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'''The Joker:''' Oh, don't be so predictable, for christ's sake. That ''is'' his real face. And I want to go much ''deeper'' than that.
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'''The Joker:''' Oh, don't be so predictable, for christ's Christ's sake. That ''is'' his real face. And I want to go much ''deeper'' than that.
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** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/{{Batman}}'' #251, is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
to:
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/{{Batman}}'' #251, is the TropeMaker. prior Prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
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* In post-Crisis continuity, SelfDemonstrating/LexLuthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
to:
* In post-Crisis continuity, SelfDemonstrating/LexLuthor ComicBook/LexLuthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
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* An interesting variant happens in several different [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] issues of ''[[Comicbook/SpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
to:
* An interesting variant happens in several different [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] issues of ''[[Comicbook/SpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
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* ''WebComic/{{Spinnerette}}''
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* ''WebComic/{{Spinnerette}}''''WebComic/{{Spinnerette}}'':
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* In ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', Babidi wants revenge on Piccolo, Goten, and Trunks. Since he doesn't know their names, he gives a general description to the people of Earth while demanding they show themselves. A man recognizes the description and tells Babidi their names, only for Babidi to say he couldn't care less what their names are and [[ShootTheMessenger kill him]].
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Well, it obviously didn\'t make the cut as a page quote.
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** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from ''ComicBook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'':
to:
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, example from ''ComicBook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'':
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[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* In ''Manga/SailorMoon'', when Queen Beryl goes YouHaveFailedMe on Jadeite, he tries to explain that he learned Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars' secret identities, only for Beryl to say she doesn't care and then put him in Eternal Sleep.
[[/folder]]
* In ''Manga/SailorMoon'', when Queen Beryl goes YouHaveFailedMe on Jadeite, he tries to explain that he learned Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars' secret identities, only for Beryl to say she doesn't care and then put him in Eternal Sleep.
[[/folder]]
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* In ''Series/TheFlash1990'', The Trickster actively prevents his sidekick from removing the captured Flash's mask, saying that under there "he's just some guy".
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** A flashback/hallucination shows Joker passing up the opportunity to learn who Batman is.
-->'''Joker:''' Hey, I never asked. What's the big secret? Who is the big, bad bat? His name. Tell me!
-->'''[[spoiler: Jason Todd:]]''' Of course, sir. It's--
-->*BANG*
-->'''Joker:''' Never could stand a tattletale. That's why I like to work alone. No one to spoil the punchline.
-->'''Joker:''' Hey, I never asked. What's the big secret? Who is the big, bad bat? His name. Tell me!
-->'''[[spoiler: Jason Todd:]]''' Of course, sir. It's--
-->*BANG*
-->'''Joker:''' Never could stand a tattletale. That's why I like to work alone. No one to spoil the punchline.
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** In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'', Scarecrow couldn't care less who Batman really is, but knows that if he reveals Batman's identity to the world, he will reduce his legend to a mere man.
to:
** In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'', Scarecrow couldn't care less who Batman really is, but knows that if he reveals Batman's identity to the world, he will reduce his legend to a mere man. [[spoiler:Indeed, when he ''does'' find out Batman's identity in the endgame, he only has a few seconds of mild surprise followed by a "Meh" attitude about it; considering that, unlike some other members of Batman's rogues-gallery, Scarecrow has no personal history with Bruce Wayne, it makes some sense.]]
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** In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'', Scarecrow couldn't care less who Batman really is, but knows that if he reveals Batman's identity to the world, he will reduce his legend to a mere man.
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* In ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'', Evey has the opportunity to unmask the dead V. However, after fantasizing various faces who under the mask, including her father, Evey decides that even if he were her father, that would still not be worth diminishing what V stood for and so decides never to learn the literal truth.
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'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
-->--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
-->--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
to:
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
-->--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
''You're Spinnerette''.
-->-- ''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
-->--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
-->-- ''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
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** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/{{Batman}}'' #251 is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
to:
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/{{Batman}}'' #251 #251, is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
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** In the ''NewFiftyTwo'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:ComicBook/TwoFace]] managed to figure out Batman was Bruce Wayne, but never did anything about it.
to:
** In the ''NewFiftyTwo'', ''ComicBook/{{New 52}}'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:ComicBook/TwoFace]] managed to figure out Batman was Bruce Wayne, but never did anything about it.
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* In ''Literature/PleaseDontTellMyParentsImASupervillain'', determining secret identities is considered taboo by both heroes and villains. Unless someone has really crossed a line in other behavior or is really sloppy about concealing their identity, looking too hard at who they might be with the mask off isn't done.
