Does anyone else miss secret identities?

[Agent Z]

well, when a supporting cast gets murdered by maniacal villain(s), then you'll have your wish, I guess.

Or the writers could not do that.

[Skullkid]

well, when a supporting cast gets murdered by maniacal villain(s), then you'll have your wish, I guess.

Now you're just using a fallacy.

[DrNewGod]

Frankly the idea everyone needs a secret identity does nothing more than restrict stories and make everyone more generic.
Especially since in this thread, the only reason I'm seeing is that they need secret identities to have a supporting cast and civilian friends, which is a falsehood in all actuality.

That is not the only reason that's been offered. A common one mentioned on this thread is that there are certain stories that are more difficult to tell if the character is a full-time, known superhero. Relationships with other people are, of necessity, different for a character if they can't blend in with others.

There's certainly room for characters of all kinds, and I don't suggest that every character needs a secret ID. But neither does every character need to be wide open. IMO, outing Superman is a mistake that will, eventually, be reversed. It's an ego move by an author screaming "look what I did" rather than stewarding a character.

[9th.]

well, when a supporting cast gets murdered by maniacal villain(s), then you'll have your wish, I guess.

They can get murdered regardless, the least they can do is be prepared with help of their superpowered friend.