8 Superheroes Who Revealed Their Identities (And Paid The Ultimate Price)

Sometimes, honesty isn't the best policy.

Spider-Man Secret Identity
Marvel Comics

It's weird to say, but when you're a superhero, you're generally better off doing literally anything to conceal your secret identity. Although this can involve some morally sketchy behaviour, it's more than fair when the alternative is to reveal who you really are, and then promptly have your entire life ruined in every single way possible.

But some brave souls are either courageous enough, or foolish enough, to try. Over the years plenty of heroes who've previously hidden their civilian self have made who they are public - and generally, this comes with a series of terrible, terrible, things happening to them in response.

This can happen both on an emotional level - as family and friends often are a little upset that their loved one has been lying to them about something so important for so long - or a physical one, as villains tend to like rocking up at inconvenient times to murder you when they can keep tabs on who you are and where you like to hang out.

Though heroes fight for what is right and good, they're also generally better off lying through their teeth as to their true identity, because life is more than a little easier that way.

8. Iron Man - Iron Man (Vol. 3) #55

Spider-Man Secret Identity
Marvel Comics

There are many things that Tony Stark could justifiably reveal his secret identity for; to save the world, to stop someone who had stolen his identity, or even just to show people the truth.

All of these are better reasons than the one we get in Iron Man #55, where Iron Man reveals he's Tony Stark by dramatically changing into his armor... in order to save a dog that's about to be hit by a car. It's heroic, that's for sure, but it's also undeniably hilarious to think that after countless elaborate schemes to protect his identity, it takes precisely one at risk pooch for Stark to sacrifice anonymity.

While it's a fun moment, it's also terribly timed, as it happens in front of his current love interest, who promptly ceases being his current love interest when she discovers that he's been hiding this little secret from her the whole time they've known each other.

Contributor
Contributor

I like my comics like I like my coffee - in huge, unquestionably unhealthy doses.