Clark Kent (Arrowverse)
Clark Kent, also known by his birth name Kal-El or superhero alias Superman, is a fictional character and a superhero in The CW's Arrowverse franchise of TV series, first mentioned in the 2015 episode "Pilot" of the television series "Supergirl", based on the character of the same name created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and adapted for television by Glen Winter, Greg Berlanti and Todd Helbing. Clark Kent has been portrayed by Tyler Hoechlin since 2016. This version of Superman has also appeared in other series such as "The Flash", "Arrow", "Batwoman", "Legends of  Tomorrow" , eventually headlining his own series, titled "Superman & Lois", in 2021. As commonly depicted in most media featuring the character, Clark is a refugee from the planet Krypton who lands on Earth, developing superhuman abilities and becoming Superman, one of Earth's greatest heroes. Originally a journalist for the "Daily Planet" in Metropolis, based in a parallel universe dubbed Earth-38, he falls in love with and marries his colleague Lois Lane, and also helps his cousin, Kara Danvers / Supergirl, and other superheroes when the time calls. After Earth-Prime is formed, Clark is fired from his job after the "Planet  is sold to a new owner and subsequently realizes one of his son also has superpowers, resulting in the Kent family moving back to Smallville after his mother dies of a stroke. Concept and creation. As one of the most prominent superhero characters for DC Comics, Superman had previously been portrayed in TV several times and most prominently in the 2001 to 2011 TV series Smallville", with Tom Welling taking on the role of Superman. The first show about the character came in the 1950s, titled "Adventures of Superman", with George Reeves portraying Superman. Two more series came in the  1980s and 1990s, "Superboy" and "". Welling's performance was widely regarded as one of the greatest in the character's history, but after that series' finale, the character was seen only in films for several years. Meanwhile, the film "Man of Steel", which was released in 2013, saw Henry Cavill take up the mantle of Superman, with the film becoming the starting point of the DC Extended Universe. With the announcement of a "Supergirl" TV show, speculation arose as to whether Superman would appear. The character appeared in silhouette only in season 1, portrayed by Kevin Caliber. Eventually, Hoechlin appeared  in season 2 as Superman in a recurring capacity. He would later return for the Arrowverse crossover events Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths. In 2019, a series featuring Hoechlin's Clark was announced, which premiered in 2021, ten years after the finale of Welling's "Smallville", titled "Superman & Lois". Characterization. Hoechlin was cast as Superman on the CW show "Supergirl" in 2016 and was the only choice according to Greg Berlanti. Describing the casting as "surreal", Hoechlin said he hoped to successfully embody the optimism of the character and maintain the idea of Superman as a symbol of hope . Hoechlin, at first, didn't want to take the role, because of the weight it had. When asked about the character in his show, "Superman & Lois", he said “It’s really not a show about Superman, it’s about a husband and a wife who are parents and the husband happens to be Superman.” and added "I’ve intentionally stayed away [from Superman since getting the role]. I’ve found it more beneficial to have an impulse and trust it without the hesitation of, ‘Oh, so-and-so already did that.’ It makes it easier to just go do my  thing without overthinking it." Hoechlin, when asked about having to play multiple characters in "Superman & Lois", said that it was tough, but he could handle it. Suit design. Superman's bodysuit in "Supergirl" is a classic design, inspired mainly by the "Man of Steel" one, and has many elements in common with Melissa Benoist's Supergirl's costume. After "Supermand & Lois" was greenlit, a new suit was created. Hoechlin, commenting on the new suit, said: "It represents everything that Superman stands for and has stood for, for almost a century now." Hoechlin commented that the new suit represents everyone who  see something in the symbol of it. The costume was designed by Laura Jean Shannon, who also worked for other DC shows, such as "Titans" and "Black Lightning", and who made many changes to the traditional look. According to popular website "Den of Geek," "[The] new suit fixes all of those problems, with dynamic lines that help showcase the actor’s physique, cleaning up some flourishes, and generally bringing it all together with a more classic look for the character. But it’s not TOO classic, as there’s still a few elements that are uniquely modern, and should look  really great in action." In earlier Arrowverse appearances, Hoechlin wore other suits, like a black one paying homage to the "Reign of the Supermen" comic book storyline, and a suit similar to the first one Superman wore in Max Fleischer's "Action Comics #1". Fictional character