All of Clark Kent's Friends (Including Lois) Must Be Idiots - It's Just a Pair of Glasses,
I have heard this question (usually it comes in the form of an ignorant [no offense] statement) posited on more than one occasion.
In order to completely answer this question we need to understand a couple of things:
First of all, the Superman story has been around for a very long time. This subject alone could fill a volume.
Second, Superman spans more than one era in the comics (Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.), and exists across more than one medium (comics, radio, television, etc.)
Keeping these two facts in mind, we realize that there will be minor inconsistencies found (like whether or not Clark Kent sends out a "psychic signal" to confuse his friends as sometimes portrayed on the radio) no matter where we look. I have done my best to stick to the facts whenever possible, but sometimes issues such as height include references from comics and film combined.
Let's begin by taking a subjective look at the DC Universe. True Subjectivity is somewhat philosophical in nature and oftentimes transcends empathy as there is a major difference between "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" and "being that person".
For our intensive purposes, I will explain it like this:
We as consumers of DC Comics are watching what is going on "from the outside looking in". We are seeing the story, and believe Clark Kent and Superman to be one and the same person...we know Superman's secret identity is that of Clark Kent. In fact, here on earth in OUR universe, most of the planet would agree this is true. However, people such as Lois, Jimmy, and Chief White are in the DC Universe. This makes a huge difference, Folks. You see, when we read comics we know Spider-Man is Peter Parker, Superman is Clark Kent, Bruce (David) Banner is the Hulk, Bruce Wayne is Batman, etc. We expect a superhero to have an alter-ego or secret identity. In the DC Universe, people see Superman every day. These same people see Clark too...BUT in the DC Universe no one expects Superman to even have a secret identity. Why would he? He is all-powerful and obviously doesn't even need one! If you were in the DC Universe, chances are you would never even consider the idea of superheroes having secret identities. Even if you obsessed about Superman all day long (think Lex Luthor), and happened to be the greatest criminal mind of our time, eventually you would likely come to the conclusion that god-like abilities eliminate the need for an everyday human existence.
The above is only the first of many reasons why even smart girls like Lois have trouble finding the similarities. Remember as well, Supes has high-speed and can change his appearance in a flash. Keeping all of this in mind, here are some more arguments for Lois and Jimmy...
#2 Clark Kent is 6'3"/Superman is 6"4 (with boots on). If one is 6'3" in shoes and walks with an entirely different gait/slouch, they appear as tall but not overly or noticeably so. The threshhold separating tall from noticeably tall is about 6'3".
#3 Clark Kent has straight, dark hair usually parted on the right or sweeping forward and down and often covering ear-tips. It is neatly groomed and kempt. Superman has Blue-Black wavy hair sometimes parted on the left which sweeps up and back in an unruly fashion...all except for that serpentine lock on the forehead.
#4 Clark's eyebrows (which may or may not receive pencil attention) are mostly hidden by thick-rimmed glasses whereas Kal's aren't.
#5 Superman's Steel-Blue eyes don't fade from memory easily, yet Clark Kent's Aqua-Grey eyes can be easily dismissed...especially when those glasses have that yellow tint in them. Yellow/Amber and Blue-Grey make Green or Dark.
#6 A nose looks different with specs perched on top of it.
#7 Clark often shows his pearly-whites in an inoffensively good-looking way. That "awe-shucks" grin we are all familiar with. Superman smiles more with his eyes and keeps his mouth generally closed.
#8 Clark Kent's higher-pitched voice is usually asking a question and has that "interrogative inflection" at the end of a sentence...you know, when you ask a question and your voice becomes higher at the end? Supes is generally making a statement when speaking at all and does so in a softer, gentler, yet deeper-pitched voice. Clark uses a lot of "ums and ahs"...S. doesn't.
#9 Clark Kent has a pale-to-average colored complexion which appears so due to a combination of factors which include (but are not limited to) breath control (run around the block then look in the mirror, you are darker and flushed), perspiration (you are also sweating and that shine got rid of your make-up too!), the contrast between glasses/clothes, etc. Superman (who btw get's power from our yellow sun) has an average-to-dark skin tone.
#10 Clark prefers monochromatic colors and tones for his suits, but the big 'S' looks seriously good in the primary three.
There you have it, Folks. Ten-plus reasons why even the smartest gal in the DC Universe can't tell the difference.
