Theory Thursday- Would Superman's Disguise Really Work?

Glasses. A magnificent invention. Along with helping you see, they also disguise you so you can’t be recognized as Superman.

In a video for Omaze, Ben Affleck mocked Superman (and Henry) for thinking
that Glasses will keep you from being recognized as Superman, the
"most recognizable guy ever!"

Welcome to theory Thursday where we explain how things work in fiction.

As a superman fan, I hear a lot about Batman. Either how he is better, or that he is more relatable, or that he’s cooler, what have you. One of the more common arguments I hear is that Superman couldn’t work because Glasses aren’t enough to hide you from the public, but is this true?

Superman #9 (published in 2012), we are introduced to a blogger named Victor Barnes tries to sell some information to Lois Lane, head producer at Galaxy Communications. His outlandish claim is that Superman has a secret identity. Lois doesn’t buy the story. Victor Barnes then goes to Lois’ boss Morgan Edge and sells him the information. The video goes viral and the wrong man is accused of being Superman. Superman then has to solve the problem and prove that he and the accused are not the same person.

Victor Barnes claims Superman has a
Secret Identity. Lois doesn't Believe him
Because, why would Superman need a
Secret Identity? The Idea is ridiculous!

Now what’s so significant about this story? In retrospect it was relatively un-memorable, yet it illustrates a point that is overlooked by so may when in the Superman argument. What is a superhero? How do you know that?

I imagine some of you would say that it’s someone who tries to live a normal life, yet can’t so they take on a duel identity to fight crime and be normal (perfect lead-in to a drama TV series). Now how do we know this? We have comic books explaining it, uber successful movies, pop culture icons, etc. now imagine a world where no one has heard of a superhero before. It’s a brand new concept that no one has heard or seen before. In the story, the part of victor’s story that Lois found ridiculous was not his reporting, but his claim. Superman can’t have a secret identity because he is superman all the time. What does he do when he’s not saving the world? Probably resting up and waiting for the next mega-crisis.

The page in reference

That is part one: the world of superheroes doesn’t think to look for secret identities. Part two ties into that a bit and that is the genius of the Reverse- secret identity.

In Superman: Earth One, Martha Kent comes up with the costume for Clark to wear when he is being a superhero. He asks about a mask and Martha says something along the lines of “You want people to trust you, so you can’t wear a mask. The mask is what you will have to wear the rest of the time”. So let’s say that Batman exists and people know about him. He wears a mask so people have to ask who he is behind the mask. Superman does not wear a mask- therefore people trust him as Superman. Superman, in people’s minds, becomes exactly that. Superman.

Part three: this becomes even more realistic as time goes on. On March 16 2016, Henry Cavil did an experiment. He went to Times Square, surrounded himself with ads for Batman V. Superman, wore a Superman T-shirt, and then walked around. No one gave him a second glance, no one took pictures, he was completely un-recognized, and he didn’t even sport glasses.

What did Cavill Prove? that if anything,
Glasses are overkill.

People are becoming increasingly distracted in a big city like Metropolis.  Henry Cavil wasn’t even really trying, now imagine if he wore glasses and a suit. How much more inconspicuous would he then become?

In the man of steel universe, those who know Clark best also know about his secret of being Superman. Lois knows, his mom knows, Lana and Pete know, and all of them keep the secret for him. So- the danger level of Superman being ousted on his secret identity is very minimal- if even a possibility.

Glasses work? Yep!

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