Believe it or not, Superman’s “Hypno Glᴀsses” are part of DC Comics canon, but the concept feels pretty ridiculous after seeing Superman star David Corenswet pick the right glᴀsses 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 glᴀsses 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 Glᴀsses Hide His Idenтιтy

Although it’s a commonly held belief that Superman relies on a mundane pair of glᴀsses 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 glᴀsses.

The conspiracy behind Superman’s Hypno Glᴀsses is addressed in Superman, and James Gunn confirmed that the hypno-glᴀsses 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 glᴀsses because the glᴀsses 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 Glᴀsses can often be just as controversial as the notion that a standard pair of glᴀsses hides his idenтιтy. Now, a video featuring David Corenswet and James Gunn picking Clark Kent’s glᴀsses behind the scenes suggests that the Hypno Glᴀsses may be a little too far-fetched after all.

Superman’s Hypno Glᴀsses Explanation Is Unnecessary

A behind-the-scenes promotional video posted by Warner Bros. to YouTube shows David Corenswet cycling through a cavalcade of different glᴀsses 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 glᴀsses disguise believable, ostensibly negating the need to lean into the Hypno Glᴀsses 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 glᴀsses, they’re not particularly what I would call the hipster glᴀss…

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 Glᴀsses canon regardless, essentially doubling down on the glᴀsses’ effects as Corenswet’s Clark Kent looks decidedly distinct from his Superman. Still, even if the Hypno Glᴀsses 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.