Jordan T. Maxwell
Jul 11, 2008, 04:55 pm
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/comixfanpresents.gif" align=left border=0 hspace=10 alt="Comixfan Presents logo">Summer of Superman: The Top Ten Milestones in Superman History
By: Nick Costanzo, Jon Hancock, Jordan T. Maxwell
Editor: Jordan T. Maxwell
70 years ago, in the summer of 1938, two kids from Cleveland, Ohio changed the world forever. From their collaborative imagination sprang a hero who has endured for seven decades, transcending his home in comic books to conquer almost every other medium of art and entertainment and catalyzing the creation of an entire genre. He is more than just a fictional superhero. He is an icon (not a bird). He is an ideal (not a plane). He is...SUPERMAN!
To celebrate the Man of Steel's 70th anniversary, Comixfan is proud to bring you a series of features over the course of this summer. For the next seven weeks, we'll be bringing you a unique Top Ten list focusing on different facets of Superman's mythology, history and influence, showcasing 70 reasons why we love the Man of Tomorrow so much.
This week, we cracked our textbooks and took a look through all seven decades of Superman's history...not only in comic books, but in other media and pop culture. Some are moments of triumph, some senseless tragedy. Some will make you smile with nostalgia, some will make you frown at the injustices of times past. And so without further ado, we bring to you now a list of moments we have dubbed...the Top Ten Milestones in Superman History!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/greevesmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/greevesmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="The Death of George Reeves"></a>#10 The Death of George Reeves
Date: June 16, 1959
For George Reeves, the role of Superman was both a blessing and a curse. It brought him extraordinary fame, especially among children. Ever the gentleman, Reeves was serious about being a good role model, going so far as to quit smoking to set a good example. At the same time, the role haunted Reeves, who found it difficult to find any non-Superman-related work. Conflicting reports describe his feelings toward the role of Superman ranging from mild frustration to outright resentment. He had difficulty making money as Superman, and yet had few other options for work. The drama came to a shocking climax on the night of June 16, 1959, when a single gunshot echoed throughout his Hollywood home. His guests found his body soon after, the victim of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Since that fateful night, an aura of urban legend has surrounded the event. Some say he was the victim of a jilted lover, others claim an even deeper level of conspiracy involving a hitman. Some find the official suicide explanation to be the most plausible, and most tragic. Films and documentaries alike have attempted to shed light on the mystery, but regardless of their findings the tragedy remains the same. Forget trying to find some kind of irony here, and for the love of whatever you find holy, spare us the "speeding bullet" jokes. Though he played an iconic superhero, by all accounts George Reeves was a decent and honorable man who always showed his fans the same love and admiration they held for him. It is that memory that makes the man every bit as super as the role he played.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/fleischermilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/fleischermilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Fleischer Cartoons"></a>#9 Fleischer Cartoons Introduce Superman to the Big Screen
Date: September 26, 1941
"Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!" Thus began Superman's first foray onto the big screen, borrowing both the intro of the Adventues of Superman radio show as well as their iconic lead voice actors, Bud Collyer and Joan Alexander as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. The Fleischer Superman cartoons debuted in 1941, setting all sorts of important milestones and records, most impressively an Oscar nomination for the very first short, simply titled Superman. With a budget of $50,000 per episode, the shorts radiate quality. Still available on DVD, these cartoons are a bit cheesy, but gloriously animated with a heavy use of rotoscoping lending a surprising amount of weight and realism. Most importantly, they showed that Superman, and superheroes in general, could have wide appeal to mainstream audiences. There'd be no Superfriends, no Batman Beyond, no X-Men Evolution or Justice League Unlimited if it weren't for Superman showing just how impressive animated comic book adaptations can be. And with such animation legends as Bruce Timm, Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka citing the shorts as influences on their own works, who knows what state animation would be in now if the Fleischer brothers hadn't put the Man of Steel on the silver screen?
