Alternate disguises for Superman... Should Superman wear a mask?

[Kurt Wagner]

One thing I never ever understood was why the writers of the comics and movies thought the glasses & suit outfit for clark was an effective disguise for Superman? Seriously... Would no one at the Daily Planet suspect they are the same person??? Especially Lois, who regularly sees and works with Clark, and then also is saved by Superman?

How the hell is Lois considered as one of the greatest investigative reporters in Metropolis??? Doesn't make sense.

I think Superman should wear a mask to protect his identity from the world. Many other superheros do it, why shouldn't he? Besides, it's not like Clark could go around and wear a mask if the goal is to blend in as a human.

So what would be possible and realistic options to address this issue?

 

[knowsbleed]

no.

 

[7heBoss]

No he can't wear a mask, that would just be silly. Everyone at the Daily Planet would think Clark was a weirdo if he showed up to work with a mask everyday.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

*sigh*

 

[Kurt Wagner]

No he can't wear a mask, that would just be silly. Everyone at the Daily Planet would think Clark was a weirdo if he showed up to work with a mask everyday.

I'm not saying that Clark should wear the mask...

I'm asking what alternative disguises could Superman use? It makes absolutely no sense that his main physical disguise is a pair of glasses. The business suit doesn't count as a disguise... since it doesn't disguise his face enough for people to make the connection... If you're working with someone in any work environment that requires daily interaction with your coworker... Would you notice that there is a resemblance between him and the most powerful superhero on Earth if the only difference is a pair of glasses?

Another words, the film has to address this issue in order for one to believe superman and Kent could be the same person. Why would it fool the movie characters and not the audience? Of course the audience already knows given all the movies and TV series that have been made... but in order for it to exist in the world of the film, it's just not realistic.

 

[7heBoss]

I'm not saying that Clark should wear the mask...

I'm asking what alternative disguises could Superman use? It makes absolutely no sense that his main physical disguise is a pair of glasses. The business suit doesn't count as a disguise... since it doesn't disguise his face enough for people to make the connection... If you're working with someone in any work environment that requires daily interaction with your coworker... Would you notice that there is a resemblance between him and the most powerful superhero on Earth if the only difference is a pair of glasses?

Another words, the film has to address this issue in order for one to believe superman and Kent could be the same person. Why would it fool the movie characters and not the audience? Of course the audience already knows given all the movies and TV series that have been made... but in order for it to exist in the world of the film, it's just not realistic.

Haven't you seen Kill Bill Volume II? Superman is his real identity, Clark is the one in disguise so that is why I made the SARCASTIC remark about Clark wearing a mask. And as awesome as it may sounds in theory, a mild mannered luchador would be kind of lame

 

[KalMart]

I'm not saying that Clark should wear the mask...

I'm asking what alternative disguises could Superman use? It makes absolutely no sense that his main physical disguise is a pair of glasses. The business suit doesn't count as a disguise... since it doesn't disguise his face enough for people to make the connection... If you're working with someone in any work environment that requires daily interaction with your coworker... Would you notice that there is a resemblance between him and the most powerful superhero on Earth if the only difference is a pair of glasses?

Another words, the film has to address this issue in order for one to believe superman and Kent could be the same person. Why would it fool the movie characters and not the audience? Of course the audience already knows given all the movies and TV series that have been made... but in order for it to exist in the world of the film, it's just not realistic.

It's not about glasses hiding a face...it's more about the fictional world that they all live in...a world in which there's no precedent for a Superhero, and no reason for anyone to really believe he's anything but Superman all the time. For all anyone knows, Superman is still Superman in some other part of the world when they don't see him....why would they think something as stupendous and surreal as he is would be walking amongst them in disguise?

So if there's no reason to think he's anything but Superman, then no-one's really looking for him amongst the 'regular' people. If they were, it'd be a hot topic every day in the tabloids or what have you....people would be claiming that their dentist, or a waiter, or an actor in a commercial, etc. were Superman because they kinda' look like him. Or they'd probably associate his possible 'other side' with someone in a leadership role. or someone who actually stands out in society. There is no 'Superman the comic-book hero' in the world of Superman, so 'alter-ego' isn't really a relevant concept. The last person they'd suspect is some mild-mannered, relatively unremarkable/unassertive reporter with a full-time job.

