What if Superman were to reveal his identity to the world?

[The Question]

I don't think Supes Villians would care about Lois. I think Darkseid would know Clark was Supes if he wanted etc.
I don't think anything is to gained revealing his ID anyway unless DC want to go the Miracleman messiah/benevolent dictator route. Supes is not a Messiah or benevolent dictator, so I feel that would be an error.

- Whirly

What are you talking about? Of course the villains would care about Lois. If Metallo found out who Supes really is, the first think he'd do is disembowl Lois and decorate Clark's apartment with her innards.

 

[Whirlysplat]

What are you talking about?

Somewhat rude, but obviously you are finding it hard to comprehend what I have posted again.

If Metallo found out who Supes really is, the first think he'd do is disembowl Lois and decorate Clark's apartment with her innards.

Metallo certainly is the type of villian who should be part of Supermans stories more often


Characters like Metallo should be forgotten, unfortunately they are not. They are walking plot devices and are a problem for Superman because of Kryptonite. They do not move long term plots on and need to be consigned to the bargain bin.

Supes real villians gallery (his top tier non hired muscle), villians like Luthor, Braniac and Darkseid are planet threatening, they hardly care about Lois. If you remember villians have known Supes identity in the past like Conduit. It really serves little purpose and is a cliche. Supes top tier don't need a lever to use against him he starts out as the underdog. Darkseid is threatening his loved ones all the time merely by existing for instance.


- Whirly

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

I remember when Big Blue once said, Clark is who I am. Superman is what I can do.
Pre-C, Post-C, I don't know, but it helped "humanize" him for me. He may not be human, but he's still a person. He needs a life. And the point about endangering everyone he knows is a concern.

How about neither try Lois and Clark season 3

 

[The Question]

Metallo certainly is the type of villian who should be part of Supermans stories more often


Characters like Metallo should be forgotten, unfortunately they are not. They are walking plot devices and are a problem for Superman because of Kryptonite. They do not move long term plots on and need to be consigned to the bargain bin.

There's nothing wrong with Metallo. He may not be a major, worldwide threat, but he's not a bad character. The only problem with him is that recent writers tend to give him a pale imitation of The Parasite's personality instead of his own. That of the sophisticated, educated, and mildly psychotic street level criminal. Also, Metallo's Kryptonite heart wasn't really mcuh of a factor for a long time. There was a streach where he was fighting Superman with just his strength, and rarely opened up his chest for anything besides a last resort.

Supes real villians gallery (his top tier non hired muscle),

What's wrong with hired muscle? Why does a great character mean that they're some sort of master criminal? Metallo, Parasite, guys like that are thugs. Bruisers. Often work for others. So what? That's their place. That's what they're good at. Doesn't make them bad characters.

villians like Luthor, Braniac and Darkseid are planet threatening, they hardly care about Lois. If you remember villians have known Supes identity in the past like Conduit. It really serves little purpose and is a cliche.

What do you mean? I was just saying what would happen if Supes identity was revealed. That being a very dead Lois.

Supes top tier don't need a lever to use against him he starts out as the underdog. Darkseid is threatening his loved ones all the time merely by existing for instance.


- Whirly

Fine. But Darkseid is not the end all/be all of SUperman's villains, and truthfully should not be a DCU level threat, not simply Superman's villains. And really, forgeting about the bond villain types. What about Master Jailer, or Blackrock, or Metallo? What would they do if they knew who Superman was? Very simple. They'd kill people he knew.

 

[LibrarianThorne]

There's nothing wrong with Metallo. He may not be a major, worldwide threat, but he's not a bad character. The only problem with him is that recent writers tend to give him a pale imitation of The Parasite's personality instead of his own. That of the sophisticated, educated, and mildly psychotic street level criminal. Also, Metallo's Kryptonite heart wasn't really mcuh of a factor for a long time. There was a streach where he was fighting Superman with just his strength, and rarely opened up his chest for anything besides a last resort.



What's wrong with hired muscle? Why does a great character mean that they're some sort of master criminal? Metallo, Parasite, guys like that are thugs. Bruisers. Often work for others. So what? That's their place. That's what they're good at. Doesn't make them bad characters.



What do you mean? I was just saying what would happen if Supes identity was revealed. That being a very dead Lois.



Fine. But Darkseid is not the end all/be all of SUperman's villains, and truthfully should not be a DCU level threat, not simply Superman's villains. And really, forgeting about the bond villain types. What about Master Jailer, or Blackrock, or Metallo? What would they do if they knew who Superman was? Very simple. They'd kill people he knew.

Totally agree with you, Q. Metallo, Parasite, et al. would absolutely devastate Clark's personal life. Also, to the other posters, Luthor would do much to tear down Superman's personal life. He'd drive the Kent Farm out of business, probably make it into a parking lot. Or, he'll simply kidnap the Kents and hide them somewhere Superman could never find them, and use them as bargaining tools to get what he wants. Luthor is not above that kind of action.

