There’s one key detail about DC’sSupermanlore that could be dropped to make way for fresher stories. Several parts of Superman’s comic book lore have changed since his 1938 debut. Within a few years,Superman’s ability to leap great distances evolved into flight, for example. Likewise, Superman’s Krypton backstory has gradually become more complex and the Kents have taken on a much bigger role.
Even Superman’s personality and power have shifted, from the infallible Big Blue Boy Scout of the Silver Age to the more fallible and morally complex hero seen in modern stories. Butdespite Superman’s many reinterpretations, some elements of Superman’s mythology remain remarkably consistent. For instance, Superman’s dual identity has remained mostly intact throughout the decades.
Superman’s Secret Identity Is A Betrayal To Clark Kent’s Journalistic Ethics
Clark Kent Conveniently Ignores His Conflict Of Interest At The Daily Planet
The fundamental duty of a journalist is to report the truth as objectively and transparently as possible.Clark Kent betrays his journalistic integrity by failing to disclose that he is not just a reporter but the very subject of many of the stories he communicates. Daily Planet readers trust their journalists to report facts, not to star in the same news they cover.
As pure as his intentions may be, Superman can never be fully transparent as a journalist
Every Superman article Clark Kent writes is built on a lie of omission, as he hides how he gained his information.Even if Clark tries to be objective, he’s still emotionally invested. Any journalist with such a degree of personal involvement would be expected to recuse themselves, yet Clark continues reporting without ever disclosing his conflict of interest.
As pure as his intentions may be, Superman can never be fully transparent as a journalist. Clark’s dual identity allows him to shape public opinion under false pretenses. He has the power to directly influence how the world views Superman without accountability. A journalist who secretly uses their column to protect or glorify their secret alter ego is propaganda, not reporting.
Superman’s Secret Identity Is Hypocritical Considering The Man Of Steel’s Core Values
Superman Hides A Major Secret From The Public Despite Being A Paragon Of Truth
As the Man of Steel, Clark Kent prides himself on being the symbol of"truth, justice, and a better tomorrow". Superman constantly strives to be a symbol of transparency and virtue, inspiring people to act with integrity even in impossible circumstances. Yet,the foundation of Superman’s civilian life is a lie. It’s an elaborate performance that conceals his true nature.
While the intention behindSuperman’s civilian disguiseis often portrayed as noble, it runs counter to the values he upholds in public. Superman demands honesty from governments, criminals, and everyday citizens alike while allowing himself the luxury of deception. He has outed corrupt officials and called out people for hiding the truth when it serves their own interests, all while concealing a life-altering truth about himself.
If any other figure with comparable power engaged in daily deception, Superman would be the first to challenge their credibility.Superman’s unique position as a public hero and a secretive individual raises difficult questions about whether the most benevolent hero should be above his own ethical standards.Even the greatest heroes may be willing to bend their own principles for convenience or safety.
Superman Dropping His Secret Identity Was A Real Progression Of His Arc
DC Briefly Explored A Groundbreaking Clark Kent Story, But Quickly Dropped It
When Brian Michael Bendis had Superman publicly reveal his secret identity in 2019’sSuperman(Vol. 5) #18, Superman finally aligned his two personas into one coherent truth. For once, the world saw Superman as the man who truly walked among them rather than as a god in disguise. This shift also allowed other characters like Lois Lane and Lex Luthor to evolve.
No longer shackled by the contrivance of double lives, Bendis’ Superman could finally operate with full accountability
Clark Kent’s identity reveal injected new life into Superman’s mythology.No longer shackled by the contrivance of double lives, Superman could finally operate with full accountability. DC could finally explore the personal consequences of Superman’s heroism in the public’s reaction and the added pressures on the Kent family.
Unfortunately,DC reversed Clark Kent’s identity revealonly three years later and restored Superman’s status quo. Suddenly, the Man of Steel exchanged meaningful character growth for the safety of Silver Age tropes. This change robbed Superman of a rare opportunity for lasting evolution and more groundbreaking storylines. Likewise, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and Metropolis' supporting characters returned to their usual dynamics.
Superman May Never Fully Abandon His Secret Identity
Superman’s Secret Identity Is Here To Stay
Comics tend to rely on a cyclical status quo that resets major changes over time. As much as Clark Kent’s double life creates emotional tension, it also provides writers and readers with a familiar narrative.In a genre where serialization demands longevity, Superman’s dual identity is a proven formula. Removing this aspect fundamentally disrupts how Superman’s stories are structured.
This dilemma isn’t unique to Superman. Marvel’s Spider-Man experienced a similar narrative shift whenPeter Parker revealed his identity duringCivil War, which promised a permanent evolution. However, the infamousSpider-Man: One More Dayquickly undid every major change. Much like with Superman, this decision was all about preserving the hero’s most familiar elements.
In DC Comics, Batman has hung up the cape, Hal Jordan has turned evil, and Barry Allen has sacrificed his life to save the multiverse. Yet, they’ve returned to their status quo not long afterward.
But since comics are inherently cyclical, bold ideas like Superman abandoning his secret identity aren’t truly lost. New creative teams or entire continuity shakeups give writers the freedom to revisit these questions from new angles, if only sporadically. Even if the coreSupermanmythos continues to return to familiar ground, the door is never fully closed to revisiting similarly transformative decisions.