For example....in our world, if there's a big-time movie star....as far as we know, when we're not watching them in movies, we assume they're spending private time as themselves at home, or reading scripts, or working on their next project, etc. We're not looking for them in disguise as a bus-boy, or the person who works in Starbucks, or in the accounting department where we work. So basically...the best way to stay hidden is to not let anyone know you're actually hiding.

 

[knowsbleed]

This is not going to be a Batman movie... which Christopher Nolan has smothered with realism. Superman doesn't need a mask... nor does the movie need to explain why he doesn't. It's just part of what it comes with being Superman.

 

[Mr. Thing]

Superman needs to convince the world he is...how should I put it...a symbol of honesty. He's an alien, and as an alien, he must prove he's there to help. He's never going to convince people going around wearing a mask. They're gonna be scared s***less.

 

[KalMart]

 

[Kurt Wagner]

Haven't you seen Kill Bill Volume II? Superman is his real identity, Clark is the one in disguise so that is why I made the SARCASTIC remark about Clark wearing a mask. And as awesome as it may sounds in theory, a mild mannered luchador would be kind of lame

I have and know what you are saying... my point is that Clark is not enough of a disguise and there's no real way to disguise him further (other than facial hair, maybe) without him fitting in as a human... thus making me wonder if there's a way to disguise Superman.

How does the comics address this issue?

 

[Kurt Wagner]

It's not about glasses hiding a face...it's more about the fictional world that they all live in...a world in which there's no precedent for a Superhero, and no reason for anyone to really believe he's anything but Superman all the time. For all anyone knows, Superman is still Superman in some other part of the world when they don't see him....why would they think something as stupendous and surreal as he is would be walking amongst them in disguise?

So if there's no reason to think he's anything but Superman, then no-one's really looking for him amongst the 'regular' people. If they were, it'd be a hot topic every day in the tabloids or what have you....people would be claiming that their dentist, or a waiter, or an actor in a commercial, etc. were Superman because they kinda' look like him. Or they'd probably associate his possible 'other side' with someone in a leadership role. or someone who actually stands out in society. There is no 'Superman the comic-book hero' in the world of Superman, so 'alter-ego' isn't really a relevant concept. The last person they'd suspect is some mild-mannered, relatively unremarkable/unassertive reporter with a full-time job.

For example....in our world, if there's a big-time movie star....as far as we know, when we're not watching them in movies, we assume they're spending private time as themselves at home, or reading scripts, or working on their next project, etc. We're not looking for them in disguise as a bus-boy, or the person who works in Starbucks, or in the accounting department where we work. So basically...the best way to stay hidden is to not let anyone know you're actually hiding.

good point.

 

[KalMart]

t:

 

[7heBoss]

There we go, Problem Solved. Thanks to Kalmart the Crisis has be averted

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Literally my response to this topic.

Like this hasn't been discussed a thousand times over before.

Yes, the idea of glasses being an effective disguise, is on the face of it a little ridiculous.

But there are reasons why he can't wear a mask, as KalMart has shown (love the manips BTW )

Fans have made their peace with the Clark Kent disguise for many reasons.

I think the biggest one is that he ISN'T wearing a mask, and therefore everything thinks he isn't hiding what he looks like. It sort of doesn't occur to anyone he might have a normal life somewhere, because they would assume that to do that he'd have to hide his face... which he isn't.

The Clark Kent disguise works really well because it's so unexpected. He is the only hero to work that way. No one questions him. No one thinks of him as being deceptive or having anything to hide.

And Clark is such a normal guy personality wise, that no one thinks he's the alien superhero either... it's just too weird an idea.

 

[KalMart]

 

[hopefuldreamer]

t:

 

[Slugster]

Ha- larry-us!!!