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[[folder:Film]]
to:
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* In ''Film/SpiderMan'', NormanOsborn (AKA the Green Goblin) honestly doesn't care that much about Spidey's secret identity. At first he just wants to work with him. He isn't even trying to find him when he accidentally learns his identity and then only goes after him because [[PapaWolf his son's feelings were hurt]].
to:
* In ''Film/SpiderMan'', NormanOsborn (AKA ''Film/SpiderMan1'', ComicBook/NormanOsborn (a.k.a. the Green Goblin) honestly doesn't care that much about Spidey's secret identity. At first he just wants to work with him. He isn't even trying to find him when he accidentally learns his identity and then only goes after him because [[PapaWolf his son's feelings were hurt]].
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* In post-Crisis continuity, LexLuthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
to:
** In the ''NewFiftyTwo'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:ComicBook/TwoFace]] managed to figure out Batman was Bruce Wayne, but never did anything about it.
* In post-Crisis continuity,LexLuthor SelfDemonstrating/LexLuthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
* In post-Crisis continuity,
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* Discussed in ''Literature/SoonIWillBeInvincible''. Doctor Impossible offers to let Corefire go and spare the world if Corefire can remember Doctor Impossible's real identity. When the evil doctor unmasks, Corefire has no clue who he is. Enraged, Doctor Impossible informs him that he would have accepted "Doctor Impossible" as his real identity because of this trope.
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This might not be an exact quote, but it\'s closer to the original dialogue.
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'''Joker:''' Where's the fun in that?
to:
'''Joker:''' Where's Nobody's who you think they are, dear. Why spoil the fun in that?fun?
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* An interesting variant happens in several different [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks SilverAge]] issues of ''[[Comicbook/SpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
to:
* An interesting variant happens in several different [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks SilverAge]] Silver Age]] issues of ''[[Comicbook/SpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
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[[folder:Literature]]
* Phanthro in ''Literature/{{Relativity}}.'' He knows ''all'' of the heroes' identities, he just doesn't care. He's from the distant future, he's ''read their biographies.'' Where he comes from, their identities are already public knowledge. Revealing them in the past (our present) would certainly muck things up for them, but he doesn't see any reason to.
[[/folder]]
* Phanthro in ''Literature/{{Relativity}}.'' He knows ''all'' of the heroes' identities, he just doesn't care. He's from the distant future, he's ''read their biographies.'' Where he comes from, their identities are already public knowledge. Revealing them in the past (our present) would certainly muck things up for them, but he doesn't see any reason to.
[[/folder]]
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* In post-Crisis continuity, Lex Luthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
to:
* In post-Crisis continuity, Lex Luthor LexLuthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
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* Another Joker example. In ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', Joker has gained reality warping powers and has Batman at his mercy. Harley asks him if he's going to take off his mask, but Joker refuses, saying that he doesn't want to "reduce [his] primal enemy to a mere man".
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'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.\\
--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
to:
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.\\
--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
Spinnerette]]''.
-->--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
-->--''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
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* {{Franchise/Batman}}/TheJoker:
** In ''ComicBook/DeathOfTheFamily'', Joker starts dropping hints that he knows who Batman really is, and Bruce realises there was a time when he could have figured it out. However [[spoiler: he also realises Joker would have rejected the opportunity, because he doesn't want to think of Batman as being anyone but Batman]].
to:
** In ''ComicBook/DeathOfTheFamily'', Joker starts dropping hints that he knows who Batman really is, and Bruce realises there was a time when he could have figured it out. However
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-->''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
to:
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'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
to:
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.\\
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** In ''DeathOfTheFamily'', Joker starts dropping hints that he knows who Batman really is, and Bruce realises there was a time when he could have figured it out. However [[spoiler: he also realises Joker would have rejected the opportunity, because he doesn't want to think of Batman as being anyone but Batman]].
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/Batman'' #251 is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from ''ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth:
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/Batman'' #251 is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from ''ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth:
to:
** In ''DeathOfTheFamily'', ''ComicBook/DeathOfTheFamily'', Joker starts dropping hints that he knows who Batman really is, and Bruce realises there was a time when he could have figured it out. However [[spoiler: he also realises Joker would have rejected the opportunity, because he doesn't want to think of Batman as being anyone but Batman]].
