Superboy-Prime

Superboy-Prime (Clark Kent; colloquial: "Prime") is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A boy from the real world transported to the DC Universe, as an alternate version of Superboy, the character first appeared in DC Comics Presents #87 (November 1985) as part of the multiversal crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths, and was created by Elliot S. Maggin and Curt Swan.

From a parallel Earth called Earth-Prime, devoid of any superheroes, or even superhumans, where Superman and the other comic superheroes were fictional characters (representing the real world), when the world is drawn into Crisis on Infinite Earths (April 1985–March 1986), 15-year-old DC fanboy Clark Kent finds himself established as an actual alternate version of Superboy and developing real Kryptonian powers, which he uses to become a real-life superhero: Superboy-Prime. However, after the Earth-Prime universe was erased, and Superboy-Prime ended up in a "paradise" dimension. Over time, his convictions and morals become twisted and warped, and he came to believe that "the real world" was the only proper Earth and that Superboy-Prime was the only one worthy of the Superboy mantle than any wholly fictional Supermen, escaping into the mainstream DC Universe and shaping its players to his whim as an unwitting supervillain, being responsible for the resurrection of Jason Todd. Firmly believing that being his world's Superman is his calling, despite the fact that he has become a psychotic, murderous, and even sadistic villain. His overwhelming strength, speed, unpredictability, and ruthlessness make him one of the most dangerous foes in the DC Universe. After joining the Sinestro Corps, in Final Crisis (May 2008–January 2009), Superboy-Prime tortures Mister Mxyzptlk into restoring his home reality, only to learn his loved ones are aware of the villainous actions he undertook to return home, and are now terrified of him. After returning to the DC Universe, reflecting on his actions and petting Krypto, Superboy-Prime reforms, joining the Justice League in facing down the Batman Who Laughs before finally returning to his home reality, where he is now welcomed with open arms.

The name "Superman-Prime" was first used by Grant Morrison in DC One Million (1998) for the mainstream Superman in the 853rd century (he is essentially the same Superman from the All-Star Superman storyline). Earth-Prime's Superboy first refers to himself as "Superboy-Prime" in Infinite Crisis #2 (January 2006).