| "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. |
- For other uses of "Superman", see Superman (disambiguation).
Clark Kent (born Kal) is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet. He is the husband of Lois Lane and the father of Jason. He became the superhero known as Superman and operated in Metropolis. During the Anti-Monitor Crisis, he was revealed to be the Paragon of Truth.
As a Paragon, 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.
Biography
Original multiverse
Early life
Kal disguised as "Clark Kent".
Like the majority of his doppelgangers, Kal was raised as Clark Kent, and grew up to become a hero known as Superman. As Superman, Clark had several "go-arounds" with Lex Luthor, and once went "nuts and fought himself". He also at some point married Lois Lane and 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, including Lois and countless friends and coworkers of Clark’s.[1] Despite this great tragedy, Clark held on to hope, as he believed it would shine through the darkness, a belief which he symbolized by embracing a black and red crest.[2]
Anti-Monitor Crisis
_recruited_by_Clark_(Earth-38).png){kind=link}
Clark being recruited.
After the Monitor found a Kryptonian who felt great tragedy 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; the Paragons were needed to save the multiverse, but Lex Luthor was out to kill all of its Supermen. Luthor promptly arrived and used the Book of Destiny to make Earth-96 Clark attack Earth-38 Clark. They briefly fought, but after Lois knocked Lex out, they were able to get through to Earth-96 Clark and stop him. They returned to their base of operations, the Waverider, where Clark met his Earth-38 counterpart's son, as well as Clark's Earth-1 doppelgänger, Ray Palmer. They attempted to use a machine to locate the other Paragons, but only found one; Kate Kane, who was in the room with them.[1]
During the Anti-Monitor Crisis, Clark joined the Council of Supermen.[3]
Clark then teamed up with J'onn J'onzz to defend the remaining quantum towers, but they were ultimately unsuccessful as every Earth was lost to the antimatter wave. They were forced to return to the Waverider in the Earth-1 universe, the last one remaining.
Superman dies in Supergirl's arms.
Once back on the Waverider, the heroes are greeted by Harbinger, who had returned after mysteriously disappearing. Pariah also appeared and the heroes realized that Harbinger's return was a trap by the Anti-Monitor, who proceeded to incapacitate the heroes, kill Mar Novu and destroy Earth-1. Realizing what the Monitor wanted him to do, Pariah managed to send the 7 Paragons to the Vanishing Point where the Anti-Monitor couldn’t reach them as the Waverider was destroyed and remaining heroes killed by the antimatter wave. At the Vanishing Point, the Paragons witnessed as Clark slumped over, disappeared and was replaced by Lex Luthor, who had used the Book of Destiny to make himself the Paragon of Truth, switching places with Clark and succeeding in his mission of killing all Supermen.[2]
New multiverse
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Superman in the new Earth-96.
One month later, after the end of the Crisis with the Paragons and the Spectre creating a new multiverse, including a new Earth-96, Clark was restored alongside all of his fellow denizens; also it appears no great tragedy occurred to him in the new timeline, since he was seen wearing his classic red and yellow crest while flying around the Earth as Superman.[4]
Personality
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Clark in his civilian persona.
- "Um, do you have a second?"
- "Sure. For a citizen of Metropolis, always."
- —Clark Kent (Earth-38) and Clark Kent (Earth-96)[src]
_recruited_by_Clark_(Earth-38)_2.png){kind=link}
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."
- —Lois Lane to Superman[src]
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'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
Original multiverse
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. Having spent his whole life under a yellow sun and decades as a highly experienced, veteran superhero, Kara Danvers noting him for "looking jacked".[1] Clark is also one of the most powerful beings in the entire multiverse.
- Extended longevity: As a Kryptonian, Clark's lifespan is considerably longer than normal humans and likewise ages much slower.[1]
- Superhuman strength: Clark is much stronger than normal humans and most other extraterrestrial beings; for example, he is proven to be much stronger than Superman and Supergirl of Earth-38; the two latters who are still in their prime; due to the fact that Clark has spent more time under the Earth's yellow sun than Earth-38 Clark and Kara have. He has used it to toss Superman of Earth-38 around, also nearly choking him to death with one hand, with his counterpart being barely able to resist his attacks. 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 far more durable than normal humans and most other extraterrestrial beings; for example, he can withstand nearly all forms of physical harm, even more so than Superman and Supergirl of Earth-38; due to the fact that Clark has spent more time under the Earth's yellow sun than Earth-38 Clark and Kara have. As such, Clark was able easily withstand hits and a powerful collision from the younger Earth-38 Superman without any visible discomfort. 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][2]
- Self-sustenance: Clark's physical needs are greatly reduced or completely removed, as he does not need to eat, sleep or even breathe in order to survive (although, more than likely, he does eat and sleep as a habit) his ability to survive without the lack of oxygen enables him to fly into outer space without any ill effects, potentially giving him the ability of performing interstellar travel under his own power. This is a trait not shared by all Kryptonians, such as Kara.[4]
- Superhuman speed: Clark is much faster than normal humans and most other extraterrestrial beings; for example, he 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 Superman of Earth-38 during their fight in the skylines of Metropolis, the latter who is still in his prime; due to the fact that Clark has spent more time under the Earth's yellow sun than Earth-38 Clark has.[1]
- Flight: Clark is able to manipulate his own gravitational field to generate thrust and propel himself through the air at tremendous hyper-sonic speeds, much faster than he can travel by foot.[1]
- Levitation: Clark can levitate using his flight abilities.