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in''Comicbook/Batman'' ''Comicbook/{{Batman}}'' #251 is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from''ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth:''ComicBook/ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth'':
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from
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* An interesting variant happens in several different SilverAge issues of ''Comicbook/AmazingSpiderMan'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
* In ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan, Deadpool doesn't want to unmask Spider-Man when he's kidnapped the young hero, since he respects masks.
* In ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan, Deadpool doesn't want to unmask Spider-Man when he's kidnapped the young hero, since he respects masks.
to:
* An interesting variant happens in several different SilverAge [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks SilverAge]] issues of ''Comicbook/AmazingSpiderMan'', ''[[Comicbook/SpiderMan Amazing Spider-Man]]'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
* InComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan, ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'', Deadpool doesn't want to unmask Spider-Man when he's kidnapped the young hero, since he respects masks.
* In
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* {{Francise/Batman}}/TheJoker:
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* {{Francise/Batman}}/TheJoker:{{Franchise/Batman}}/TheJoker:
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->'''Spinnerette:''' I'm curious, Dr. Universe. Why didn't you remove my mask when I was unconscious? Aren't you curious who I really am?\\
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
-->''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
In most cases, a villain's standard plot is to try and figure out the hero's SecretIdentity, usually so he can capture the hero's family for blackmail and so on.
Sometimes, however, the villain doesn't care. To him, his enemy ''is'' the superhero; any civilian identity is irrelevant to their contest. The extreme end of this involves the villain actually discovering the hero's identity, and either ignoring it completely or even actively helping cover it up.
Heroes who try to bring masked criminals to justice are sometimes faced with a DramaticUnmask moment, as well. They ''should'', according to law, share the information they've learned with the police. But even the heroes can find a WorthyOpponent, or begin DatingCatwoman, and find themselves unable to betray their enemy's secret. The hero must still dismiss the possibility of sharing the revelation of their foe's SecretIdentity for it to qualify as an example.
See also SecretIdentityIdentity, for when the hero starts confusing which is the "real" them.
Related to DramaticUnmask. This trope tends to defy AntiClimacticUnmasking. Can also be related to TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* {{Francise/Batman}}/TheJoker:
** In ''DeathOfTheFamily'', Joker starts dropping hints that he knows who Batman really is, and Bruce realises there was a time when he could have figured it out. However [[spoiler: he also realises Joker would have rejected the opportunity, because he doesn't want to think of Batman as being anyone but Batman]].
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/Batman'' #251 is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from ''ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth:
--->'''Black Mask:''' I say we take off his mask. I want to see his ''real'' face.\\
'''The Joker:''' Oh, don't be so predictable, for christ's sake. That ''is'' his real face. And I want to go much ''deeper'' than that.
** The Joker also threatened a mob boss who'd tried to buy Batman's secret identity from Hugo Strange, declaring that learning the truth of Batman's identity would ruin all his fun.
* In post-Crisis continuity, Lex Luthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
* An interesting variant happens in several different SilverAge issues of ''Comicbook/AmazingSpiderMan'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
* In ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan, Deadpool doesn't want to unmask Spider-Man when he's kidnapped the young hero, since he respects masks.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker starts out demanding Batman remove his mask, but eventually decides that would be boring, and puts a hit out on a man who threatens to reveal Bruce's identity.
* In ''Film/SpiderMan'', NormanOsborn (AKA the Green Goblin) honestly doesn't care that much about Spidey's secret identity. At first he just wants to work with him. He isn't even trying to find him when he accidentally learns his identity and then only goes after him because [[PapaWolf his son's feelings were hurt]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DoctorWho''. The conclusion of the classic serial "Silver Nemesis" has [[VillainOfTheWeek Lady Peinforte]] (who has managed to divine "Who" the Doctor really is) try and blackmail him by threatening to reveal that info to recurring villains the Cybermen. But the Cybermen say they simply do not care about that.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'', Batman is unconscious and in the Joker's custody, but he keeps Harley Quinn from unmasking him.
-->'''Harley:''' But I wanna know who he is, sweetie!\\
'''Joker:''' Where's the fun in that?
