I'm more convinced than ever that what Superman really needs is for the dual identity to be relevant and a part of his life in the strongest way possible again. Not removed entirely. The light went off in my head when reading the past few OOC projects. My apathy with the marriage or hating Jon isn't really the main reason why I think those should go away. Those are symptoms of the problem, not the problem. For a long time now the secret identity has been relevant onlyin theory, not much in way of practice. Its just been there, but there's no depth to it, there's no conflict to it as originally intended. The problem is moving away from the secret identity having any impact in Superman's life. It not being difficult anymore. It not being lonely anymore. It not being frustrating anymore. It not being necessary anymore. Its a major if not the most major challenge to him as a character that counter-balances his otherwise Herculean status. That's why a family doesn't work, imo. He needs that secret that very few if anyone knows. He needs that duality that he has to shuffle completely on his own, and the metaphors and exaggerated relatability that comes with it. I feel it every time I read an out-of-continuity story that can still rely on it. Its just better, its a huge missing piece. It doesn't get old. Its timeless because its part of the concept of character and the character is timeless. It doesn't need to be moved on from, it never did.
So needless to say, doing the exact opposite intrigues me not anymore. I'll stick with Black Label stuff and any other standalone projects like Superman Smashes the Klan, because man going cold turkey would be hard, but beyond that I've dropped the main stuff. Its a liberating decision in a way.