The Superman of Earth-One is a superhero and the incarnation of Superman that existed during the Silver Age and Bronze Age publications of DC Comics. He is also known by the following names: Silver Age Superman, Bronze Age Superman, and Pre-Crisis Superman.
History In the mid-1950s, following the decline of superhero comics after World War II and the end of the Golden Age of comics, the editors at DC decided to revive some of their Golden Age superheroes with completely new origins and backstories. Starting with the Flash in Showcase #4 in 1956, new versions of DC's former heroes were gradually introduced as completely separate characters with no connection to previous incarnations. This concept eventually became canonized with the introduction of DC's multiverse in 1960s DC Comics.The Flash #123 (September 1961)
With the introduction of DC's multiverse, it was retroactively declared that the version of Superman published between 1938 and the early 1950s lived in an alternate dimension called Earth-Two, while comics featuring Superman published since approximately the mid-1950s took place in a universe dubbed Earth-One. This was confirmed by the introduction of the Earth-Two Superman as a distinct character in Justice League of America #73 (August 1969). However, since Superman was one of several DC characters continuously published throughout the 1950s, there is no clear dividing line between the Earth-One and Earth-Two versions of Superman, thus leading to a gray area between the Golden and Silver Ages. This was in part due to how Superman by that time had several comic books with different editors, thus allowing for inconsistencies between titles."How Superman's origin has changed through the years: The in-between years" by Bob Hughes, originally presented in Amazing Heroes #96, June 1, 1986 archived at Superman through the Ages
This began to change in the late 1950s, when Mort Weisinger was made group editor of all Superman titles and made an attempt to create a cohesive universe around Superman, the "first serious attempt at a constantly developing continuity in comics history". This was in part due to the advent of annuals which often reprinted earlier Superman stories, allowing readers access to older stories and thus obliging Weisinger and his writers to create a consistent history for the character. This history/continuity (and with it the version of Superman that would go on to become the Earth-One Superman) effectively began in 1958 as Weisinger allowed for few stories prior to 1958 to be reprinted or referenced.["http://theages.superman.nu/History/VersionIII.php How Superman's origin has changed through the years: The Silver Age Superman]" by Bob Hughes, originally presented in Amazing Heroes #96, June 1, 1986 archived at Superman through the Ages
There were a few exceptions, though, as several stories published before the mid-1950s retroactively took place on Earth-One, such as Superman #78 from September–October 1952, the first appearance of the adult Lana Lang in Superman comics. Also, any Superman stories published before the mid-1950s that featured or mentioned Superboy also took place exclusively on Earth-One, as the Earth-Two Superman, per the earliest Superman comics, never had a Superboy career. The Silver Age/Earth-One Superman's first appearance in comics was, retroactively, in Superman (volume 1) #46 (May 1947), the first time Superboy was referenced in a Superman story. The Earth-One Superman's first appearance (in a flash-forward) in a Superboy story was in Superboy #1 (March–April 1949).
This version of Superman remained in publication through 1986. After the 1985–86 miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Earth-One Superman was written out of continuity with the 1986 John Byrne miniseries The Man of Steel. However, the Earth-One Superman was given a send-off in the final, noncanonical-to-Earth-One "imaginary" story Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? in Superman #423 (September 1986) and Action Comics #583 (September 1986).
Fictional biography The Earth-One Superman's origin story was retold in various times; the most prominent retellings were in Superman #146 (July 1961), Limited Collectors' Edition #C-31 (November–December 1974), and Action Comics #500 (October 1979). Comic book magazine Amazing Heroes also provided a overview of Superman in the Silver and Bronze Ages."How Superman's Origin has changed through the years" by Bob Hughes, originally presented in Amazing Heroes #96, June 1, 1986, reproduced in Superman Through the Ages
As recounted in these retellings, Superman was born Kal-El on the planet Krypton to the illustrious El family whose genealogy had been manipulated for centuries by the Guardians of the Universe in the hope of one day creating the perfect hero. Krypton, however, was unstable and despite the best attempts of the Green Lantern of that sector they were unable to save the planet nor were warnings of Kal-El's father, Jor-El heeded.Superman #257 Determined to at least save their son, he and wife, Lara Lor-Van, sent Kal in an experimental rocket to Earth moments before the planet exploded. Unlike other versions of the character, his parents did not place him in the escape rocket as an infant but as a toddler and he was thus old enough to remember his parents and seeing them die with the planet.
Landing outside of the town of Smallville, the three-year-old Kal-El was found by elderly farming couple Jonathan and Martha Kent who sought to adopt him. To avoid questions as to where they had found the baby, the couple here left him on the doorstep of an orphanage and returned the next day. They formally adopted him and named him Clark after Martha's maiden name.
