Quote Originally Posted by manwhohaseverything View Post
Nah! It depends on the interpretation. Besides, you were saying it wouldn't take away much. It does take away something significant ergo the need/want of others to have it.

There is a difference between having uncertainty still jumping in head first and being bogged down by it. Original superman was of the former kind. He is a rootin-tootin son of a gun.Superman is about making supermen. Here it's supermen creating superman.
Pa asks him to hide his strength. Clark realises he is right. He creates a secret identity and still jumps in head first into action with smile on his face. Superman with ridiculous strongman suit, hairstyle and smile is a celebration of the individuality of the character. That doesn't mean he doesn't feel alienated. It means he just learned to cope with it by using a smile. he needs to be the champion to cope with the situation. Incidentally, that's what the world was looking for. A champion who defends from bullies and corrupt powerfull. Well, as pointed out if he is not the first or known hero. He would be following footsteps. Not facing uncertain future head on because of instinct and then make it part of who he is with choice.He would be just doing something that has precedent. That isn't much of existential moral choice. It's more of a career move.
I don’t think the idea of creating a secret identity is all that important and the notion that Pa Kent warning him off helping people isn’t exactly a popular one. Plus you get the same issues from him being an alien and revealing that to the people. We just saw that used in Smashes the Klan to amazing effect actually. Arguably, that is a far more relevant and impactful angle than being the first superhero.