Clark Kent, aka Superman, is the most recognizable superhero in both real life and the DC Universe. However, since Superman wears no mask to hide his face, many fans say that people should easily be able to make the connection between the Man of Steel and the mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent. At first glance, this complaint appears to be valid. In terms of physical appearance, Clark pretty much only wears a pair of glasses as a disguise. The truth is, however, that Clark’s disguise goes far beyond mere glasses. It involves body language, different personalities, and playing into other people’s expectations of him. Furthermore, the fact that no one can tell that Clark is Superman emphasizes several important themes integral to the Superman character.
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For us readers, it’s much easier to observe the discrepancies and contradictions that distinguish Clark from his superhero persona. However, in the context of the characters in the story, the fact that they can’t figure out Clark’s secret identity makes more sense than people realize.
3) The Disguise is More Than Just the Glasses
Clark puts a lot more effort into distinguishing his appearance from his Superman persona than people give him credit for. As the Man of Steel, he wears bright, tightly fitted clothes that show off his well-defined muscles. He also stands tall, exhibiting an aura of confidence and heroism. In contrast, as the mild-mannered reporter, Clark’s appearance couldn’t be more different from his superhero persona. He wears bland clothes that are one size too large, both hiding his incredible physique and making him look unkept and sloppy. He also droops his shoulders, hunches his back, and slouches, making him appear smaller than he really is. All of these non-verbal behaviors and body language give the impression to people that Clark is a meek and shy man, and certainly not a paragon of bravery like the Man of Tomorrow. Everything about Clark’s visual style is intended to make him look unremarkable and unnoteworthy. This strategy ensures that when he disappears to fight crime, most people don’t even notice that he has left in the first place.
2) The Disguise Involves Personality and Behavioral Differences
The personalities of Superman and Clark Kent couldn’t be more different. As Superman, Clark always presents himself as a pinnacle of heroism and compassion, always knowing what the right thing to do is. He speaks in a deep voice, which projects confidence, and everything he says is and direct. In addition, in the world of DC Comics the public perceives Superman as an unwavering symbol of kindness, virtue, and leadership, virtually without flaws. However, when Clark takes on his human identity, his personality and mannerisms undergo a complete transformation. Instead of speaking clearly with a strong projection of authority, Clark speaks in a high-pitched voice and stutters his words. Superman always remains calm under pressure, whereas Clark always acts like a bundle of nerves, constantly second-guessing the words that come out of his mouth even as he is saying them. The final, and perhaps most significant contrast between Clark’s superhero and civilian identities is how he interacts with the world around him. Both Clark Kent and Superman are kind and generous but the contrasting strengths and weaknesses they exhibit create a massive divide between the two identities. Superman is a god-like figure who possesses the strength to lift buildings, yet also the grace and skill to ensure not a single brick falls out of place while doing so. Clark Kent, in great contrast, is a timid doofus and a klutz who is constantly tripping and breaking things by accident. These contrasting personalities and behaviors make it hard for people who personally know the unconfident and clumsy Clark to associate him with the unstoppable and infallible Superman.
1) The Disguise Plays With Expectations
While all of Clark’s tricks and tactics help hide his secret identity, perhaps the main reason that most people don’t recognize him as Superman is because of their unconscious biases and preconceptions. For starters, by not wearing a mask, Superman helps instill an image of himself as an honest and transparent public figure. As a result, many people assume that Superman doesn’t have or even would want a secret identity because everything about him seems so straightforward and larger-than-life. Preconceived notions also make it harder for people to recognize Clark as Superman. Clark’s civilian persona is that of a shy, inept bumbler, leading people to assume he is incapable of accomplishing anything grand. Indeed, because their assumptions about Clark are so strong, they add to people’s inability to see the connection between Clark and Superman. Moreover, people’s biases also make it easier for them to brush off recurrent coincidences that might normally serve as clues about Clark’s true identity. Suppose Clark disappears while Superman is fighting a villain. In that case, people assume that the reporter is either trying to cover the story or is scared and hiding. Even Lex Luthor, one of the greatest minds on the planet, can’t put two and two together because when he looks at Clark, all he can see is a sad, pathetic loser who couldn’t possibly measure up to his own greatness. Similar to other people, Luthor’s perceptiveness is hindered by his preconceptions. On another level, Clark’s identity supports an essential theme of Superman: that regardless of how people are stereotyped or perceived by society, they can achieve great things.
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