Warning! This article contains spoilers for Superman & Lois season 4, episode 7.

Superman and Lois has once again made it abundantly clear how Clark Kent is able to keep his superhero identity a secret, despite not wearing a mask. While Superman may be one of the oldest popular comic book superheroes in existence, the character remains a topic of debate for dozens of reasons. When Superman was first created back in 1938, the hero did not have the same vulnerabilities and weaknesses he has today.

It wasn't until 1943 that Kryptonite made an appearance on a Superman radio show, and much later in 1949, that it was adapted as part of the comics. Up to that point, Superman pretty much operated without weaknesses, and his powers changed and developed over time, with comic book fans frequently arguing about how powerful Supes really was. However, one element that has remained the same since the beginning right through to his time in the DCU was Superman's lack of a mask to hide his identity.

Superman & Lois Season 4 Shows How Easy It Is For Clark Kent To Hide His Super Secret Identity

Clark Kent Is Secretly The Best Disguise For Superman

While most comic book superheros tend to wear a mask or some small item in order to hide their identity from the public, Clark Kent had nothing. In fact, Clark chose to obscure his identity when he was operating as an ordinary citizen, instead of as a superhero, but even then, all he does is add a pair of glasses. For most people, a simple pair of glasses would do very little to conceal their identity, but for Clark, it's more than enough to allow him to lead a double life as the world's greatest hero, Superman, and the mild-mannered reporter, Clark Kent.

But Superman & Lois season 4, episode 7 takes a closer look at how and why this slight alteration is more than enough to hide Superman from being outed. The truth is, most people would never dream that they would meet Superman face to face. It's easier to believe and think that an ordinary person looks similar to the Man of Steel, than to think that they actually are the Man of Steel. And while the glasses appear to be Kent's only disguise, the way he conducts himself as Clark also plays a huge part in hiding the truth.

Even Superman & Lois Season 4 Revealing Clark Kent's True Identity To The World Shows Why Hiding His Secret Identity Is Possible

Superman's Secret Is Out In Superman & Lois

In the first three quarters of the episode, Clark is desperately trying to hide the fact that he is Superman from people who believe they have figured out his big secret. The locals in Smallville are confident that Clark is leading a double life, but with simple suggestions, like getting a minor injury from a car door, or being bad at sports, it's easy to convince people that Clark is not the iconic hero who can fly, and lift entire airplanes on his back.

And when it comes time to actually reveal his identity, it's a shock to the citizens of Smallville. Of course, it may clear up some confusion and answer questions, but for the most part, it was easier to see Clark as just another ordinary kid, than to imagine he could be Earth's greatest hero. Until he was forced into incredibly unique and unusual circumstances, being threatened to reveal his identity at gunpoint surrounded by civilians, Clark was able to hide in plain sight.

Superman & Lois Helps Justify How So Many Other Live-Action Versions Of The Hero Keep Their Secret Identity Hidden

Clark Kent Is Able To Keep His Identity Under Wraps

And even after all of this, it wasn't enough to get the word out to everyone immediately. Superman literally died earlier in season 4. When that happens, Lois and the boys grieve intensely over the body, which was enough to tip off some keen observers. At the same time, Clark disappeared for a few days, leaving his family to grieve alone. Shortly after, Clark returns, and Superman returns, and while this raised suspicions, Clark was able to dissuade almost everyone from uncovering his secret.

But when Emmitt comes back to town, angry and ready for a fight, he pulls a gun on Clark to get him to expose his identity. This blows the secret for a handful of people, but it still took Clark setting up an interview with a major news network to broadcast his coming out as Superman to the world. In every other adaptation, it's clear to see that revealing Superman's secret would likely have required a similar effort. Which all goes to show that Superman & Lois is breaking new ground with Superman's big reveal in live-action.

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