The Supermen of Two Worlds: Superboy Meets Clark Kent

The Men of Steel had a long and illustrious history of meetings throughout the decades, and despite living in parallel universes they formed an enduring friendship. Few counterparts have so much in common relating to their personal histories, the supporting cast in their lives, and their mythic might. There were other such Kryptonian Crusaders who existed on other Earths throughout the Multiverse, however it was these two who created the template upon which all subsequent superheroes were derived from henceforth.

At different times throughout the years, they've both played the part of mentor and student for each, creating a unique type of symmetry between the two.

This may sound strange, given that Earth-Two's Superman began his career in 1938, while his doppleganger debuted over twenty years later as the young Superboy. In fact, it was for this reason  (and odd comic book physics) that Earth-One's Boy of Steel made a lasting imprint on his twin. And while a seemingly minor footnote in the careers of both, rarely referred to afterward, this event nevertheless was the impetus for a dynamic relationship in fiction.

While attempting to unwind a tornado threatening his town, Superboy spins around the atmospheric event and ends up in another Smallville, decades before he was born. After quickly surveying the surroundings, he realized that instead of Jonathan and Martha Kent there is John and Mary Kent. And, rather than a mild-mannered Clark who doubles as a caped crusader, he finds a country farmhand without the glasses and colorful plumage.

Without the heroic career to occupy his spare time, Earth-Two's Clark decides to use his "freakish" powers to join a traveling circus, in order to help his folks with their farm during the Great Depression gripping the land.  No doubt, having no knowledge at this point of his alien heritage prompted Clark to believe he is an anomaly, and regrettably is an oversight on Superboy's part. His twin doesn't inform him of the planet Krypton and the heroism of their fathers Jor-El and Jor-L alongside their wives Lara and Lora, which may have prompted an appearance of a golden age Superboy sent to humanity to protect it rather than perform for it.

Apparently, young Clark has limitations to his ability that Superboy doesn't, so the latter trains the former to harness these powers. While able to levitate apparently motionless, the lad must use his superspeed and leaping until his flight develops during his young adult years. Note: This is no doubt due to his powers being inherent as all on Krypton-Two had such powers even on their own world, while citizens of Krypton-One only possessed superpowers under a different color sun...yellow instead of their red...and lighter gravity than that found on their native world. Hence, since such skills were developed internally from genetics on Earth-Two rather than externally through photosynthesis and kinethesis as on Earth-One. Yet on both worlds, their physiology was such that they'd display virtually identical powers while at their personal peaks.

How will his example inspire his Earth-Two twin? We'll find out next...