James Gunn has sparked intense debate among fans by announcing a major change to Superman’s secret identity approach in the upcoming DC Universe film. The director’s decision to replace Clark Kent’s classic glasses disguise with a “Hypno-Glasses” twist, a concept rooted in Bronze Age comics, has fueled controversy and frustration within the comic book community. The James Gunn Superman secret identity twist directly affects a foundational piece of the character’s mythology and has raised questions about the direction of the new film.
Director Questions Classic Disguise Logic
For decades, the notion that Clark Kent’s eyeglasses conceal his Superman identity has been both ridiculed and defended by fans. Since the hero’s 1938 debut in Action Comics Vol. 1 #1, readers and viewers have argued over whether a simple optical accessory could truly trick everyone into missing the obvious similarities between the reporter and the Man of Steel. In comics history, explanations for the public’s obliviousness have ranged from Superman blurring his features with superhuman vibration to subtle shifts in posture, speech, and attire to present two convincingly different personas.
Recent Superman portrayals, like Henry Cavill’s, have demonstrated how physicality and performance can sell the disguise, but Gunn appears unconvinced by this decades-old tradition. Despite the general acceptance of the classic glasses explanation, Gunn is not satisfied simply relying on performance and public perception to justify Clark’s double life in his upcoming film.
Introducing the Hypno-Glasses Concept
In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, James Gunn outlined his intention to use a little-known Silver and Bronze Age DC Comics device—the “Hypno-Glasses”—to address Superman’s secret identity more explicitly.
It’s kind of been forgotten but that’s from the comics. I was sitting with Tom King, the comic book writer, and I was like, ‘you know the thing that I just don’t really know how to reconcile in myself is the glasses because the glasses always bothered me as a kid.’ They bothered me because I just don’t have that much suspension of disbelief to believe that.
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
You know, they’re two different people even though I think out of all the actors that have played Superman, Corenswet looks the most different as Clark Kent to Superman, even more so than Chris Reeve,
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
But [King] said, ‘You know, there’s an answer for that in the comics, it’s canon that they hypnotize people.’
—James Gunn recounting Tom King, Comic Book Writer
While Gunn is correct that the hypnosis explanation can be traced to comic book sources, his version revisits and tweaks older canon. Specifically, Superman Vol. 1 #330 from 1978 suggested it is Superman’s subconscious “super hypnosis,” not the lenses themselves, that blurs the public’s recognition. The glasses serve as a focus point for this subtle, constant mental influence.
Fan and Creator Perspectives on Changes
Gunn’s eagerness to rationalize the disguise has not gone unnoticed, especially as the director often shows discomfort with long-standing comic conventions. This attention to realism and logic, some feel, veers into overcorrection. Grant Morrison—the creator behind the influential “All-Star Superman” comic, which heavily inspires new Superman film interpretations—once dismissed the need for such explanations:
People say kids can’t understand the difference between fact and fiction, but that’s bullsh-t,
—Grant Morrison, Comic Book Writer
Kids understand that real crabs don’t sing like the ones in The Little Mermaid. But you give an adult fiction, and the adult starts asking really f–king dumb questions like ‘How does Superman fly? How do those eyebeams work? Who pumps the Batmobile’s tires?’ It’s a f–king made-up story, you idiot! Nobody pumps the tires!
—Grant Morrison, Comic Book Writer
This stance calls into question the need to provide hyper-logical explanations for fantastical superhero elements, underscoring a growing divide between directors and veteran comic book creators. Gunn’s history of altering canonical details—such as redesigning iconic costumes for movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Peacemaker—further intensifies this conversation and shapes the way fans perceive his approach to DC characters.
Roots of the Debate and Broader Implications
The push to over-explain beloved comic book traditions like Superman’s secret identity is not unique to this situation. Repeated efforts to address logic holes in superhero stories, whether in the form of costume redesigns or complete character reimaginings, have become more frequent across recent comic book adaptations. Some see this as a sign that filmmakers, including Gunn, may feel embarrassment or insecurity about the source material itself.
Gunn’s involvement with characters like Star-Lord and Vigilante has repeatedly demonstrated this impulse: making Star-Lord’s costume generic rather than adapting his original or more recent comic iterations, and portraying Vigilante as quirky rather than menacing, has led to questions about whether such changes improve or undermine faithfulness to the core comics. The James Gunn Superman secret identity twist is viewed by some as yet another example in this pattern of directorial second-guessing.
DC fans will soon find out how these decisions affect the final product, as Gunn’s Superman is scheduled to reach theaters on July 11. The outcome may shape how future films treat the balance between comic book logic and cinematic realism, determining whether classic tropes remain untouched or are continually subject to reinterpretation.
Superman’s Ongoing Cultural Significance
Despite the controversies, Superman continues to resonate deeply with readers and audiences. The secret identity, whether protected by posture, glasses, or “Hypno-Glasses,” is a pivotal aspect of what makes Clark Kent relatable and enduring. As DC writer Mark Waid recently emphasized, the character remains relevant in challenging times:
Speaks To A Lot Of People Right Now
—Mark Waid, Comic Book Writer
Superman’s enduring role as a beacon of hope persists even amid debates over lore, adaptation, and authenticity. While the James Gunn Superman secret identity twist generates strong reactions, the film’s release will ultimately determine how its reinterpretations sit with fans and the broader legacy of the Man of Steel.
