In the week sees the 75th celebration of the initial arrival of Superman.
June 1938 saw the initial edition of ‘Action Comics’, which contained the very initial arrival of the character that will inspire millions of people worldwide. It is, to any or all intents and purposes, the birth of the superhero tale.
The individual was an immediate winner, inspiring not just the entire genre of superhero fiction, but also broadcasting plays, movie serials and reams of merchandise.
Superman creators Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist) had partnered for years, first to create the individual and to retail him to the publisher.
In 1932, the duo made a fanzine called ‘Science Fiction’ which contained the tale ‘Reign #of the# Supermen’, featuring a villainous, all-powerful being. Later that same year, this embryonic ‘Superman’ was re-tooled into the more heroic version we know today.
The idea for this new Superman seemingly came to Siegel one restless night, during which he wrote the whole story that would eventually appear in ‘Action Comics’ inaugural issue. The next day, Shuster built the character’s iconic appearance and a noticeably hero was born.
In 1933, following a series of rejections, a disconsolate Shuster in fact set fire to this early version of the story. All that survived was the cover art, an image which has since become iconic.
Editor Sheldon Mayer was the 1st person to take a chance on Superman, giving the colorful hero a canopy look on the first issue of Action Comics. This issue, in mint condition, can now reach fees as high as $2Million.
Superman has remained well-liked in comic book series like ‘Superman’ and ‘Action Comics’ also as abundant spin off series starring his supporting characters like Superboy, Supergirl, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.
He has also drawn crowds with hit movies like Richard Donner’s 1978 ‘Superman’ film and the 2006 movie ‘Superman Returns’. The character is also a TV mainstay, being depicted in lucrative series for example ‘Lois & Clark’ and ‘Smallville’ as well as numerous children’s cartoons.
Superman’s seventy fifth anniversary will see DC Entertainment unveiling a brief Superman-themed emblem celebrating this momentous anniversary.
The special event will be commemorated by an innovative new Superman comics series entitled ‘Superman: Unchained’ made by the creative team of Scott Snyder (writer), Jim Lee (artist) and Scott Williams (inks).
Elsewhere, the latest Superman movie ‘Man of Steel’, starring Henry Cavill, will open in theatres from Friday 14th June, ensuring the occasion is well and truly celebrated.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPERMAN!
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