While Batman is certainly one of the most popular and dynamic superheroes in the DC Universe, his secret identity as billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne can be just as interesting. For example, fans might not know that Bruce Wayne has several different holdings and subsidiaries all over the world through his company, Wayne Enterprises. Thanks to one of those subsidiaries, Clark Kent is actually an employee of Bruce Wayne, meaning that Superman gets his paychecks from Batman himself.
The reveal comes from the classic book Batman: Hush from writer Jeff Loeb with art by Jim Lee. In that story, Batman is investigating a series of clues looking into a massive, interconnected mystery that involves several of his longtime rogues, as well as a new villain known as Hush, secretly Batman’s childhood friend, Tommy Elliot. In Batman: Hush #4, the Dark Knight’s trail leads him to Metropolis. While it would be strange to see Batman operating there instead of in Gotham, no one would take a second look if Bruce Wayne were to travel and visit the city to check in on one of his Wayne Enterprises assets: The Daily Planet.
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The Daily Planet is the premier newspaper in Metropolis, and operates out of one of the most iconic office buildings in comics – right up there with Avengers Tower - most recognizable by the giant golden planet that spins on the top of the building. The newspaper was first owned by Lex Luthor, though, depending on the era and Luthor’s mood, he’s actually sold and bought the Planet back more than a few times. The newspaper had also been owned by Morgan Edge at one point, as well as TransNational Enterprises. However, during this time in the Hush storyline, The Daily Planet, where Superman works as reporter Clark Kent, belongs to Bruce Wayne.
After spending some time with Clark, Lois Lane, and editor Perry White, Bruce begins his true work in Metropolis, hunting down Poison Ivy, who may hold the next clue in his investigation. Unfortunately for Batman, before he’s able to finish up his detective work, Ivy was able to seduce Superman into being her slave, forcing Batman to fight him in an epic throw down.
All the action aside, it’s funny to think about the fact that Superman gets paid by Batman for doing his day job. It’s a testament to how rich and powerful Batman really is. It brings to mind one of the final scenes from the Justice League film, where Superman’s mother is losing her house and the Kent farm as she couldn’t keep up with the payments to the bank. In response, Bruce Wayne just buys the bank and clears the debt, another great example of Bruce Wayne’s extraordinary wealth akin to what’s seen here with him owning the whole Daily Planet.