Conjectural Information
The title or other information in this article is conjectural. The information here does not contribute anything canonical in the SuperFriends Universe. It has been conjectured based on information from the known DC Universe at the time. Please see the reasons in the "Background Information" section below, and/or the relevant discussion on the talk page. |
- You may be looking for The Superman (1940s cartoons).
- You may be looking for Superman (1988 animated series).
- You may be looking for Superman (SuperPowers Figure).
- You may be looking for Superman (SuperFriends/JLA Member).
Continuity-Related Comic Book Character | |
Superman | |
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Information | |
Real name: | Kal-L |
AKA: | Clark Kent |
Species: | Kryptonian |
Homeworld: | Krypton (formerly) Earth |
Universe: | Earth-2A Earth-Two |
Hair: | Black (later Grey at temples) |
Relatives: | Jor-L (father) Lora-L (mother) John Kent (adoptive father, deceased) Mary Kent (adoptive mother, deceased) Lois Lane-Kent (wife, deceased) Kara Zor-L (cousin) |
Occupation: | Farmboy Superhero/Vigilante Newspaper Reporter Editor of the Daily Star |
Base: | Metropolis Daily Star Secret Citadel |
Affiliations: | Justice Society of America All-Star Squadron |
Voiced/Played: | Bud Collyer |
Justice Society Team Member
The Superman of Earth-Two was the alternate-universe counterpart of the Superman of Earth-One, who was a part time member of the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron. He has been an active superhero since at least the late 1930's. Early in his career, Superman was remarkably ruthless in his pursuit of justice, sometimes clashing with police and even the National Guard. His adversaries were even more ruthless. This version of Clark, in distinction from his Earth-One counterpart, revealed his dual identities of Clark Kent and Superman to the woman he loved in the early 50s, Lois Lane, and eventually marrying her in 1953.[1] He was exiled from continuity after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, seemingly forever, but he later returned and played a significant part in Infinite Crisis, when he finally perished.
Background Information[]
- In Action Comics, Vol. 1 # 1 (June 1938), the version we now call the Golden Age Superman was first revealed to the world. This issue also kick-started the Golden Age of heroes (from 1938 through the early '50s).
- A few years later on September 26, 1941 in the Superman, 1940's Animated Serials an entirely different version of the character was introduced being recently referred to as Earth-F.[2]
- The first appearance of the Earth-Two version of the character was first published in Justice League of America, #73 (August, 1969) as a way to distinguish him from his Silver Age counterpart.[3] Many efforts were made to tie these stories of the now aged Superman retroactively into the Golden Age version.
- Earth-Two-A[4] is a reality postulated by E. Nelson Bridwell in the Superman Family letters pages.[5] This designation was used to explain the ’discrepancies’ within the Golden Age comic Superman stories. Bridwell suggested that there were actually ‘two’ Golden Age Supermans, one who grew up and worked at the Daily Star and another who worked at the Daily Planet. He also expressed that while it’s tempting “to say that since the Earth-Two Superman was the one with the Star, we must accept only those stories in which he had limited powers as involving the Earth-Two hero. Unfortunately, that means omitting many adventures which clearly involved that Superman – including his one adventure with the Justice Society (All-Star Comic, #36). Since we know that was the Earth-Two Superman, the easy solution cannot be accepted.”[6]
The Creation of Superman
During the Great Depression, writer Jerome Siegel and artist Joseph Shuster, high school friends from Cleveland; couldn’t seem to sell their stories to any publications. So they created their own short-lived fanzine called Science Fiction: "The Advance Guard of Future Civilization." The third issue featured a short, illustrated story titled “Reign of the Superman,” a callback to Nietzsche’s Übermensch. In this tale, the original "Superman" becomes a villain after being granted super-powers by a mad scientist, Professor Smalley. The Professor used trace bits of a meteor to concoct a formula. He then chooses a man named Bill Dunn (who more closely resembles Lex Luthor than Clark Kent) from the bread line, offering him a “real meal and a new suit.” Smalley gives Dunn the potion, transforming him into a super-man with powers of telepathy and precognition. Dunn is overwhelmed by his new abilities and decides to use them for his own gain, murdering, stealing and ultimately trying to rule the world. But Smalley, being a mad scientist, was really just using Dunn as a guinea pig intending to kill him, taking the powers for himself. That plan backfires when Dunn kills Smalley. Afterwards, his powers wore off. He then laments, “If I had worked for the good of humanity, my name would have gone down in history with a blessing — instead of a curse.”[7]
Golden-Age Superman
A new, redefined heroic version of Superman’s origin was published as a ‘one-page origin story’ in "Action Comics, #1," (June, 1938), along with a twelve page present-day heroic outing.[8] This origin-story was expanded to two pages for "Superman #1," (June, 1939)[9] which featured four additional pages tacked on to the beginning of Superman’s first adventure. By the end of the year, Superman had become a success. In 1973, the one page origin story from "Action Comics, #1," was re-published in "Secret Origins, #1" (March, 1973). In 1986, the unabridged Golden-Age origin story for Kal-L was finally published by the McClure Syndicate in "Secret Origins, #1" (April, 1986)![10]
1940's Animated Series / Earth-F Superman
The adventures Superman encounters in these serials are mainly representative of events early in his career and end shortly into World War II. He was presented as the strong silent type. Lois Lane is a real go-getter and will do anything to get a story.[11] Perry White (not George Taylor) was the editor of the Daily Planet (not the Daily Star)[12] and a young gapped tooth reporter named Louis (resembling Jimmy Olsen) was Clark’s friend.
In the series we are told that the Kryptonian was born on the planet Krypton and that when his world was on the verge of destruction, his father placed him in a rocket and launched it in the direction of Earth. The ship eventually landed on Earth and was found by a motorist, who took the infant to an orphanage. Eventually, he was given the name Clark Kent and over time realized his powers, one of which was flight. This was not depicted in the comics at that time. He eventually moved to Metropolis, was employed by the Daily Planet, and adopted the alternate identity of Superman to fight evil. Early on, Superman mainly battled crooks, mad scientists, mechanical monsters, dinosaurs and natural disasters. When World War II started, he was able to become involved as Superman battling the Japanese, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, when he (as Clark Kent) and Lois Lane were on assignment there. He also helped to protect allied military documents from falling into the hands of the Nazis.
This may seem a little incongruent with respect to the Earth-Two comic books from the late 70’s early 80’s retcon stories. In these stories, Superman is prevented from entering Axis-held territory without immediately falling under a mental compulsion to fight for the Axis cause. The mystic "Sphere of Influence" created by the Spear of Destiny and Holy Grail, then in the possession of Axis leaders was a barrier he could not overcome.[13] The only way this works is if we retcon the date of the episode from July 30, 1943 and put it prior to the Spring of 1940 (Weird War Tales, #50 September 1977).
Earth-Two Superman
In the 1950’s when most characters from the Golden Age were revamped for more modern times, by ignoring or abandoning established continuity making a clean break between the two eras; Superman was one of the few exceptions. Since his stories had been published without interruption since his 1938 debut in Action Comics #1, by the 1950’s, there was at least two distinct representations of Superman. One Superman was presented as a member of the Justice Society of America, while the other was presented as a member of the Justice League of America.