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/siegelshustermilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/siegelshustermilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Siegel & Shuster"></a>#8 Siegel and Shuster Take DC to Court
Date: (of initial lawsuit) April, 1947
The Golden Age of comic books is sadly a term that does not extend to the treatment of its creative talent. America was still clawing its way out of the Great Depression, World War II and rationing were on the horizon and the comic book industry was a fledgling enterprise. But whereas most creators were strictly work for hire, two kids from Cleveland with an idea for a character called Superman had their initial work bought FROM them. And so when the copyright was initially about to expire and Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster wanted to buy back the rights to their creation and not have to deal with a lot of the injustices and abuses they faced at the hands of their editors and publishers (particularly surrounding the creation and execution of Superboy), they began their own never ending battle...in the court room. The first lawsuit ended in a loss both legally and professionally as they weren't going to be getting much work from a publisher they'd just tried to sue (though the circumstances of that loss involve so many rumors of back stabbing from supposed friends, it's almost like the comic book industry was being run by gangsters and street toughs...oh, wait...). Both men continued to try to regain control of their creation, even after DC granted them some work and generous stipends, but to no avail. At least, in their lifetimes. As the years passed and both men left this world, the laws changed as well, leaving their heirs and estates capable of doing what had once been impossible: regain some measure of control over their initial creations. Recently, part of the rights for Action Comics #1 were granted to Siegel's wife and daughter, with Shuster's estate set to receive the same. It is a decision that is bound to be appealed and that neither man is alive to see, but it definitely struck a blow for creators' rights...showing that Superman's championing of the little guy isn't always limited to the panels of a comic book.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/stripmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/stripmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Newspaper Strip"></a> #7 Superman Newspaper Strip Debuts
Date: January 16, 1939
While Superman was destined to conquer several media outside of comic books, his first foray beyond their pages was actually a small step backwards to the predecessors of comic books, comic strips. Not even a full year after his debut in Action Comics #1, Siegel and Shuster brought the Man of Steel to daily papers around the country and used the much more prolific medium to introduce many elements that hadn't yet been seen in the comic books, fleshing out not only Superman's origin story (by naming Jor-El and Krypton for the first time) and his rogue's gallery (depicting Lex Luthor as bald for the first time and introducing Mr. Mxyzptlk)), but also beginning such iconic tropes as the phone booth costume change. The strip lasted until May of 1966, initially with Siegel and Shuster at the helm, but eventually showcasing the work of such Golden Age luminaries as Bill Finger, Alvin Schwartz, Wayne Boring and Win Mortimer...as well as the artist probably most identified with Superman through the Silver Age, Curt Swan. While comic books were only sold in gas stations and drug stores, the newspaper comic strip allowed Superman to visit people in their homes everyday, further solidifying his standing as an icon of American pop culture.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventures2milestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventures2milestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Adventures of Superman (radio)"></a><a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventuresmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventuresmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Adventures of Superman (TV)"></a> #6 Adventures of Superman Hits the Airwaves
Date: (radio) February 12, 1940; (television) September 19, 1952
The two eponymous series are equally important as they helped kick off Superman's eventual domination of the airwaves. With Bud Collyer providing the voice for both Superman and Clark Kent (with such a distinct change between the two that many believed there were two separate actors voicing each character), the Adventures of Superman radio show brought the Man of Steel into people's homes and introduced such elements into the mythology as Kryptonite, Perry White and the Daily Planet (which proved so popular that they soon replaced the similar George Taylor and Daily Star in the comics), as well as the classic intro..."Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!" The radio show also provided one of the few times Superman has been able to battle actual injustice in our own world, as the Clan of the Fiery Cross storyline not only portrayed Superman taking on the Ku Klux Klan, but actually provided details on secret codewords and rituals that helped undercut the Klan's influence and power across the country. The program lasted for over 11 years...and one year later, the title was adopted for the burgeoning medium of television and for the first time since Kirk Alyn's film serials, people had an actual human face to give their hero as George Reeves donned the famous tights. The introduction was expanded to include "Yes, it's Superman ... strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men! Superman ... who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way!", providing even more iconic phrases that remain a constant part of the Superman lexicon. The show was filmed with a surprisingly low budget, having Superman battle gangsters and more generic mad scientists than any of his established rogues' gallery and eschewing some of the crossovers seen in the radio show with Batman and Robin while also developing the coy and flirtatious relationship between Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane as well as being one of the first shows to move from black and white to color. Kids around the country were fascinated, tying towels around their necks and running around or jumping off of roofs to see if they, too, could fly. Most found they could not. But even while nursing bruises and broken bones, they tuned in to see their hero save the day!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/weddingmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/weddingmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Superman's Wedding"></a>#5 Superman's Wedding
Date: December, 1996
It remains one of pop culture's great love stories as Lois Lane's infatuation with Superman was contrasted with her friendly dismissal of Clark Kent. Of course, in both guises, Superman was head over heels for Lois as well...but felt his responsibilities could never allow them to be together. But in the post Crisis/Man of Steel era, things were allowed to progress and mature beyond sly flirtations and knowing asides from Clark. Lois and Clark's partnership grew into friendship, and eventually into something much more. And even while her interest in Superman was still strong, she began unknowingly dating his alter ego. It was with much fanfare that Clark eventually proposed...and even more shockingly revealed his identity to Lois. Not an imaginary story! No amnesia kisses or anything! The success of this romantic progression for the characters proved to be something of their undoing as a new show hit the airwaves, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. A soapy prime time drama, it focused as much on the relationship of the two main characters as it did on Superman's crime fighting exploits...and in order to not alienate viewers, the comics decided to keep their own Lois and Clark unmarried, which led to a lot of treading water and both characters acting somewhat like jerks to one another (hey, just like a real couple!). Until suddenly, without the same level of consideration, the TV show decided it was time for the two to get married. The comics had to rush to present their own version of the blessed day, dropping or rapidly resolving several storylines to clear the way. But despite all the indecision, squabbling, poor scheduling and rushed planning (hey, just like a real wedding!), almost sixty years after the two first met back in Action Comics #1, Clark Kent and Lois Lane were joined as man and wife in not one but two media. And they remain married and very much in love to this very day. Who says married characters aren't interesting or relatable? Oh, hi Mr. Quesada...didn't see you there. Well. This is awkward. Moving on!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/creevemilestones.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/creevemilestones.bmp" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Christopher Reeve's Paralysis and Death"></a>#4 Christopher Reeve's Paralysis and Death
Date: (paralysis) May 27, 1995; (death) October 10, 2004
It's almost ironic in the most tragic of ways, or like the punchline to a bad joke. Christopher Reeve, who played the Man of Steel, ending up almost completely paralyzed after a horse riding accident. Superman, paralyzed. It's hard to get past that idea. But once you do, you can appreciate the bravery with which Reeve faced every day following the accident. It would have been so easy to give up after losing so much, but instead he found a passion and a cause. He used his fame and fortune to help benefit everyone with spinal cord injuries. The Christopher Reeve Foundation was soon promoting spinal cord research through funding, using grants to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Reeve lobbied Congress, inviting both controversy and praise in the process. He managed to stay active in the arts, making his directorial debute after the accident and even starring in episodes of Smallville and a remake of Rear Window, which he also produced and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award, winning the latter. Reeve kept his body as strong as possible, never giving up hope for a cure. In 2000, he was able to move his finger on command, an act which should have been impossible. Sadly, Christopher Reeve died in October of 2004, but by that time he'd left a legacy far more inspiring than any mere comic book character. Beyond capes, tights and flying, he proved himself worthy of being called "super" in a way few other men ever could.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/deathmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/deathmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Death of Superman"></a>#3 The Death of Superman
Date: November, 1992
