Warning: Spoilers for Jenny Sparks #5
Most superheroes in the DC Universe use disguises to keep their civilian lives separate from their heroic deeds, and Batman is no exception. However, some are better than others at keeping their true nature hidden, with Superman in particular having the best disguise of all. The quick exposure of Batman's true identity by a hero proves how much more obvious his disguise is than Superman's.
In Jenny Sparks #5 by Tom King, Jeff Spokes, and Clayton Cowles, the titular hero sleeps in a bar while a drunken man nearby discusses politics with a mysterious figure. When Jenny wakes up to light a cigarette, the man offers her a match and introduces himself as Matches Malone. However, Jenny immediately sees through his disguise and refers to him by his appropriate title: Batman.
Although Jenny Sparks is quick to slap Batman, she apparently doesn't realize that Superman is sitting next to her as Clark Kent. Superman's disguise succeeding where Batman fails demonstrates that he is much better at hiding his identity.
Batman’s “Matches Malone” Disguise Can’t Hide His True Nature
Bruce Wayne's criminal alter ego isn't fooling anyone for one critical reason
Matches Malone is a criminal alias that Batman has used for decades when he needs to go undercover in Gotham's darkest circles. For all of Batman's strengths as a detective and as a superhero, the one skill he can't seem to master is maintaining his identity while undercover, and it's all thanks to one massive flaw. When “Matches” addresses Jenny, his voice immediately reveals that he is Batman. Batman's voice is iconic, so it makes sense that someone who has heard it multiple times would be able to deduce its real source in a matter of seconds.
Jenny is not the first character to reveal Batman's “Matches Malone” identity. During Batman's partnership with Sue Dibny, Elongated Man also recognizes him upon hearing his voice. Evidently, those who have become accustomed to hearing his voice are not easily fooled by the Dark Knight's attempt to become a gangster. The Justice League heroes aren't the only ones exposing pranks either; in Batman #108 by James Tynion IV and Jorge Jiménez, Batman employs his disguise to infiltrate The Unsanity Collective and monitor their sinister activities from the inside, only for one of its members to see through his ridiculous Matches Malone persona.
Superman officially has a better secret identity than Batman
Clark Kent is a much more effective disguise than matching Malone
Batman may have trouble maintaining his Matches Malone persona, but Superman has no such problems when it comes to impersonating Clark Kent. The key is how believable the disguise is to the average viewer. Matches Malone is a deeply unrealistic character to portray, especially with the fake mustache that Bruce insists on wearing. Superman's Clark Kent disguise, on the other hand, is much more realistic and therefore believable as an everyman. Anyone would have reason to question Matches' hidden agenda upon meeting him, while no one would look twice at the mild-mannered Clark to suspect he was hiding something.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of each disguise depends on how much time Superman and Batman spend embodying them. Batman reserves Matches Malone for missions so he doesn't live undercover like Superman does under his. Clark Kent is who Superman is whenever he's not actively Supermanand although his disguise is often criticized for appearing flimsy, it continues to work due to the amount of practice he has had with it. A pair of glasses, hunched shoulders, and a clumsy personality are all Superman needs to hide his true self, a talent Batman didn't master with Matches Malone.
Batman's main civilian personality is more recognized than Superman's
Matches Malone isn't the only Batman alter ego that has been exposed
Of course, Matches Malone is not to Batman what Clark Kent is to Superman. As every DC fan knows, Batman's true civilian identity is Bruce Wayne, a billionaire who hides his vigilante tendencies behind a playboy persona. However, despite Bruce's best efforts, he made more slip-ups than Superman. Even the Joker knows that Batman is secretly Bruce Wayne, and it's hard not to figure out how; Bruce has the wealth to be Batman, and the children he adopts bear a clear resemblance to the Bat-family. Try how Batman Maybe, he just can't navigate his double life as well as Superman.
Jenny Sparks #5 is available December 18, 2024 from DC Comics.