To fix this increasing problem with all the heroes, a parallel world called Earth-Two[14] was retroactively established as the home of characters whose adventures had been published in the Golden Age of comic books. Earth-Two was set against a prime universe dubbed Earth-One. The concept was first introduced in The Flash, #123 (September 1961). This allowed creators to publish Superman comic books taking place in current continuity while being able to also publish stories in line with the Golden Age stories. This ‘Earth-Two’ version of Superman appeared ‘officially’ in "Justice League of America, #73" (August, 1969). And thus was born Superman of Earth-Two!
Since this Superman was supposed to have been the "original" or Golden Age Superman, by 1969 he was in his early 50s, with the accompanying career and life changes that come with maturity. This was presented as a yet-unseen, newly constructed back-story. Foremost among these changes was his marriage to Lois Lane, which had happened sometime in the early 1950s.[15]
All-in-all, stories were able to show both Supermen – Kal-L, the older of the two, was depicted as late-middle-aged, with grey or solid-white hair at the base hairline and face wrinkles, while his Earth-One counterpart, Kal-El, was a youthful man of modern times.
This distinction came with a flattening of the Golden-Age Superman and was not without its difficulties. A notable difficulty, is that when Perry White first appears, he is seen as Clark Kent's boss at the Daily Planet.[16] Yet, the Earth-Two retconned Superman, supposedly never met Perry until after Clark Kent became Perry’s boss and editor of the Daily Star in the early '50s.[17] This move also solidifies the Daily Star as Clark’s long-time place of employment, thus retconning the already problematic existence of the Daily Planet with George Taylor as its editor.[18]
In another discrepancy the "Earth-Two Luthor" is portrayed as red headed, despite having already been introduced as completely bald.[19]
The "Golden age Superman" also seems to have had a power that the retconned Earth-Two Superman lacks, the ability to use his "super muscular control" to contort his face into any form of disguise that he wishes. This power was first used in Superman, #18 (October, 1942) and continued for at least the next five years.
Earth-Two-A, Superman
This Earth is a variant of DC's Golden Age Superman and possibly other heroes. In short, in this alternate world Clark worked for the Daily Planet under editor Perry White (who replaced Taylor in 1940).[20] This is a major difference between the established Earth-Two Superman. For on that retconned Earth, in the 1940's and 1950's, Kent ‘always’ worked for the Daily Star, his editor was George Taylor, and Perry White was a reporter like Clark.[21]
As Superman, he fought a ‘bald’ Lex Luthor in 1941,[22] and demonstrated "super muscular control" which allowed him to contort his face into any form of disguise that he wished in 1942,[23] (a power lost for undisclosed reasons in 1947).
The Superman of this reality was "born of the super-race on the far planet Krypton," having super strength, invulnerability and a costume as a baby. [24]
Kryptonite could be either red[25] or green though they functioned identically.
This may have been the reality where Brainiac was a biological being rather than an android.[26]
This reality also had its own version of the Superman, 1940's Animated Serials.[27]
This universe was presumably destroyed during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, and then (presumably) retroactively saved from destruction during the Convergence event.
History[]
1914 – 1938: Kal-L’s Arrival on Earth & Childhood[]
1914 – 1938: Kal-L’s Arrival on Earth & Childhood |
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The opening words in "Secret Origins, #1" (April, 1986) are:
That’s right – on Kal-L’s homeworld, all people had super strength and speed - the ability to run at super speed and leap an eighth of a mile. In "Action Comics, #1," we learn that a scientist from a distant planet placed his infant son in a space-ship and launched it towards earth. In "Superman #1," we learn that planet’s name was Krypton and that exploding was immanent. Recognizing that Krypton would soon be destroyed by internal pressures, Jor-L tried to develop a spacecraft to carry his family to safety on Earth, but only a small model was complete by the time the end came. Although Lara (also known as "Lora")[28] may have been able to go with her son, she chose to stay with her husband.[29] They rocketed Kal-L into space moments before Krypton exploded. [NOTE: No mention was originally made of the resistance Jor-L met in seeking to escape Krypton's destruction. Only laughter and scoffing. Krypton in the very first stories was located in or near Earth's solar system. Later retconned to be as far away as another galaxy]. The rocket-ship enters the “Earth’s atmosphere in the first quarter of its twentieth century, while many of the world’s own civilized nations were fighting what would be called its first world war.”[30] This places Kal-L’s arrival around 1917, being born the year before in 1916.[31] The rocket-ship landed on Earth outside the small town of Smallville.[32] The ship crashes in front of passing motorists, Pa Kent and Mary Kent[33] where they rescue the Kryptonian baby (not a toddler like his Earth-One counterpart). The elderly couple take the boy to an orphanage [NOTE: later revealed as the Smallville Orphanage],[34] but soon return – “unable to get the sweet child out of their minds.” On the way home, they name him Clark, after Mary’s family.[35] They raised him on their farm near Smallville throughout the 20’s and 30’s.[36] Young Clark KentWhile his powers developed more slowly than they did in other versions (such as ‘flight’), the young farm-boy soon realizes that his skin is impenetrable, he can run faster than a freight train, jump over buildings, lift enormous weights and see through objects (x-ray eyes).[37] The first notable Earth-Two Superman retcon took place when Clark was a teenager (16 to 17 yrs of age).[38] In early summer 1933, Clark worked as a circus strongman under the identity of the ‘Masked Wonder.’ It was around this time he met a 16-year old time-traveling "Earth-One Superboy," who helped him master the use of his Kryptonian powers and dissuade him from continuing his work in the circus to pursue something more noble. [Note: Story takes place specifically the day after FDR's Farm Relief Bill meeting was ‘announced’ in the ‘Smallville Sentinel.’ From actual American history, we know that the ‘House’ passed the Bill on March 22, 1933. The ‘Senate’ passed the Bill on April 28th, the ‘Joint Conference Committee on May 10th and signed into law by President Roosevelt on May 12, 1933.][39] Clark graduates from ‘Smallville High School’ the following year and begins attending ‘Metropolis University,’ studying journalism.[citation needed] In May of 1938, Clark graduates from ‘Metropolis University’ with a degree in journalism.[citation needed] |
1938 – 1940: Becoming A Hero[]
1938 – 1940: Becoming A Hero |
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In 1938, his foster mother, Mary Kent passed on, joined by his foster father, John soon after. Before he died, John warned Clark that his powers might frighten people and exhorted him to use those powers to champion the cause of justice and the common good - "There are evil men in the world ... criminals and outlaws who prey on decent folk! You must fight them ... in cooperation with the Law! To fight those criminals best, you must hide your identity! They must never know Clark Kent is a ... a Super-Man! Remember, because that's what you are ... a Superman!" Clark took his adopted father's advice to heart and decided to create a new identity for himself that would pursue justice while allowing him a human identity. He created a costume similar to one he had seen on his teenage mentor[40] and knowing that "nothing less than a bursting shell" can pierce his skin, Clark dedicates himself to serve humanity as the hero, Superman – the champion of the oppressed![41] In late 38', at around 22 yrs of age, Clark moved to the city of Metropolis.