This version of Superman developed his full range of superpowers within minutes of arriving on Earth thus becoming "Superbaby". The Silver Age version of the character is widely regarded as one of the most powerful."The 15 STRONGEST Versions of Superman, ranked" by Jonathan H. Kantor, August 1, 2017, Comic Book Resources While Silver Age writers initially used "Superbaby" as a joke, later writers commented on his early development of superpowers by saying that the Kents made a point of raising their son to be a hero from the very day he arrived on Earth. However, on seeing the sheer power that his son possessed (even to the point of being able to destroy planets as a toddlerSuperboy #167, "The Day Superbaby Blew up the World") and that the boy, despite that power, had a child's level of restraint and maturity, Jonathan Kent began to fear his son and had nightmares of him taking over the world. He and his wife soon lost that fear on seeing their son cry at the death of a dog on account of his being able to see the life force of every living thing. That night, an eight year old Clark Kent donned his red and blue uniform for the very first time and swore an oath never to kill and to preserve life in all its forms, and that if he should break that oath, renounce his power forever.Superman: Miracle Monday by Elliot S. Maggin, Chapter One and Chapter Two.
Soon after Clark Kent made his first public appearance as Superboy. Whilst there had been adventurers such as the magician John Zatara, Kent was still world's first superhero and it led to an uproar and fear. After telling his origin to reporter Perry White and meeting with the President of the United States, however, Superboy was granted American citizenship.Superboy (vol. 2) #12
By this time, Clark had started school and his parents had sold their farm, moving into Smallville, where they opened a general store where he had a part-time job stacking shelves for his father. During his childhood, Superboy first met Lana LangSuperboy #10 (September–October 1950) and Pete Ross.Superboy #86, January 1961 He was also reunited with his Kryptonian dog Krypto whom Jor-El had placed in a test rocket whilst preparing the vehicle that would take his son to Earth.Adventure Comics #210 (March 1955)
Superboy also first met in Smallville the boy who would become his main archenemy, the criminal genius Lex Luthor.Adventure Comics #271 (April 1960) They were initially friends but after Superboy unintentionally destroyed one of Luthor's science experiments, the young scientist grew bitter, thus leading to a rivalry and eventually a grudge that turned into a life of crime. Other foes Superboy encountered included the Kryptonite Kid,Superboy #83 (September 1960) and various foes from his membership in the 30th century's superhero team, the Legion of Super-Heroes.Adventure Comics #247 (April 1958)
Superboy made Smallville famous but always saw it as a training ground for his eventual career as Superman, something he was aware of due to having used recovered Kryptonian technology to see the future. To that end he sought out and met the boy who would one day become his best friend and fellow heroes, Bruce Wayne (Batman).Superboy #182 (February 1972). DC Comics He also met Arthur Curry/"Aquaboy" who at the time was Earth-One's only other superhero.Superboy #171 (January 1971). DC Comics He also met other teens who would later be heroes such as young Hal Jordan and Barbara Gordon.
Shortly after Clark's high school graduation, both Jonathan and Martha Kent died of natural causes, though not before Jonathan made his son swear to use his powers for good as Superman. With no surviving family and nobody aware of his secret, he was alone. He, as Superboy, then bid goodbye to Smallville and as Clark Kent left to attend Metropolis University to earn a degree in journalism.Action Comics #500 (October 1979) His failure to save the people he loved the most despite all his power, had a profound effect on Kent and while in college, he even considered abandoning his heroic career. After realizing the good he had done, however and the good he could continue to do, ultimately forgave himself and changed his name from "Superboy" to "Superman".Superman: The Secret Years #4 (May 1985)
After graduating from college, Clark obtained employment as a reporter with the Daily Planet though editor-in-chief Perry White was initially reluctant to hire himSuperman #133 (November 1959) and even after giving him a job was still leery of Kent.Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #53 (November 1964) Stories detailing that also state that already established reporter Lois Lane, stood up for him, taking his side against White.
It was shortly after getting his job at the Daily Planet that Clark Kent began a relationship with Lois Lane, though unlike other versions of the characters, Lois initially hated Superman seeing him a conceited showoff. Instead, she was attracted to Clark Kent appreciating the rookie reporter's journalism skills and modesty, and they began dating. When Superman saved her, despite having lost his superpowers, her feelings reversed. Clark Kent did like Lois and hoped to start a relationship but found it awkward to compete against himself.
He also met and befriended photographer Jimmy Olsen in both his identities.
It was in this early phase of his career as Superman when he, who up til then only had American citizenship, was awarded honorary citizenship by the UN in each and everyone of its member countries in honor of all his heroic deeds on behalf of the whole world.Limited Collector's Edition #31 (November 1974), retelling of Superman #146 (July 1961) Though the exact time was not specified, it was written as the climax of an origin story and thus presumably happens early on.