Why don't the people (in the comics) ever think that Clark Kent IS Superman?

Answer 1

Its mainly because Superman doesn't wear a mask, therefore nobody suspects that he even has an secret identity so they don't question the possibility that Superman walks around as a normal person. Secondly, Clark's mannerisms (slouching, nerdiness, weaker voice) are all things that people think Superman would never do because he's supposed to be this perfect being with no flaws in their eyes. I also vaguely remember reading that Superman can physically change his size as well so that he is slightly shorter as Clark Kent (not just by slouching).

There have been several other explanations given by various writers in the past as well (for a while he had telepathic powers so that he could use a form of hypnosis on people, rapidly vibrating his whole body so that no clear photos can be taken of him, etc).

Answer 2

Superman's disguise of Clark Kent wouldn't be very effective if it didn't fool most people, but the truth of the matter is that over the years there have been plenty of stories in which various characters have suspected that Clark Kent might be Superman. Usually, it was Lois Lane that thought Clark might actually be Superman, and she spent at least a decade trying to prove that Clark was Superman.

I can think of at least one story from the early sixties in which Luthor uses every clue he can find to figure out Superman's civilian identity, but when all of the clues indicate that Superman is really Clark Kent, Luthor doesn't believe it. I also remember a late fifties World's Finest story in which Gotham's underworld comes to the conclusion that Clark Kent is actually Batman.

There's also the case of the intergalactic Superman Revenge Squad, which was apparently founded by "space pirates." There were scores of members in the Superman Revenge Squad who knew that Superman spent a good deal of time disguised as Clark Kent, but they didn't consider that information to be of much practical use. The Superman Revenge Squad must have appeared in at least a dozen stories over a five or six year period.

Stories in which Clark Kent is suspected of being Superman are, of course, relatively rare compared to those in which the Clark Kent disguise works perfectly. The very concept of Superman depends on the idea that both Superman and the reader know something (Superman's disguise as Clark) that no one else even suspects.

Answer 3

It's the clothes that make the man. And Clark Kent doesn't go around with a big S on the front of his shirt.

Answer 4

Cause Clark Kent likes chocolate ice cream but it's well known that Superman likes vanilla. Therefore theres no way they can be each other

Answer 5

OMG Clark Kent is Superman!?? His suit and glasses definatly tricked me xD

They don't realize it because they are still trying to figure out why Superman wears tights. Then they'll move on to his identity.

Answer 6

Clark Kent is Superman?!! Don't you be starting any rumors!

Answer 7

...because then the jig would be up and the story would not appeal as much to us if he didn't have any human trials to put up with. Besides, if you just saw Clark sitting at his desk, would you suspect him of diverting a meteor or nuclear missile over, say, Japan? Next time you look back over at his desk he will probably be back in his seat!

Answer 8

well, they actually do know it's him. But the people are nice and they just want to humor clark kent.

Answer 9

lf they all suspect that he's Superman then the story will end there. The writers think the secret identity scenario is better as he can move around without people asking/pestering him about his other persona.

Answer 10

Because Superman has them all mindwiped.