[42] Seeking to use his powers to do good and wanting to be in a position to know where he was most needed, Clark Kent sought a position at the newspaper, the Daily Star, but was at first rebuffed by its editor, George Taylor. Clark decides to eaves drop on a call Taylor gets and seizes the opportunity to save the day and land a job. He takes his opportunity. As Superman, Kent prevented the lynching of a local man believed guilty of aiding a local girl, Evelyn Curry, in a murder. After Superman dispersed the crowd, he returned the man to jail and was made privy to the truth. The victim, Jack Kennedy, had been murdered by Bea Caroll, a local night club performer. As Superman, Kent tracked Bea Caroll and wrung a confession from her. In a midnight run to the governor's mansion, Superman roused the state leader and shared Caroll's confession with him. Curry was saved in a last-minute pardon. He soon calls Taylor with the scoop, but not word about Superman. Taylor tells him to report to work in the morning. Meanwhile, this first outing brought Superman national attention. The next day he is given his first assignment: to learn everything possible about Superman.[43] [NOTE: Back in July of 1938 in "Action Comics, #2," Clark Kent is portrayed as working for the "Cleveland Evening News!"][44]While at the Daily Star, Clark meets girl-reporter Lois Lane[45] and copy-boy Jimmy Olsen.[46] Originally, Lois did not like Clark, who appeared cowardly and timid,[47] but over time she came to finally respect Clark Kent's ability to get a story. The Golden Age Superman was remarkably ruthless in his pursuit of justice even treating the police and National Guard with contempt. In April 1939, Superman took-on a bald, crippled, wheel-chair bound, body-swapping, brilliant scientist calling himself the Ultra-Humanite.[48] The Golden Age Superman was well past adolescence before he learned his alien nature. His journey began after discovering a meteorite (later revealed as Kryptonite)[49] that caused him much pain and discomfort. The rock was owned by Dan Rivers, a.k.a., "Swami Riva," who wore it in his turban. Intrigued, Superman went on a voyage of discovery to find out the stone's origins. He was able to time travel under his own power to watch his father Jor-L and the events that led to him being sent to Earth. For the first time, Superman learns of his origins. “Now I understand why I'm different from Earthmen! I'm not really from Earth at all – I'm from another planet – the planet Jor-El called Krypton!”[50] He must have thought of himself as merely a freak of nature, with no clue that he was not from Earth. In May 1939, as Superman investigates a subway collapse, he encounters the Ultra-Humanite for the second time, but Ultra escapes.[51] In August 1939, Superman encounters the Ultra-Humanite a third time after investigating an extortion scheme.[52] Late September 1939, Superman displays x-ray vision and telescopic vision for the first time.[53] In mid-October 1939, Superman apparently kills Ultra when he pulls the mad scientist into the path of his own ray-gun.[54] Meanwhile, across the world, many conflicts are occurring between various nations including rising European tensions. In late 1939, a Nazi controlled Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. The United Kingdom and France subsequently declared war on Germany. America had remained virtually untouched. In early 1940, Superman learned Ultra was not dead. In fact, Ultra’s brain had been transported to young actress Dolores Winters. In his new indemnity, Ultra had kidnapped several celebrities hoping to collect a ransom.[55] He also kidnapped a renowned physicist who had been studying atomic energy with hopes of producing early nuclear weapons. He escaped capture and apparently was killed in a volcanic eruption.[56] In April 1940, Superman meets Alexei Luthor, who is playing the nations of Toran against Galonia against another in an attempt to dominate the world.[57] Clark Kent and Lois Lane are sent from the ‘Daily Planet’ (not the Daily Star) to cover the growing tension in Europe and to cover the peace negotiations between the two nations. However, the Galonian delegation is blown up on its way to the meeting. It turns out that an power-mad, evil genius is behind it all![58] |
1940’s: Joining the Heroic Community / World War II[]
1940's: Joining the Heroic Community / World War II |
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In the retconned Earth-Two continuity, in November of 1940, Superman joined a group of costumed mystery-men and stopped the attempted assassination of President Franklin Roosevelt in Washington, D.C., by the Nazis and their Valkyries of mythology. Afterwards, President Roosevelt suggested the assembled heroes form a permanent alliance called the Justice Society of America. Dr. Fate agrees and Hawkman says that they should form a special battalion.[59] In response, Superman says:
In the Golden age continuity, the formation of the Justice Society of America is less clear. We do know that their first meeting was on November 22nd, 1940[61] and that there were eight heroes in attendance at a secret hotel room located in Capitol City. This initial gathering consisted of: The Flash (Jay Garrick), the Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Hourman (Rex Tyler), the Atom (Al Pratt), the Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Hawkman (Carter Hall), Dr. Fate (Kent Nelson), the Spectre (Jim Corrigan), the original Red Tornado[62] and Johnny Thunder who became the official JSA "mascot".[63] The Atom asks about Batman and Superman’s absence. The Flash cited them as too busy.[64] They were "honorary members."[65] At this first historic meeting, the newly formed JSA is tasked by the FBI to move against a pro-Nazi organization called ‘Fifth Columnists,’ who were seeking to destroy America from within on behalf of the Axis powers.[66] Over the next year, Superman protected the homefront from various villains,[67] and teamed up with the JSA at least twice.[68] December 6th, 1941: It is the eve of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor! Unaware of the impending attack, the JSA are engaged in battle with a monster. Once defeated, it utters the word "Degaton", before vanishing into thin air. As the JSA disperses, they are abducted: In Massachusetts, Doctor Fate, and the Spectre, are abducted by Wotan. In New York City, Johnny Thunder, the Sandman, the Starman, and the Thunderbolt, are abducted by the Sky Pirate. Superman is with Batman at military function in Gotham City. They are attacked by Professor Zodiak, who immobilizes Batman and Robin and renders Superman unconscious due to Kryptonite exposure. The trio is subsequently abducted by Professor Zodiak. Unaware of these abductions, President Roosevelt desperately tries to contact the JSA. The Hawkman, with Plastic Man, answer Roosevelt's summons and travel all night to meet him. The following day, Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite learn of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. They are joined by Robotman as they head for the White House. Soon to be followed by Hawkman, Plastic Man, Johnny Quick, and Liberty Belle. The seven heroes meet with President Roosevelt. The President greets the JSA members and other heroes and then explains that the Japanese have attacked military bases in Pearl Harbor. He explains that they appear to working with the Nazis and that the abduction of the JSA is connected. He tasks the JSA members present with organizing a global team of available heroes … “a sort of All-Star Squadron, so to speak … responsible to no one but myself!” The President believes that the mystery-men are the greatest resource America has. Before asking them to fly to the West Coast, to prevent a Japanese attack on United States soil; he appoints Plastic Man the teams F.B.I liaison. Off the coast of California, Per Degaton launches his own Japanese fighters to attack the American mainland.[69] Superman and the other heroes are eventually freed from their volcanic island prison created by the agents of the time-traveling villain Per Degaton. In turn, they defeat Degaton and his allies.[70] Superman and the other heroes, soon find themselves flying west towards Japan, with the Spectre providing most of the flight power. As they attempted to attack the Japanese fleet; they encountered the mystic "Sphere of Influence" created by the Spear of Destiny and the Holy Grail, which was in the possession of Axis leaders. For the rest of World War II, the Man of Steel and other heroes vulnerable to magical energy were unable to enter Axis-held territory without immediately falling under a mental compulsion to fight for the Axis cause – a sort of magical shield.[71] That limitation would cause great anguish for Superman, who could see the atrocities taking place in Nazi Germany, but was unable to intervene.