Superman’s Hypno Glasses: A Ridiculous Disguise?

Believe it or not, Superman’s “Hypno Glasses” are part of DC Comics canon, but the concept feels pretty ridiculous after seeing Superman star David Corenswet pick the right glasses for Clark Kent. In fact, Corenswet’s process helps to vindicate the notion that Superman and Clark Kent can look decidedly distinct.

This has been a pretty controversial Superman topic for years, as Superman fans understandably question whether simply donning a suit and a pair of glasses is a sufficient disguise for people (especially those close to him) to believe that Clark Kent and Superman are different people. At the same time, it is a central pillar of the Superman mythos.

That’s why it is no surprise that Superman, which has been successful overall in launching the new DCU, adapted this aspect of Superman’s characterization. What is slightly more surprising, however, is that it leaned into the more mind-boggling explanation of how the disguise worked.

How Superman’s Clark Kent Glasses Hide His Identity

Although it’s a commonly held belief that Superman relies on a mundane pair of glasses to transform into Clark Kent and distinguish himself from Superman, this isn’t strictly canon in the comics. In fact, Superman #330 delves into the concept of Superman’s ability to hypnotize people into seeing a different visage through his Kryptonian glasses.

The conspiracy behind Superman’s Hypno Glasses is addressed in Superman, and James Gunn confirmed that the hypno-glasses are real thanks to a conversation he had with comic book writer Tom King. In an interview with ComicBook, James Gunn explained:

“That’s canon in the comics. It’s kind of been forgotten but that’s from the comics. I was sitting with Tom King, the comic book writer, and I was like, ‘you know the thing that I just don’t really know how to reconcile in myself is the glasses because the glasses always bothered me as a kid.’ They bothered me because I just don’t have that much suspension of disbelief to believe that.

“You know, they’re two different people even though I think out of all the actors that have played Superman, Corenswet looks the most different as Clark Kent to Superman, even more so than Chris Reeve. But he said, ‘you know, there’s an answer for that in the comics; it’s canon that they hypnotize people.'”

Needless to say, Superman’s retconned Hypno Glasses can often be just as controversial as the notion that a standard pair of glasses hides his identity. Now, a video featuring David Corenswet and James Gunn picking Clark Kent’s glasses behind the scenes suggests that the Hypno Glasses may be a little too far-fetched after all.

Superman’s Hypno Glasses Explanation Is Unnecessary

A behind-the-scenes promotional video posted by Warner Bros. to YouTube shows David Corenswet cycling through a cavalcade of different glasses ahead of shooting his Clark Kent scenes in Superman. In the video, Corenswet, James Gunn, and costume designer Judianna Makovsky weigh in on the different styles while taking pictures of each.

After some time, Corenswet settles on a pair and argues that they sufficiently change his face enough to make the glasses disguise believable, ostensibly negating the need to lean into the Hypno Glasses concept. Corenswet’s, Gunn’s, and Makovsky’s full exchange is as follows:

Corenswet: So my argument for these…these sort of make me look different than I think I look.

Makovsky: I really like these because they’re not like comics 70’s glasses, they’re not particularly what I would call the hipster glass…

Gunn: They do change your face more…

Corenswet: Yeah, subtly, but…

Gunn: Well, we can kind of believe that you put them on and your face gets…

Corenswet: Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

Superman evidently adopted the Hypno Glasses canon regardless, essentially doubling down on the glasses’ effects as Corenswet’s Clark Kent looks decidedly distinct from his Superman. Still, even if the Hypno Glasses concept is outlandish, this is in line with Superman’s overall tone, as it embraces the weirder facets of DC Comics overall to great effect.