History of Superman - Part I: The Early Years

 By Cameron Copeland

In 1938 Action Comics #1 debuted a hero who would reshape the destiny of both the fictional world of Action Comics (which would later turn into DC Comics) and the real world. As a distant world is facing its demise a scientist placed his infant son inside a hastily devised spaceship and launched it into space where it traveled and crash landed onto Earth. A passing motorist noticed the sleeping baby in a strange capsule and took the child to a nearby orphanage where the caretakers were astonished by his extraordinary strength. As the baby, Clark, grew older he discovered his ability to effortlessly jump over 20 floor buildings in a single bound, lift tremendous weights, and run faster than an express train, and impenetrable skin.

Clark decided early on he must use his gifts for the betterment of humanity and thus he became Superman, the champion of the oppressed notably saving a woman from an abusive man in his debut. He dedicated his life to assisting those in need, Clark's immense power is attributed to his extraterrestrial origins where the inhabitants of his home planet simply possessed physical attributes far superior to humanity, comparable to those of ants lifting hundreds of times their own weight or grasshoppers able to jump distances of multiple story blocks. And so begins the adventures of the most iconic comic book character ever.

Superman was never intended to be a comic book character however. Comic books themselves were a new creation when he was created back in 1938. Instead his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Siegel wrote and Shuster drew, wanted him to be a character found on his very own comic strips on newspaper. They pitched the character, even creating their own comic strips for it, for years only to get rejected every time until finally someone decided to take a chance on the character, only it was no newspaper. It was an upcoming anthology magazine called Action Comics that was looking for stories to feature in its first issue that would captivate the imaginations of readers.

The publisher was interested in Superman to headline the book but all their newspaper strips but all their newspaper strips would need to be cup and rearranged to fit the format of a comic book. And one of those images would be from the Man of Steel's first story would be used for the iconic cover. It's an image that has spawned countless copycats, parodies, and homages in the 80 plus years since it was first published. A cover which one unfamiliar with the character, however unlikely that is now, may think is a costumed villain intentionally causing an occupied car to smash against the rocky terrain.

Going back to Superman's creation, Jerry Siegel was inspired by science fiction and societal issues. He wanted Superman to stand for truth, justice, and the American way. Joe Shuster's drawings made Superman strong and heroic, with a unique costume. Together they made the iconic character which by Action Comics #4 the character was already proving popular. Astounded the publisher, who allegedly called the cover image "ridiculous", is reported to have gone down to his local newsstand and asked a nearby child why he chose Action Comics. The child supposedly replied by expressing his favor for the featured Superman comic.

The early years were key in shaping Superman. They were influenced by science fiction and societal issues of the time. This period saw Superman grow into the hero we love today. Superman's early tales drew from 1930s science fiction. They mixed adventure and fantasy. The first Superman costume is a blue and red suit with a cape. It's a symbol of his dedication to truth and justice. Though it's changed, its essence remains the same. As Superman's fame grew so too did his rogue gallery with the Ultra-Humanite and Alexander Luthor, Jr. being his two earliest and most notable supervillains he often faced.

Superman's journey into popular culture during the 1940s was marked by two iconic adaptations: the Superman radio show and the Fleischer Superman cartoons. These media ventures played a pivotal role in shaping the Man of Steel's enduring legacy and introducing him to a wider audience beyond comic books.

The The Adventures of Superman radio show, which premiered in 1940, became an instant sensation, captivating listeners with its thrilling serialized adventures. It featured the voice talents of Bud Collyer as Clark Kent/Superman and Joan Alexander as Lois Lane, bringing to life the heroic exploits of Superman in Metropolis. The radio show's success was fueled by its engaging storytelling and the dramatic portrayal of Superman's battles against villains like Lex Luthor and the Ultra-Humanite. It not only expanded Superman's fanbase but also set a precedent for how superheroes could be adapted to a non-visual medium, influencing future radio dramas.

Simultaneously, the Fleischer Superman cartoons debuted in 1941, setting a new standard for animated storytelling and visual effects. Produced by Fleischer Studios and later by Famous Studios, these animated shorts were celebrated for their high production values, dynamic action sequences, and iconic art deco-inspired animation style. They showcased Superman's abilities in vivid detail, from his soaring flights to his epic battles against foes like the Mad Scientist and the Mechanical Monsters. The cartoons were praised for their innovative use of animation techniques, including rotoscoping, which gave Superman a fluid and realistic movement unmatched in animation at the time.

Siegel and Shuster sold the rights to the company for $130 and a contract to supply the publisher with material. The Saturday Evening Post  reported in 1960 that the pair was being paid $75,000 each per year, still a fraction of DC's Superman profits. In 1964, when Siegel and Shuster sued for more money, DC fired them, prompting a legal battle that ended in 1967, when they accepted $200,000 and signed away any further claim to Superman or any character created from him. DC soon took Siegel's and Shuster's names off the byline. Following the huge financial success of Superman movie in 1978 in 1978 and news reports of their pauper-like existences, Warner Communications gave Siegel and Shuster lifetime pensions of $35,000 per year and health care benefits. In addition, any media production which includes the Superman character must include the credit, "Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster".

Throughout the decades of Superman's existence, DC sued several competing comic book publishers for introducing superheroes with similar powers. Among these companies were Fox Feature Syndicate for its character Wonderman, and Fawcett Comics character Master Man. In 1941, DC filed a lawsuit against Fawcett over their top-selling character of the time, Captain Marvel, whom DC saw as a Superman clone. During the case, Fawcett fought the lawsuit, and continued publishing Captain Marvel, who surpassed Superman and other superheroes in sales in the mid-1940s. By 1953, the case had been in litigation for 12 years and in court for five. The case was decided in DC's favor. Fawcett paid DC a fine and ceased publication of all Captain Marvel-related comics. DC would later acquire the rights to Captain Marvel in the 1970s and the former rival characters would be presented as allies, with Captain Marvel often serving as the Kryptonian's substitute in emergencies.

Superman's legacy is not merely that of a comic book hero but a cultural icon whose influence extends far beyond the panels of his debut. From humble beginnings in 1938's Action Comics #1, Superman soared into the hearts of readers, embodying the ideals of truth, justice, and the American way. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster amidst a backdrop of societal change and burgeoning science fiction, Superman's journey from rejected comic strip to global sensation underscores the enduring power of imagination and resilience. As Superman continues to inspire generations, his story remains a testament to the enduring impact of hope and heroism in an ever-changing world.

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