[72] As such, hero’s were relegated to protecting the home front (confronting Axis metahumans who ventured onto Allied soil). On December 9, 1941, Hawkman, chairman of the JSA, calls an emergency meeting following the attack on Pearl Harbor three days before. Hawkman tells them that he is going to enlist in the Army under his secret identity. The rest of the JSA agrees having the same idea and formally, yet temporarily disband for the duration of the War.[73] As the war raged in the world around them, the Golden-Age Superman met and defeated a variety of villains (in the Earth-Two retcon, he was confined to the home-front due to the ‘Axis Shield’). In February of 1942,[74] Superman constructed his remote Secret Citadel "in the mountains," not far from Metropolis.[75] [NOTE: the Earth-One Superman had a Fortress of Solitude]. Also this month, Lois begins to entertain her long-term suspicion that Clark Kent is Superman[76] and Luthor, since his last defeat at the hands of Superman, has been working on a plan of revenge. He has given himself powers almost the equal of Superman, including super-strength and invulnerability. He kidnaps millionaire Brett Calhoun and others, demanding that Superman retrieve the ‘Powerstone’ from Skull Valley as his price for releasing them. Superman overcomes the dangers of the valley and retrieves the stone. The last laugh belongs to Superman who tells Luthor that the stone he gave him is only a copy, and without access to a power source, Luthor's powers desert him.[77] After Luthor’s capture, he is sentenced to death in the electric chair, but the criminal genius was prepared for this event. Instead of killing him, the electrical energy restores Luthor's artificial super powers. Laughing maniacally, he smashes his way out of the prison, eludes Superman, gathers his henchmen, and robs the Elkhart Express on the outskirts of Metropolis. Superman shows up, but Luthor escapes. The following day, Luthor in a fake beard, posing as Carlyle Allerton, prominent authority on ancient stones and their mystic powers, easily dupes Superman into handing over the ‘Powerstone.’ This immediately saps most of Superman's power, into Luthor, who now can also grow to giant size (along with his clothes). Superman remains invulnerable enough to survive being smacked with a steel bridge, but has trouble crawling out from under it. The next day, Lois & Clark blunder into Luthor's gang's hideout, an abandoned factory. Kent is tossed into a pit, gets lucky, climbs out, changes clothes, bluffs his way past Luthor's gang, and confronts Luthor, whom he dupes into dropping the ‘Powerstone.’ Superman quickly grabs the stone, frees Lois, frees Luthor's hostages, and rescues Luthor's gang, as Luthor cravenly blows up the factory to cover his own escape.[78] Superman meets with the ‘All-Star Squadron’ (formed the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor) at their new location, carrying the ‘Powerstone’ he has recently taken from Luthor. At the meeting, Hawkman informs, the heroes, that War Department has asked him to gather the whole Justice Society (which includes the All-Star Squadron) in Washington to be formed into a special Battalion - Justice Battalion.[79] As such, the remaining members of the JSA take their “place beneath the ‘stars and stripes,’ acting on special assignments from the War Department itself!”[80] The Squadron is soon attacked by two new super-villains called Deathbolt and Cyclotron, and Superman's old enemy the Ultra-Humanite, still in Dolores Winters body.[81] They are after the Powerstone.[82] Another chronological retcon takes place this month as well, in a ‘first encounter’ with Captain Marvel. The All-Star Squadron discovers that Adolf Hitler has a so-called super-Nazi under his control, who aids the Luftwaffe in a raid on Britain. Superman realizes that this super-Nazi looks identical to Captain Marvel from a kid’s comic book. The Captain, from his native Earth-S had fallen victim to the Sphere of Influence and was doing Hitler’s bidding – to attack the Allied nations and Superman. After defeating Superman, he tries to lure the All-Stars into Nazi-conquered territory, thus placing them under the spell of the Spear of Destiny. Freddy Freeman and Mary Bromfield, as Captain Marvel, Jr. and Mary Marvel (along with the Marvel Family) explain the circumstances that led them to Earth-Two and provide what they hope is solution to the devastation Captain Marvel is causing. When all six Earth-S natives speak the magic words Shazam, they are instantly transported back to Earth-S, where everything is as it should be.[83] In August 1942 he faced the Prankster, a thief who based his crimes on a variety of clichéd gags or practical jokes[84] The twist provided by the Prankster was that the gags were often rigged: firecrackers that produced large explosions, or kazoos that shot poison gas. In the Fall of 1942, Clark is concerned that the people of Metropolis seem oblivious to the Nazi threat to the world So he approaches editor Perry White about writing a series of stories that will wake the citizens up to the realization that they are in danger.[85] Luthor uses giant mirrors, from his base on a meteor in space, to cause a heat wave in Metropolis. He also has Lois Lane kidnapped, in order to lure Superman into a death trap. Superman survives the trap, rescues Lois, tracks down Luthor, and confronts him in outer space. Luthor uses his heat ray against Superman, but Superman soon destroys his equipment and captures him.[86] In 1943, Superman encountered Winslow Schott, an eccentric toymaker who used deadly toys to commit a variety of robberies as the Toyman.[87] In 1944, Superman first met the infamous imp from the 5th-dimensional world of Zrfff named Mister Mxyztplk.[88] Largely though, Superman worked alone. In mid-1945, on a retconned Earth-Two, Superman officially met, becoming a close friend of mystery-man, Batman after rescuing his sidekick Robin and learning his secret identity of Dick Grayson. Together, Superman and Robin rescue Batman, who has been trapped in a wax museum run by a criminal called Zoltan. After defeating Zoltan and his gang, Superman and Batman vow to work together again.[89] [NOTE: Both hero’s had been fighting-the-good-fight for six to seven years at this point] In April of 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies of a stroke. Adolf Hitler, learning of Roosevelt's death, believes it is a sign of an eleventh-hour victory for Germany. Elsewhere, the entire assembled membership of the JSA – the Atom, Batman, Doctor Fate, Doctor Mid-Nite, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Hourman, Mister Terrific, the Sandman, the Spectre, Starman, Superman, Wildcat, and Wonder Woman – attend the funeral of President Roosevelt at Hyde Park, acting as honor guard. Meanwhile, in Nazi occupied Germany, Hitler wields the full power of the Spear of Destiny in an attempt to bring about Götterdämmerung – also known as Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods – to destroy the world and Germany as well, since he thinks the Germans have proven unworthy of him. But the attempt proves to be a failure on this day and on succeeding days. As a result, Hitler finally gives up his attempt to destroy the world with the Spear of Destiny.[90] [NOTE: The Spectre is visible in this story because Jim Corrigan was briefly reunited with the Spectre for President Roosevelt's funeral, but the Spectre became invisible once more when Corrigan returned to the U.S. Army.] As the New Year begins, the War was at an end. Post-war America experienced a boom in modern technology, and high-tech criminals became more commonplace … and for a while, the world was at peace. Throughout the remainder of the 40’s, Superman stayed relatively close to the home front, dealing with many capers and battled many villains, such as the Prankster,[91] Mr. Mxyztplk,[92] Winslow Schott (aka the Toyman),[93] and Luthor.[94] Superman even participated to a greater degree with the Justice Society, notably in the pursuit of Calvin Stymes. Stymes had used the river of Koehaha, Colorado's legendary Stream of Ruthlessness, to induce several prominent businessmen to become criminals, discrediting themselves to his benefit.[95] |
1950 – 1960’s: Post War[]
1950 – 1960’s: Post War |