- Heat vision: Clark can project beams of intense heat from his eyes that are powerful enough to injure other solar-powered Kryptonians. Unlike Superman and Supergirl of Earth-38; Clark's heat vision is red instead of blue in color.[1]
Abilities
- Expert investigator: As one of the best, if not the best reporter of Daily Planet, Clark is an exceptional investigator, as he follows every lead and rumor to discover the truth behind any story.
- Master 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. Clark is also one of the most, if not the most deadliest combatant in the entire multiverse.
- "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."
- —Clark Kent and Lois Lane[src]
- 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.[2]
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]Unlike other Kryptonians he has some immiunity to kryptonite due to his longer exposure to the yellow sun.
- Green Kryptonite: Green Kryptonite not only physically hurts Clark, but also it weakens his physical attributes; making him equivalent to that of a normal human. If he is exposed to enough green kryptonite for too long, it will eventually kill him.
- Red Kryptonite: If exposed to Red Kryptonite, it gradually destroys Clark's inhibitions and turns him into a corrupt version of himself. Left without morality, compassion, rationality or any cares whatsoever, Clark will become malevolent and prone to hostility and aggression, making him a danger to everyone around him.
- Silver Kryptonite: If exposed to Silver Kryptonite, it will cause Clark to go in a deep and frightful hallucination where nothing from the outside world can stir him out of it until it leaves his system.
- Solar energy overload: If Clark absorbs too much solar energy; it will act as a poison and kill him.
- Red sun energy: Clark is powerless when exposed to the energy of a red sun.
- Blue sun energy: Clark is powerless when exposed to the energy of a blue sun, it's radiation is also fatal to him and anyone else with a Y chromosome.
- Lead: Even with Clark's X-ray vision; he cannot see through lead.
Equipment
Original multiverse
Clark wearing his Superman suit.
- "Put this on, this crest--I made a promise to keep fighting no matter what."
"Hey, why'd you add black to it?"
"Because, Lois, even in the darkest times, hope cuts through." - —Superman on his different suit to Lois Lane[src]
- Superman suit: Clark wears a protective suit as his super-hero alter-ego, Superman, to hide his identity from his enemies, when he goes out fighting crime. 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.
- Glasses: Clark Kent wears a pairs of glasses in his civilian persona; to conceal his identity as Superman.
New multiverse
_flies_above_Earth_in_the_new_multiverse.png){kind=link}
Clark as Superman.
- Superman suit: Clark wears a protective suit as his super-hero alter-ego, Superman, to hide his identity from his enemies, when he goes out fighting crime; unlike the suit from Earth-96 of the original multiverse; this suit still has the yellow background if his crest.
Appearances
Batwoman
Season 1
The Flash
Season 6
- "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"
- "Success Is Assured" (indirectly mentioned)
Arrow
Season 8
- "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four" (mentioned)
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Season 5
- "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five"
- "Meet the Legends" (mentioned)
Black Lightning
Season 3
Supergirl
Season 5
- "Deus Lex Machina" (flashbacks)
Comics
Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant
Gallery
Promotional images
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Behind the scenes
- Brandon Routh previously portrayed Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"
- ↑ "Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant 1"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five"
- ↑ Marc Guggenheim Confirms Christopher Reeve Superman In CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS As Brandon Routh's Character - ComicBookMovie
- ↑ Marc Gugenheim (@mguggenheim) - Twitter
- ↑ Marc Guggenheim (@mguggenheim) - Twitter
- ↑ Brandon Routh is going to play the Kingdom Come Superman in Arrowverse crossover - Entertainment Weekly
| Other versions of Clark Kent (Earth-96) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To see other versions of this character, click the Earth name below for that Earth's counterpart of Clark Kent. | ||||
| New multiverse | ||||
| Earth: Prime • 96 • TUD25 • Inverse World | ||||
| Original multiverse | ||||
| Earth: 38 • 96 • 99 • 167 • TUD22 • TUD22 | ||||
| Transmultiversal multiverse | ||||
| Earth: 38A | ||||