It looks like some bells can be unrung, and that's some seriously good news for Superman. It's been revealed that both Clark and his son Jon are both going to have the privilege of a secret identity once more.
Superman fans more than likely have the image of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent responding to trouble and ripping off his shirt and jacket, revealing the Man of Steel's emblem underneath. For the longest time, the status quo for the hero was that he had a civilian and a superhero life that he kept separate. However, in a press conference, Superman revealed his identity, and since then he's lived his life with both halves merged into one. This extended to Clark's son, the newest Superman, who never exactly had the dichotomy his father embraced for so long. The shift was a radical change to Superman's lore, and its consequences were felt for some time.
However, despite all odds, the genie is going back in the bottle. An exclusive with Comicbook.com revealed that Clark and Jonathan Kent are both going to have private lives, a stunning return for the former and a major first for the latter. The dramatic return will occur in Action Comics #1050 by Tom Taylor, Joshua Williamson, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Clayton Henry, Nick Dragotta, and Mike Perkins. Johnson speaks to the importance of a secret identity in Superman canon saying "Some elements of the Lois and Clark dynamic can only be there with the secret identity". While details of how exactly Clark and his son will gain their private lives isn't exactly clear yet, the creative team stresses that it won't be easy. Williamson even says "There are dangerous repercussions to how this happens that lead to more story to explore".
What Secret Identities Mean For Both Supermen
Obviously, this has pretty big implications for the entire Superman Family. Few people, if any, saw the hero going back to his old setup of Clark Kent and Superman being separate selves. For a long time, stories focused on the fallout of Clark's revelation and what this meant for him and his loved ones. Jon was also seen as a different sort of Man of Steel as he'd never really grappled with the issues that came with a secret identity. While this direction is shocking, it may be something received warmly by fans of the hero.
While a few major heroes still have them, plenty of others are moving away from secret identities. Admittedly, they're hard to maintain in an era of extreme interconnectedness and waning privacy. But the dynamic is one so intrinsically linked to Clark, it's almost impossible to imagine him without it. Granted, the hero has operated without a secret identity for the past few years, and Clark is still the same person he was when Superman was a secret. But the return of Superman's former set-up is a welcome return for readers who weren't fans of the controversial decision. Fans can see how Superman’s life will change for themselves when Action Comics #1050 releases December 27th, 2022.
Source: Comicbook.com