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Through the '50s Superman's knowledge of Krypton and Jor-El, is enhanced by a seemingly endless stream of remarkable discoveries. [NOTE: This transition marks the end of the Golden Age.] In February of 1950, Luthor kidnaps Lois to get Superman to collect the materials so he can make synthetic kryptonite, now and forever after colored green.[96] In April 1950, Superman is confronted with his first Kryptonian menace, three super criminals Kizo, U-Ban and Mala (their leader) – who had been shot into Krypton’s orbit by Jor-L under suspended animation, thus surviving its destruction. [NOTE: This is the last time the contention is made that everyone from Krypton is born with super-powers. Also important, is that there is not an Earth-Two alternative to the Phantom Zone.] The trio was reanimated, eventually making their way to Earth, intent on her conquer. After an intense struggle, they all needed rest, however as Superman rested, the three Kryptonians began to fight among themselves. Superman was then, able to easily subdue them and encase them in their ship, sending them back into suspended animation.[97] In October, three 'thought-projection-disks,' which give a detailed account of the courtship of Jor-El and Lara, arrive on Earth by a U.S. experimental rocket.[98] In 1951, a retconned JSA (consisting of, the Atom, Dr. Midnight, Black Canary, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman and Wonder Woman) were summoned before the ‘House un-American Affairs Committee’ (HUAC). Based on a recent case, the HUAC concluded that the JSA had ties that ran contrary to American interests and demanded they reveal their identities and submit to Congressional interrogation. The JSA declined, vanished from the Congressional Hearing and went inactive for about twelve years.[99] Many “mystery-men” entered a state of uncomfortable retirement. Superman remained active due to his broad recognition by the government and the American people. He, Batman and Wonder Woman helped fill in the gaps of coverage of retired JSA members or covered up when they needed to be active such. Another remarkable discovery happened when Luthor discovers a treasure trove of weapons which had been invented by Jor-L, floating in space. Superman is able to retrieve these items a lock them in his vault (presumably in his secret hideaway built a decade earlier).[100] The following year, in June (of 52’), in another Earth-Two retcon, Colonel Future a crime boss, hires the Wizard (former leader of the Injustice Society), to eliminate Superman. So, the Wizard casts spell (one of Superman's obvious weaknesses) to remove the Last Son of Krypton from existence. However, it has an unintended effect – it causes Clark to lose his memory of Superman! When no one believes that he's responsible for Superman's disappearance, the Wizard loses his confidence and is unable to cast another spell for over a year, eventually becoming a derelict under the pseudonym of Frederick P. Garth. In the days and weeks that follow, Clark becomes a fist-fighting reporter taking down gambling dens and the like. He also begins dating Lois more seriously and she is also more romantically attracted to this ‘new-version’ of Clark.[101] A year goes by since Superman has gone missing. It is now the summer of 53’. Lois and Clark, who have been ‘officially’ dating this whole time get married. During the Kents' honeymoon in the Caribbean, agents of Colonel Future attempted to murder Clark for his past interference. Spying on his ocean swim, they riddle him with bullets, but were surprised that he took no notice of them. Assuming equipment failure, they fled. Lois realized that her husband was invulnerable and concluded that she had been correct in her earlier suspicions. That night, she tried to cut his hair with a pair of scissors, only to break them on his invulnerable locks. Lois then decides to track down the Wizard and convinces him to publicly bring back Superman, which he does. Superman then arrests the Wizard, sending him to jail. Lois offered to annul their marriage, but Clark declined assuring that he's still her husband even if they married while he didn't know he had a secret identity. From this point on, they work together as “Mr. and Mrs. Superman.” The two renewed their vows in Superman's mountainside Secret Sanctuary.[102] Afterwards, they move in together sharing their first apartment.[103] A few months later in September, George Taylor retires from the office of Editor-In-Chief. He appoints Kent as the new editor (over Perry White) of the Daily Star.[104] In December of 53’ (perhaps 3 months after his promotion), Clark hired Lana Lang to be their new television critic. Her father, Professor Lewis Lang, was born in Smallville and went to school with Clark's father. But she and her family had left Smallville when she was very young moving to Metropolis. [NOTE: “On Earth-Two, Smallville remained a very tiny place. Since their Superman never had a Superboy career, the town didn’t experience a boom as the Earth-One Smallville did!”][105] The following year in the spring of 54’, Superman discovers Jor-El's last will and testament on the site where his rocket crash landed on Earth.[106] The Ultra-Humanite (as Dolores Winters), returns to Metropolis for revenge on Superman.[107] When Dan Rivers, aka Swami Riva, was released from prison, he went to retrieve the kryptonite stone from the riverbed where he'd discarded it. He sent Lois an anonymous gift of a brooch made of kryptonite, but the Kents were wary and turned the tables. Back in prison, Rivers told his story to Alexei Luthor, whose interest in the mineral was piqued.[108] Luthor invented a telescope to track a kryptonite meteor falling to Earth, and then escaped from prison to acquire it. He disguised himself as a statue made of kryptonite and disabled Superman but Lois recognized him and helped bring Luthor down.[109] About a year later, in October of 1955, Lois and Clark had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle (the former Catwoman). At the reception, they saved the life of Harvey Kent (formerly Earth-Two's Two-Face, who'd had corrective plastic surgery). Afterwards Superman revealed his secret identity to Selina.[110] Before the year was over, in December of 55’, Lana arrived at work wearing a gift from her father, a new scarab. He found the stone in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. It was allegedly made by a Son of Ra's wizard to ward off insect plagues. Superman's high speed vibrations awakened the scarab's power and it took over Lana's mind. She was compelled by it to transform a fly to giant-sized, and rode upon it as the Insect Queen. After her magical attack on Superman, she returned to normal and remembered nothing. But back at the office, Clark recognized that Lana's brooch was the same as the Queen's.[111] The second time the brooch was activated, Lois Lane noticed, and witnessed Lana's powers in action. Apparently, the brooch is triggered by the sound of Superman flying nearby, believing he is a giant insect, and compels Lana to destroy the "insect". She attacks Superman with an army of giant ants. This drew the attention of the Ultra-Humanite, who uses his men to capture one of the ants making it the new host for his brain. Superman pretends to be defeated. The Insect Queen and the ants leave. Then the human-brained ant approaches Lana, reveals that he is the Ultra-Humanite, and announces that he will use Lana's powers to destroy Superman![112] Superman consults Lana’s father, Prof Lang for help. He gives Superman an ancient powder to modify the scarab's power. He managed to separate the scarab from Lana and she regained her senses. Superman then cleared her mind to help her control the ancient scarab, by reciting an ancient spell. She was then able to use the scarab with discretion. Ultra scurried off and Superman returned the scarab to Lana — she could continue to use it if needed, but not against Superman. The Ultra-Humanite, now in the body of a giant ant, returns to Metropolis to battle Superman.[113] Throughout the remainder of the 50’s and most of the 60’s, Superman had become less-active, focusing more on Lois and his career as a reporter. During this time, he is reminded of Swami Riva because common street thugs were using kryptonite to help thwart capture. He and Lois outfitted themselves in radiation suits calling themselves ‘Flying Tiger’ and ‘Kitten.’ Together, they go undercover to find the one who is supplying kryptonite (a nameless tycoon once imprisoned by Superman).[114] Seeing Flying Tiger and Kitten, inspired one-time petty criminal, Funny Face[115] to try to acquire Kryptonite. He used a magical machine to bring the Flying Tiger from drawings into life.[116] Troubled that humans have become the dominant species on Earth, insectoid alien visitors alter Earth's environment to encourage the evolution of intelligent insects. Superman called on Lana Lang to help him defeat the invasion. She uses her Insect Queen abilities to command them to reverse their changes and leave the planet.[117] |
1969 – 1985: Later Life[]