It had been announced and planned for months. Newspapers and television reported on it constantly. Speculation abounded and pop culture nay sayers lamented the end of one of America's greatest icons. Of course, not many of these people were comic book readers so "the Death of Superman" had much more of an air of finality to it than those of us who've been reading for a while. All the same, there was a national spotlight placed on the event and people lined up outside of comic book stores to buy the issue, leading to it becoming one of the most reprinted comic books ever. Souvenir black arm bands were worn. Tributes were seen in the form of magazine covers, songs and even an SNL sketch of his funeral. The storyline that proceeded introduced many elements that remain to this day, with characters such as Steel, Superboy and the Cyborg Superman introduced as well as the destruction of Coast City, setting up the eventual downfall of Green Lantern Hal Jordan. People who hadn't read comic books in a long time returned to witness these events unfold...unfortunately, many of them were speculators only buying the issues as a future investment, an investment they saw as being undercut when Superman returned. So while the story and event proved a temporary boon to the comic book industry, it also helped fuel the speculative boom and bust that would leave the industry crippled for years. Of course, just like the Man of Steel, it was destined to come back to life.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/moviemilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/moviemilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Superman the Movie"></a> #2 Superman the Movie is Released
Date: December 15, 1978
"You will believe a man can fly," the posters proclaimed. As theatres dimmed across America, as John Williams' strident score swept across audience's ears, as Marlon Brando leant his Method-inspired gravitas to Superman's father Jor-El...people watched as director Richard Donner and star-in-the-making Christopher Reeve made Superman take flight for the first time in decades. And they believed. Superman: the Movie was not just an impressive resurrection of the character and his world on film, it was an utterly compelling and impressive film all on its own. While nodding to past incarnations, it also delved into brand new territory, giving Superman and Clark Kent an emotional richness they hadn't seen outside of the comic books. There are of course things that seem hokey nowadays. Ned Beatty is woefully misused as the bumbling henchman Otis (seriously, compare this work with his brief scene in Network), and Margot Kidder's spoken word voice over pondering whether or not Superman's powers expand to telepathy is truly eye roll worthy. And yet there is still so much about it that seems innovative to this day, from the level of the performances to the special effects to the script itself. The film combines the mythic and the cartoonish to lasting effect and not only helped introduce Superman to a whole new generation, but also evolved both film and comic books forward and remains something that we all can believe in.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/action1milestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/action1milestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Action Comics #1"></a> #1 Action Comics #1 is Published
Date: June, 1938
For years, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were looking for a home for their new character: Superman. Superman began as a bald madman, a villain who used telepathic powers to terrorize mankind. One fateful day, they wondered if they might find more success with a heroic Superman. The formerly bald head was covered with black hair, the mental powers replaced with a physical prowess far beyond any mortal man. The concept caught the interest of National Periodical Productions (later known as DC Comics), and they decided to not only run Superman in the first issue of their new Action Comics series, but to put him on the cover as well. The result was comic book history and the medium was never the same. Superheroes would come to dominate the American comic book industry (for better or worse), and the cover to Action Comics #1 has become one of the most iconic and homaged covers of all time. Superman is an American Icon, the first image to come to mind when we think of comics and one of the most recognizable figures in all of pop culture. And seventy years ago, he was introduced to us all in Action Comics #1, one issue of one title that changed comic books...and the world.
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Thank you for taking this walk through history with us. We hope you enjoyed the journey, and maybe learned a little something. But ten moments over seven decades? Surely something must have been missed! Discuss your favorite moments below and make your voice heard on our top milestones as well as your own!
Special thanks and acknowledgement to some of our research sources, most formidably the good folks at Wikipedia...and for much of the Golden Age research, Gerard Jones' fascinating look at the beginnings of the comic book industry, Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book, which goes more in depth than we could ever hope to in one column. So check it out! See you next week!
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Actions Comics #1 is Published, Christopher Reeve's Paralysis and Death, The Death of George Reeves: Nick Costanzo
Fleischer Cartoons Introduce Superman to the Big Screen: Jon Hancock
Adventures of Superman Hits the Airwaves, The Death of Superman, Siegel and Shuster Lawsuits, Superman Newspaper Strip Debuts, Superman the Movie is Released, Superman's Wedding: Jordan T. Maxwell
Contributors: Jesse Baer, Anthony Devlin, Chris Eight, James Groves, Marty P, Greg Reeves, Michael Regan, Kevin Sutton, Eric Travis
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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writers involved, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.