biography. Pre-Crisis. Early life. Clark was born in 1979 on the planet Krypton into the House of El to his parents, scientists Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. Shortly after his birth, Krypton was on the brink of destruction so his parents sent him to Earth, along with his 13 year old cousin , Kara Zor-El. His pod crushed on Smallville, Kansas, where he was found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, and adopted him as their own, while his cousin's pod crushed 24 years later. As a kid, he developed superpowers due to the Sun's yellow radiation. He became a vigilante during his youth, solving crimes with his friend Chloe. Clark felt like a stranger and connecting to the world was tough. As an adult he moved to Metropolis and started working for the "Daily Planet" where he met Lois Lane. He came head-to-head with numerous supervillains, such as  General Zod, Doomsday and Lex Luthor. In 2003, he discovers his cousin's pod and her in it and takes her to the Danvers, whom he trusts to raise her. In 2015 he finally defeats Lex and sends him to prison. His universe is dubbed Earth-38. Helping Supergirl. James Olsen informed Clark that Supergirl was in danger, and he came and saved her from Ben Krull / Reactron and then left to stop a natural disaster. The following day, however, he apologized via chat to Kara for having interfered. Some time later he learnt that Indigo and Non have activated the  brainwashing effect of Myriad, he headed to the National City to assist his cousin, Kara Danvers / Supergirl. At his arrival he too became brainwashed, because of the time he had spent taking the yellow Sun's radiation, and fell unconscious. After Kara freed National City from Myriad, Clark remained inactive and was taken into the Department of Extranormal Operations headquarters during his recovery. He later returned to Metropolis after briefly chatting with Kara to thank her. When the suborbital spacecraft Venture began to crash, Clark went to rescue the people inside. At the accident site he met Supergirl, and together  they prevented catastrophe. After saving the day, he went to the D.E.O. and met Mon-El. With him and Kara wondering what happened to the spacecraft, he decides to stay to National City and investigate the situation. Together they first visited Lena Luthor at Luthor Corp, but didn't find any clue. That night Lena's helicopter was attacked by drones, but saved by Superman and Supergirl. The following day, John Corben attacked Luthor Corp with explosives, only for Clark to save the day. After he saw the situation in National City, he opted to stay and help his cousin . Following several preventions of various accidents and crimes, Clark and Kara confront Corben again, but this time he was a kryptonite-powered cyborg called Metallo. After saving Kara from Metallo, they find out that there was another Metallo in Metropolis. Eventually, with the assistance of J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter, Clark defeats the other Metallo. That night, he left for Metropolis. During the Daxamite invasion, Clark goes to confront Queen Rhea himself, but he is poisoned by her with silver kryptonite. This created a hallucination were Kara was General Zod, resulting in a fight between them. Kara managed to overpower him  and Alex Danvers took both of them to the Fortress of Solitude, where they made a planned to end the invasion, by having Kara combat Rhea. Kara won and with the help of a special device, sent the Daxamites back to space. Clark returned to Metropolis. When the Kryptonian Children of Juru attacked Earth to terraform it, Clark saved the epicenter of it, Madagascar. Afterwards, Clark decided to take a break from Earth to visit Argo City, taking his partner, Lois Lane, with him. Around this time, Lois became pregnant with a son. Assisting heroes from Earth-1. After Clark, and  a now pregnant, Lois Lane return from Argo, they go to his house in Smallville. There, they are visited by his cousin, Kara. Then Barry Allen and Oliver Queen as the Green Arrow and The Flash respectively appear, seeking Kara's help. Barry and Oliver explain their situation and Kara agrees to help them. After some hours, Cisco Ramon / Vibe appears and informs them about A.M.A.Z.O.'s attack to Central City and seeks their help. Clark agrees to join them. After a hard battle between the heroes, A.M.A.Z.O. is defeated as he was exploded by a trick arrow. The heroes  thank Clark for his assistance and he returns to his world. John Deegan, with the Book of Destiny, given to him by the Monitor, rewrites reality. In the new one Barry and Oliver are criminals, while Deegan transformed himself to look like Clark's Superman, but wearing a black suit. Barry and Oliver locate Cisco and persuade him to take them to Earth-38, where they find Clark who agrees to return with them to Earth-1 and stop Deegan. Clark fights Deegan and restores reality. After he returns to his Earth, he takes Lois to the Fortress of Solitude and after  dinner, proposes to her, with her accepting. Together