1969 – 1985: Later Life |
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In the Spring of 1969, after years of inactive-membership, Superman teams-up with the JSA. In a retconned Earth-Two story, Superman and the JSA (Starman, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Dr. Fate, Dr. Mid-Nite and Red Tornado) are placed under hypnotic possession by the evil Aquarius. The Justice League of America from Earth-One come to their aid. As the JLA rush to greet their friends, each one in turn is attacked by their JSA counterpart. A monumental battle begins with the two Supermen. Equally matched and battle each other to the point of exhaustion and the two pass out. Together both teams, eventually defeat and seemingly kill Aquarius.[118] [NOTE: This was the "first canonized appearance of the "Earth-Two" Superman.] Soon after, the aging hero (a little gray at his temples) teams-up with JSA on at least three more missions throughout the early 70's[119] - one of which involves the Freedom Fighters and Earth-X![120] In April of 1974, a spaceship from Krypton arrives on Earth and is found by Superman. Inside, is his cousin, Kara Zor-L. She apparently was sent from Krypton as a baby, just before the planet exploded by her father Zor-L almost 60 yrs ago. Kara, however, has only physically aged 20 yrs.[121] Kal-L decides to keep her existence a secret until the right time. Kara lives in Superman's Secret Citadel in the mountains for the next two years, learning how to live amongst humans and being trained by Superman in the use of her powers. She acts as Superman's “secret weapon” occasionally but keeps herself from being seen by anyone. She eventually took on a super-powered identity of her own as Power Girl (thereby becoming the Earth-Two equivalent of Supergirl), revealing herself to the world in the spring of 1976.[122] In December of 1976, a few months after Power Girl’s debut, Hourman comes out of retirement to help the JSA also fight a new menace appears in the form of the ancient sorcerer Zanadu. Dr. Fate encases Zanadu in a sealed cage of amber. Superman decides to give up his ‘chair’ in the JSA, transferring it to Power Girl,[123] but was still was on-call when needed.[124] In 1979, Superman was saddened by the death of his old friend, and titan in the good-fight, Batman, who was killed in action.[125] In late 1981, Superman returned to full-time activity.[126] The Luthor of Earth-Two and the Luthor of Earth-One decide to relocate to Earth-Three as their new crime base and use the evil Earth-Three "Superman" known as Ultraman as their enforcer. Little do they know that Earth-Three has its own superhero-in-waiting to defeat them all. And that hero is Luthor![127] In December 1983, the Ultra-Humanite exposed Superman and five other JSA members to the waters of Koehaha (aka ‘Stream of Ruthlessness’) in a scheme which pitted the veteran heroes against the rest of the team, as well as the newly-established team of their own children and protégés, Infinity, Inc. Unfortunately, Superman battles with Power Girl and the children of his allies.[128] Being temporarily corrupted by the ‘Stream of Ruthlessness’ was a terrible blow to his reputation. Another terrible blow, came when, as Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Star, he recovered a diary written by the Batman, implicating the JSA as being Nazi collaborators during World War II. He printed the diary's contents in the Daily Star, which resulted in the indictment of the Justice Society. At the resulting public Congressional hearing, the JSA is exonerated after Dick Grayson (Robin) discovered that Batman had written the diary to direct attention at longtime JSA enemy Per Degaton and his upcoming attempt to conquer time; as a result, the JSA was exonerated.[129] |
Crisis on Infinite Earth[]
Crisis on Infinite Earth |
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It is July 1985. The skies overhead have turned red. Weather around the world is out of whack. All the signs point to the coming of Armageddon.[130] On board a satellite, somewhere between all space and time,[131] the Monitor summons his assistant Lyla. He instructs her to travel to various alternate Earths and bring together a select group of super-powered beings – both heroes and villains. She transforms into the Harbinger and uses her power to create replicant versions of herself and sends them to the various Earths. The Monitor meanwhile, prepares to gather a space capsule containing young, Alexander Luthor.[132] Later, aboard the Monitor’s satellite we find more super-powered beings: Psimon, Superman of Earth-Two, Geo-Force, Obsidian (from the Outsiders), Cyborg (from the new Teen Titans), Dr. Polaris and John Stewart (aka Green Lantern). Before the assemblage has a chance to acclimate itself to their foreign environment, a horde of Shadow Demons attacks them. They fight them off until the Monitor arrives. He casts a brilliant burst of light, which dispels the shadows. Introducing himself, he tells the impatient gathering that the Multiverse may soon be destroyed by a wave of antimatter energy.[133] Superman of Earth-Two, King Solovar and Dawnstar travel to into the future between the present and the 30th century – the post-apocalyptic, parallel-world known as Earth-AD -- to the world of adventurer Kamandi (future descendant of Earth-One’s Superman)[134] to find the Monitor’s device. A horde of Shadow Demons arrives, but the heroes manage to drive them away.[135] After defeating the Shadow Demons, stand by helplessly and dismayed as the sky turns the color of blood and lightning storms erupt all around them. As they watch, Solovar succumbs to his recent injuries and dies in Kamandi's arms.[136] Suddenly the cosmos shutters! The universes containing Earths S, X, and 4 all begin to move away from the anti-matter cloud into the focused image of the Harbinger – into the netherverse the Monitor created. Thus linking them together with Earths 1 and 2. The worlds, while safely synchronizing, are still separated by different vibratory rates and cannot stay this way for long. Now drained of her power, Harbinger reverts back to being Lyla and joins Alex Luthor Jr. on an asteroid overlooking the five universes. Because of Lyla’s sacrifice, the Psycho-Pirate begins to lose control over the people's emotions.[137] While on the asteroid, Alex Luthor Jr. and the Harbinger (now Lyla) are joined by Pariah. He laments over his plight to see the destruction of countless worlds. He asks Lyla if the Monitor to her his purpose in it all. While she does not have the answers he seeks, she does know the Monitor believed he was important to the conclusion of the Crisis. She then said that she will provide an explanation, but not to him alone. There are five earths that remain and representatives of six universes that need to know. She then asks him to transport them to earth where she will gather the representatives.[138] Alex Luthor collects ‘Superman’ of Earth-One and ‘Superman’ of Earth-Two to their earth’s representatives.[139] They are joined on the asteroid by Captain Marvel (from Earth-S), Blue Beetle (from Earth-Four), Lady Quark (from the now destroyed Earth-Six) and Uncle Sam (from Earth-X). Lyla explains to them the birth of the multiverse and the roots of the Crisis,[140] the birth of the endless positive-matter duplicates of the universe. Oa is the only planet not duplicated in the multiverse (positive universe earths). It did however receive and an opposite in the antimatter universe, where it was called Qward. She concludes her story by explaining how Pariah (a leading scientist on Earth of his universe) inadvertently awakened the Anti-Monitor and the Monitor, by setting up a chamber in his lab where he could enter a pocket of the antimatter universe to observe the creation of the universe. The Anti-Monitor is consuming ‘positive-matter’ universes. She explains that Pariah also has a unique gift, he could sense where evil would strike and how the Monitor could follow Pariah to where the anti-matter waves were and stop them. But with every universe that was consumed the Monitors power grew weaker. Soon, the Monitor needed a new plan. He found young Lyla, floating in the ocean after her ship had sunk. The Monitor raised the child and prepared her for a great mission.[141] Our six representatives are joined by another group of heroes: the Supermen of Earth-One, Mon-El, Captain Atom, Jade, Green Lantern of Earth-Two, the Ray, Martian Manhunter, Wildfire, Firestorm, the new Dr. Light, and Supergirl. As our select group of heroes assemble for the great battle, other heroes that are present, are concerned for their safety and success. The chosen heroes are led by Pariah to the Anti-Monitor's floating stone fortress. The heroes are intent on destroying the fortress and the Anti-Monitor. Supergirl engages the Anti-Monitor in physical combat almost totally destroyed his body by her pulverizing blows. With his energy is now waning, she manages to destroy the universe-merging machine, but in the process is wounded. Superman of Earth-One swoops in to hold his cousin Kara. She dies in his arms and Superman screams out, vowing that he would have his revenge. Superman of Earth-Two is also their grieving for Kara and comforting his younger counterpart. At that moment, the Anti-Monitor's fortress falls apart and our heroes head back to back to their own universe.[142] The Crisis is Apparently Over