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''WebComic/{{Spinnerette}}''
** Alexis Woodrow (a.k.a. "[[EvilCounterpart Evil Spinnerette]]") manages to figure out Spinny's secret identity. She uses this information to force Spinny fight her, while one of her minions [[CaughtOnTape gets the whole thing on tape.]] After beating Spinny, however, Alexis just ties her to a tree, which leads to the following conversation:
--->'''Evil Spinnerette:''' I'm leaving this city. I doubt we'll meet again. Don't worry, your ''secret identity'' is safe with me.\\
'''Spinnerette:''' ''[koff]'' ''Why?'' Why did you ''bother'' fighting me, if you're not going to ''kill me?'' Why not ''reveal'' my identity and ''ruin me?''\\
'''Evil Spinnerette:''' Why does ''Gary Kasparov'' [[ManVersusMachine choose to fight]] ''[[ArtificialIntelligence Deep Blue]]'' at ''[[TabletopGame/{{Chess}} chess]]'' when he could simply pull its ''plug?''
** Another supervillain, Dr. Universe, later captures Spinnerette and [[ItMakesSenseInContext uses his genetic infusion device to save her life]], leading to this exchange:
--->'''Spinnerette:''' I'm curious, Dr. Universe. Why didn't you remove my mask when I was unconscious? Aren't you curious who I really am?\\
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
* In ''Webcomic/AModestDestiny'', there's actually a [[http://www.squidi.net/comic/amd/view.php?series=amd&ep=1&id=51 company rule]] in Team Evil against unmasking KO'd heroes. Besides...
-->'''Gilbert:''' Maybe he wears a mask because he's grotesquely deformed like you?\\
'''Hechter:''' Oh...that's a good point. Don't want to get nightmares...
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'', Joker [[BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork drives Wrath and Scorn insane with Joker gas when they threaten to reveal Batman's identity to Gotham's criminal community]], because [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou if anyone's going to bring about Batsy's downfall, it's got to be Joker]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'', most of Danny's villains already know his secret identity from the start; he's well-known in the Ghost Zone for being half-ghost. However, in the episode Flirting With Disaster, Technus warns Danny against transforming and battling him in the open by motioning to a security camera, saying that Danny has a secret identity to protect. Technus is already taking advantage of Danny's civilian identity in this episode, so his reasons for stopping Danny from fighting is to screw with him and his new girlfriend Valerie.
* In ''WesternAnimation/DragonBooster'', near the season 3 finale Artha and his racing rival Moordryd both discover each other's super identity as the Dragon Booster and Shadow Booster, respectively, but both agree to keep it a secret between them (and their respective companions, of course) since that knowledge could get them kicked out of a racing competition for the city's prestigious racing academy, and each of them have made enemies in their super identities.
[[/folder]]
----
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
-->''Webcomic/{{Spinnerette}}''
In most cases, a villain's standard plot is to try and figure out the hero's SecretIdentity, usually so he can capture the hero's family for blackmail and so on.
Sometimes, however, the villain doesn't care. To him, his enemy ''is'' the superhero; any civilian identity is irrelevant to their contest. The extreme end of this involves the villain actually discovering the hero's identity, and either ignoring it completely or even actively helping cover it up.
Heroes who try to bring masked criminals to justice are sometimes faced with a DramaticUnmask moment, as well. They ''should'', according to law, share the information they've learned with the police. But even the heroes can find a WorthyOpponent, or begin DatingCatwoman, and find themselves unable to betray their enemy's secret. The hero must still dismiss the possibility of sharing the revelation of their foe's SecretIdentity for it to qualify as an example.
See also SecretIdentityIdentity, for when the hero starts confusing which is the "real" them.
Related to DramaticUnmask. This trope tends to defy AntiClimacticUnmasking. Can also be related to TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou.
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* {{Francise/Batman}}/TheJoker:
** In ''DeathOfTheFamily'', Joker starts dropping hints that he knows who Batman really is, and Bruce realises there was a time when he could have figured it out. However [[spoiler: he also realises Joker would have rejected the opportunity, because he doesn't want to think of Batman as being anyone but Batman]].
** TheJoker, as revamped by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams in ''Comicbook/Batman'' #251 is the TropeMaker. prior to that story, the Joker had occasionally tried to learn Batman's secret; O'Neil and Adams, however, had the Joker ambush and knock out Batman by chance, only to refuse to kill or unmask him because that wasn't the perfect end to the conflict between them.
** Another Joker example, possibly a page quote, from ''ArkhamAsylumASeriousHouseOnSeriousEarth:
--->'''Black Mask:''' I say we take off his mask. I want to see his ''real'' face.\\
'''The Joker:''' Oh, don't be so predictable, for christ's sake. That ''is'' his real face. And I want to go much ''deeper'' than that.
** The Joker also threatened a mob boss who'd tried to buy Batman's secret identity from Hugo Strange, declaring that learning the truth of Batman's identity would ruin all his fun.