By: Nick Costanzo, Jon Hancock, Jordan T. Maxwell
Editor: Jordan T. Maxwell
70 years ago, in the summer of 1938, two kids from Cleveland, Ohio changed the world forever. From their collaborative imagination sprang a hero who has endured for seven decades, transcending his home in comic books to conquer almost every other medium of art and entertainment and catalyzing the creation of an entire genre. He is more than just a fictional superhero. He is an icon (not a bird). He is an ideal (not a plane). He is...SUPERMAN!
To celebrate the Man of Steel's 70th anniversary, Comixfan is proud to bring you a series of features over the course of this summer. For the next seven weeks, we'll be bringing you a unique Top Ten list focusing on different facets of Superman's mythology, history and influence, showcasing 70 reasons why we love the Man of Tomorrow so much.
This week, we cracked our textbooks and took a look through all seven decades of Superman's history...not only in comic books, but in other media and pop culture. Some are moments of triumph, some senseless tragedy. Some will make you smile with nostalgia, some will make you frown at the injustices of times past. And so without further ado, we bring to you now a list of moments we have dubbed...the Top Ten Milestones in Superman History!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/greevesmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/greevesmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="The Death of George Reeves"></a>#10 The Death of George Reeves
Date: June 16, 1959
For George Reeves, the role of Superman was both a blessing and a curse. It brought him extraordinary fame, especially among children. Ever the gentleman, Reeves was serious about being a good role model, going so far as to quit smoking to set a good example. At the same time, the role haunted Reeves, who found it difficult to find any non-Superman-related work. Conflicting reports describe his feelings toward the role of Superman ranging from mild frustration to outright resentment. He had difficulty making money as Superman, and yet had few other options for work. The drama came to a shocking climax on the night of June 16, 1959, when a single gunshot echoed throughout his Hollywood home. His guests found his body soon after, the victim of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Since that fateful night, an aura of urban legend has surrounded the event. Some say he was the victim of a jilted lover, others claim an even deeper level of conspiracy involving a hitman. Some find the official suicide explanation to be the most plausible, and most tragic. Films and documentaries alike have attempted to shed light on the mystery, but regardless of their findings the tragedy remains the same. Forget trying to find some kind of irony here, and for the love of whatever you find holy, spare us the "speeding bullet" jokes. Though he played an iconic superhero, by all accounts George Reeves was a decent and honorable man who always showed his fans the same love and admiration they held for him. It is that memory that makes the man every bit as super as the role he played.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/fleischermilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/fleischermilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Fleischer Cartoons"></a>#9 Fleischer Cartoons Introduce Superman to the Big Screen
Date: September 26, 1941
"Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!" Thus began Superman's first foray onto the big screen, borrowing both the intro of the Adventues of Superman radio show as well as their iconic lead voice actors, Bud Collyer and Joan Alexander as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. The Fleischer Superman cartoons debuted in 1941, setting all sorts of important milestones and records, most impressively an Oscar nomination for the very first short, simply titled Superman. With a budget of $50,000 per episode, the shorts radiate quality. Still available on DVD, these cartoons are a bit cheesy, but gloriously animated with a heavy use of rotoscoping lending a surprising amount of weight and realism. Most importantly, they showed that Superman, and superheroes in general, could have wide appeal to mainstream audiences. There'd be no Superfriends, no Batman Beyond, no X-Men Evolution or Justice League Unlimited if it weren't for Superman showing just how impressive animated comic book adaptations can be. And with such animation legends as Bruce Timm, Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka citing the shorts as influences on their own works, who knows what state animation would be in now if the Fleischer brothers hadn't put the Man of Steel on the silver screen?