they left for Argo. Stopping the Crisis. Clark and Lois' peace was disrupted when a wave of anti-matter threatened and destroyed their planet, Argo. Both were teleported by Lyla Michaels / Harbinger, but their son, whom they had placed inside a pod and sent to Earth, went missing. Lyla also brought Oliver Queen / Green Arrow, Mia Queen / Green Arrow, Kate Kane / Batwoman, Sara Lance / White Canary, Barry Allen / The Flash, Ray Palmer / Atom from Earth-1 and together with Clark, J'onn and Kara to fight against the Anti-Monitor's forces. Lois goes  with Brainiac and Sara to Earth-16 were Jonathan's pod crushed. There, Lois gets back her son and they all leave back to their universe. Clark and the heroes are unable to stop the anti-matter wave and they all flee with the "Waverider" and other ships with billions of refugees to Earth-1. In the "Waverider" he reunites with his family, while observing Oliver's death. After the Monitor informs everyone of the heroes that there are seven individuals known as Paragons, who can defeat the Anti-Monitor, Clark volunteered to help find the Paragon of Truth. With Lois and  Iris West-Allen, they search the Multiverse. In one Earth's Superman, Lex Luthor of their universe, using the Book of Destiny, had killed him, revealing that he is jumping to universes to kill all the Supermen, as one of them should be the Paragon. After that they visit Earth-167, where they meet with that universe's Clark Kent, but Lex, using the Book, kicks them from that Earth, but doesn't kill Clark, as he is powerless. The trio goes to Earth-96, where they meet the editor-in-chief of the "Daily Planet", Clark Kent, who had suffered the  loss of all of the people he cared for in a terroristic attack at the newspaper, thus making him the Paragon of Truth. In that moment Luthor appeared, using the Book, forcing Earth-96 Clark to attack Clark. They fight, but Lois knocked Lex out, thus Earth-96 Clark came back to his senses. Clark, Lois, Iris and Earth-96 Clark then returned to the "Waverider", to join the other heroes. With the team's best efforts failing, the Multiverse is consumed by anti-matter. Then, a mind-controlled by the Anti-Monitor Harbinger appeared on the ship, killing the Monitor. Nash Wells  / Pariah then sends the Paragons to the Vanishing Point, though him, Lois, Iris, John Diggle / Spartan, Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning and Ralph Dibny / Elongated Man are consumed by anti-matter, killing them. After the fight between the Paragons with the Anti-Monitor and his forces result into victory for the first mentioned, Oliver, now a cosmic being called the Spectre, restarts the Multiverse, combining Clark's Earth, Earth-1 and Jefferson's Earth forming Earth-Prime, restoring everyone to life, including Clark. The Anti-Monitor survived and attacks the team, only to lose again. After the fight, Barry, Kara, Jefferson, J'onn , Kate and Clark assemble in the Hall of Justice, were they decide to create a new team, the Crisis Team, that will protect Earth from any major threats. As Clark flies back home he is informed by Lois that they have two kids now. Post-Crisis. Early life. As a result of the merging of Earth-38 with Earth-1, Clark's life was changed significantly, with a lot of events from his Earth-38 timeline never happening in the post-Crisis timeline. He was born in 1979, and his pod still crashed in Smallville, Kansas, and was found by Jonathan and Martha  Kent. He attended Smallville High School, where he befriended Kyle Cushing and Lana Lang. At some point his father died due to a heart attack. A year after his father's death, Clark struggled with finding his purpose on Earth and began using his powers to help people in secret, concealing his identity by wearing a ski-mask. After leaving Smallville, he discovered the Fortress of Solitude where the AI version of his biological father, Jor-El, was waiting for him. After their discussion and a period of training with Jor-El, he returned to Smallville, where he talked to  his mother about his discoveries, and she encouraged him to become a hero, wearing a hand-made suit she created for him. Clark decided to move to Metropolis and work for the "Daily Planet", where he met a fellow journalist, Lois Lane. Clark eventually proposed to her and they married in Smallville. In 2007, Lois gave birth to twins, Jonathan and Jordan. Lois was also pregnant with a daughter she intended to name Natalie, but she had a miscarriage and lost the baby, an event that haunted her and Clark. At some point, Clark gave Bruce Wayne / Batman a piece  of kryptonite to use as a fail-safe in case Clark were ever to become dangerous. First wedding anniversary. During their first wedding anniversary, Clark makes a reservation at a restaurant to celebrate with his wife Lois. That night, he doesn't show up at the restaurant, due to a robot invasion of Metropolis. The next day, they agree to try again, but fail, as Lois had extra work in the Daily Planet. Clark retries to make the night happen, but is caught in a battle with Nuclear