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Warning : despoiler for The CW ’s Crisis on Infinite Earths
The CW’sCrisis on Infinite Earthseventshowcases several different versions ofSuperman , all pulled from parallel universes in the vast DC Multiverse ( based on differentSupermanstories and media ) . Including a variance on one Man of Steel story that no fan ever thought they would see .
The parallal world sport include the CW ’s current Superman ( Tyler Hoechlin ) and aSuperman based on DC’sKingdom Comestoryline , played by Brandon Routh ( reprize his theatrical role fromSuperman Returns ) . A third Elvis , however , take inspiration from a Hellenic Superman funny Christian Bible story that has never been adapted for TV – until now .
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During the 2nd minute of the Crisis consequence , a group of heroes nose up on Earth-167 , the Earth where the rooter favorite CW showSmallvilletook place . But once they arrive the heroes find that the Clark Kent fan were hoping to see is long gone . The Clark that remain , the former ' Man of Tomorrow , ' is no longer what he once was .
A Powerless Clark Kent
It seems that on Earth-167,Clark Kent ( Tom Welling ) gave up his powersa few age after becoming Superman . The exact story behind this major power departure is undisclosed , but it seems Clark gave up his Kryptonian abilities volitionally – and is squeeze his superhero retreat by raising a family with Lois Lane ( Erica Durance ) . This add up as a shock to Earth-38 ’s Lex Luthor ( Jon Cryer ) who tries unsuccessfully to expend Kryptonite against the former Superman – who quick decks the barefaced supervillain , give away that , even powerless , Clark Kent is still stronger than Lex Luthor .
While viewers were disappointed Welling ’s Superman would not be claim a more active role in theCrisisstoryline , most were felicitous that this Clark Kent sire to enjoy his happy ending with Lois Lane . Few fans , however , pull in this ending carry strong similarities with a classical Superman comic record from 1986 , regarded by many as the “ last Superman story . ”
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
In 1986 , DC Comics had wrap up its originalCrisis on Infinite Earthsstoryline , effectively wiping out X of continuity and reserve its characters to re-start their fib with a fresh slating . Some Lord , however , feel the Silver Age version of Superman deserved to have one terminal story to end his risky venture on a high-pitched note . fabled comic writer Alan Moore and authoritative Superman artist Curt Swan teamed up to compose this two - part narrative , which look inSuperman # 423andAction Comics # 583under the title , “ Whatever bump to the Man of Tomorrow ? ” While relegate as an “ Imaginary Story , ” most fans regard this as the definitive end of the Silver Age Superman .
In the write up , Superman receive his world has fail crazy . His continuous tense clone Bizarro , usually a well - meaning simpleton , is now a murderous killer who destroys his family planetBizarro Worldbefore commit suicide in front of Superman . after , the Toyman and Prankster execution Clark Kent ’s friend Pete Ross and also divulge Kent ’s secret identity to the world . Hoping to protect his surviving champion , Superman make for Lois Lane , Lana Lang , Jimmy Olson , Perry White , and Perry ’s wife Alice to the Fortress of Solitude while he seek to discover the one behind the attacks . Once there , however , he gets a visit from the Legion of Superheroes , who hint that they have follow to give their final respects before Superman ’s death .
Meanwhile , Brainiac manages to take over Lex Luthor ’s soundbox and teams up with the Legion of Super - Villains to fight their way into the Fortress . Jimmy Olson and Lana Lang temporarily imbue themselves with super big businessman and , together with Krypto the Super Dog , care to take down several villain but are killed in the process . Ultimately , Superman infer that the mastermind behind the mass murder is the one definitive scoundrel who did not seem – Mr. Mxyzptlk . The imp then appears , revealing that after becoming bored with being a implike prankster , he settle to use his fifth dimensional powers for acts of pure evil . Transforming into an unstoppable otherworldly being , Mxyzptlk tries to kill Superman . However , Superman uses the Phantom Zone projector which tears Mxyzptlk in one-half as the scalawag tries to head for the hills back to the 5th Dimension .
wild that he repair to assume a life story , Superman volitionally exposes himself to Gold Kryptonite which strips him of his powers . While the world believe Superman die out , it later wrick out that the powerless Superman on the Q.T. took on a new identity as Jordan Elliot ( named after his founding father For - El ) and tie Lois Lane . proofreader also determine Jordan and Lois ’ infant son Jonathan has evidently inherited Superman ’s powers . In the final panel , Jordan blink at the reader , reassuring them that he finally has his well-chosen ending .
Could Smallville’s Clark Kent Be the Man of Tomorrow?
Given howSmallville ’s powerless Clark Kent is now a happily married class man , could he be the television version of “ Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow ? ” While there are a few differences between the stories ( SmallvilleClark is lift a brace of daughters with Lois Lane instead of a son ) , Clark ’s happiness at hold out an ordinary biography perfectly mirrors “ Jordan Elliot ’s ” contentment . If he did turn a loss his exponent under similar fate , however , it does n’t bode well forSmallvillecast members like Chloe Sullivan or Lana Lang – as “ Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow ? ” basically killed all of Superman ’s friend and enemy ( althoughLex Luthor seems to be alive - and President of the United States ) .
Arrowversefans who were hoping Welling ’s Superman would play a more active role in the CW’sCrisis on Infinite Earthsevent should mention that “ Jordan Elliot”didmake one additional coming into court in the strip . In the storylineSuperman / Batman : Public Enemies , the modern Superman and Batman get a sojourn from a next Superman wear a interchangeable costume to theKingdom ComeSuperman . This Superman helps reset a broken timestream and subsequently reveal he was Jordan Elliot – temporarily repowered by the changes to the timeline , but now eager to be an ordinary human beings again .
consider how often the timeline modification in theArrowverse(we’re look atyou , Barry Allen ! ) it ’s conceivable that such a shift could reconstruct Tom Welling’sSupermanto active responsibility for CW ’s finalCrisis on Infinite Earthsepisodes or a next crossover .
Next : Smallville : 10 Things Superman Was in all probability Up To Before Crisis Crossover
