The Lost Art of the Secret Identity

Superhero secret identities used to be a big deal.

Traditionally, heroes kept their civilian identities under wraps, both to allow them to have a normal life apart from their heroic role and to protect their loved ones from enemies. And given the questionable legality of some heroes’ activities, that secret also helped insulate them from unpleasant legal consequences.

A secret identity was a crucial aspect of the lives of many heroes. Balancing their two personas, with the demands of each, was a common theme in stories. Most heroes wanted to keep their day jobs and often struggled with the negative impacts of their masked adventures on their civilian careers. Indeed, many heroes’ day jobs presented distinct conflicts of interest with their masked lives. A cop or district attorney revealed to be engaging in vigilante justice on the side would be ruined professionally. The ethics of reporters writing news stories featuring their alter egos presented distinct moral dilemmas.

That dual life aspect often sent major ripples through a hero’s personal relationships. Missing crucial events in the lives of friends or family or failing to show up for plans because a threat popped up unexpectedly created ongoing dramatic tension in heroes’ lives. Especially for their love lives, where the distraction caused by a hero’s costumed antics could…