Why you may not recognize Clark Kent as Superman

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

Updated 2200 GMT (0600 HKT) August 31, 2016

When he's not being confused with a bird or a plane, Clark Kent works as a journalist with somewhat clumsy tendencies to throw off others from knowing his true identity as Superman. He may not always be able to keep people from figuring out that he's the Man of Steel, but usually that one pair of glasses (and in some cases, hair product) seems to do the trick. Click through our gallery to see the secret identities of other superheroes.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
When he's not being confused with a bird or a plane, Clark Kent works as a journalist with somewhat clumsy tendencies to throw off others from knowing his true identity as Superman. He may not always be able to keep people from figuring out that he's the Man of Steel, but usually that one pair of glasses (and in some cases, hair product) seems to do the trick. Click through our gallery to see the secret identities of other superheroes.
Hide Caption
1 of 11
Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El has similar Kryptonian gifts and is inspired to use her powers to protect National City as Supergirl. Like Clark Kent, she uses a pair of glasses to obscure her identity during the day as an assistant to the head of a media conglomerate.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El has similar Kryptonian gifts and is inspired to use her powers to protect National City as Supergirl. Like Clark Kent, she uses a pair of glasses to obscure her identity during the day as an assistant to the head of a media conglomerate.
Hide Caption
2 of 11
You wouldn't like him when he's angry. After being exposed to gamma radiation, reserved but brilliant scientist Bruce Banner has a bad habit of turning into the Hulk when he's upset or stressed.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
You wouldn't like him when he's angry. After being exposed to gamma radiation, reserved but brilliant scientist Bruce Banner has a bad habit of turning into the Hulk when he's upset or stressed.
Hide Caption
3 of 11
Known as "the man without fear," Matt Murdock lost his sight as a young child in a chemical spill, but it has allowed him to develop his other senses. By day, he's a lawyer fighting for the rights of those he doesn't feel are represented. By night, he's Daredevil, a masked crimefighter in Hell's Kitchen.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
Known as "the man without fear," Matt Murdock lost his sight as a young child in a chemical spill, but it has allowed him to develop his other senses. By day, he's a lawyer fighting for the rights of those he doesn't feel are represented. By night, he's Daredevil, a masked crimefighter in Hell's Kitchen.
Hide Caption
4 of 11
Black Panther is a hereditary title inherited by the prince and ruler of Wakanda, an African nation and its Panther tribe. We meet T'Challa, the current Black Panther, when his father is killed in a bombing in the 2016 film "Captain America: Civil War." His full-body suit, complete with retractable claws, is made of bullet-deflecting vibranium weave.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
Black Panther is a hereditary title inherited by the prince and ruler of Wakanda, an African nation and its Panther tribe. We meet T'Challa, the current Black Panther, when his father is killed in a bombing in the 2016 film "Captain America: Civil War." His full-body suit, complete with retractable claws, is made of bullet-deflecting vibranium weave.
Hide Caption
5 of 11
Billionaire Bruce Wayne seeks justice after witnessing the death of his parents as a child, donning the cape and cowl to become Batman and protect Gotham City from a cast of colorful criminals. In addition to his mask, Wayne disguises his voice to separate his identity from that of the Dark Knight.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
Billionaire Bruce Wayne seeks justice after witnessing the death of his parents as a child, donning the cape and cowl to become Batman and protect Gotham City from a cast of colorful criminals. In addition to his mask, Wayne disguises his voice to separate his identity from that of the Dark Knight.
Hide Caption
6 of 11
A lightning strike and some conveniently close chemicals transformed klutzy forensic scientist Barry Allen into the Flash, the fastest man alive. In addition to already working for the Central City Police Department, Allen uses his super speed to fight crime. In the TV show, he uses his speed to obscure his voice and speech through vibrating.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
A lightning strike and some conveniently close chemicals transformed klutzy forensic scientist Barry Allen into the Flash, the fastest man alive. In addition to already working for the Central City Police Department, Allen uses his super speed to fight crime. In the TV show, he uses his speed to obscure his voice and speech through vibrating.
Hide Caption
7 of 11
Once a billionaire playboy, Oliver Queen was changed when he was shipwrecked and stranded on an island for five years. He returned to Starling City as the masked vigilante Green Arrow, sworn to protect the city he loves from the evil he knows is out there. To protect his well-known identity, Queen wears an eye mask and a hood and regularly disguises his voice.
Photos: Alter egos of superheroes
Once a billionaire playboy, Oliver Queen was changed when he was shipwrecked and stranded on an island for five years. He returned to Starling City as the masked vigilante Green Arrow, sworn to protect the city he loves from the evil he knows is out there. To protect his well-known identity, Queen wears an eye mask and a hood and regularly disguises his voice.
Hide Caption
8 of 11