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/siegelshustermilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/siegelshustermilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Siegel & Shuster"></a>#8 Siegel and Shuster Take DC to Court
Date: (of initial lawsuit) April, 1947
The Golden Age of comic books is sadly a term that does not extend to the treatment of its creative talent. America was still clawing its way out of the Great Depression, World War II and rationing were on the horizon and the comic book industry was a fledgling enterprise. But whereas most creators were strictly work for hire, two kids from Cleveland with an idea for a character called Superman had their initial work bought FROM them. And so when the copyright was initially about to expire and Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster wanted to buy back the rights to their creation and not have to deal with a lot of the injustices and abuses they faced at the hands of their editors and publishers (particularly surrounding the creation and execution of Superboy), they began their own never ending battle...in the court room. The first lawsuit ended in a loss both legally and professionally as they weren't going to be getting much work from a publisher they'd just tried to sue (though the circumstances of that loss involve so many rumors of back stabbing from supposed friends, it's almost like the comic book industry was being run by gangsters and street toughs...oh, wait...). Both men continued to try to regain control of their creation, even after DC granted them some work and generous stipends, but to no avail. At least, in their lifetimes. As the years passed and both men left this world, the laws changed as well, leaving their heirs and estates capable of doing what had once been impossible: regain some measure of control over their initial creations. Recently, part of the rights for Action Comics #1 were granted to Siegel's wife and daughter, with Shuster's estate set to receive the same. It is a decision that is bound to be appealed and that neither man is alive to see, but it definitely struck a blow for creators' rights...showing that Superman's championing of the little guy isn't always limited to the panels of a comic book.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/stripmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/stripmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Newspaper Strip"></a> #7 Superman Newspaper Strip Debuts
Date: January 16, 1939
While Superman was destined to conquer several media outside of comic books, his first foray beyond their pages was actually a small step backwards to the predecessors of comic books, comic strips. Not even a full year after his debut in Action Comics #1, Siegel and Shuster brought the Man of Steel to daily papers around the country and used the much more prolific medium to introduce many elements that hadn't yet been seen in the comic books, fleshing out not only Superman's origin story (by naming Jor-El and Krypton for the first time) and his rogue's gallery (depicting Lex Luthor as bald for the first time and introducing Mr. Mxyzptlk)), but also beginning such iconic tropes as the phone booth costume change. The strip lasted until May of 1966, initially with Siegel and Shuster at the helm, but eventually showcasing the work of such Golden Age luminaries as Bill Finger, Alvin Schwartz, Wayne Boring and Win Mortimer...as well as the artist probably most identified with Superman through the Silver Age, Curt Swan. While comic books were only sold in gas stations and drug stores, the newspaper comic strip allowed Superman to visit people in their homes everyday, further solidifying his standing as an icon of American pop culture.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventures2milestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventures2milestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Adventures of Superman (radio)"></a><a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventuresmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/adventuresmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Adventures of Superman (TV)"></a> #6 Adventures of Superman Hits the Airwaves
Date: (radio) February 12, 1940; (television) September 19, 1952
The two eponymous series are equally important as they helped kick off Superman's eventual domination of the airwaves. With Bud Collyer providing the voice for both Superman and Clark Kent (with such a distinct change between the two that many believed there were two separate actors voicing each character), the Adventures of Superman radio show brought the Man of Steel into people's homes and introduced such elements into the mythology as Kryptonite, Perry White and the Daily Planet (which proved so popular that they soon replaced the similar George Taylor and Daily Star in the comics), as well as the classic intro..."Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!" The radio show also provided one of the few times Superman has been able to battle actual injustice in our own world, as the Clan of the Fiery Cross storyline not only portrayed Superman taking on the Ku Klux Klan, but actually provided details on secret codewords and rituals that helped undercut the Klan's influence and power across the country. The program lasted for over 11 years...and one year later, the title was adopted for the burgeoning medium of television and for the first time since Kirk Alyn's film serials, people had an actual human face to give their hero as George Reeves donned the famous tights. The introduction was expanded to include "Yes, it's Superman ... strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men! Superman ... who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way!", providing even more iconic phrases that remain a constant part of the Superman lexicon. The show was filmed with a surprisingly low budget, having Superman battle gangsters and more generic mad scientists than any of his established rogues' gallery and eschewing some of the crossovers seen in the radio show with Batman and Robin while also developing the coy and flirtatious relationship between Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane as well as being one of the first shows to move from black and white to color. Kids around the country were fascinated, tying towels around their necks and running around or jumping off of roofs to see if they, too, could fly. Most found they could not. But even while nursing bruises and broken bones, they tuned in to see their hero save the day!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/weddingmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/weddingmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Superman's Wedding"></a>#5 Superman's Wedding
Date: December, 1996
It remains one of pop culture's great love stories as Lois Lane's infatuation with Superman was contrasted with her friendly dismissal of Clark Kent. Of course, in both guises, Superman was head over heels for Lois as well...but felt his responsibilities could never allow them to be together. But in the post Crisis/Man of Steel era, things were allowed to progress and mature beyond sly flirtations and knowing asides from Clark. Lois and Clark's partnership grew into friendship, and eventually into something much more. And even while her interest in Superman was still strong, she began unknowingly dating his alter ego. It was with much fanfare that Clark eventually proposed...and even more shockingly revealed his identity to Lois. Not an imaginary story! No amnesia kisses or anything! The success of this romantic progression for the characters proved to be something of their undoing as a new show hit the airwaves, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. A soapy prime time drama, it focused as much on the relationship of the two main characters as it did on Superman's crime fighting exploits...and in order to not alienate viewers, the comics decided to keep their own Lois and Clark unmarried, which led to a lot of treading water and both characters acting somewhat like jerks to one another (hey, just like a real couple!). Until suddenly, without the same level of consideration, the TV show decided it was time for the two to get married. The comics had to rush to present their own version of the blessed day, dropping or rapidly resolving several storylines to clear the way. But despite all the indecision, squabbling, poor scheduling and rushed planning (hey, just like a real wedding!), almost sixty years after the two first met back in Action Comics #1, Clark Kent and Lois Lane were joined as man and wife in not one but two media. And they remain married and very much in love to this very day. Who says married characters aren't interesting or relatable? Oh, hi Mr. Quesada...didn't see you there. Well. This is awkward. Moving on!
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/creevemilestones.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/creevemilestones.bmp" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Christopher Reeve's Paralysis and Death"></a>#4 Christopher Reeve's Paralysis and Death
Date: (paralysis) May 27, 1995; (death) October 10, 2004
It's almost ironic in the most tragic of ways, or like the punchline to a bad joke. Christopher Reeve, who played the Man of Steel, ending up almost completely paralyzed after a horse riding accident. Superman, paralyzed. It's hard to get past that idea. But once you do, you can appreciate the bravery with which Reeve faced every day following the accident. It would have been so easy to give up after losing so much, but instead he found a passion and a cause. He used his fame and fortune to help benefit everyone with spinal cord injuries. The Christopher Reeve Foundation was soon promoting spinal cord research through funding, using grants to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Reeve lobbied Congress, inviting both controversy and praise in the process. He managed to stay active in the arts, making his directorial debute after the accident and even starring in episodes of Smallville and a remake of Rear Window, which he also produced and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award, winning the latter. Reeve kept his body as strong as possible, never giving up hope for a cure. In 2000, he was able to move his finger on command, an act which should have been impossible. Sadly, Christopher Reeve died in October of 2004, but by that time he'd left a legacy far more inspiring than any mere comic book character. Beyond capes, tights and flying, he proved himself worthy of being called "super" in a way few other men ever could.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/deathmilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/deathmilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Death of Superman"></a>#3 The Death of Superman
Date: November, 1992