For the most part, the five Earths are for now out of danger. The time distortions have ceased, and the Earths remain linked, if not fully merged. Soon afterward, the worlds receive the news of Super-girl's death and a memorial service is held in Earth-One Chicago. Thousands of people, including Brainiac 5 and many super-heroes attend. Batgirl makes the opening address, praising her friend, states that: "Kara is a hero. She will not be forgotten."[143] Meanwhile, both Luthor of Earth-One and Brainiac of Earth-One have gathered a cadre of Earth's most powerful super-villains, aboard Brainiac’s ship. Luthor then explains to them that they should take advantage of the Crisis by holding three of the multiple Earths hostage. Lex Luthor of Earth-Two protests, believing that he should lead the horde rather than his Earth-One counterpart. Brainiac concedes that there is no need for two Lex Luthors and kills the Earth-Two Luthor.[144] Down below, a Media-frenzy is taking place where the five remaining Earths intersect one another. Reporters have dubbed the place as the Warp Zone, because strange time-distortion are still taking place and creatures from various timelines run-a-muck. Many scientists (such as Rip Hunter, Dr. Klyburn, Dr. Will Magnus and Dr. Darwin Jones) are on the outskirts of the Zone being interviewed and watching it unfold.[145] Superman and Power Girl of Earth-Two and several others struggle to pierce the barrier separating the merging Earths.[146] Meanwhile, Luthor’s cadre of villains, aware of the breach, takes advantage of the situation. They spread themselves across the realities, sowing chaos and discord at every turn. Back on Brainiac's ship, Psimon suddenly appears from the shadows. He is the only super-villain that did not join with the others planet-side. Using his powerful mental energy, Psimon blasts Brainiac, shattering him into a thousand pieces. He then brings himself to bear upon Lex Luthor.[147] What Psimon doesn't realize however is that Brainiac's consciousness has been downloaded into the circuitry of his ship. He forges a new body for himself and blasts the top off of Psimon's crown with a beam of energy, killing him.[148] Several heroes begin to migrate to Earth-One to coordinate their efforts. They gather in the wastelands of Death Valley. As they gather and form teams, Superman of Earth-Two shares a sweet moment with his wife, Lois Kent. As they prepare, Superboy of Earth-Prime joins them. The two older Superman greet him and ask him about his disappearance.[149] He tells them he’s unsure of what exactly happened, but he is here now and wants to join them on their mission to the past. A handful of others, including the Blue Devil discuss ‘Earth-Prime Universe’ and not being aware of its existence. He explains to them that it has been destroyed and that he is its only survivor. After a speech on ‘freedom’ from Uncle Sam, Magno Lad, Cosmic Boy and Gold, finish working on a large magnetic conductor, that will be able to shunt our heroes backwards through time with help of electricity-based heroes.[150] New Earth is FormedThe Big Bang happens again! Suddenly, the skies are thunderous and glow red. It spreads over the entire world. In the Tower, Pariah suffers pain but doesn’t disappear and Alex Luthor, Jr. glows with the anti-matter effect. On a rooftop in New York, the two Supermen, seeing the sky, realize that the Earth is being drawn into the anti-matter universe. They are soon confronted by a huge image of the Anti-Monitor, welcoming them to his home, and to their deaths.[153] The Anti-Monitor's visage is seen in the skies all over the globe. He explains that thousands of universes have perished without resistance, but you have refused. He then applauds their willingness to live, then tells them that it ultimately doesn’t matter nor do the deaths of both Supergirl and the Flash – because they will all die! Before he disappears and the skies turn black, he tells them that his Shadow Demons are ravaging the earth as he speaks.[154] The Harbinger appears to both Supermen who stand on the rooftop dismayed at their plight and teleports them away. On Qward, Harbinger’s gathered heroes prepare to confront the Anti-Monitor. The Supermen of Earth One and Two, Power Girl, Martian Manhunter, Kid Flash, Dr. Light, Captain Atom, Lady Quark, Firestorm, Firehawk, Captain Marvel, both Wonder Women, and other heroes are on hand for what seems like a final battle. Pariah senses evil and the Anti-Monitor appears.[155] Our heroes strike at the Anti-Monitor. Harbinger explains to Dr. Light the reason the Monitor created her and it was for this time. Dr. Light absorbs the energy of one of the binary suns that the Anti-Monitor is drawing power from. Alex Luthor begins to drain the antimatter energy away from the Anti-Monitor. The Negative Woman, uses her radioactive power to bind the Anti-Monitor and inhibit him, while the other heroes engage in a frontal assault. He falls to a nearby planetoid seemingly killed and our heroes cheer. Just then Wonder Woman of Earth-One is struck with a flash of power from the Anti-Monitor and appears to disintegrate. Superman of Earth-One and Lady Quark vow deadly revenge, but Superman of Earth-Two knocks them out, and tells Superboy to take them back. The elder Superman, believing he has the least to lose (no world and no wife to return to), confronts the evil Monitor head-on and batters him. Superboy sends the Earth-One Superman and Lady Quark back through Alex's shrinking body, but decides to stay and comes to the elder Superman’s aid. Alex warns them that the he has very little power left to keep the portal open. The elder Superman continues his one-man war against the Anti-Monitor. He decides that now is the time to take a life and he destroys Qwards moon and uses the asteroids to assault the anti-monitor. Superboy gets in on the action, but is blasted by the Anti-matter and almost rendered unconscious. But not for long, he attack pushes the heroes back. Darkseid (who has been watching from afar) realizing that the fate of the universe is at stake, including his home world, decides to attack. He sends a power burst (i.e. Omega Effect) at him through Alex's eyes. The enemy is devastated and hurled into the core of one of the binary suns. Superman, Superboy, and Alex are stunned to see a fiery ball of their enemy rising from the sun. Superman smashes into his foe's fiery body obliterating him. The Anti-Monitor’s remains fall back into the sun and the star begins to implode. The trio gazes in disbelief, realizing that it is over but that the devastated Sun will destroy everything for millions of miles.[156] As our three heroes (Superman, Superboy, and Alex) discuss what to do next, in the short time they have, Alex tells them that he does not have the energy to reopen the portal between universes. Superman wishes that his Lois was there to share in the victory. Alex tells him that she did survive and that he has safely tucked her away in a ‘pocket-universe.’ He reveals her to Superman and the two embrace. She tells her husband that she had been to a tranquil world. Alex decides to head back into the pocket universe. Superman, Lois and Superboy all realize that they do not have a place in the new Post-Crisis universe and decide to accompany Alex into the paradise-like dimension. The foursome vanish seconds before the exploding sun would have reached them.[157] |
Strengths and Abilities[]
Kryptonian Physiology: Kal-L's powers were attributed to his Kryptonian physiology, and NOT the radiation of a yellow sun, as all Kryptonians native to this reality did have superpowers in their original red sun system. Hence, Kal-L's powers did not fluctuate under the presence or lack of yellow sun light. This was the primary rationale used for his lower superpower levels to his other dimensional counterparts and his aging.
