History TheArtifact / ComicBooks

** They are even beginning to apply this to ''Franchise/{{Batman}},'' of all people. With Batman (as of mid-2011) franchising out his name, a public awareness that maybe he's more than one guy, and the fact that Wayne has publicly admitted to funding Batman, the response when someone says, "Bruce Wayne is Batman," tends to be, "So?" As many of his enemies (including Ra's al-Ghul, the Black Glove, Riddler, and possibly Joker) know his identity, and all of his close friends and family tend to be {{Badass}} in their own right, his secret ID is getting pointless.

* For decades ComicBook/SwampThing's quest to become human again was this. It was a SeriesGoal that couldn't be resolved without ending the series, so Swamp-Thing always spent at least part of his time trying to find a cure and than not succeeding simply because that was part of his gimmick. Part of the reason Alan Moore's run is so acclaimed is that he saw how much of a useless load the "search for a cure" idea had become and retconned it away with a vengeance by having Swamp-Thing discover that he was never actually Alec Holland to begin with, finally ending its Artifact status.

* ''ComicBook/MortadeloYFilemon'' were originally a pair of detectives- with Filemón being the self-important boss and Mortadelo being the incompetent subordinate who would mess things up in every strip. Two decades later, they moved to an agency working as regular employees with the same responsibilities. Despite this, Mortadelo keeps calling Filemón "Boss", because it had already became his second name.

** Another artifact was the series' focus on the rebel war between the Freedom Fighters and Dr. Robotnik. Though Robotnik was defeated in issue #50, 25 issues later, the series hit its inevitable SnapBack with the good doctor's return. Over a hundred issues later? Robotnik's empire is in ruins after a series of numerous defeats. Now he isn't even the master of it anymore, having gone insane and deposed by his nephew [[TheStarscream Snively]] and his new gal-pal, the Iron Queen.

*** In fact, the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse movies in general are very light on codenames. ''Film/TheAvengers'' is infamous for [[ComicBookMoviesDontUseCodeNames just how little use]] the superhero aliases like "Comicbook/BlackWidow" and "ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}" actually see.

* For decades ComicBook/SwampThing's quest to become human again was this. It was a SeriesGoal that couldn't be resolved without ending the series, so Swamp-Thing always spent at least part of his time trying to find a cure and than not succeeding simply because that was part of his gimmick. Part of the reason Alan Moore's run is so acclaimed is that he saw how much of a useless load the "search for a cure" idea had become and retconned it away with a vengeance by having Swamp-Thing discover that he was never actually Alec Holland to begin with, finally ending it's Artifact status.

* The ''Comicbook/{{Legion of Super-Heroes}}'' has a group called the Legion of Super-Villains. This sort of SilverAge name would never be used nowadays (since nobody thinks of themselves as villains), but is so closely associated with the group that it can't be changed in the comic. (The [[WesternAnimation/LegionOfSuperHeroes cartoon]] used '''L'''ight '''S'''peed '''V'''anguard.)

* ImageComics started off with a ClicheStorm of NinetiesAntiHero comics such as ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'', ''ComicBook/{{Witchblade}}'', and ''ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}''. Around the turn of the century, Image [[GrowingTheBeard decided to diversify its output]], and largely phased out such stories in favor of independent comics like ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead'', with the comparatively light ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}'' being one of their few major superhero efforts. Nonetheless, many of the books created by founders who haven't left still stick around, despite being completely out of place on Image's current lineup; ''SavageDragon'' is even ''[[LongRunners still]]'' written and drawn by Erik Larsen. Image mostly keeps these books out of the public eye, only drawing attention to them for special issues like anniversaries.

** Ditto for Nightcrawler and Colossus, who always seemed better suited for the fantasy, supernatural, and outer space adventures the X-Men's frequently had in the [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks '70s and '80s]]. (In fact, they were actually based on designs that David Cockrum had originally created for ''ComicBook/{{Legion of Super-Heroes}}''.) They seem an ill fit for the DarkerAndEdgier style the X-Books took in the '90s and 2000's, but have never been permanently written out. In recent years Marvel seems to have hit upon the decent solution of relegating the two into the more lighthearted titles like ''Amazing X-Men''.

*** Another serious artifact to deal with Cap is [[ComicBook/BuckyBarnes Bucky]]. While {{Robin}} can be explained as Batman's apprentice at best and part of Batman's eccentricities at worst, Captain America is an agent for the US military, which makes Bucky a ChildSoldier operating with their knowledge. Today in the comics, Bucky is largely treated as an [[OlderThanHeLooks remarkably young looking]] agent who started with Cap at 15 years old (really young, but not unprecedented at that time), and was a 19 year (and thus of an entirely legal age) by 1945. The film, ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', avoids the issue entirely by making Bucky Steve Rogers' contemporary in age who just looks like a kid compared to Steve after his Project Rebirth enhancements.

