Secret identity: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Personal identity less known to a public than another identity}} | {{Short description|Personal identity less known to a public than another identity}} | ||
{{More citations needed|date=July 2025}} | |||
[[File:Ohio River Scenic Byway - Superman Meets Clark Kent - NARA - 7720798.jpg|thumb|The character [[Superman]] is commonly depicted using [[Telephone booth|phone booths]] to change from his secret identity of Clark Kent.]] | |||
A '''secret identity''' is a person's [[code name|cryptonym]], [[disguise|incognito]], [[Cover (intelligence gathering)|cover]] and/or [[alter ego]] which is not known to the general populace, most often used in [[fiction]]. Brought into [[popular culture]] by [[the Scarlet Pimpernel]] in 1903, the concept was widespread in pulp heroes and is particularly prevalent in the [[American comic book]] genre, and is a trope of the [[Masquerade (trope)|masquerade]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Markowitz |first1=Judith A. |title=Robots That Kill: Deadly Machines and Their Precursors in Myth, Folklore, Literature, Popular Culture and Reality |date=2019 |publisher=McFarland |page=105}}</ref> | A '''secret identity''' is a person's [[code name|cryptonym]], [[disguise|incognito]], [[Cover (intelligence gathering)|cover]] and/or [[alter ego]] which is not known to the general populace, most often used in [[fiction]]. Brought into [[popular culture]] by [[the Scarlet Pimpernel]] in 1903, the concept was widespread in pulp heroes and is particularly prevalent in the [[American comic book]] genre, and is a trope of the [[Masquerade (trope)|masquerade]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Markowitz |first1=Judith A. |title=Robots That Kill: Deadly Machines and Their Precursors in Myth, Folklore, Literature, Popular Culture and Reality |date=2019 |publisher=McFarland |page=105}}</ref> | ||
In American comic books, a character typically has dual identities, one overt and one covert. The false or ''public identity'' being known to the general public as the "[[superhero]] persona" and the other being the secret identity. The private or secret identity is typically the superhero's [[legal name]], true identity, and/or "[[civilian]] persona" when they are not actively assuming the superhero persona. It is kept hidden from their enemies and the general public to protect themselves from legal ramifications, pressure, or public scrutiny, as well as to protect their friends and loved ones from harm secondary to their actions as superheroes. | In American comic books, a character typically has dual identities, one overt and one covert. The false or ''public identity'' being known to the general public as the "[[superhero]] persona" and the other being the secret identity. The private or secret identity is typically the superhero's [[legal name]], true identity, and/or "[[civilian]] persona" when they are not actively assuming the superhero persona. It is kept hidden from their enemies and the general public to protect themselves from legal ramifications, pressure, or public scrutiny, as well as to protect their friends and loved ones from harm secondary to their actions as superheroes. | ||
==See also==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order --> | ==See also==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order --> | ||
Latest revision as of 16:20, 7 September 2025
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A secret identity is a person's cryptonym, incognito, cover and/or alter ego which is not known to the general populace, most often used in fiction. Brought into popular culture by the Scarlet Pimpernel in 1903, the concept was widespread in pulp heroes and is particularly prevalent in the American comic book genre, and is a trope of the masquerade.[1]
In American comic books, a character typically has dual identities, one overt and one covert. The false or public identity being known to the general public as the "superhero persona" and the other being the secret identity. The private or secret identity is typically the superhero's legal name, true identity, and/or "civilian persona" when they are not actively assuming the superhero persona. It is kept hidden from their enemies and the general public to protect themselves from legal ramifications, pressure, or public scrutiny, as well as to protect their friends and loved ones from harm secondary to their actions as superheroes.
See also
References
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