For over 70 years, Superman has hidden behind a single secret identity: Clark Kent. But now that the comics have re-exposed Clark Kent to the DC universe, the Man of Steel needs a new alter-ego. And so, for the first time in his history, Superman has a new secret persona.


Spoilers ahead for today’s Action Comics #45!

Now that Superman (and Clark) are taking the heat for Lois’ story leaking his alter-ego, Kal-El has had to go into hiding and lay low. Fired from the Daily Planet when his co-workers discover they’d been in grave danger simply by being in Clark’s vicinity all the time, and facing persecution from the Government, Superman has vanished... and replaced himself with a mild-mannered trucker.


Yes, Clark Kent is now Archie Clayton! It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it? Although admittedly, the throwback to the idea that people simply don’t notice that Superman is Superman because Kal-El slouches is pretty good.

But if Clark Kent was only just revealed to the world as Superman, why does he—err, Archie, rather—feel the need for a new secret persona already? Well, it’s because Superman thinks that someone is out to get him:


Having your life systematically ripped apart bit by bit (and even depowered) is enough to drive someone to figure out why it’s all happening, and Superman has to go undercover to do so.

We’re guessing that Archie Clayton won’t stick around as much as Clark Kent has—because of course it won’t—but it’ll be interesting to see where Superman goes once this is all sorted. Even more secret identities? A world where everyone knows who Superman really is? We’ll have to wait and see.


[Via Bleeding Cool]