WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman #18, by Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Reis, Joe Prado, Alex Sinclair and Dave Sharpe, on sale now.

Superman has revealed his secret identity to the world. After decades spent living a double life as the Man of Steel, Kal-El and the mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, he realizes that he no longer needs to live the lie. Superman is now happily married, has a family and lacks the motivation to hide. But before the big press conference, he takes a moment to break the news to his closest friends.

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Admitting to the world that Superman is actually Clark Kent is also about revealing to his friends that Clark Kent was Superman the whole time. It's a secret that works both ways, so outing Superman's secret also requires him to deal with the people in Clark's life first. That means Perry White and Jimmy Olsen are his first stops on his quest for truth.

He could have gone to the Justice League first. They have been his friends and allies for years, and many of them have their own secrets. A conversation with Batman, the Flash, or Green Arrow would have made a lot of sense here, but this is also a very personal and intimate decision. If he's going to reveal Superman's secret to the world, he must also admit the truth about Clark Kent. This leads to some very special moments.

AN INTIMATE SECRET REVEALED

Superman 18

Superman may be a super-powered alien, but he is also deeply human. His decision to live like a normal man for years is a testament to how much he values his humanity and the people around him. Giving up this secret is no small thing, and it's a decision that he knows will affect people he deeply cares about. It's only right that he tells Perry and Jimmy his secret in small, intimate moments before he tells the world.

As we see the beginning of Superman's grand announcement on stage, in front of journalists and cameras, we also cut to the moment Clark quietly reveals the truth to Perry. Superman has made up his mind, but it's still a difficult decision to follow through on. Clark takes a moment to reflect on the life he has built at the Daily Planet before approaching the man who has been like a father to him for so long.

The scene plays out casually and silently. Clark enters Perry's office like he has so many times over the years, only this time there's something deeply personal happening. We don't know what was said between the two, but we do see Clark reveal his costume and tell the truth. At first, Perry is shocked to learn this secret, but then the two embrace in a beautiful gesture that is both loving and accepting.

SUPERMAN'S PAL ALREADY KNEW THE TRUTH

Superman's conversation with Jimmy Olsen goes a bit differently. Superman's pal has always been a means to reflect on the more absurd aspects of the Man of Steel's life. It's fitting, then, that Jimmy is at first confused by what he's being told. After all, maybe Superman's pair of glasses as a disguise was more effective than any of us thought.

However, the truth is that Lois Lane had already told him that morning, while Clark was talking to Perry. As a result, Superman doesn't get the heartfelt moment he was expecting, but that doesn't make this any less perfect. Lois has known Jimmy longer than she ever knew Superman, so it felt only right for her to finally admit to him this lie that she had been telling him for years.

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Lois explains to Clark that she told him over the phone and that Jimmy was pretty emotional about the whole thing. Of course, we don't see that touching moment, but this is Jimmy Olsen, so it sounds about right. We know how much Superman means to Jimmy without ever needing to see it, and without Superman's pal ever having to break character away from the clueless and carefree photographer we all know and love.

WHAT NEXT FOR CLARK KENT?

DC Comics has often stated that one day in the future, Superman will abandon his life as Clark Kent as he loses his attachment to humanity. However, that's not what's happening here today. Superman very much intends to continue living his life as Clark Kent, but will it really be that simple?

The issue ends with him revealing his secret to his closest friends, the Justice League, the Legion of Doom and the world at large. He's become closer with Perry and Jimmy, but he's also put a target on his back and must deal with the ethical conundrum that comes with being both a journalist and a vigilante.

One thing is for sure that this is not the end of Clark Kent. If anything, it's a new beginning for the identity we often take for granted. Superman isn't abandoning his human life, instead, he's embracing it and sharing it. There are exciting things to come.

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