It had been announced and planned for months. Newspapers and television reported on it constantly. Speculation abounded and pop culture nay sayers lamented the end of one of America's greatest icons. Of course, not many of these people were comic book readers so "the Death of Superman" had much more of an air of finality to it than those of us who've been reading for a while. All the same, there was a national spotlight placed on the event and people lined up outside of comic book stores to buy the issue, leading to it becoming one of the most reprinted comic books ever. Souvenir black arm bands were worn. Tributes were seen in the form of magazine covers, songs and even an SNL sketch of his funeral. The storyline that proceeded introduced many elements that remain to this day, with characters such as Steel, Superboy and the Cyborg Superman introduced as well as the destruction of Coast City, setting up the eventual downfall of Green Lantern Hal Jordan. People who hadn't read comic books in a long time returned to witness these events unfold...unfortunately, many of them were speculators only buying the issues as a future investment, an investment they saw as being undercut when Superman returned. So while the story and event proved a temporary boon to the comic book industry, it also helped fuel the speculative boom and bust that would leave the industry crippled for years. Of course, just like the Man of Steel, it was destined to come back to life.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/moviemilestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/moviemilestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Superman the Movie"></a> #2 Superman the Movie is Released
Date: December 15, 1978
"You will believe a man can fly," the posters proclaimed. As theatres dimmed across America, as John Williams' strident score swept across audience's ears, as Marlon Brando leant his Method-inspired gravitas to Superman's father Jor-El...people watched as director Richard Donner and star-in-the-making Christopher Reeve made Superman take flight for the first time in decades. And they believed. Superman: the Movie was not just an impressive resurrection of the character and his world on film, it was an utterly compelling and impressive film all on its own. While nodding to past incarnations, it also delved into brand new territory, giving Superman and Clark Kent an emotional richness they hadn't seen outside of the comic books. There are of course things that seem hokey nowadays. Ned Beatty is woefully misused as the bumbling henchman Otis (seriously, compare this work with his brief scene in Network), and Margot Kidder's spoken word voice over pondering whether or not Superman's powers expand to telepathy is truly eye roll worthy. And yet there is still so much about it that seems innovative to this day, from the level of the performances to the special effects to the script itself. The film combines the mythic and the cartoonish to lasting effect and not only helped introduce Superman to a whole new generation, but also evolved both film and comic books forward and remains something that we all can believe in.
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<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/action1milestones.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/columns/superman70/milestones/action1milestones.jpg" align=left border=0 hspace=10 height=200 alt="Action Comics #1"></a> #1 Action Comics #1 is Published
Date: June, 1938
For years, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were looking for a home for their new character: Superman. Superman began as a bald madman, a villain who used telepathic powers to terrorize mankind. One fateful day, they wondered if they might find more success with a heroic Superman. The formerly bald head was covered with black hair, the mental powers replaced with a physical prowess far beyond any mortal man. The concept caught the interest of National Periodical Productions (later known as DC Comics), and they decided to not only run Superman in the first issue of their new Action Comics series, but to put him on the cover as well. The result was comic book history and the medium was never the same. Superheroes would come to dominate the American comic book industry (for better or worse), and the cover to Action Comics #1 has become one of the most iconic and homaged covers of all time. Superman is an American Icon, the first image to come to mind when we think of comics and one of the most recognizable figures in all of pop culture. And seventy years ago, he was introduced to us all in Action Comics #1, one issue of one title that changed comic books...and the world.
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Thank you for taking this walk through history with us. We hope you enjoyed the journey, and maybe learned a little something. But ten moments over seven decades? Surely something must have been missed! Discuss your favorite moments below and make your voice heard on our top milestones as well as your own!
Special thanks and acknowledgement to some of our research sources, most formidably the good folks at Wikipedia...and for much of the Golden Age research, Gerard Jones' fascinating look at the beginnings of the comic book industry, Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book, which goes more in depth than we could ever hope to in one column. So check it out! See you next week!
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Actions Comics #1 is Published, Christopher Reeve's Paralysis and Death, The Death of George Reeves: Nick Costanzo
Fleischer Cartoons Introduce Superman to the Big Screen: Jon Hancock
Adventures of Superman Hits the Airwaves, The Death of Superman, Siegel and Shuster Lawsuits, Superman Newspaper Strip Debuts, Superman the Movie is Released, Superman's Wedding: Jordan T. Maxwell
Contributors: Jesse Baer, Anthony Devlin, Chris Eight, James Groves, Marty P, Greg Reeves, Michael Regan, Kevin Sutton, Eric Travis
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The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writers involved, and are not reflective of Comixfan or its other staff in general.