The Perpetual Bride

Superman from Earth-one, i.e., the real Superman of 1982, explains to Lois why they can't spend much time together, the world needs him, after all. What he didn't explain is how he also spares time as Clark Kent to be with Lana Lang.

This was the Superman that DC Comics wanted to hold on to. The one who was somewhat god-like in his devotion to the apparently helpless people of Earth, and the one who was involved in a romantic love triangle -- well quadrangle -- composed of himself, Lois Lane, Lana Lang and Clark Kent. Lois and Lana doubled for Betty and Veronica while Clark Kent was Archie. That left Superman to play the part of Jughead in more ways than one.

Lois and Clark Kent, a happily married couple who had a big secret to protect, i.e., the Earth-two Superman continuity. The comics took steps to minimize the confusion between the Earth-one and Earth-two depictions of the Man of Steel lest anyone have the audacity to believe the guy grinning at his wife was the real Superman.

This Lois and Clark worked together at the Daily Star newspaper and this Superman was given a slightly different "S" shield for his chest and despite these comics being written from the late 70s to the mid 80s, they were set in the 1950s to complete the different look.

The Earth-two Superman was arbitrarily dubbed the "Golden Age" Superman, but realistically wasn't very similar to that version of the legend at all. However, it gave the comics an "era" to associate him with and ensured he wouldn't be confused with the Superman who was his contemporary in the real continuity comics.

This comic from 1982 contained a crossover of the two universes. The Earth-one and Earth-two versions of Superman teamed up to defeat two versions of Lex Luthor.

However, the true purpose of this comic seemed to be one of comparing the lifestyles of the two Supermen. Interestingly enough it was the Earth-two Superman who came out on top as the saner and happier of the two.