Superman "unmasking" himself would be such a bad, out of character move I can't see DC doing it.

 

[Purple Man]

The Kents would probably be kidnapped and Chemo would be dropped on Smallville, eradiating the town and surrounding farm land.

Lois Lane would be outright murdered.

If Kal-El was going to reveal his duality to the world he would have to hide his loved ones in the fortress of solitude and pray no one ever finds it.

Bizarro would probably try and become Clark Kent or create some other form of identity for himself.

The Daily Planet would probably be pretty humiliated for having Superman under their nose all along.

I highly doubt Superman would ever take those kind of risks.

 

[Whirlysplat]

What do you mean? I was just saying what would happen if Supes identity was revealed. That being a very dead Lois.

Supes is always even these days hearing her scream from half way across Gotham and getting to her just in time.

The Kents would probably be kidnapped.

Conduit did exactly this.


Conduit knew who his whole Family and kidnapped them as levers against Clark.

He still lost. The whole plot is passe, it's been done.

I stand by my original comment, the only reason to do it would be to take Superman in a completely new direction, perhaps even to kill the supporting cast. But I don't see Supes as a Miracleman Messiah type character or a benevolent dictator. We've seen the angst ridden Superman who had his family killed in Kingdom Come so even that wouldn't be new.

-Whirly

 

[The Question]

Okay. That's nice. I really don't care either way. I wasn't saying that the writers should have him tell everyone who he is. I was just saying what would happen if they did. Which would be Metallo twisting Lois' head all the way around and Parasite making a meal out of Jonathan and Martha Kent.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Okay. That's nice. I really don't care either way. I wasn't saying that the writers should have him tell everyone who he is. I was just saying what would happen if they did. Which would be Metallo twisting Lois' head all the way around and Parasite making a meal out of Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Again, why the "That's nice" comment? Try and debate politely.

As I said he's family has been killed in Kingdom Come, we saw the possible effects then. We also had Conduit kidnap his loved ones and make Clark admit who he was (in continuity). Unless the point is to push the plot in a new direction what's the point?

- Whirly

 

[sethcohen]

not it the villains coordinated their efforts... which im sure a certain Luthor or Brainiac would organize... he cant be in 2 places at once... does he choose to save Lois or Ma and Pa? is it Jimmy or Lana? Perry or Pete? what if he can only save one of them flat out? hed never risk it...

 

[The Question]

Again, why the "That's nice" comment? Try and debate politely.



As I said he's family has been killed in Kingdom Come, we saw the possible effects then. We also had Conduit kidnap his loved ones and make Clark admit who he was (in continuity). Unless the point is to push the plot in a new direction what's the point?



- Whirly

I don't know. And that has nothing to do with what I was saying. I'm not argueing that that should happen. I'm simply saying that it's what would happen if Supes were to his reveal his identity to the world.

 

[Whirlysplat]

I don't know. And that has nothing to do with what I was saying. I'm not argueing that that should happen. I'm simply saying that it's what would happen if Supes were to his reveal his identity to the world.

The point is he would only reveal his identity if his loved ones were safe or dead. We've had viliians know his identiy before and use his loved ones as levers against him before. It's a comics cliche. Look at Venom and Spiderman.

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

The point is he would only reveal his identity if his loved ones were safe or dead.

Oh. Well, taht would make a certain amount of sense on Clark's part. If all of his friends and family died, I suppose then he would be more willing to tell everyone who he really is. However, the question was pretty much "in general," so I worked on the assumption that Lois, Ma and Pa, and the rest are still alive and well. In that case, they wouldn't stay that way for very long.

We've had viliians know his identiy before and use his loved ones as levers against him before. It's a comics cliche. Look at Venom and Spiderman.

Okay. That still has nothing to do with what I was saying.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Okay. That still has nothing to do with what I was saying.

I disagree, but that's only my interpretation of what you're saying though. The Conduit incident shows exactly how the low tier villians behave when his identity is known (Kidnap psychological violence etc.) and Kingdom Come is one possible route Supes personality goes when his loved ones die. It could only be used to move plot and character in a different direction, that is the only reason a writer would do it.

- Whirly

 

[RAMORE]

i voted NO. But i take back when lois is dead and so is his mom then i think it would be ok. so what's that like 60 years of comic time? That means we have a good 300 years before we have to worry

 

[Whirlysplat]

i voted NO. But i take back when lois is dead and so is his mom then i think it would be ok. so what's that like 60 years of comic time? That means we have a good 300 years before we have to worry

lol, true enough.

- Whirly

 

[Fred_Fury]

Clark Kent And Superman Look Exactly The Same How Can The World Not Know Who He Is???

 

[The Question]

I disagree, but that's only my interpretation of what you're saying though.

