There are a few reasons for a super to have a secret identity. The first is to protect loved ones. If a villain knows who you are, they can find your family and use them. The second is privacy. Not everyone wants to be mobbed by adoring fan (or critics) every day. And, thirdly, supers are prime targets for assassination attempts. A wealthy man like Bruce Wayne is well known, but doesn't have a lot of crazy mutant enemies. Batman, on the other hand, is constantly dealing with a barrage of powerful villains, and if he didn't have a secret identity he would have to be on guard 24/7.

There have been five heroes who didn't have a secret identity. Rita Farr AKA Elasti-girl; Cliff Steele AKA Robotman; Larry Trainor AKA Negetive Man; Steve Dayton AKA Mento; and, you guessed it, Garfield Dayton, AKA Beast Boy.


"Shouldn't you be on your own float?" Robin asked, taking a step away from his fellow hero.

"Yeah, but your float is more interesting." Beast Boy replied. Gar wasn't the kind of person who liked to be alone; he was a socialite, feeding off the company of others. Unfortunately, it's difficult to have friends when they become targets. Despite his popularity and fans, behind the smile Garfield actually felt lonely (not that he would let anyone know.)

"If you could pick any super powers, what would they be?" He suddenly asked Robin.

He didn't feel like replying. Instead, Robin looked at the "Flash Coffee House" they were passing by that had decorated it's shop front with balloons. Occasionally, a streak of red would weave through the floats. The Flash would stop, sign a few autographs, and carry on with his surveillance duties.

"Hay, Robin? You in there?"

"What is it, Garfield?"

"I asked what super powers you would pick?"

As Beast Boy brandished a lopsided grin that showed his shoddy teeth, Robin began to give him a look of disapproval. Before his face finished moving, there was loud bang, screams, and everything seemed to move in a red haze.

Himself and Beast Boy had been pushed down and The Flash was stood in-between them.

"Youknownottostandstill,BeastBoy;you'reaneasytarget." He said, far to quickly.

It didn't take long for Robin to figure out what had happened. He looked at the bullet hole in the deck and worked out the starting point of trajectory.

"Fifth floor, seventh window in, white building." He told the other two heroes whilst he pulled out a grappling gun. Who needs superpowers? He thought.

The Flash caught on fast and was soon in the building looking for the shooter.

"Hay! Wait for me!" Cried Beast Boy, shrinking into his jacket and re-emerging as a falcon. His clothes fell to the ground as he flew up to the window that Robin went in through.

When he got to the room he morphed into a blood hound and instantly caught the scent of the shooter. It was mixed with smells of other people; must from mould in the room; food. Everything from the smallest mouse to the rubbish bin. He could smell it all, and still decipher the one scent he needed to follow.

The two of them stood in the flat. Beast Boy paced about the room, up to the door. Robin opened it but the scent didn't lead outside. The shooter hadn't entered or exited the room, just been in it.

"What is it?" Asked Robin.

Beast Boy morphed back into his human form. "It just... ended... It shouldn't just end; people don't just disappear into thin air."

"Did they go out the window?"

"No. I would be able to smell them in the air. The shooter never left this room. Not to enter, not to exit."


Setting: An interview stage with two, red tub chairs facing each other on a wooden floor. The audience is obscured by the spot lights.

In one chair sits Garfield Dayton in a red double breasted shirt. In the other sits David Schwimmer in a black jumper (sweater).

David: So, you turn into animals?

Gar: Yep! Hence the name Beast Boy.

David: And what happens when you're older? You go by Beast Man?

Gar: No idea. It doesn't have the same ring to it though.

David: I guess you're right. Well, We're here to talk about your powers! What can you tell me?

Gar: Oh, um, well. I can't just randomly turn into something. I need to know it's made. What it's DNA is. That kind if thing

David: Do you sit and read biology books then? How does that work?

Gar: Oh, no. I, um, sorta have to absorb a sample of their make up.

David: Like their blood?

Gar: Hah, yeah. It sounds way creepier then it is. I'm a bit of a science experiment with Metahuman genes so lots of needles and poking and prodding...But it keeps me alive so I shouldn't complain.