Superman Trusted ONE President With His Secret Identity
Superman once worked with a famous U.S. President – revealing his secret identity in a story that was both lighthearted and tragic!
The Silver Age was a time of both great weirdness and great optimism for Superman. Comic creators and readers liked having fun with the Man of Steel, so stories during this time had no problem turning Superman into a giant dragon or an ant-headed man simply because it suited the whims of the writer. At the same time, Superman remained an inspiring figure who encouraged people to trust each other – and no story showed this better than the time Superman took a famous U.S. president into his confidence.
The story, presented in Action Comics #309, began with Superman flying around the world to complete multiple errands for TV producers, doctors, explorers, and the president himself. As it turned out, the assignments are all a ruse to keep the Man of Tomorrow occupied so he wouldn’t suspect that he was the first guest on “Our American Heroes,” a TV show that celebrated Superman’s life and accomplishments.
The producers invite many of Superman’s friends as show guests, including Pete Ross, Supergirl, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, the Legion of Super Heroes, and Police Chief Parker from the Man of Steel’s Superboy days. Many of Superman’s girlfriends, including Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Lori Lemaris also make appearances. However, when the show invites Clark Kent, Superman becomes concerned that if a Clark duplicate doesn’t show up, Lois and Lana may suspect his double life.
At first, Superman decides to employ one of his Superman robots to pose as Clark for the program. However, he soon learns that Lana and Lois have a device that registers electronic equipment – and plan to use it on “Clark” to see if he’s a robot or a human. Superman then considers asking Chameleon Boy of the Legion of Superheroes to shapeshift into Clark – but the Legion is called away on a mission. He also thinks of getting Batman to pose as Clark, but the Dark Knight is also a guest on the show – which could alert Lois to the deception if Batman goes missing when Clark arrives.
Just as Superman seems completely out of ideas, however, Clark Kent walks into the studio to shake Batman’s hand and greet Superman. Lois and Lana immediately turn their device onto the mild-mannered reporter, and are shocked to learn that he’s a living being and not a robot. Only at the end of the story when Kent removes his glasses and special makeup do readers discover that “Clark” was actually a famous real-life person - U.S. President John F. Kennedy who Superman had disclosed his secret identity to earlier.
Promising to guard Superman’s secret identity “as I guard the secrets of our nation,” President Kennedy receives Superman’s full confidence. As the Man of Steel puts it, “If I can’t trust the President of the United States, who can I trust?” It’s a lighthearted, optimistic tale… but one that quickly took on a tragic tone due to real life events. One week before the comic book hit newsstands, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, shocking the entire nation. For many, JFK’s assassination marked a turning point in U.S. history, as optimism in the United States began to give way to skepticism and distrust in political figures. Superman comics would continue publishing lighthearted fare for a time, but even they began reflecting the more pessimistic mood.
Decades after the comic was published, Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor was elected President of the United States, challenging Superman’s earlier assertion that he could trust the President without question. Superman himself would renounce his U.S. citizenship in Action Comics #900 after feeling his actions – including standing in solidarity with Iranian protestors in Tehran – were being construed as instruments of U.S. policy. As Superman now put it, “’Truth, Justice, and the American Way’ – it’s not enough anymore.” Although his renouncement would be erased when DC Comics rebooted its universe, the issue stands in stark contrast to the easy optimism and trust Superman showed during the Silver Age.
Over the years, Superman has become the quintessential image of a great American hero. Like all mythological characters, however, his portrayal and the type of world he lives in constantly evolves to fit the changing times. While the Silver Age was a time for Superman to express great trust and faith in the United States and its leaders, more modern comics allow for greater skepticism and questioning of leadership. Despite all of this, Superman continues to make choices based on what he believes to be the greatest good. In the end, that’s the best anyone, fictional or real, can hope to do.