If you want an in-universe reason for this instead of "it's just a pop culture reference," consider this...
Superman as a "real person" doesn't need to exist on the Arrowverse-Earth-1. He exists there as he does on our Earth -- as a comic book character.
Therefore, just as he created/popularized the term "superhero" here, he did so on Arrowverse-Earth-1.
We know DC comics of some sort exist in the Arrowverse because, besides Legends of Tomorrow, Cisco made a "Super Friends" and "Legion of Doom" reference at the end of Flash Season 4. In an earlier Season 4 episode, someone (I think Harrison Welles) was reading an issue of "Young All-Stars."
So, if DC Comics exist there, it stands to reason that Marvel Comics and the MCU exist there, too.
Marvel and dc has as universe called the crossoververse that has marvel, dc, and transformers in the same universe and why not have them in the dc multiverse. Spider-man has a version in the dc universe as marvel vs dc issue 1 confirmes Spider-Man and batman one shot was in the dc universe!
In the original Spider-Man movie, Peter Parker says "shazam" when trying to figure out how his web powers work in the first Spider-Man movie and as a cheer during the rally in the third movie. Peter's aunt joking reminds him he's not Superman (when referring to the load of responsibilities he's taken on himself in the final act of the first one. Given that he was mentioned to have read comics a lot as a kid in the second movie, it would make sense if DC was on his reading list.
Don't specifically recall DC references in the MCU, though.
Doctor Strange: "You are the right person to replace Logan."
X-23: "I know there are people who disapprove... Guys on the Internet mainly."
(All-New Wolverine #4)
nothing new , aunt may reference superman in the old raimi spiderman movies..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S323aA1I6WE
Doctor Strange: "You are the right person to replace Logan."
X-23: "I know there are people who disapprove... Guys on the Internet mainly."
(All-New Wolverine #4)
I think they overdid it a little on Flash (referring to the Professor X chair and Doc Ock arms for Thinker), but generally, it's all in good fun.
Also Anissa and Grace reading Outsider comics. Now that's a weird one.
Also Thea making a reference to Age of Ultron during one of the crossovers.
Dr. Strange asked Tony Stark if Peter Parker is his ward. Guess that's not a direct reference. Really, no one in the MCU has so much as said the word "kryptonite"?
How does Superman exist in the Spiderman Universe. Peter and Aunt May have made references to Superman.
I don't think Superman existed in Black Lightning's world, I think he was actually a comic book character there. I remember them talking about comics back in S1 of BL and Supergirl was mentioned as was Vixen. Which is why he was amazed when he saw Superman in Crisis, and even mentioned it in the latest episode of BL about him being "real"
Buried Alien is the name of Barry Allen in Marvel Comics, and Clark Kent appeared in multiple issues of Marvel Team-Up and even in one episode of the more obscure solo Spider-Man animated series from 1981.
Peter Parker made a cameo appearance when Superman was in a diner in the storyline 'Grounded'.
Marvel characters referenced DC characters in their issues and vice-versa as comic book characters.
In the Unity episode of Superman the Animated Series a guy who had a crush on Supergirl's alternate identity gave her a bunch of comics, the first one she held in the bus is a joke on Spider-Man.
These references and light crossovers are very common and sprinkled they are so easy to notice, so the CW shows just brought the norm for the industry into their worlds.
TRUTH, JUSTICE, HOPE
That is, the heritage of the Kryptonian Warrior: Kal-El, son of Jor-El
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Looks like I'll have to move past gameplay footage
Yeah, there was a Marvel comic in the 80s where Thor bumps into Clark. Lois is also there. Their surnames aren't mentioned and Clark isn't Superman.
Also, the first issue of Champions four years ago had an out of costume Bart Allen on one panel (it was by the same creative team as Impulse's solo book - Waid and Ramos). The same issue also mentioned the Troubalert, which is from Super Friends.
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