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16 comments:
Should heroes still have secret identities? Is the concept of a secret identity far to quaint in a world where we have audio and video surveillance devices all over the place?
I’m not trying to start a debate on the real world issues. But if Marvel’s universe is based on ours (for instance, 9/11 happened in Marvel's New York too), how long would Peter Parker be able to sneak out of the Bugle or his apartment or anywhere for very long without being discovered?
Yes, in the case of some characters like Superman, who can practically be in two places at once, it’s still believable. But for the more down-to-Earth characters, it doesn’t seem feasible in 2017.
It also doesn’t necessarily destroy characters if their ID is exposed. It’s hard to believe that Iron Man once had a secret identity, when you consider how much his star has risen in the superhero world over the last decade with the world knowing he and Stark are one and the same.
The above deleted comment is mine. J.A. got in first while I was still writing my (rather long) suggested topic. Never mind, I'll try again next week :)
Yes, secret identities for superheroes are silly - come on superhero community, be out and proud !
And why do some superheroes not bother with a secret identity ? Like the FF for example.
The Secret Identity convention in pop-culture(ish) hero-fiction originated more or less w/ the Scarlet Pimpernel. And, IIRC, it even then served as a means to a) allow the hero to move through society as his own unsuspected spy, and b) to protect his loved ones- through anonymity- from being threatened by his enemies as a means of coercion. And I'll tell ya-- I think the latter concern is still extremely valid.
Now, is it realistic or practical? I don't know about that. Heck, even by the 1960s surveillance methods were probably tight enough that if someone really wanted to discover a hero's identity, they'd be able to do so. Today? I have a lot of trouble buying that it would be possible at all. A high-profile hero would almost certainly have to lead a solitary life, unencumbered by connections to family or friends-- which would be a sad life, indeed.
HB
I don't know if they "should," but I like the diversity characters who do or don't for various reasons.
I had almost begun to doubt the whole secret identity trope, but I think DC's Identity Crisis did a good job of examining it. And there was a great line (in addition to one of the best fights between Deadstroke and the JL I've ever read), something along the lines of 'You can't always be there to protect your family, but the mask always will.'
Frankly, the concept of secret-identities is fun, it's a fun way of adding the obligatory stress on the alter-ego's life.
And it caused great consternation on folks like Peter Parker with his Aunt May for many a decade.
When it's violated..? 'Death of Gwen Stacy' happens.
It's the relentless ire that drives each hero, aside from the concept of justice.., protecting your loved ones.
Even before more modern considerations of practicability of secret identities with modern surveillance and the like, I often felt like protecting many of their identities was a stretch. Even in the 1960’s, how could Peter Parker really reside in Forest Hills and swing his way in and out of Manhattan without too much notice (and if somebody was actually attempting true surveillance, I agree with Humanbelly, even back then they probably could have pulled it off)?
I’m probably responding to this with a very nostalgic bent, but I still think secret identities make sense even today. Similar to David's comments, the mystique of it all, the constant threat of discovery and implications to loved ones…the pure fashion sense of a great looking mask! These seem like timeless elements of great heroic fiction and escapism, even if the suspension of belief has to stretch a bit more in today’s world.
As many have said, the concept of a secret identity is constituent of the super-hero concept (part Hercules, part Zorro) and, mainly, it offers good plot opportunities.
Besides, to many heroes is at the basis of their definition: you can't have Batman without a mask and a secret identity, you have no Superman without a mild-mannered Clark Kent or a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man without a stressed nerdy Parker.
BUT, a secret identity adds nothing to any Green Lantern, or to Captain America, so it strongly depends on the character and their background.
But is it realistic?
I agree that no secret can be kept forever, so it's just a matter of time before the Batcave is exposed, Clark's shirt is ripped off or aunt May finds some sticky fluid glazed on Peter's room floor (wait...)
But, as for aging, retirement, marriage (to some extent) and all the things that are likely to happen in anybody's life, this will happen AFTER we're done in reading their stories.
Or, if it happens, it will be reversed.
Hiya,
I'm gonna vote that while the secret identity concept is realistically impractical it remains a fine dramatic tool for the writer.
You could use the Marvel Cinematic Universe as an example of a secret identity free zone. From Tony Stark on the public seemed aware who the heroes were when they weren't heroing and I will be interested in what happens to their families considering the Slovokian Accords in the next few movies.
Maybe that's the reason why Spider-Man seems to be keeping his mask on.
Gotta go now, finishing up a tray of home-made Snickers for an event tonight.
Seeya
pfgavigan
I would argue that not only is the "secret identity" not an outdated idea, but that it is absolutely essential to the entire superhero concept.
