Reasons why nobody EVER seems to suspect heroes true identity

[Fantasyartist]

The recent controversy over alleged kidnapper Philip Garrido(known locally as "Weird Phil" apparently)as well as spies like Aldrich Ames, John Walker and Robert Hansen ( as well as serial killers such as John Wayne Gacy) makes me think of a fundamental reason as to why hardly anybody in the Marvel/DC universe seems to suspect a hero/heroine's true identity. People are in a sense incurious and unwilling to think "outside the box". Think of someone you know or see everyday, a fellow worshipper(denomination irrelevant), a workmate, a family member or close friend-and then try to visualize that diffident, occasionally fumble-footed/mousy man/woman as being The Masked Avenger Of The Night. Better yet- try to think of him/her in costume as(insert name of hero/heroine) here; short of discovering him/her in the act of putting on his/her costume, you will automatically reject the idea!

Does anybody think as I do?

Terry

 

[Sloth7d]

Was expecting a Cracked.com article.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That's pretty much the reason they give for Superman's secret identity. He projects a facade of clumsiness and even a little bashfulness as Clark Kent (within reason, obviously, since he's still an investigative journalist), whereas Superman embodies power and confidence. Doesn't matter that they're both over 6', have black hair, and are built like human semi-trucks; one dude is almost totally unnoticeable, the other is the world's savior. Plus, Clark implies that he has no secret identity as Superman, so a lot of people just assume he's off saving lives/averting disasters elsewhere or hanging out at the Fortress of Solitude when he's not visible in Metropolis' skies.

 

[fifthfiend]

That's pretty much the reason they give for Superman's secret identity. He projects a facade of clumsiness and even a little bashfulness as Clark Kent (within reason, obviously, since he's still an investigative journalist), whereas Superman embodies power and confidence. Doesn't matter that they're both over 6', have black hair, and are built like human semi-trucks; one dude is almost totally unnoticeable, the other is the world's savior. Plus, Clark implies that he has no secret identity as Superman, so a lot of people just assume he's off saving lives/averting disasters elsewhere or hanging out at the Fortress of Solitude when he's not visible in Metropolis' skies.

The interesting thing is I've noticed a lot of big people do this, there are all sorts of subtle posture cues and mannerisms and such that they'll do to minimize coming across as threatening or looming or whatever, and it works because it doesn't ever really occur to you that doofy ol' Mark from Accounting has hands that could probably crush your head like a small grape. So it doesn't surprise me that people wouldn't draw a line between that and then like a dude in bright blue tights being like SAVIOR OF HUMANKIND, MOTHER****ERS.

Also I'd expect coming across as sort of a hapless goofball to help his investigative career way more than it hurts it.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, that's true. I was referring just to my bashful comment, though. Can't get too far in investigative journalism if you're too shy to talk to people.

 

[Jack O Lantern]

That's pretty much the reason they give for Superman's secret identity. He projects a facade of clumsiness and even a little bashfulness as Clark Kent (within reason, obviously, since he's still an investigative journalist), whereas Superman embodies power and confidence. Doesn't matter that they're both over 6', have black hair, and are built like human semi-trucks; one dude is almost totally unnoticeable, the other is the world's savior. Plus, Clark implies that he has no secret identity as Superman, so a lot of people just assume he's off saving lives/averting disasters elsewhere or hanging out at the Fortress of Solitude when he's not visible in Metropolis' skies.

They do, howver, have the same face.

I would but his ID better if they weren't friends with the same people.

 

[SuperFerret]

"That Parker boy from down the block is Spider-Man? He always seemed so quiet. Guess you just can't tell about some people."

 

[TheCorpulent1]

They do, howver, have the same face.

I would but his ID better if they weren't friends with the same people.

Most of the people close to Superman either know his secret identity anyway or suspect but are respectful enough to not let on.

 

[bored]

There was a remark somewhere that, as Kent, he wears clothes that are a size too large, and speaks in a higher octave than he does as Superman.

 

[GyLocke]

Except for Luthor, super-mega-genius, who still doesn't suspect a thing. A computer once TOLD him after analizing all data "Clark Kent is Superman!!!" and he got all worked up that "someone with that power would never pretend to be a mere mortal, I know better, you're all fired! aerdfdfdsfserefsdghe!"

I wish they would finally let him know, his character seems like a complete moron as it is.

 

[Mister J]

I actually liked that angle with Lex. It belies his arrogance, greed and overall Luthorness. He can't wrap his bald head around the fact that someone would choose to be that selfless. It highlights the difference in their characters.

Lex actually being in on the secret identity would strike me as either wasteful (because he'd largely sit on it) or short-lived (because he'd raise absolute hell in Clark's life and how long could that go on before it got silly or brought in a deus ex machina)?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, that bit with Lex made perfect sense to me. He's a guy whose entire life is built around power. Acquiring power, wielding power, using power for whatever else he wants. If he got his hands on the kind of power Superman has, no way would he be content as a mewling little weakling like Clark Kent half the time. He can't wrap his brain around someone else doing it. That's what people in the writin' business call a character flaw.

And Lex did find out conclusively that Superman was Clark Kent when he was president and, just as Mister J said, he sat on it and it came off feeling a lot more silly than Lex rejecting the notion out of hand.