** Many modern writers have found [[TheMightyThor Thor's]] "Dr. Donald Blake" secret identity to be dispensable (the only supporting cast member Blake had was Jane Foster, and she was a lot less interesting than the Asgardians), and it's only used in [[Film/{{Thor}} the 2011 movie]] as a brief ContinuityNod (and because, well, were the scientists ''supposed'' to say, "hey, this is a guy who fell from the sky and says he's a depowered god" or "this is my brother Donald"?)

** Wonder Woman's invisible jet. Contrary to the visual depiction, it does make Wonder Woman invisible as well, but in the modern era, where Wonder Woman can fly on her own like {{Superman}}[[note]]In the Golden Age, she could only [[Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella jump hella high]]. In the Silver Age, she developed an ability to [[NotQuiteFlight "glide on air currents"]].[[/note]], it can seem kind of pointless. Occasionally justified - e.g., for sneaking up on, and landing on, a possessed PowerGirl, or for carrying passengers (ComicBook/BlackCanary once remarked that being carried across an ocean by a flying hero could be really annoying, because your underwear rides up and you can't adjust....)

*** Curiously, the 2011 {{New 52}} relaunch took a more "classical" approach to the secret identity, as the Blue Beetle armor physically prevents Jaime from revealing his secret identity to others.

* {{Storm}} of the ''Comicbook/{{X-Men}}'' can be this way [[DependingOnTheWriter under anyone who isn't Chris Claremont]]. In theory, she's one of the most popular X-Men, and the company likes what she brings to [[TwoferTokenMinority representation]], but many writers are at a loss what to do with her, especially when Cyclops is in the mix.
** Ditto for Nightcrawler and Colossus, who always seemed better suited for the fantasy, supernatural, and outer space adventures the X-Men's frequently had in the [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks '70s and '80s]]. (In fact, they were actually based on designs that David Cockrum had originally created for ''LegionOfSuperheroes.'') They seem an ill fit for the DarkerAndEdgier style the X-Books took in the '90s and 2000's, but have never been permanently written out. In recent years Marvel seems to have hit upon the decent solution of relegating the two into the more lighthearted titles like ''Amazing X-Men''.

* ''ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse'': Donald Duck 's uncle Scrooge [=McDuck=] usually wears a top hat and spats that were considered a very elegant and high class accessory until after WW1. Usually worn only by the very rich on gala occassions, they signaled McDuck's wealth and position in society. Now neither is used by practically anybody however dandy-ish and they've been out of fashion for so long that younger readers might not get the original meaning. And yet the hat and spats are such an iconic part of Scrooge McDuck's image.

* In his earliest incarnation, Comicbook/{{Superman}} held a job at ''The Daily Planet'' so he would be the first to hear about misdeeds he could set right. As the character became increasingly more powerful over the decades (i.e. the advent of super-hearing and telescopic vision), the need for him to learn about such things from the ''Planet'' was obviated; however, the job is such a central part of the mythos (it's impossible to conceive of his SecretIdentity without it) that it has continued into every ContinuityReboot and adaptation to date - and now often sees Clark Kent mysteriously getting all the good {{Superman}} stories... In 1971, writer Denny O'Neil actually did do away with the job at the Planet, with Clark taking the more modern job as a news anchor on a national station, with Lana Lang as co-anchor. This was eventually changed back Post-[[CrisisOnInfiniteEarths Crisis]] to tie in with the {{Superman}} movies, which featured Clark at the Planet with his classic supporting cast. Also, the idea of Clark as a well known TV personality who is seen by millions of Americans every day makes his [[ClarkKenting questionable disguise]] even more unbelievable.

** CaptainAmerica. Why would the government devote significant money and resources to create an elite special forces symbol of America in the largest war in its history, only to hide him out as a buck private? Not only would this [[CannonFodder risk getting him killed in combat taking some stupid bridge]], but it also forced him to make up some lame excuse every time he needed to slip away for a real mission. As with Thor and Iron Man, [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger the 2011 movie]] dispensed with the secret identity altogether.
*** Another serious artifact to deal with Cap is [[BuckyBarnes Bucky]]. While {{Robin}} can be explained as Batman's apprentice at best and part of Batman's eccentricities at worst, Captain America is an agent for the US military, which makes Bucky a ChildSoldier operating with their knowledge. Today in the comics, Bucky is largely treated as an [[OlderThanHeLooks remarkably young looking]] agent who started with Cap at 15 years old (really young, but not unprecedented at that time), and was a 19 year (and thus of an entirely legal age) by 1945. The film, ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', avoids the issue entirely by making Bucky Steve Rogers' contemporary in age who just looks like a kid compared to Steve after his Project Rebirth enhancements.

