Comic Title: Showcase Presents Superman Vol. 4 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2008
On Sale Date: September 4, 2008 Direct Market Date August 27, 2008
Source: Previews, #236

Direct Market Date September 4, 2008
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Thursday, September 4, 2008

Cover Price: $16.99
Page Count: 512
Editor: Bob Joy

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Why Superman Needs a Secret Identity"
Pages: 14

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein

Reprinted From:
Action Comics #305 (1963)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72; next appearance in World's Finest Comics #137)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72; next appearance in Superman #165)
• Perry White (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72; next appearance in World's Finest Comics #137)
• Lois Lane (imaginary appearance)
• Lana Lang (imaginary appearance)

Villain(s)

• Benny the Blaster (a hold-up artist; no further appearances)
• Lex Luthor (imaginary appearance)
• Members of a masked gang and a crime syndicate (imaginary appearance)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Superboy (imaginary appearance)
• Jonathan Kent (imaginary appearance)
• Martha Kent (imaginary appearance)
• Police Chief Parker (imaginary appearance)
• Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (imaginary appearance)

Other Character(s)

• An unnamed doctor (no further appearances)
• Various citizens of Metropolis and Smallville (imaginary appearance)

Comments:
This story presents several hypothetical scenarios in which Superman were to abandon his Clark Kent identity. Each case ends tragically, explaining why Superman needs a secret identity.

Parts of this story are imaginary. The events depicted are not part of regular continuity.

Synopsis:
Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen witness a hold-up by Benny the Blaster. Clark is hampered from preventing the hold-up because he must protect his secret identity.

Superman’s secret identity is revealed to be important through three imaginary scenarios. In the first scenario, he reveals his identity as Superboy. Criminals then go after the Kents, killing them. Superboy grows up and becomes very lonely because he must isolate himself from other people to protect them.

In another scenario, criminals discover his secret identity and are able to plan a trap for him. Using Gold Kryptonite they remove Superman’s powers permanently.

In a third and final scenario, when his secret is exposed, Superman assumes the new identity of Mark Trent. However, he lacks a birth certificate and credentials, preventing him from finding work. He becomes a homeless vagrant and is jailed.

Knowing it is important to protect his secret, Clark uses his powers at invisible super speed to disarm Benny’s nitro bomb, stopping the crook, and protecting his secret.