 

[GyLocke]

I actually liked that angle with Lex. It belies his arrogance, greed and overall Luthorness. He can't wrap his bald head around the fact that someone would choose to be that selfless. It highlights the difference in their characters.

Lex actually being in on the secret identity would strike me as either wasteful (because he'd largely sit on it) or short-lived (because he'd raise absolute hell in Clark's life and how long could that go on before it got silly or brought in a deus ex machina)?

That's what I thought at first too. But then again, being Clark is not really selfless. It's the opposite. Selfless would be to be Superman 24/7.

Also Luthor would rarely rise hell around his life. At least not in an obvious way: if they use cold calculating Luthor, (who messed up the Joker while being tortured with a few words "Does it bother you he'll never feel about you like he does about Catwoman?") than he would know not to push him too hard, and risk him going berserk. He would mess him in a more sublte, elegant way. Yes current Mad Scientist Luthor couldn't exercise patience and subtelity, but other versions could.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Superman doesn't go berserk. Just ask Manchester Black.

 

[GyLocke]

And Lex did find out conclusively that Superman was Clark Kent when he was president and, just as Mister J said, he sat on it and it came off feeling a lot more silly than Lex rejecting the notion out of hand.

Wasn't there a plan that he kills Lois, MXY revives her, but they're not married anymore? (Exactley like OMD).

I could swear I've read that somewhere, that's why they did the whole thing but didn't go through with it - making Lex look foolish.

I just think he must have some leverage over Supes, now that he has no empire. It's no longer Supes fighting the status quo for a better world, but bullying the weak, the outsider trying to prove himself. Doesn't sit well with me.

 

[GyLocke]

Superman doesn't go berserk. Just ask Manchester Black.

Yeah, but Luthor doesn't know that. If he caps Lois, maybe Superman won't just hover outside his window.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Wasn't there a plan that he kills Lois, MXY revives her, but they're not married anymore? (Exactley like OMD).

I could swear I've read that somewhere, that's why they did the whole thing but didn't go through with it - making Lex look foolish.

I just think he must have some leverage over Supes, now that he has no empire. It's no longer Supes fighting the status quo for a better world, but bullying the weak, the outsider trying to prove himself. Doesn't sit well with me.

Well, Lex is back in mad scientist, Kryptonite-crazy mode, so he has some measure of personal power in spite of losing his business power.

 

[Drakon]

Something else, too, is the "I never thought it could happen to me" line of thinking, People tend to always believe significant things will not happen to them, like cancer, or meeing superheroes.

 

[GyLocke]

Well, Lex is back in mad scientist, Kryptonite-crazy mode, so he has some measure of personal power in spite of losing his business power.

When was the last time he did anything worth mentioning?
Getting slapped around by Zod, or getting slapped around by General Lane? Figuratively speaking.

I'm spending my two weeks notice at work, I don't have much to do, so I've watched some superman tas. That's why I'm passionate about Lex right now, he can be such a great character when he is someone to fight, a force to be reckoned with, not someone who jumps up and down the sidewalk "Remember me? Notice me, I'm here too! I used to run half the world! My power is being bald!"

Such a great drama between the best (and worst) today's humanity has to offer facing the alien, mythical hero. ****ing awesome, this is why I read comic books. Oh well, this status quo won't last forever either.

But back on topic, I like Daredevil's OJ Simpson like relationship with his secret identity.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Pff, no argument from me. I hate how crappy Lex has become since Infinite Crisis. I really despise the mad scientist version and love the super-cunning businessman version to death.

 

[Dread]

The last time someone major seemed to figure out that Peter Parker was Spider-Man, it was Debra Whitman, and it literally drove her mad because she was too introverted to believe it. Actually, if you ever look back at her history, she is one of Peter's more tragic heroines. He almost deliberately treated her like garbage.

 

[CConn]

I actually liked that angle with Lex. It belies his arrogance, greed and overall Luthorness. He can't wrap his bald head around the fact that someone would choose to be that selfless. It highlights the difference in their characters.

Lex actually being in on the secret identity would strike me as either wasteful (because he'd largely sit on it) or short-lived (because he'd raise absolute hell in Clark's life and how long could that go on before it got silly or brought in a deus ex machina)?

I can't believe you still have my star.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Pff, no argument from me. I hate how crappy Lex has become since Infinite Crisis. I really despise the mad scientist version and love the super-cunning businessman version to death.

Personally I think that with all the horrible stuff that he did the corporate mogul/politician Lex could only last so long before getting stale.

 

[Ipodman]

Thats why i love Red Robin... he actually "found out" Batman and Robin's identity

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Personally I think that with all the horrible stuff that he did the corporate mogul/politician Lex could only last so long before getting stale.

I don't think so. I mean, randomly offering women at roadside diners a million dollars and then driving off while they're deciding was a bit much, but corruption's sort of expected in the businessman/politician mold, so I didn't have a problem with that. Lex is smart enough to cover his tracks well, too. At the end of the day, the businessman/politician sure beats the hell out of cackling mad scientist Lex, at any rate. It's more the portrayal of Lex as a sly, cunning manipulator over another mad scientist that I preferred, regardless of whether he actually has the business or political power behind him. JLU stripped him of that and he was still great because he was still portrayed as crafty and cunning rather than going bats*** insane and strapping back on the green and purple armor to simply trade punches with Superman like he did in the comics.