Jeff Dorazio currently works as a marketing consultant in Toronto, Ontario. He resides within the greater Metropolitan Area. To learn more about the #1 Network Marketing Opportunity, or to contact Jeff please visit: http://www.yourgoldandsilverbiz.com
In order to completely answer this question we need to understand a couple of things:
First of all, the Superman story has been around for a very long time. This subject alone could fill a volume.
Second, Superman spans more than one era in the comics (Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.), and exists across more than one medium (comics, radio, television, etc.)
Keeping these two facts in mind, we realize that there will be minor inconsistencies found (like whether or not Clark Kent sends out a "psychic signal" to confuse his friends as sometimes portrayed on the radio) no matter where we look. I have done my best to stick to the facts whenever possible, but sometimes issues such as height include references from comics and film combined.
Let's begin by taking a subjective look at the DC Universe. True Subjectivity is somewhat philosophical in nature and oftentimes transcends empathy as there is a major difference between "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" and "being that person".
For our intensive purposes, I will explain it like this:
We as consumers of DC Comics are watching what is going on "from the outside looking in". We are seeing the story, and believe Clark Kent and Superman to be one and the same person...we know Superman's secret identity is that of Clark Kent. In fact, here on earth in OUR universe, most of the planet would agree this is true. However, people such as Lois, Jimmy, and Chief White are in the DC Universe. This makes a huge difference, Folks. You see, when we read comics we know Spider-Man is Peter Parker, Superman is Clark Kent, Bruce (David) Banner is the Hulk, Bruce Wayne is Batman, etc. We expect a superhero to have an alter-ego or secret identity. In the DC Universe, people see Superman every day. These same people see Clark too...BUT in the DC Universe no one expects Superman to even have a secret identity. Why would he? He is all-powerful and obviously doesn't even need one! If you were in the DC Universe, chances are you would never even consider the idea of superheroes having secret identities. Even if you obsessed about Superman all day long (think Lex Luthor), and happened to be the greatest criminal mind of our time, eventually you would likely come to the conclusion that god-like abilities eliminate the need for an everyday human existence.
The above is only the first of many reasons why even smart girls like Lois have trouble finding the similarities. Remember as well, Supes has high-speed and can change his appearance in a flash. Keeping all of this in mind, here are some more arguments for Lois and Jimmy...
#2 Clark Kent is 6'3"/Superman is 6"4 (with boots on). If one is 6'3" in shoes and walks with an entirely different gait/slouch, they appear as tall but not overly or noticeably so. The threshhold separating tall from noticeably tall is about 6'3".
#3 Clark Kent has straight, dark hair usually parted on the right or sweeping forward and down and often covering ear-tips. It is neatly groomed and kempt. Superman has Blue-Black wavy hair sometimes parted on the left which sweeps up and back in an unruly fashion...all except for that serpentine lock on the forehead.
#4 Clark's eyebrows (which may or may not receive pencil attention) are mostly hidden by thick-rimmed glasses whereas Kal's aren't.
#5 Superman's Steel-Blue eyes don't fade from memory easily, yet Clark Kent's Aqua-Grey eyes can be easily dismissed...especially when those glasses have that yellow tint in them. Yellow/Amber and Blue-Grey make Green or Dark.
#6 A nose looks different with specs perched on top of it.
#7 Clark often shows his pearly-whites in an inoffensively good-looking way. That "awe-shucks" grin we are all familiar with. Superman smiles more with his eyes and keeps his mouth generally closed.
#8 Clark Kent's higher-pitched voice is usually asking a question and has that "interrogative inflection" at the end of a sentence...you know, when you ask a question and your voice becomes higher at the end? Supes is generally making a statement when speaking at all and does so in a softer, gentler, yet deeper-pitched voice. Clark uses a lot of "ums and ahs"...S. doesn't.
#9 Clark Kent has a pale-to-average colored complexion which appears so due to a combination of factors which include (but are not limited to) breath control (run around the block then look in the mirror, you are darker and flushed), perspiration (you are also sweating and that shine got rid of your make-up too!), the contrast between glasses/clothes, etc. Superman (who btw get's power from our yellow sun) has an average-to-dark skin tone.
#10 Clark prefers monochromatic colors and tones for his suits, but the big 'S' looks seriously good in the primary three.
There you have it, Folks. Ten-plus reasons why even the smartest gal in the DC Universe can't tell the difference.
Jeff Dorazio currently works as a marketing consultant in Toronto, Ontario. He resides within the greater Metropolitan Area. To learn more about the #1 Network Marketing Opportunity, or to contact Jeff please visit: http://www.yourgoldandsilverbiz.com
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