But I've explained what I'm saying. Twice.

The Conduit incident shows exactly how the low tier villians behave when his identity is known (Kidnap psychological violence etc.) and Kingdom Come is one possible route Supes personality goes when his loved ones die. It could only be used to move plot and character in a different direction, that is the only reason a writer would do it.

It's the next logical step in a story where Superman's identity is reveiled. His villains kill his friends and family, or at least try to. And again, I wasn't arguing that it should or shouldn't happen. Simply that it would happen.

 

[The Question]

Clark Kent And Superman Look Exactly The Same How Can The World Not Know Who He Is???

Because not everyone in the world knows what Clark Kent looks like. In fact, very few do.

 

[Whirlysplat]

But I've explained what I'm saying. Twice.
It's the next logical step in a story where Superman's identity is reveiled. His villains kill his friends and family, or at least try to. And again, I wasn't arguing that it should or shouldn't happen. Simply that it would happen.

Ahh, but we know what happens from the point of few of how minor villians would try to behave. If Supes were to reveal his identity he would have to have had a personality shift or be sure he could deal with the low tier villians with whatever contigencies he had put in place.

So.... "The Question" is more how would Supes respond to these low tier villians who would care? What would his plan be if such a scenario came to pass, how does he intend to protect his loved ones? Has he altered society in the way Hyperion in Supreme Power is/did or Miracleman did? Would all threats be removed? Sentry seems to have a number of Villians who know his identity, he has a wife, look at how he is prepared to defend his loved ones. As I said the only reason for this to be a progression is if we were looking to answer these questions? Not the obvious behaviour of low tier villians like Conduit to said knowledge, Supes response is where the interesting story would reside.

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

......okay.

 

[Spike_x1]

Somewhat rude, but obviously you are finding it hard to comprehend what I have posted again.



Metallo certainly is the type of villian who should be part of Supermans stories more often


Characters like Metallo should be forgotten, unfortunately they are not. They are walking plot devices and are a problem for Superman because of Kryptonite. They do not move long term plots on and need to be consigned to the bargain bin.

Supes real villians gallery (his top tier non hired muscle), villians like Luthor, Braniac and Darkseid are planet threatening, they hardly care about Lois. If you remember villians have known Supes identity in the past like Conduit. It really serves little purpose and is a cliche. Supes top tier don't need a lever to use against him he starts out as the underdog. Darkseid is threatening his loved ones all the time merely by existing for instance.


- Whirly

I just felt the need to point out that Metallo lacked kryptonite as a power source throughout the 90's and late 80's after Lex yanked it out of his chest waaaaay back in Superman #2. He was facing off against Superman through those years with just his brute strength and powers of manipulating machines; the latter abilities have been forgotten in current times, obviously.

I fail to see how that's a "walking plot device," rather than a true physical threat.

Now then, carry on.

 

[Fred_Fury]

Because not everyone in the world knows what Clark Kent looks like. In fact, very few do.

okay.... BUT HE WORKS FOR A FREAKING NEWSPAPER AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM ARE REPORTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW CAN THEY NOT KNOW THAT IS THE SUPERMAN!?!?!?!??!?!

 

[Whirlysplat]

I just felt the need to point out that Metallo lacked kryptonite as a power source throughout the 90's and late 80's after Lex yanked it out of his chest waaaaay back in Superman #2. He was facing off against Superman through those years with just his brute strength and powers of manipulating machines; the latter abilities have been forgotten in current times, obviously.

I fail to see how that's a "walking plot device," rather than a true physical threat.

Now then, carry on.

In those stories he's not even a walking plot device merely a low tier villian of the week. Excellent character, so original without the plot device.

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

okay.... BUT HE WORKS FOR A FREAKING NEWSPAPER AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM ARE REPORTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW CAN THEY NOT KNOW THAT IS THE SUPERMAN!?!?!?!??!?!

Many have probably noticed a strong resemblance. While it's never been said, alot of people think that Perry probably figured it out a while ago and just kept quiet about it because Clark's his friend. I also think that Lois, while she could have figured it out easily, was suffering from Sunnydale syndrom. As in, she (most likely subconsciously) ignored the clues because she didn't want to believe that Clark had been lying to her like that. The rest probably simply didn't take enough notice in Clark to makr the connection. He didn't sem to hang out with many people besides Lois, Perry, and Jimmy. Also, it's not like Superman's face is plastered everywhere. If memory serves, he intentionaly tries not to get his photo taken when he can avoid it so no one at the ofice can compare a pictire of him as Supes to him at work.

In those stories he's not even a walking plot device merely a low tier villian of the week. Excellent character, so original without the plot device. :



- Whirly

What's wrong with a low teir villain? So he's not a criminal mastermind. Big deal. He never intended to be. He's a grunt. An enforcer. That's not what makes him a good or bad character.