That's right, Clark Kent, the famous alter ego of DC Comics' greatest hero, lives in the Marvel Universe. There are already hundreds, if not thousands, of active heroes in New York and beyond. But among all these familiar faces is one that will have fans turning their heads.

As the two biggest publishers of superhero comic books, Marvel and DC Comics have ribbed one another over the years with little jokes and references to their number one rival. But Marvel went above and beyond and made one half of DC's biggest icon a permanent addition to the Marvel Universe's lore.

Yes, Clark Kent is a Canon Character in the Marvel Universe

He's No Superman, But He's a Good Reporter

Decades after Superman burst onto the comic scene and became Clark Kent and Lois Lane walk by, enjoying their time out in the city together.

Though not named here, Clark's name is confirmed in the Official Index to the Marvel Universe.

This cameo is just the first of many appearances of the Marvel Universe's take on the mild-mannered alter ego. In Marvel Team-Up #79, it’s revealed that this version of Clark is also a reporter when he attends a party at the Daily Bugle and confirms he works at a major metropolitan newspaper. And in Captain America #260, Clark is seen on the job at a press conference at Ryker’s prison when Rogers tests out the new security measures. Even more interesting, Clark is often ed by his Daily Planet co-workers, Lois, Jimmy Olsen, and even Perry White.

Of course, the biggest difference is that this Clark doesn't appear to have powers, nor is he Superman. Clark has often witnessed superheroes and villains in action, but never makes an excuse to leave and the fight like his DC Universe counterpart. This version of Clark is just a regular reporter who occasionally covers superhero activity in the Marvel Universe. He’s a good journalist, but other than his striking similarity to DC Comics’ Superman, he’s really nothing like the Man of Steel.

Marvel's Clark Kent Isn't Super, But He's an Interesting Tribute

Even Clark's Normal Self is That Iconic

Marvel’s Clark Kent isn’t the only time the publisher has borrowed one of the competition’s characters to use in its stories. After the Flash perished in Crisis on Infinite Earths, a speedster hero showed up in the Marvel Comic series, Quasar, and claimed his name sounded something like “Buried Alien” (quite close to the Flash’s Barry Allen). While this character only had two appearances in the Marvel Universe, Clark Kent has had several dozen, all of which only show him as Clark and never as his heroic persona, Superman.

...another way of looking at it is as a tribute to such an iconic hero.

Of course, Marvel’s Clark can never actually become his heroic alter ego, given it’d be a copyright nightmare if the publisher tried. But it’s still surprising that Marvel has been able to get away with having Clark around all these years. Though to be fair, he’s never anything more than a background character (or at most, a featured extra). But it is interesting that Clark Kent’s image is so iconic, even when he’s not dressed up as Superman, that fans can take one look at him and know exactly who he’s supposed to be.

Marvel’s repeated use of Clark could be seen as a way of downplaying Superman in a world where Marvel heroes exist (as if to say he’s not needed). But another way of looking at it is as a tribute to such an iconic hero. Clark is never showcased as a coward or an ineffectual dope. He’s just a regular guy who’s good at his job, which just happens to be the same thing that DC’s Clark does. If anything, it’s a fun way to tribute one of the biggest icons rivaling Marvel’s best and most well-known heroes.

Superman's Never Going to Be in the Marvel Universe, But Clark is Good Enough

Clark's Cameos Are the Perfect In-Joke Towards the Competition

It's always a treat for fans to see the Big Two do things like this. It's a reminder that things should never be taken too seriously. Marvel making Clark Kent a character in its universe and completely removing his Superman side is a bold move, but a pretty funny one. But at the end of the day, it's a harmless gag towards the competition rather than a spiteful barb. Perhaps the publisher can expand on its Clark Kent in a story one day and show what life is like for a powerless Superman in the Marvel Universe.