Remember This?: ‘Faster Than A Speeding Bullet, More Powerful Than A Locomotive, Able To Leap Tall Buildings In A Single Bound’
By Terry Hughes
Yes, he’s back as noted in recent discoveries of copies of early issues fetching millions of dollars for those in possession of two such documents, one displayed above. The fact that the authors were Canadian and American adds to the story of developing a super hero during the Depression who already had Tarzan, Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon in the media and outlasted them all.
Since 1938 this comic book hero has enjoyed radio and television broadcasts and numerous movies as well as the popular paperback comics that have entertained millions of fans throughout the decades.
In the beginning, he would champion the rule of law and order much needed during the crime ridden years of the 1930’s and oppose those enemies who threatened the democracies during the Second World War. Time after time he would work his wonders until the present day still bringing truth and honour to the American way.
The evaluation of his character and physique is timely. His physical features were enhanced in each period thanks to superior artistry in comics and better images in television and recent movies.
The image of George Reeves stuffed with rubber in the t.v. series as opposed to Christopher Reeve’s musculature in the first movie is a prime example. His personal dealings with women evolved from his initial hands-off engagements with fellow newspaper reporter Lois Lane to more intimate relationships with characters shown below that included Wonder Woman and the Mermaid.
Superman would spawn many other heroes to comic books and later, movies which brings me to an accompanying picture celebrating his fiftieth birthday, image shown below. How many characters can you identify that played a role in the times in which we have seen Superman evolve over the years? The answer will be found in our next article.
(Credit: the 1988 edition of Time magazine for the colourful images used here.)
Next column: A Tale of Two Canal Cities
(Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage and history. His opinion column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)
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