 

[KalMart]

 

[hippie_hunter]

Haven't you seen Kill Bill Volume II? Superman is his real identity, Clark is the one in disguise so that is why I made the SARCASTIC remark about Clark wearing a mask. And as awesome as it may sounds in theory, a mild mannered luchador would be kind of lame

The interpretation that Bill gave in Kill Bill was crap and shows he has no understanding of the character. Superman doesn't look down upon humanity, he loves humanity and cares deeply for them and the bumbling Clark Kent persona that Clark portrays allows Superman to be a part of humanity.

The true identity of Superman is Clark Kent, the one that he allows Lois, Ma, Diana, Kara, Conner, and Bruce to see. He sees Earth as his home and has Ma and Pas' values as his core, yet he appreciates his Kryptonian heritage.

As for the mask issue. Absolutely not. Superman cannot wear a mask. The whole point of him not wearing a mask is so that people could see his face and develop a sense of trust with him since they know that he is an all powerful alien who looks like one of them.

And his disguise makes sense as well. The glasses he wears dulls down his eye color. He slouches so that he doesn't look as tall. And he appears dull, weak, and bumbling so that people won't think that a man like him could be Superman (when one of Lex's computers deduced that Clark Kent was Superman in John Byrne's run, Lex refused to accept the conclusion because he refused that a man like Superman would allow himself to be Clark Kent).

 

[KalMart]

 

[mego joe]

no.

Ditto.

 

[Lighthouse]

I have and know what you are saying... my point is that Clark is not enough of a disguise and there's no real way to disguise him further (other than facial hair, maybe) without him fitting in as a human... thus making me wonder if there's a way to disguise Superman.

How does the comics address this issue?

Suspension of disbelief. This is just one of those unspoken agreements between the creator and the audience. You have to buy that Clark won't be recognized behind his persona, or Superman just isn't going to work for you.

Personally, I think Christopher Reeve took it to a new level; changing his hairstyle, posture, and mannerisms. He made it just believable enough that Clark and Superman were two different people. But the truth of the matter is that no matter how thoroughly it's explained, in the end you just have to decide whether or not to accept it. Much like accepting that a man can burst into flames without burning, or that a massive power source can come from a ring.

In terms of disguising Superman though, it would totally go against his character. If you remember JJ Jamison in Spider-Man, the entire reason he hates Spidey is because of the mask. JJ feels Spider-Man is hiding something, and can't be trusted. Often, Spider-Man is made to seem like villain to the general public, because of his mask and his abilities. Simply, it's hard to trust someone who wears a mask.

Now you take a character like Superman, who has nearly God like in his powers. Public reaction to a man like this would most certainly be overwhelming fear. It's the primary reason Lex hates him so much, and in fact, is even more powerful a weapon against Superman then kryptonite. Superman needs people and governments to know that he is trustworthy, that it's okay for someone in danger to trust their life in his hands. He does this by his deeds, his honesty about his alien origins, and by showing his true face.

 

[7heBoss]

The interpretation that Bill gave in Kill Bill was crap and shows he has no understanding of the character. Superman doesn't look down upon humanity, he loves humanity and cares deeply for them and the bumbling Clark Kent persona that Clark portrays allows Superman to be a part of humanity.

The true identity of Superman is Clark Kent, the one that he allows Lois, Ma, Diana, Kara, Conner, and Bruce to see. He sees Earth as his home and has Ma and Pas' values as his core, yet he appreciates his Kryptonian heritage.

As for the mask issue. Absolutely not. Superman cannot wear a mask. The whole point of him not wearing a mask is so that people could see his face and develop a sense of trust with him since they know that he is an all powerful alien who looks like one of them.

And his disguise makes sense as well. The glasses he wears dulls down his eye color. He slouches so that he doesn't look as tall. And he appears dull, weak, and bumbling so that people won't think that a man like him could be Superman (when one of Lex's computers deduced that Clark Kent was Superman in John Byrne's run, Lex refused to accept the conclusion because he refused that a man like Superman would allow himself to be Clark Kent).

Don't worry, i know. I was just making a point. I understand how Clark feels about his identity. Here is proof, one of my favorite Superman quotes. Not exactly from the comics but Superman none the less.

Lois: "you are Superman"
Clark: "No, Lois. Superman is what I can do. Clark is who I am."

 

[KalMart]