Man. They agree to try one more time, but Lois forgot about  it, while investigating Toyman. The next day, Lois and Clark go to a park to discuss about it, and both agree to make the night happen no matter what. That day, Lobo arrived in Metropolis, and took Clark hostage. Clark manages to escape, and defeat him, returning on Earth, having missed his date, but to his surprise Lois had too. The two meet infront of the restaurant, with Clark suggesting to Lois to take her in Hawaii, something she agreed on, celebrating there. Battling Tal-Rho. With the Crisis over, Clark's memories adjusted to the new timeline, fully aware  of and remembering his twin children and new history. After the death of his mother, he and Lois decide to stay in Smallville and raise their teenage sons there. He also reunited with his childhood friends, Kyle Cushing and Lana Lang Cushing. Clark took the job of coach of the local High School football team, while continuing his superhero activities. After his son, Jordan, showed signs of Kryptonian abilities, he revealed his identity, and took him to the Fortress of Solitude to meet his biological grandfather, Jor-El. Their peace in Smallville was interrupted when a stranger with a power  suit appeared and battled Clark. It turned out his name was John Henry Irons, and arrived on Earth-Prime after an anti-matter wave destroyed his. Irons' goal was to kill Clark, as in his universe he killed his wife Lois Lane Irons. Eventually, Clark convinced Irons he was not a threat and the two made peace. While Clark's and Irons' conflict was unveiling, Morgan Edge was exploiting X-Kryptonite from the underground of Smallville. He eventually met with Clark, revealing that he is his maternal half-brother, Tal-Rho. He and Tal-Rho fought, with Clark losing and  having General Zod's consciousness implemented in his brain through the X-Kryptonite. Clark managed to over come Zod and took back control of his body. After stopping an invasion of Kryptonians inhabiting human bodies, with the help of Irons, he stopped Tal-Rho and sent him to prison. Alternate versions. Killed by Lex Luthor. A version of the character, residing on Earth-75, is seen when Clark and Lois Lane visit it. This version is killed by Lex Luthor of their world, and his death was broadcast globally. He is seen on the second part of the crossover event "Crisis  on Infinite Earths". Killed by Batman. A version of the character, residing on Earth-99 is mentioned when Kara Danvers / Supergirl and Kate Kane / Batwoman visit it. This version was the protector of Earth, but Bruce Wayne / Batman saw him as a danger. At some point, Batman, using kryptonite, killed him, keeping his glasses as a trophy. He is mentioned in the second part of the crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths". Giving up his powers. A variant of the character, residing on Earth-167, appears when Clark, Lois and Iris West-Allen visit it. This older version of Clark has been  operating as Superman for a long time. He married Lois Lane and together they had two daughters, all living in Smallville, Kansas. During the Crisis, the trio asks for his help, but Lex Luthor of their universe sends them away. Clark and Lex talk, and Clark reveals that he has given up his powers in favor of starting a family. After the Crisis, his universe was recreated without an awareness of the event. Being the Paragon of Truth. A variant of the character, residing on Earth-96, appears when Clark, Lois and Iris visit it. This version has been operating as  Superman for a long time. He works at the "Daily Planet" as its editor-in-chief. He had a son, Jason. He lost his wife, and all friends and colleagues, when Joker gassed the building of the "Planet". The trio meets him and asks for his help, realizing that he is the Paragon of Truth, but then their universe's Lex Luthor appears with the Book of Destiny and brainwashes the Earth-96 Clark to attack Clark. The two fight, but Lois knocks Lex out, stopping the brainwashed Clark. Afterwards, they go to the Waverider, where Earth-96 Clark meets all the  other heroes. When Lyla Michaels / Harbinger appears, possessed by the Anti-Monitor, she attacks the heroes and lets the anti-matter wave consume Earth-1, the last one in the Multiverse. Nash Wells / Pariah teleports the Paragons, including Clark, to the Vanishing Point, a place outside time. After the heroes' arrival, Clark falls and disappears, as Lex was able to use the Book of Destiny and substitute himself as the Paragon of Truth. After the end of the Crisis, Earth-96 is recreated without any of Crisis-related events having taken place, and with the Joker attack never happening. Going insane. A  version of the character appears in the first season of "Superman & Lois" and in the comic book "Earth-Prime #2," wearing a black-white suit identical to the one John Deegan had. His name is Kal-El and he was born on Krypton. After its destruction, he is sent to Earth, and was adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent. At a young age, during the 4th of July, their