Robers Armand

Ms Cunningham
Endglish 102
Superman through the Ages
Superman is known as one of the greatest Cultural Icons of the Modern Age. Since his creation
in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, he has precipitated the launch of a creative renaissance in
American and World pop Culture. The Super-hero genre itself was started in Superman’s first appearance
in Action Comics #1. From the very Superman has represented a mixture of influences as diverse a
Jewish mysticism, Greek Mythology, pulp adventure magazines, and Nietschean philosophy. .As he has
evolved, he’s also has been a representative of changing culture mores’ concerning the image of manhood
in American society.
Just about everyone knows the basic story of Superman. A Super powered alien from the planet
Krypton, sent by his scientist father to escape that planet’s destruction, baby Kal-El was found and raised
by an elderly rural couple, who taught him to use his gifts to help others, Clark Kent creates the persona
of Superman, costumed Man of Steel who helps the oppressed and punishes evil. Disguised as meek and
mild mannered reporter Clark Kent in order to gain access to world crises, Superman fights the battle for
Truth Justice and the American Way.
Superman first appearance at the beginning what is now known as the ‘Golden Age’ of Comics.
Originally he was a social crusader and champion of the oppressed, rights social wrongs of the
Depression era like the execution of innocent prisoners, domestic abuse, child labor, slum lords, and
fascist collusion in industry and government. Back then Superman was like a force of nature, a confident,
wise cracking avenger. His creator Siegel once described him as ‘"I am lying in bed counting sheep when
all of a sudden it hits me. I conceive a character like Samson, Hercules and all the strong men I ever heard
tell of rolled into one."(1) When World War II came around, Superman was out there before the Allies,
hauling in Hitler and Mussolini into the International Tribunals. A the war marched on, like the rest of the
superhero comic genre he started, Superman w as used mostly as a pro-American propaganda, inspiring
the mostly young readership to support the troops. This trend made Superman a more mainstream figure
than the almost subversive force against institutional oppression he was created to be at first.
In the post World War II era, Superman in the comics was hitting a bit of a slump. Luckily by the
time the early 50s rolled around there was a creative renaissance on the verge for the industry. Now called
the Silver Age of Comics, this trend rejuvenated the genre after years of post world war Cold War
repression. During this time Superman became a more grandiose, mythical character under the editorial
direction of Mort Wesinger. The stories he was in became almost fable-like, imparting morality tales and
epic, cosmos spanning adventures. Instead of being an avenger for the little guy against the big forces of
corporate and government corruption, Superman now became the world—and even the universe’s-- top
cop, similar to how America was viewed(or how America viewed itself) on the world stage after WWII.
Superman w as frequently compared to, and even encountered, the various heroes of myths which were
his inspirations like Hercules, Atlas and Samson.

By the time the 70’s rolled around, the post civil rights era gave way to a much more cinical and
less innocent view of the world in society in general.
(1)Murray, Will “Gladiator of Iron”, Gladiator Essays and Perspective, Web July 20, 2010
<http://members.socket.net/~hiebert/Essays/Of%20Iron_by_Murray.htm>

Siegel, Jerry, “ Happy Anniversary, Superman!” Superman Though the Ages, 1983
<http://theages.superman.nu/siegel.php>