** The Jaime Reyes BlueBeetle is an example of a more modern approach to the secret identity.

* ''ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse'': DonaldDuck 's uncle Scrooge McDuck usually wears a top hat and spats that were considered a very elegant and high class accessory until after WW1. Usually worn only by the very rich on gala occassions, they signaled McDuck's wealth and position in society. Now neither is used by practically anybody however dandy-ish and they've been out of fashion for so long that younger readers might not get the original meaning. And yet the hat and spats are such an iconic part of Scrooge McDuck's image.
* For decades [[ComicBook/SwampThing Swamp-Thing's]] quest to become human again was this. It was a SeriesGoal that couldn't be resolved without ending the series, so Swamp-Thing always spent at least part of his time trying to find a cure and than not succeeding simply because that was part of his gimmick. Part of the reason Alan Moore's run is so acclaimed is that he saw how much of a useless load the "search for a cure" idea had become and retconned it away with a vengeance by having Swamp-Thing discover that he was never actually Alec Holland to begin with, finally ending it's Artifact status.

* DonaldDuck 's uncle [[ScroogeMcDuckUniverse Scrooge McDuck]] usually wears a top hat and spats that were considered a very elegant and high class accessory until after WW1. Usually worn only by the very rich on gala occassions, they signaled McDuck's wealth and position in society. Now neither is used by practically anybody however dandy-ish and they've been out of fashion for so long that younger readers might not get the original meaning. And yet the hat and spats are such an iconic part of Scrooge McDuck's image.

** Ditto for Nightcrawler and Colossus, who always seemed better suited for the fantasy, supernatural, and outer space adventures the X-Men's frequently had in the [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks '70s and '80s]]. (In fact, they were actually based on designs that David Cockrum had originally created for ''LegionOfSuperheroes.'') They seem an ill fit for the book's gritty realism in more recent years. Probably why Kurt was killed off in 2010.

* DonaldDuck 's uncle [[ScroogeMcDuckUniverse Scrooge McDuck]] usually wears a top hat and spats that were considered a very elegant and high class accessory until after WW1. Usually worn only by the very rich on gala occassions, they signaled McDuck's wealth and position in society. Now neither is used by practically nobody however dandy-ish and they've been out of fashion for so long that younger readers might not get the original meaning. And yet the hat and spats are such an iconic part of Scrooge McDuck's image.

** They are even beginning to apply this to ''Franchise/{{Batman}},'' of all people. With Batman (as of mid-2011) franchising out his name, a public awareness that maybe he's more than one guy, and the fact that Wayne has publicly admitted to funding Batman, the response when someone says, "Bruce Wayne is Batman," tends to be, "So?" And many of his enemies (including Ra's al-Ghul, the Black Glove, Riddler, and possibly Joker) know his identity, and all of his close friends and family tend to be {{Badass}} in their own right, his secret ID is getting pointless.

* DonaldDuck 's uncle [[ScroogeMcDuckUniverse Scrooge McDuck]] usually wears a top hat that was considered a very elegant and high class accessory until about the start of WW2. Usually worn only by the very rich on gala occassions, it signaled McDuck's wealth and position in society. Now a top hat is used by practically nobody however dandy-ish and it's been out of fashion for so long that younger readers might not get the original meaning. And yet it's such an iconic part of Scrooge McDuck's image.

** Reading WonderWoman's early [[TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] stories, one gets the distinct impression the standard "secret identity protection" tropes are used mostly due to the [[FollowTheLeader "Superman does it"]] school of ExecutiveMeddling. The tropes are there, but usually dealt with in a perfunctory manner, and you can practically sense that writer William Moulton Marston is bored with them and eager to move on to the fun stuff. Notably, apart from sheer physical strength, Diana Prince is almost indistinguishable from Wonder Woman—extremely smart and capable, and recognized as a top counter-intelligence agent in her own right. Most recent incarnations of Wonder Woman have dispensed with Diana Prince altogether.

** Her armored corset's iconic [[CaptainPatriotic stars-and-stripes motif]] made a lot more sense in the Golden Age comics, when she was persuaded to enter "Man's World" for the first time by an Army officer, she was an Army nurse in her civilian identity, and every other issue involved her fighting the Nazis. [[note]]Understandable, considering the series began in December 1941, around the same time that the United States entered WorldWarII.[[/note]] Now that GreekMythology has become such a central part of the series' lore (with her powers now said to be gifts from the Gods of Olympus), her decision to wear the American flag on her costume can seem a bit baffling, but her costume's design is far too well-known to change. Some writers give a halfhearted explanation that she sees herself as an ambassador to the US, and wears their colors as a somewhat odd act of patriotism, though others don't even give her that. At least the Eagle was Zeus's symbol, so that motif still fits.