With Superman #42, Has The Internet Killed Secret Identities?

Since Superman first flew from the pages of Action Comics #1, superheroes have had secret identities. Secrect IDs are a cornerstone of pop culture, dating way back to 1903 with the creation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, a dashing hero who saved innocents during the French Revolution in a series of novels and plays. But in a digital era filled with security breaches, instant communication, and the viral spread of information, has the concept of a secret identity become outdated? That's the question writer Gene Luen Yang is exploring in "Truth", the ongoing story arc currently unfolding in DC Comics' "Superman" series.

The "DC You" era of Superman books began with a shocking twist: the world knew that Superman was Clark Kent thanks to a story written by Lois Lane. In this week's Superman #42, Yang and artist John Romita Jr. reveal that Lane discovered Kent's secret identity as the pair were investigating Hordr, a group selling information and using secrets to blackmail the world's most powerful superheroes. Hordr attempted to blackmail Superman in June's Superman #41, threatening to expose his secret identity unless he agreed to aid the organization. Unfortunately for the Man of Steel, Lois Lane reveals this week she also figured out his secret identity, a byproduct of her own research into Superman's newly developed solar flare ability.

As Superman's secret identity is all but dead, I can't help but notice the parallels between his problems and modern society's own issues with privacy and security. Just as Superman strived to keep his identity secure, we've learned about the importance of never sharing certain personal information online and keeping sensitive personal information (like credit card or social security numbers) hidden. Companies have also increased the complexity of their identity verification procedures to help protect people's identities. Have you ever tried to change the password on an Xbox account? It's a grueling quadruple step process with more tedious hoops to go through than Superman 64.

Despite all those precautions and safety procedures, it feels like our own identities are increasingly exposed on a daily basis. With the treasure trove of information anyone can find with a simple Google search, we hear about companies reporting database or security breaches that compromise the personal data of thousands. Anything you put on social media is accessible, even if "deleted" and hidden from sight. As shown by last year's celebrity picture scandal, even private photos are up for grabs and sharing with the Internet. Identity theft is a growing problem across the world, with thieves resorting to increasingly clever and complicated tactics to steal sensitive information.

Both Hordr and Lois Lane learned of Superman's secret identity because he grew careless while adapting to his own newfound vulnerabilities. As soon as Superman's powers waned, his identity was exposed almost immediately. While it seems unfair that Superman's life should turn upside down for one slip up, it's a poignant reminder about the increasingly brutal and unforgiving nature of the Internet and the digital era. Hordr and Lois both represent different lessons on how modern society function. Hordr is a warning about the active criminal element constantly probing for weakness through technological means, while Lois shows how easy it is to discover the truth given enough time, energy and data.

Superman adapted to his temporary powerlessness too slow, and as a consequence, his status quo is (allegedly) changed forever. It's a harsh but sadly relevant lesson about protecting sensitive information. "Truth" isn't the first superhero story to deal with the loss of secret identity, but it's a good modern examination of the precariousness of identity in the modern world. Superman introduced the concept of secret identity to the superhero archetype. And now that he's losing that privacy, is the staple in superhero storytelling finally dead?

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