* In post-Crisis continuity, Lex Luthor refuses to believe ''Comicbook/{{Superman}}'' even ''has'' a secret identity. The idea that someone with all that power would pretend to be a normal person [[EvilCannotComprehendGood just doesn't make sense]]!
* An interesting variant happens in several different SilverAge issues of ''Comicbook/AmazingSpiderMan'', where the police consistently refuse to unmask a captured or unconscious Spider-Man regardless of the public's demands...well, J. Jonah Jameson's demands, anyway.
* In ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan, Deadpool doesn't want to unmask Spider-Man when he's kidnapped the young hero, since he respects masks.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film]]
* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Joker starts out demanding Batman remove his mask, but eventually decides that would be boring, and puts a hit out on a man who threatens to reveal Bruce's identity.
* In ''Film/SpiderMan'', NormanOsborn (AKA the Green Goblin) honestly doesn't care that much about Spidey's secret identity. At first he just wants to work with him. He isn't even trying to find him when he accidentally learns his identity and then only goes after him because [[PapaWolf his son's feelings were hurt]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* ''Series/DoctorWho''. The conclusion of the classic serial "Silver Nemesis" has [[VillainOfTheWeek Lady Peinforte]] (who has managed to divine "Who" the Doctor really is) try and blackmail him by threatening to reveal that info to recurring villains the Cybermen. But the Cybermen say they simply do not care about that.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'', Batman is unconscious and in the Joker's custody, but he keeps Harley Quinn from unmasking him.
-->'''Harley:''' But I wanna know who he is, sweetie!\\
'''Joker:''' Where's the fun in that?
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''WebComic/{{Spinnerette}}''
** Alexis Woodrow (a.k.a. "[[EvilCounterpart Evil Spinnerette]]") manages to figure out Spinny's secret identity. She uses this information to force Spinny fight her, while one of her minions [[CaughtOnTape gets the whole thing on tape.]] After beating Spinny, however, Alexis just ties her to a tree, which leads to the following conversation:
--->'''Evil Spinnerette:''' I'm leaving this city. I doubt we'll meet again. Don't worry, your ''secret identity'' is safe with me.\\
'''Spinnerette:''' ''[koff]'' ''Why?'' Why did you ''bother'' fighting me, if you're not going to ''kill me?'' Why not ''reveal'' my identity and ''ruin me?''\\
'''Evil Spinnerette:''' Why does ''Gary Kasparov'' [[ManVersusMachine choose to fight]] ''[[ArtificialIntelligence Deep Blue]]'' at ''[[TabletopGame/{{Chess}} chess]]'' when he could simply pull its ''plug?''
** Another supervillain, Dr. Universe, later captures Spinnerette and [[ItMakesSenseInContext uses his genetic infusion device to save her life]], leading to this exchange:
--->'''Spinnerette:''' I'm curious, Dr. Universe. Why didn't you remove my mask when I was unconscious? Aren't you curious who I really am?\\
'''Dr. Universe:''' I know exactly who you are. ''[[WorthyOpponent You're Spinnerette]]''.
* In ''Webcomic/AModestDestiny'', there's actually a [[http://www.squidi.net/comic/amd/view.php?series=amd&ep=1&id=51 company rule]] in Team Evil against unmasking KO'd heroes. Besides...
-->'''Gilbert:''' Maybe he wears a mask because he's grotesquely deformed like you?\\
'''Hechter:''' Oh...that's a good point. Don't want to get nightmares...
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'', Joker [[BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork drives Wrath and Scorn insane with Joker gas when they threaten to reveal Batman's identity to Gotham's criminal community]], because [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou if anyone's going to bring about Batsy's downfall, it's got to be Joker]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'', most of Danny's villains already know his secret identity from the start; he's well-known in the Ghost Zone for being half-ghost. However, in the episode Flirting With Disaster, Technus warns Danny against transforming and battling him in the open by motioning to a security camera, saying that Danny has a secret identity to protect. Technus is already taking advantage of Danny's civilian identity in this episode, so his reasons for stopping Danny from fighting is to screw with him and his new girlfriend Valerie.
* In ''WesternAnimation/DragonBooster'', near the season 3 finale Artha and his racing rival Moordryd both discover each other's super identity as the Dragon Booster and Shadow Booster, respectively, but both agree to keep it a secret between them (and their respective companions, of course) since that knowledge could get them kicked out of a racing competition for the city's prestigious racing academy, and each of them have made enemies in their super identities.
[[/folder]]
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