A secret identity codeword used by Superman and Batman honors one of their most underrated villains. Although the two heroes now know each other’s secret identities, this was not always the case. In 1987’s Action Comics Annual #1, The Dark Knight needed the Man of Steel’s help in a case, and when Batman went to contact Superman, he used a code word to verify his identity–one that harkened back to their first case together.
In 1986, after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC hired writer/artist John Byrne to overhaul the Superman family of titles. Byrne hit the ground running, reworking the Superman mythos from the ground up, reinventing the character for the modern era. Byrne jettisoned much of what had come before, such as Supergirl and Superboy; Byrne also changed the details of Superman and Batman’s first meeting. In 1986’s The Man of Steel #3, the two crime fighters met each other for the first time in DC’s new continuity, teaming up to bring down a low-level criminal called the Magpie. The two were initially at odds, with Superman regarding Batman as a dangerous outlaw. They put aside their differences to stop Magpie, and in the process, one of comics’ greatest friendships was rekindled and in Action Comics Annual #1, readers learn this case formed the basis for a special codeword between the two.
Batman, in disguise, arrives at a small town, finding the streets largely empty. He quickly learns that he might be in over his head, and decides to call for help. At this point, neither Batman nor Superman knew each other’s secret identities–all Batman knew was to call Clark Kent if he needed the Man of Steel’s services. Batman calls Clark at The Daily Planet offices, telling him he needs to contact Superman. Clark does not believe it at first, but Batman tells Clark to tell Superman a secret code word, one that will establish his identity. Batman tells Clark the word, and Clark’s demeanor changes; he now knows this is legitimately Batman, and he needs help. As he changes into Superman, he reveals the code word was “Magpie,”--a reference to the first case they worked on together. The story was written by John Byrne and illustrated by Arthur Adams and Dick Giordano.
Batman and Superman Owe Magpie a Lot
Magpie, as far as Batman villains go, is a minor one, not in the same leagues as the Joker or Poison Ivy–but her influence looms large on the careers of both Batman and Superman, as she laid the foundation for one of the DC Universe’s greatest friendships. Working together to stop Magpie brought Superman and Batman together, teaching them to trust each other and work together–despite the difference in their methods. Magpie became a symbol for both of them, a symbol of what can happen when two vastly different heroes come together to work for the greater good–and the DC Universe has been richer for it since.
It is interesting to watch these two heroes so early in their careers, when they were still feeling each other out, and while there was a level of trust, they still did not trust each other with their secret identities. This changed over the years, and they revealed their identities to one another, most likely rendering their code word moot. Yet it remains a tribute to an underrated villain, one who brought Superman and Batman together for the first time.