The driving force behind the popularity of the superhero is male fantasy wish fulfillment. The idea that a boy can imagine that even though everyone thinks he's just a "regular guy" they don't suspect that he's secretly Batman, or Spider-Man, or Superman, etc. That is what made superheroes become so popular in the first place. If you took away that essential element I don't think the genre would have ever taken off the way it did.
Furthermore, if you take a character like Batman and remove the "secret identity" aspect of his character, he's really nothing that special anymore. Bruce Wayne has no super powers, so the only thing that makes him a "superhero" is his costumed (secret) identity. If you take that away, then he's basically just James Bond. His alter ego gives him power over the criminals he fights. The power of fear. If everyone knew who he really was then Batman would no longer be relevant or effective.
I've always found it amusing that some people can accept, without question, that a kid can get bitten by a radioactive spider and gain spider powers, but it's just too much of a stretch for them to accept that he could keep his identity a secret.
Clark Kent's entire disguise to hide his true identity is a freaking pair of glasses!!! Even in 1939 I think anyone that could see would have seen through that "brilliant" disguise. So the "modern world" argument doesn't hold any water at all.
And also, who cares if it's unrealistic. Nothing about superheroes is in any way shape or form "realistic".
So I think people just need to relax and go with it. (Like they always have for the past 75 plus years).
I'm totally with William on this. If superheroes are our modern-day myths, our version of the ancient pantheons, a few things have changed since The Renaissance.
In particular, Zeus etc. were imagined as assuming a human guise to interfere in the ways of the world. Now, in the light of our human-centric view of the cosmos, our comic heroes assume a godly identity to reach for the sky.
Read that way, an alter ego serves a profound and indispensible purpose. The civilian identity represents our everyday self, while the hero identity represent our hopes and dreams. If we tamper with this principle from a misplaced sense of logic we risk losing the essence and power of the stories themselves.
Very interesting all around. I like the secret identities. As has been said I think it adds a level of suspense and tension. And I think the protection of loved ones is reasonable and viable. I do think that they could modernize the approach if they wanted to. 1) they could have heroes more aware that they really are breaking the law as vigilantes to give another reason to hide, 2) they could incorporate "scramblers" to limit electronic surveillance and 3) they could play on the actual surveillance itself as a reason for some heroes. Perhaps some of that reasoning already exists as I don't follow modern comics as much.
I do like some of the mythical and practical arguments that others have presented. Plus it gives heroes a reason to wear masks. I've never been a fan of the teams where everybody is just exposed - I don't see that as reasonable either unless they intend to be celebrities or hunted constantly.
I was right there with this discussion. I was even trying to all the times in Marvel Triple Action that Wanda kept calling Capt America "Steve" in the middle of fights when he had his mask on.
Then Colin mentioned The Renaissance and now I'm trying to decide if you pronounce it "renaissance" or "renaissance". I know! Right?
Anyhoo, getting back to my main man, Luke Cage, he went to prison as Carl Lucas, came out calling himself Luke Cage. Sweet Christmas, man, he wasn't even wearing a mask!!! I get Lois Lane not seeing through the glasses, but even she could've sussed Cage out...
(Well we all have a face
That we hide away forever
And we take them out and show ourselves
When everyone has gone
Some are satin some are steel
Some are silk and some are leather
They're the faces of the stranger
But we love to try them on
Well, we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger
Though we share so many secrets
There are some we never tell
Why were you so surprised
That you never saw the stranger
Did you ever let your lover see
The stranger in yourself?
Don't be afraid to try again
Everyone goes south
Every now and then
You've done it, why can't someone else?
You should know by now
You've been there yourself
Once I used to believe
I was such a great romancer
Then I came home to a woman
That I could not recognize
When I pressed her for a reason
She refused to even answer
It was then I felt the stranger
Kick me right between the eyes
Well, we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger
Though we share so many secrets
There are some we never tell
Why were you so surprised
That you never saw the stranger
Did you ever let your lover see
The stranger in yourself?
Don't be afraid to try again
Everyone goes south
Every now and then
You've done it why can't someone else?
You should know by now
You've been there yourself
You may never understand
How the stranger is inspired
But he isn't always evil
And he isn't always wrong
Though you drown in good intentions
You will never quench the fire
You'll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along).
Thanks to everyone for responding, great points all around!
Late getting in here, been away...but anyway, count me in favor of the secret identities. A challenge to maintain, but necessary for the protection of loved ones. And it gives another story element to the writer- how to come up with fresh situations and conflicts arising from the old secret Id trope.
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