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| Behind The Mask: Secret Identities | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 10 2009, 08:00 PM (167 Views) | |
| JD | Nov 10 2009, 08:00 PM Post #1 |
Evil Genius
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The latest in Ed Rhoades articles featured on CC.
Edited by JD, Nov 10 2009, 08:03 PM.
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| Karl MAN | Dec 22 2009, 10:21 AM Post #2 |
Evil Doer
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Right on-spot! I think that the fact that the Phantom really does not have a conventional secret identity is a concept hard to grasp for Hollywood and others, when every other superhero have one; Fantastic Four don't have any "secret" identities, only private identities, though. In Phantom 2040 and in the new SyFy series, they have thus created a Phantom who has a conventional secret identity, this is a little bit of shame since they then takes one of the Phantom's many unique features. I have, by the way tried to explain this in other forum discussions at this site, and got agreement. It would be nice if Hollywood could understand that the Phantom does not have any secret identity. |
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| Paul Andreas | Dec 22 2009, 10:35 AM Post #3 |
Singh Leader
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I think the Kit Walker identity is pretty much abandoned when the father is killed and the son becomes the Phantom. However, I remember the Phantom coming to the conclusion that Kit Walker is too important a part of his past to not be part of his life in the wonderful story where he fights his old school buddy Bob Moore. But I agree that the Phantom is always the Phantom, with Kit Walker mainly being some kind of disguise. |
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| JD | Dec 22 2009, 12:46 PM Post #4 |
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Evil Genius
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That's not true, everyone knows who the Fantastic Four is and where they live. It's public knowledge. Same with Tony Stark/ Iron Man and, to a slightly lesser extent, Doctor Strange. |
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| Karl MAN | Jan 16 2010, 07:20 AM Post #5 |
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Evil Doer
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What I meant was that everyone knows who the Fantastic Four are, hence they don't have any "secret" identities since everyone knows about them (no "secret" then). However, they have private identeties when they are not wearing their suits; Reed, etc. I haven't got the impression that Tony Stark/Iron Man had his identity made public knowledge, but most of my knowledge are from TV series (as with Fantastic Four) so it might be something that happened later. The X-Men also seems to have some sort of semi-secret identities. However, they all still withdraw to that secret/private identity from time to time to relax from heroics, which the Phantom virtually never does (he do go on the streets as a normal man from time to time, but he prefers to be in his costume as much as possible). |
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| JD | Jan 16 2010, 10:24 AM Post #6 |
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Evil Genius
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In the comics Iron Man has exposed his identity several times. Movies and TV aren't the best sources, so it's not good to try and get your facts from there. I didn't mention the X-Men, but you are right, they are (mostly) un-revealed to the public. Edited by JD, Jan 16 2010, 10:25 AM.
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| Paw Broon | Jan 19 2010, 01:36 AM Post #7 |
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Henchman
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I hadn't realied that Tony Stark had revealed himself as Iron Man but then I haven't read many newer comics and Iron Man was never a favourite. When I read it in the 60's, Stark was always heving to go to great lengths to hide his role as Iron Man from Pepper, just like Superman, Batman and loads of others. Wasn't Daredevil outed as Matt Murdoch at one time? although he kept denying it. As for The Phantom, I've always thought that the Kit Walker thing had gone to all intents and purposes and that he used the Mr. Walker title as a simple disguise as Paul Andreas points out. As for other heroes, Aquaman has no s.i. even though his real name is Arthur Curry and and there are more obscure heroes in prose as well as comics who dress up to fight crime but who make no effort to conceal their identities - Elongated Man being one of the best known. In the 1930's a prose hero called the Night Hawk dressed in a black costume with goggles and big wings yet made no effort to conceal his real name of Thurston Kyle. Also the French hero Super Boy is only known as that and as far as I know we never find out his real name and his family and the military et. al. seem to know who he is. S. I.s were originally used by mystery men in order to protect their families and friends from reprisals. The best of reasons, as the reader is let in on a secret and so loyalty to the hero grows. Karl is absolutely correct re. the F.F. This is interesting stuff. More please. |
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| JD | Jan 19 2010, 06:48 PM Post #8 |
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Evil Genius
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Star outed himself for the first time in the early 2000s I think, and then again during Civil War. And Iron Man is waaaaaay cooler than Superman! 
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| Paw Broon | Jan 20 2010, 06:08 AM Post #9 |
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Henchman
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Aye, right. Have a read at the early Iron Man, back in the 1960's. Not very well drawn and cringingly emotional, commie bashing stories. Doing just what Superman did in trying to keep his identity secret. Whereas there was all that lovely, classy Swan/Anderson art on Superman. O.K I'll admit, a lot of the stories were silly but they appealed to me. Iron Man should never have got rid of that huge grey suit - he looked menacing. Back to you JD. |
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| JD | Jan 20 2010, 04:19 PM Post #10 |
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Evil Genius
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Iron Man is a character I enjoy - in other people books. He's good in the Avengers (or whatever iteration thereof), when he pops up in Spider-Man, and so on. He works better in a group than alone. I've tried to get into his solo series several times but with no success. So no, I've not read the early stuff. I like that the costume evolved. He's a tech-based hero and technology is constantly changing so it is fitting. However, you are right, the "Kirby suite," as it is known, is brilliant! |
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| Paul Andreas | Jan 21 2010, 12:47 AM Post #11 |
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Singh Leader
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No he isn't, and if you disagree, my dad will come down to Australia and beat up your dad!
Yes he was, but I am sure Marvel will find a way to erase that event from the continuity in a very silly way when they need him to be unknown again. |
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| Geaghs | Jan 21 2010, 07:30 AM Post #12 |
Singh Leader
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LOL. Now there's an insult. |
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My Collection My Pull List "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." - C.M. Schulz "And all my friends are f*** ups, but there fun to have around" - You Sound Like Louis Burdett, The Whitlams | |
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| JD | Jan 21 2010, 07:52 PM Post #13 |
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Evil Genius
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Looks like there's a fight on then, Paul. And actually the de-revealing of Daredevil was one of the best story arcs Marvel has done. How can you judge it if you've not read it? Edited by JD, Jan 21 2010, 09:36 PM.
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| Paw Broon | Jan 21 2010, 08:31 PM Post #14 |
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Henchman
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Don't know if you're referring to me with the comment about judging something I hadn't read as I'm sure I didn't comment on the story. Thinking about it now, I did read some of that arc, so shows you how much impression it made on me at the time. Oddly enough, I've enjoyed Iron Man in The Ultimates, well, the early issues that is. While it was new and vibrant, like the early Authority, those new versions of old characters were exciting. Unfortunately (and I know I probably shouldn't slag off my fellow countrymen) comic publishers seem to think putting Morrison or the other wee guy, from Coatbridge, (wish I could remember his name - I met him socially years ago so I suppose age is affecting my memory) on established titles is a good thing. Certainly seems to be good for sales but one of those guys wastes most things he touches, just for shock and effect and the other is so derivative, it's not true. Only an opinion but one shared with a number of other fans I speak to. Sorry, I seem to have wandered away from the point. Mark Miller, that was it. |
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| JD | Jan 21 2010, 09:34 PM Post #15 |
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Evil Genius
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No, I was referring to Paul's comments. He has bases though, some Marvel retcons have been stupid, but it's unfair to judge one by the many. I've not read Ultimates but I did read Ultimate Iron Man and was very disappointed. I even bought series two hoping it would be a lot better than the first. I was wrong, it was worse... |
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