“When Clark Met Bruce” in Superman/Batman Secret Files (Earth 2)
Batman/Superman is clearly saying that Earth 2’s differences can all be chalked up to this small moment. It’s a world where Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent have been friends since childhood — where they were friends throughout their journeys toward becoming Batman and Superman. Earth 2 Superman can heal flesh at the cellular level with his laser vision: Being friends with Bruce — and his ambitious, analytical mind — has guided the Man of Steel into a precision-like grasp over his powers.
In turn, Bruce’s friendship with Clark has crafted him into an adult who is actually capable of trust and emotional self-reflection, and Gotham is safer when the Dark Knight’s life contains less anger and loneliness. He’s still dark, calculating and driven — but he’s married to the love of his life, Selina Kyle, and has raised their daughter from birth to be the first Robin.
In fact, Clark is married to Lois Lane, as well. On the whole, Earth 2 is a more technologically advanced earth, thanks to Wayne Enterprises breakthroughs, and a more peaceful one. Most major supervillains are frozen in a cryogenic prison and even Gotham City has torn down Arkham Asylum to build an amusement park.
And it’s all because Clark Kent asked Bruce Wayne if he wanted to play baseball.
By Susana Polo @nerdgerhl
