Lex Luthor's influence) that he did not care about their universe because he failed to protect his loved ones.
After Lois and Iris West-Allen freed Clark from Lex's control, he regained his hopeful optimism and sense of humor. He expressed his notions of hope to Lois Lane and Mar Novu aboard the Waverider, believing that hope cuts through even in the darkest of times.
Powers and abilities
Powers
Kryptonian physiology: Normally, like all Kryptonians, Clark's capabilities are no greater than a normal human of his physical conditioning. However, once charged by the energy spectrum of a yellow sun, he becomes able to perform various inhuman feats. His Earth-38 counterpart's cousin has noted Clark for "looking jacked".[1]
Extended longevity: As a Kryptonian, Clark's lifespan is considerably longer than a normal human and likewise ages much slower.[1]
Superhuman speed: Clark is able to change into his Superman suit exceptionally fast, much faster than the human eye is capable of processing. He also easily kept up with his primary counterpart during their fight in the skylines of Metropolis.[1]
Superhuman strength: Clark possesses immense superhuman strength, being even stronger than Earth-38 Superman and Supergirl. He has used it to toss Superman of Earth-38 around, also nearly choking him to death with one hand. More notably, when Mobius (through Harbinger) manipulated gravity to incapacitate all the heroes on Waverider, Clark was the only one able to actually make any movement, by attempting to get up. [1]
Invulnerability: Clark is virtually invulnerable to nearly all forms of physical harm, possibly even more so than than his Earth-38 counterpart. As such, Clark was able easily withstand hits and a powerful collision from the younger Earth-38 Superman. He was also able to take a hit from Harbinger (while possessed by the Anti-Monitor) without being incapacitated, who was much stronger than himself.[1][3]
Clark can fly through the sky, notably using it in his fight against Earth-38 Superman.[1]
Heat vision: Clark can project beams of intense heat from his eyes that are powerful enough to injure other Kryptonians. Unlike Supergirl and Superman of Earth-Prime, Clark's heat vision is red in color.[1]
Abilities
Expert hand-to-hand combatant: Clark is a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant, as he was able to contend with and even overpower Superman of Earth-38; the latter who is still in his prime.
"My friends, my wife. I lost everyone in one fell swoop."
"Almost as if you've been through more loss than any mortal man could endure."
Indomitable will: According to Mar Novu, Clark is the Paragon of Truth (a being "of the purest will")[1] having been through more loss than any mortal man could endure. When he put on his suit, he made a promise to keep fighting no matter what. Even when he failed to save a universe, Clark maintained his fighting spirit, leading Lois Lane to note him for never quitting, like his other counterparts.[3]
Weaknesses
Kryptonite: Like all Kryptonians, even while empowered, Clark is vulnerable to the exposure of Kryptonite, a radioactive mineral from his home planet Krypton. Depending on the nature of the said Kryptonite, it will cause a different adverse effect on him.[1]
Equipment
Superman suit: Clark wears a protective suit as his super-hero alter-ego, Superman.
Former equipment
Clark wearing his suit
"...even in the darkest times, hope cuts through."
Superman suit: Clark wears a protective suit as his super-hero alter-ego, Superman. After his loved ones were killed by the Joker, Clark changed the yellow background of his crest to black to symbolize that hope cuts through even in the darkest of times.
Earth-96 Superman is the same character that Routh had previously portrayed in the film,[4][5][6] with his current storyline inspired by the Superman in the Kingdom Come comics.[7]
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