I wrote an article of something I found in an old 1978 Superman comic book that describes how the mild mannered reporter disguise works for Superman so well.
Read the article
I think there might be a clue in there as to how Smallville might be able to explain how Lois still doesn't recognize Superman in the future even though she has obviously seen Clark without his glasses for a long time now.
Not that I'm the biggest fan of Superman comics but...(and it's been a little while) but I think it was 'Superman for all seasons' by Jeph Loeb that covered the glasses issue best for me(if I've got the wrong book, please correct). For one, Steel points out that most people don't think of Superman needing or having a 'secret' identity. Secondly, Ma Kent points out his 'otherworldly' blue eyes and how the glasses dilute that effect, so that anyone who's looked into Superman's eyes would not match them to Clark's. __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 31 Aug 2009 22:48
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Yeah, but would that really explain how Lois Lane could be fooled so easily. I mean if your co-worker put on deepest of deepest blue contacts would you not be able to recognize them? __________________
Posted: 01 Sep 2009 12:12 Last Edited By: pakratmak
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That comic actually went a bit deeper. He changes his whole persona- he slouches, he's clumsy, shows no confidence whatsoever and even has a hard time spitting out a full sentence- Clark Kent is the costume and the illusion, and the glasses are merely part of the whole set, not the entirity.
This may help too:(slight profanity, sorry-it'll be worth it if you've never seen it)
Now, as for the question about whether or not Lois should have been fooled so easily for so long. If all of those exploits took place in the real world, absolutely not. The majority of time that those comics were written we didn't get very complex or far reaching story lines or mega huge year long arcs back then. Most issues were self contained little stories that started and ended in the same issue- you would sometimes actually get two or three complete (for lack of a better term) episodes in each issue. The comic medium hadn't matured to what we have today. It should be noted that one of the main draws of Superman in particular was always to have Lois be just >this close< to discovering his identity but he pulls some stunt or trick to throw her off the trail each time. She kept that suspicion for a very long time, so I wouldn't exactly say the character was dumb so much as that was the way the writers made the character act.
Picture the characters in Moonlighting(Bruce Willis and Sybil Shephard) and how each week they would almost become romantically involved but pull back at the last moment(they also did this on Who's the Boss with Tony and Angela). The fans looked forward to those moments every week on both those shows. Well, both those shows also learned the same lesson by having those characters get romantically involved- each show got immediately canceled right after the writers gave in to the fans because they each lost so many fans. The fans destroyed their own enjoyment of those shows, because the tease is always more enticing than the money shot- the thrill of the hunt over the quickly savored kill. Come to think of it, that was the same thing that killed X-Files- Mulder and Scully finally hooking up. It's probably happened on dozens of TV shows that I'm not thinking of at the moment. If what I'm saying holds any weight at all, then Lois really couldn't find out his identity, regardless of how bad the fans might have thought they wanted it. I think the only reason that Supes and Lois(or Spidey and Mary Jane for that matter) actually did survive in their comics and popularity once those romances did take off was specifically because it took so very long to happen and the fans had themselves that emotionally embedded in their fans, so that the fans would forgive giving up the tease and the chase to grow up and settle down like other adults do in their personal lives.
Nope, I definitely do not think it was just a matter of Lois being blind or stupid. __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 01 Sep 2009 15:10
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Those shows should have definitely saved the get together till the last episode or two.
As far as Superman being the real deal. I'll always go back to what Clark (Dean Cain) said on Lois and Clark.
"Superman is what I can do. Clark is who I am."
Said quote at the beginning of this Lois and Clark music video.
I guess you could say he was really Superman as much as you could say he's really Kal-El. He has powers he just doesn't put on in the morning. He'll always be from another planet, but in his heart he would have to see himself as Clark. Maybe not the bumbling reporter Clark, but Clark the boy raised by the Kents for all those years on a farm. His values are those that were instilled into him by Jonathan and Martha Kent. Not those of Jor-El. That's why the other superheroes see him as the the big boyscout. It's that old fashioned country boy mentality of right and wrong instilled him by the Kents. The great sense of responsibility to use his powers for good he feels comes from that training.
Take away Clark Kent and Superman might be a supervillain. __________________
Not shooting down your whole argument about his values and such but this was about Lois not seeing through the disguise, which is what my comments were about.
Now with respects to your post:
Quote: Maybe not the bumbling reporter Clark, but Clark the boy raised by the Kents for all those years on a farm.
In every incarnation of Superboy's upbringing we also see the Kents teaching him to hide his true self from the outside world, which is where the bumbling reporter character stems from. He is that farm boy-the one who can lift a tractor over his head. He is really an alien every waking moment, even when fumbling about as Clark.
Quote: Take away Clark Kent and Superman might be a supervillain.
That could go either way really. Just losing the alter ego and having Superman stand or fall without having to mingle 'as one of us' wouldn't take away his upbringing or values. Matter of fact I'd have to wonder if he couldn't get more accomplished not wasting time playing reporter. It's not quite the same as when Hal Jordan takes off his ring and he's back to being an ordinary human again. It's more along the same lines as when Batman or Spidey has to fight without their respective costumes-the abilities and heroic qualities are still there-you're just discarding the disguise.(No disrespect to Hal fans intended) __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 01 Sep 2009 19:25
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In some ways I think he would get a lot more done without the reporter job, but at the same time perhaps it's a good way to keep sane. Without having to ground himself by working as a normal human being he could get awfully uppity which tends to lead to supervillaness later on down the road. Pride goes before a fall and all that.
