It’s been 22 years since DC Comics published a truly excellent reimagining of the Superman story, but it’s largely been forgotten. Superman first appeared in DC’s Action Comics #1 in 1938, and he’s remained one of the most beloved superheroes ever since. His beginnings were briefly explained in that first comic and then developed in subsequent issues, detailing the planet Krypton, its destruction, and why he was sent to Earth as an infant to be raised by the Kents. Over the years, his origin has been revisited several times, and a standout example is Superman: Red Son, which explored an alternate scenario: what if Superman had landed in Russia instead of America?
Superman’s origin story has been retold many times, including in Absolute Superman and the New 52 series. However, a particularly well-crafted reimagining from 22 years ago, Superman: Secret Identity, is often overlooked.
Superman: Secret Identity Updates Superman’s Origin for a New Generation
I remember when Superman: Secret Identity first came out on January 14, 2004. It was a really interesting take on Superman – an Elseworlds story about Clark Kent growing up in a small Kansas town. What made it different was that this Clark was actually named after the superhero! It was tough for him, he got picked on a lot because of his name, so he mostly kept to himself and wrote. But everything changed when a meteor struck nearby, and he was exposed to some strange radiation. Suddenly, he started developing the same powers as the Superman from the comics!
This Superman quickly becomes a hero, just like the one from the comics. What’s unique about this series is that each issue jumps ahead in time, showing Clark’s challenges as he tries to keep his identity as Superman hidden – especially when the government tries to capture and study him. After he and his wife, Lois, have twins, he makes a deal with the government: he’ll cooperate if they stop hunting him. It’s a fresh take on the classic story, updated for a modern audience.
As the story concludes, Clark faces the loss of his abilities, allowing him to finally find peace. Soon, many new heroes emerge, and the world no longer relies on Superman. This approach mirrored Marvel’s Life Story series, but instead explored a world where Superman was the sole superhero for decades, and initially feared. Though it shares some similarities with the Superboy-Prime storyline, this reimagining of Superman’s beginnings is deeply emotional and arguably the best alternate-universe tale DC has ever told about the Man of Steel.
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2026-01-15 00:13