- Superhuman Strength: His strength did not compare to his Earth-One counterpart or other other-dimensional Kryptonians.
- Invulnerability
- Superhuman Stamina
- Flight
- Superhuman Speed
- Super-Breath
- Super Hearing
- Enhanced Vision:
Weaknesses[]
- Magic (Comics only; in cartoon is not mentioned): Kal-L had a higher than normal vulnerability to magical beings and devices.
- Kryptonite (in 1940s cartoon it was not discovered): Since the destruction of Krypton, its remains (rendered radioactive by the explosion) have been spreading throughout the universe as kryptonite, a crystalline substance whose specific radiation is lethal to Kryptonians native to this reality. In Kal-L's original Earth Two dimension there was only one type of Kryptonite, Green, and its effect is directly poisonous to Earth-Two Kryptonians. The long term effects of other races being in close or direct contact with Earth-Two dimension Kryptonite was unknown.
- Other-Dimensional Kryptonians: Kal-L was shown to be far weaker in scope to so called "infinite powered" other dimensional Kryptonians such as Superman (Earth-One), but Kal-L would never retreat from battle with them when he had to despite the large differences in their strength levels to himself.
- Lead (Comics only; in cartoon is not mentioned): Kal-L could not see through lead with his vision powers.
- Bio Energy (Comics only; in cartoon is not mentioned): Kal-L's will eventually weaken without rest as his body-generated energies are not inexhaustible. Unlike his other dimensional counterparts, Kal-L was not powered by normal (yellow) sun radiation. Kal-L was not effected by red sunlight and maintained his superpowers in red sun systems unlike the Earth-One and current reality Superman who lose their powers in a red sun system.
Differences between the Earth Two and Earth One Superman[]
What makes the Earth-Two/Earth-One split particularly challenging to sort out is that the history of Earth-Two was distinctly different in significant ways from Superman's published 1940s and 1950s adventures. For example, in Superman's earliest comic book and newspaper comic strip appearances, he worked for George Taylor of the Daily Star. But in 1940 the name of his paper had changed to the Daily Planet and his editor was Perry White. On the retconned Earth-Two, Clark and Lois continued working for the Daily Star for the rest of their careers. As a result, many 40's stories don't easily fit into Earth-Two continuity without at least some adjustments.
A related problem stems from Roy Thomas' later attempt to incorporate the events of the 1940s Superman radio series into Earth-Two continuity. Some key elements of the radio series contradict the equivalent comic book accounts (including the first meeting of Batman and Superman and Superman's first encounter with Kryptonite). In World's Finest Comics, #271 (Sept. 1981), Thomas attempted to assign most of those comic book stories to Earth-One continuity, but other Earth-Two stories — including the "Mr. and Mrs. Superman" strip in Superman Family and the Golden Age Superman's entry in the first edition of Who's Who in the DC Universe — consistently favor the comic book versions.
Perhaps the biggest difference between Earth-Two and Earth-One continuity is Superboy. Superboy made his comic book debut in 1945 (More Fun Comics #101), comfortably in the Golden Age. But later stories consistently maintained that the Earth-Two Superman never became Superboy, so even those early stories belong to Earth-One or one of its alternate timelines.
Gallery[]
Justice Society Team Members[]
Members of the Justice Society of America |
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Superman (Kal-L) • Wonder Woman (Diana Prince) • Power Girl (Kara Zor-L) • Hawkman (Carter Hall) |
Appearances[]
This version of Superman, leans toward the Earth-Two-A version of the character.
Superman (1940s cartoons)[]
Fleischer Studios:
- The Mad Scientist
- The Mechanical Monsters
- Billion Dollar Limited
- The Arctic Giant
- The Bulleteers
- The Magnetic Telescope
- Electric Earthquake
- Volcano
- Terror on the Midway
Famous Studios:
- Japoteurs
- Showdown
- Eleventh Hour
- Destruction, Inc.
- The Mummy Strikes
- Jungle Drums
- The Underground World
- Secret Agent
Super Friends Comic Book[]
- Super Friends # 7 (October 1977) references:
- All-Star Comics, #69 (November, 1977)
Notes[]
- The Superman of Earth-Two first appears in Action Comics, Vol. 1 # 1 (June 1938).[160]
- He was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
- The first appearance of the Golden Age version of the character was first published in Justice League of America, #73 (August 1969) as a way to distinguish him from his Silver Age counterpart.
- As a native of Earth-2A, Superman is older than the Superman from Earth-1A.
- Bud Collyer provides the voice for the Earth-2A Superman and also for his Earth-1A counterpart in The New Adventures of Superman (1966–1967), The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967–1968) and The Batman/Superman Hour (1968–1969).
- Unlike the Superman of Earth-1A, the Earth-2A Superman never adopted the identity of Superboy, and it's unclear if Smallville even exists on Earth-2A.
- This version of Superman is based on the Superman from Earth-Two. (See Background info)
External Links[]
- Kal-L (Earth-Two) at the DC Database
- Superman (Earth-Two) at Wikipedia
- Superman Through the Ages: Golden-Age Version of Superman and The Earth-2 Superman
- Comic Archives JSA Member List: JSA Member, Superman
- Cosmic Teams JSA Member List: The Golden Age Superman
References[]
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