Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)

Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4) is the debut of an Elseworld DC story from 2004 that looks at a version of Superman in a world more like our own. Clark Kent, a teen from Picketsville, Kansas who was named after the comic book superhero, lives every day being given Superman themed gifts from his family and often being teased by his classmates because of it. Wanting to be a writer, Clark often stays out in the woods to write out his thoughts on an old typewriter and relax from his namesake. One day, however, while sleeping out during one of his trips Clark wakes up to discover he has Superman's powers, being able to fly and the other abilities. While initially not wanting to get into heroics, that all changes when Clark saves several people during some incidents. These heroics get the attention of both the government and the media, despite Clark wanting to stay out of the public eye. Wanting someone to at least help get the word out that he means no harm and just wants to understand his powers, Clark contacts reporter Wendy Case in the shadows who publishes many of their conversations until he sees that she was recording him. Wanting to go public himself at the town's Halloween carnival, an explosion caused by Wendy that led to several people killed to expose him convinces Clark to keep his identity hidden but still save people whenever he can. Despite not focusing on the main version of Superman, this issue, and no doubt the rest of this miniseries, perfectly encapsulates what makes the character so beloved since 1938. It gives us a Clark Kent who, despite annoyed by who he was named after, does whatever he can to help as many people as he can thanks to the powers and abilities he has. Never using them for his own personal gain, get revenge against bullies, and genuinely feeling guilty when he learns about the people who died in the festival explosion. What makes the story so engaging is Kurt Busiek's writing and how it does feel like Clark's thoughts through the typewriter, also being helped by letterer Todd Klein's writing formats and coloring. Stuart Immonen, who does all of the main aspects of the artwork, does a phenomenal job with the comic's unique painting and painted over photography like style. There are many things that Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4) does right, but the most important is that it will make you want to read the next three issues more than any other comic book. Over all: 100%

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