From Superman v.2 #121 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Why does Superman need a secret identity? He’s Superman. If he takes off his costume, he’s still Superman. If Batman takes off his costume, he’s (*spoiler alert*) Bruce Wayne. If just about every other superhero took off their costumes, they’d also be somebody else. So what is Superman hiding from?
Superheroes have secret identities to protect themselves and the ones they love. Doesn’t it seem like Superman is intentionally putting people in danger by being (*spoiler alert*) Clark Kent? Okay, so maybe he was raised by humans, and maybe he wants to have a life outside of Superman; a life with other people. Fine. You win this round, Superman. Or do you?
The fact is, Superman doesn’t NEED a secret identity, he WANTS one. You could argue that Clark is a wage-earner so that Superman can eat, but does Superman NEED to eat? I don’t know the answer, and I haven’t looked it up yet. I thought Superman got everything he needed from the sun, and if that’s true, then Superman faces a conflict of needs versus wants. That conflict is a philosophical one, so I don’t think it can used as an example of the humanizing of Superman, but he does seem to have a need to be as much of a human he can be. So can it be said that Superman is hiding from himself?
Clearly, he is content with being Superman and helping and saving as many people as he can, but a little deeper than surface, is there a part of him that wishes he were more human? As far as I know, his relationship with all things Kryptonian is rocky; it has its ups and downs. I think he’s proud of where he came from, but my limited knowledge can’t help but wonder if there isn’t something our Man of Steel is hiding.
Honestly, it’s none of my damn business, so I’ll leave it alone. You’re welcome.
