Superman: Secrets & Lies (Comics) | Review

The best stories about Superman work when they force Clark Kent to choose between his two identities. Secrets & Lies weaponizes that tension in the most uncomfortable way possible. A mistaken identity revelation spirals into danger the Man of Steel can't punch away.

Writers Dan Jurgens (Thor: In Search of the Gods, Thor: Tears of the Gods) and Keith Giffen (Lobo Unbound, Lobo's Back) take over from George Pérez and course-correct the New 52 run. This volume splits attention between an alien threat and a crisis where someone gets mistaken for Superman. That storyline proves compelling.

The beauty is watching Clark deal with real consequences instead of trading punches with invincible villains. When an innocent civilian becomes collateral damage, you feel the weight of every choice. This is Superman at his most vulnerable without losing his power.

Superman battles Helspont, an ancient Daemonite warrior dormant in the Himalayas for centuries. Helspont wants Kryptonian biological data to fuel his conquest. He deploys advanced robots to capture and study Superman, turning their encounters into information-gathering missions rather than straightforward battles.

The Helspont arc connects to Wildstorm integration happening across New 52 titles during this period. Characters like Grifter appear as DC blends Wildstorm into main continuity. These crossover elements feel forced and distract from stronger personal stories Jurgens wants to tell.

Blogger Victor Barnes publicly identifies software designer Spence Becker as Superman's secret identity with supposed evidence posted online. News media runs with the story without verification. Suddenly Spence becomes the target of every villain with a grudge against Superman, putting his family in immediate danger.

Clark watches this disaster unfold while maintaining his cover at the Daily Planet alongside Lois and Jimmy. The irony cuts deep because he knows how terrifying this is for an innocent civilian caught in crossfire. Spence resembles Clark enough that the theory gains dangerous traction.

Superman protects Spence and his family while fighting off villains who believe they've found a way to hurt the Man of Steel. The cooling factor is watching Clark manage two crises: keeping Spence alive and maintaining his secret identity. Every rescue reinforces the theory.

Lois and Jimmy investigate the story from different angles, creating tension at the Daily Planet. Lois suspects the identification is wrong but can't prove it without raising suspicions about her connection to Superman. Jimmy helps Spence while documenting everything, showing ethical complications journalists face covering identities.

The villain targeting Spence's family escalates the situation into genuine life-threatening danger. Superman realizes correcting the public record won't stop criminals committed to attacking this weakness. The damage spreads faster than any correction could travel.

Jurgens uses this arc to explore why secret identities matter for Superman beyond simple convenience. Clark needs the separation to protect people and maintain connection to humanity. When that separation gets threatened, consequences ripple to innocent people.

The volume includes shorter stories dealing with Superman's relationship with Metropolis and his evolving role as protector. These quieter moments show Clark balancing Daily Planet responsibilities with superhero duties. The city gets personality, becoming almost a character.

Clark's isolation becomes a running theme as he struggles to connect with people while maintaining his dual identity. He wants authentic relationships but knows revealing his truth puts everyone at risk. That internal conflict adds emotional weight to action sequences, making this feel like character study rather than battles.

Superman's decision-making gets tested as he weighs his secret against protecting innocent lives. The moral dilemmas feel genuine, forcing Clark to confront uncomfortable truths about his double life. These psychological elements elevate the story beyond typical action.

Dan Jurgens handles both writing and penciling duties for most of this volume, with additional writing contributions from Fabian Nicieza (Deadpool: Circle Chase, X-Men: Fatal Attractions) and Scott Lobdell (Age of Apocalypse, X-Men: Dream's End) on the Annual issue, giving the volume visual consistency throughout the storyline.

Action sequences flow clearly with strong choreography that guides your eye through complex battles. Jurgens shows Superman's power without making fights feel one-sided. The battles feel challenging despite Superman's abilities, maintaining tension through smart visual storytelling.

Jurgens' writing improves significantly on George Pérez's earlier work by giving Clark a clearer voice and stronger sense of purpose. The internal monologues feel authentic without becoming overwrought. Dialogue between supporting cast flows naturally, particularly Lois and Jimmy's banter that captures their friendship effectively.

The Metropolis cityscape gets impressive attention with detailed backgrounds that make the setting feel alive. Jurgens draws the city with personality that shows why Clark considers it worth defending. The urban environments never feel like generic backdrops.

Secrets & Lies represents a solid improvement over the New 52 Superman's shaky beginning. Jurgens understands what makes Superman compelling: the tension between his godlike power and human desire for connection. The mistaken identity storyline works better than the Helspont invasion because it focuses on moral dilemmas.

This volume follows What Price Tomorrow and leads into Scott Lobdell's run that culminates in the 2015 identity reveal. The seeds planted here pay off when Lois outs Clark in Truth. Understanding this earlier exploration makes the later reveal feel like the logical endpoint.

If you want Superman stories that balance action with character work, this delivers reasonably well. The Helspont material drags down the quality but the identity crisis storyline showcases why secret identities matter. Secrets & Lies proves Superman works best when writers remember he's Clark Kent first and superhero second.

You can read Superman: Secrets & Lies in physical form as Superman Vol. 2 trade paperback and hardcover at local comic-book shops. It's also available digitally for readers across and Amazon Kindle, ComiXology and DC Universe Infinite for those who prefer tablets.