Controversial Superman Opinions

[JackDaw]

The only character who could really work in that situation is Lex, by maybe saying in the old days it was Lex I, and in the current day he's dealing with Lex II. But you couldn't use that trope liberally with the rest ; it'd get ridiculous really fast. Not to mention it can't even be done with Lois. No one would accept two Lois's anymore than they'd accept to Supermen.

Yes. You'd need to get Superman to travel back in time in the couple of years after he left Smallville before going to Metropolis...his equivalent of a "gap year" before going to college. Have a load of early adventures, then come back into present.

Or some such cobblers. It would be a difficult nut to crack, but not impossible.