If he didn't work as one of us. He might be more inclined to try and rule us. __________________
Maybe it's just me but I don't see the job as security for his sanity or the only cure against being 'uppity'. We were just talking about his values, among which I seem to recall fellow amounts of humility and respect. Do you really think those qualities woukd be forfeit without the job? I'd have to say those qualities weren't strong to begin with if that's the case. __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 02 Sep 2009 17:51
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I think maybe he believes the job helps keep him grounded. Part of those values is humility and that humility causes him to do humble things like hold down a job.
Besides his secret identity helps the reader more than anything. It helps us relate to the character more, otherwise he'd just be a super powerful being. __________________
I seem to recall that the original excuse for him to be a reporter was to be in on news stories as they happened and be able to rush in and help where-ever he could. I'm not sure that would be necessary these days, between the internet, cable news, and (at least on Smallville) being surrounded by people like Ollie and Chloe(or a more friendly Brainiac). I'm surprised they haven't created a meteor freak yet who could know where trouble was or forecast disaster reliably.
I'm still not getting how being a reporter keeps him sane. Please clarify.
As for the grounded part, if he wanted to keep grounded and humble with his profession he could have stayed on as a full time farmer. How about an EMT? Non profit volunteer? National Guard? He's had quite a few better choices if it was ever about keeping grounded-you could probably imagine several yourself that would work better than a reporter - imagine a missionary for instance.
With helping the reader, you do have a great point there. I'll leave tht be.
I will give you another great reason for him to have the Clark identity however. It allows him to be able to be around other people. It helps satisfy the need for contact. Life as a costumed adventurer is usually a very solitary existance, and when he's Clark he has a better shot at making contact than when he's Superman. __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 03 Sep 2009 21:46 Last Edited By: Tim
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Your last point answers the question about keeping sane.
And it is true being a reporter was a good excuse to keep him in touch with disasters and crime. __________________
Another reason that has been put forward as to why the identity works so well is because Superman dosen't wear a mask, like Batman for example, others aren't really looking for Superman to have another identity. I think this was mentioned somewhere in the John Byrne era or beyond his run. Also as mentioned earlier, Superman changes his stance slightly and alters the pitch of his voice.
Christopher Reeve gives a very good example of this at the start of Superman 2. Watch the scene where he talks to Perry about the bomb in Paris. He has a slight slouch and then changes his stance to show that this is a job for Superman, just before he runs out of Perry's office.
Posted: 15 Sep 2009 11:29
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Agreed. Chirstopher Reeve absolutely owned the dual identity in those first two movies. __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 04 Oct 2009 04:44
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I have always believed that it was some type of hypnosis that kept him from discovery.Influence over others using his special powers. That is the only thing that makes reasonable sense to me.
Posted: 04 Oct 2009 11:29
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We've always had this joke since we were kids watching Superman...That Lois Lane has to be the dumbest broad around. I mean really...no matter how you cut it, glasses would only fool Sarah Palin
Posted: 04 Oct 2009 12:53
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The hypnosis angle reminds me of Clark's kiss removing Lois' memories toward the end of Superman II.
Nice to see you around again Nanni. __________________
Beneath this mask is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.
~V~
Posted: 04 Oct 2009 16:17
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Thanks Pakratmak! I missed ya'all. I recently saw Superman 11 for the first time, so it looks like his powers of mind over matter influences are in place alright. Kinda reminds me of "Mindfreak" the magic dude. There is something to it and hopefully Superman can do some of that.Even mass hypnosis he might do,I'll bet. I'd love to see it. Maybe the writers will write some stuff like thaat. If he can bend steel, comon' lets bend minds too,Supie! BUT I only got into Superman with Smallville. So maybe if it isn't a part of his mystique, maybe it can never be, (unless in the comic book beginning.) This Season looks like its going to be really "super"nonetheless.
Posted: 04 Oct 2009 22:37
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I think by the end of the episode Metallo, Clark got the message he needed his identity as Clark to not become too far removed from the human race. Don't you think? __________________
and----He HAS to fall in love with Lois. She playes on his heart strings. She is "sweeter" this season and was really feeling awful when Clark "went away". Also she has an obvious crush on Superman.--talk about confusion It will be fun seeing that play out Is Elvs O.K.? Still diggin'? Ahh, that photo you put on is my favorite EVER seen on the net. What a face
Posted: 06 Oct 2009 00:00
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Alas poor Elvis dug himself out of a home. Not to mention his constant howling, and running away. Guess he was just made for hunting. And I'm not a big hunter. __________________
I am "just about there" with Geno too. Every morning he starts barking from the kitchen at 4:30--I am losing a lot of sleep. I really tried, but he is just the biggest pain. In fact he is barking without stop now. Uggggh!
MY NEW AVATAR is Zod's newest villian to do Superman in..."THE KRYPTONITE MEDUSA" Those are venomous snakes injecting kryptonite thru their fangs! I want to write an episode about her--(or have they already)?? Oh well-- She suits me for a "Happy Halloween" avatar anyway.(Don't tell anybody it is really Mona Lisa with a new look)
Influence over others using his special powers. That is the only thing that makes reasonable sense to me.
Thanks Pakratmak! 
I missed ya'all. I recently saw Superman 11 for the first time, so it looks like his powers of mind over matter influences are in place alright. Kinda reminds me of "Mindfreak" the magic dude.
It will be fun seeing that play out
In fact he is barking without stop now. Uggggh!