car crushed, killing his parents, and he was taken to a foster family, where he was abushed and bullied. One day, he killed his foster dad, and left, only to be  taken by the U.S. Government, unsuccessfully experimenting on him. Kal managed to escape, and found his father's A.I., who advised him to save humanity from what it become. He spent 20 years saving people, until one day his half-brother, Tal-Rho came to him and promised that with his help, they can bring back Krypton on Earth. Kal agreed, and with the help of other people with powers like his, destroyed Metropolis and killed Lois Lane Irons and many soldiers commanded by Sam Lane. At some point later, his world is destroyed by a wave of anti-matter  as he attempts, but fails, to stop John Henry Irons from escaping it in a ship. Before he was killed, Magog appeared and told him he had plans for him. Bizarro. Kal-El was operating in another Earth, with "bizarre" versions of its opposite, Earth-Prime. He was a global celebrity, and was close with his brother, Tal-Rho, attending his wedding with Lana Lang. He had two children, Jon-El and Jordan-El. He became obssesed with the fame he attracked, and lost touch with his family. At some point, his family abandoned him, and he stole an ancient  artifact which can give godhood powers, the Pendant, from the conquer of his world, Ally Allston, and escaped to Earth-Prime, to kill her version, so that she could never merge with her. He arrived in the mines of Smallville, where he was trapped due to the X-Kryptonite existing in the area, de-powering him. As a result of this, Clark Kent / Superman had seizures with painful headaches. A team of scientists went to investigate the reason for the earthquakes, but were killed by him. After awhile, he was able to escape the mines, and was confronted by Superman  and John Henry Irons / Steel, but defeated them, fleeing to the Fortress of Solitude, where his headaches intensified. He decided to kill his counterpart, but failed and was confronted by the Supermen of America, killing two out of the three in the process. Superman and Steel arrived, but he managed to escape. He later killed Dr. Kit Faulkner, an associate of this world's Ally Allston. When Lois Lane saw him, he flew away. Superman managed to overpower him, and knocked him out with a piece of X-Kryptonite, and took him to Tal-Rho's Fortress, where Lara Lor -Vans AI and Clark talked with him, revealing he was in their world to stop Ally from destroying his universe. He was killed by Mitch Anderson, using X-Kryptonite. Appearances. Hoechlin has appeared in six out the seven Arrowverse TV series. Reception. Hoechlin was cast as Superman on the CW show "Supergirl" in 2016. As producer Greg Berlanti's first choice for the role, he did not have to audition. His portrayal of Superman was well received by fans and critics and described as "fun" and a "breath of fresh air". According to "Screen Rant", he is the most comic -book accurate version of Superman, something important among the fans of the character. After the premiere of his own show, "Superman & Lois", a debate begun among fans, whether he is better than Henry Cavill's Superman. According to the website, "CBR", "Tyler Hoechlin embodies the spirit of Superman better than the Snyderverse's did." Hoechlin's role as a family man in his show was also praised, as something new and fresh. Hoechlin's acting, according to "tvsourcemagazine.com", is one of the reasons for the success of the show. According to "Radio Times.com" "Of course, it’s been five years  since Tyler Hoechlin first debuted as the Man of Steel in sister series Supergirl, so this has been a long time coming. He may lack Christopher Reeve's boyish twinkle, but there’s a warm, Golden Age Hollywood quality about him that’s perfect for Clark." Polygon.com noted that the CW's version of Superman was able to "resurrect" the character. In other media. Comicbook tie-ins. On January 21, 2022, it was announced that a six-issue event series titled "Earth-Prime" would be released over the span of three months. The first five issues would focus on stories  from every show of the franchise, with the last being a crossover event. "Earth-Prime" #2 was scheduled to be released on April 19, 2022, focusing on "Superman & Lois", with Clark appearing also in the final issue. The events of the comicbook will be canon to the Arrowverse. The character is mentioned in six issues of the "Supergirl" tie-in comic, titled Adventures of Supergirl, and appeared in the crossover's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" tie-in one, titled "Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant #1". During the later one, Clark joins the Council of Supermen, that aims to stop the  Council of Luthors from killing them. The character is then mentioned in the "Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant #2". The events of the first mentioned tie-in comicbook take place before season 1 of "Supergirl", while for the second mentioned they take place during the second part of the crossover.