The Creation of Superman
Joe was ambidextrous and he would switch hands when one
tired from drawing. He often used a breadboard as a drawing surface unless his
mother needed it to bake the challah for Shabbat. His eyesight began to
deteriorate at an early age. Impoverished and unable to afford drawing paper,
he salvaged any scraps that were available. While living in Toronto, Joe
discovered some discarded rolls of wallpaper that he would use over the next
ten years.
Joe Shuster was inspired by the comic strips and science-fantasy pulps of the era. His childhood favorites included Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay and pulp-cover illustrations by Frank R. Paul. As a teenager, Joe idolized Flash Gordon creator Alex Raymond, Tarzan artist Burne Hogarth, and Prince Valiant creator Hal Foster. Shuster would often incorporate contemporary Art Deco cityscape scenes and Streamline Moderne styles similar to Raymond.
Joe Shuster was inspired by the comic strips and science-fantasy pulps of the era. His childhood favorites included Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay and pulp-cover illustrations by Frank R. Paul. As a teenager, Joe idolized Flash Gordon creator Alex Raymond, Tarzan artist Burne Hogarth, and Prince Valiant creator Hal Foster. Shuster would often incorporate contemporary Art Deco cityscape scenes and Streamline Moderne styles similar to Raymond.
Writer Jerome Siegel was born in Cleveland on October
17, 1914. The Siegel family immigrated from Lithuania in 1900 to escape
Jewish persecution. Jerry's father owned Michael's Men's Furnishings, a
second-hand clothing store on Central Avenue. One day, his older brother
Harry brought home an issue of Amazing Stories that would forever
change his life.
Jerry would crawl underneath his bed to write. In an
unpublished draft of his autobiography Creation of a Superhero, Jerry
recalled his earliest science fiction work being printed in the kids'
section of the Buffalo Times around 1927. Jerry claimed to have
received a piece of fan mail for a story titled "Monsters of the Moon"
printed in serial form. He ordered back issues of the Sunday and evening
editions, but was unable to locate any copies of the work.
Jerry Siegel's early writing style was heavily
influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the creator of Tarzan and John Carter of
Mars. Siegel would later meet his idol Burroughs while stationed in Hawaii
during
World War II.
Like the Judaic prophet Moses, Tarzan was orphaned as a
child in a strange land. Created in 1911, John Carter travels to another
planet and fights for an oppressed alien race. Carter is endowed with
superhuman strength and the ability to leap great distances due to the
lighter gravity of Mars. First published in 1913,
The Warlord of Mars contains inner monologue from John Carter
stating, "I was a superman, and no man could have withstood me then."
In August 1929, Jerry created The Fantastic Fiction Publication Company and released Cosmic Stories, one of the first known science fiction fanzines. Each booklet was typed and hectographed by Jerry under the alias Charles McEvoy, one of many pseudonyms. Siegel enjoyed using pen names as another way to emulate Burroughs, who had first published under the alias Norman Bean. About ten copies of Cosmic Stories were produced. The work was considered to be lost by 1935 and no examples are known to exist. The pamphlet included original stories from science fiction pioneer Clare Winger Harris and Walter L. Dennis, co-founder of the Science Correspondence Club.
Walter Dennis worked as a newspaper reporter in Chicago and
co-edited the first two issues of The Comet, a fanzine released in
May 1930. Jerry exchanged letters and stories with Walter, whose physical appearance and
occupation were an early inspiration for Clark Kent.
The name is a combination of movie actors Clark
Gable and Kent Taylor. Jerry was fascinated by the contrast between a
"mighty hero" and an "ineffectual weakling." Pulp heroes like The Shadow and
Doc Savage, as well as The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro helped to inspire the dual-identity. Both Jerry and Joe wore glasses,
which Jerry believed gave an "impression of meekness and mildness" similar
to actor Harold Lloyd. In the silent films, Lloyd would start off being
pushed around and bullied before "turning into a fighting whirlwind." As a
teenager, Jerry wrote an unproduced one-act play titled
The Fighting Journalist that he credits as the origination of himself
and Clark Kent.
In the August 1983 issue of NEMO: The Classic Comics Library,
Jerry explained, "You see, Clark Kent grew not only out of my private
life, but also out of Joe’s. As a high school student, I thought that some
day I might become a reporter, and I had crushes on several attractive
girls who either didn’t know I existed or didn’t care I existed. As a
matter of fact, some of them looked like they hoped I didn’t exist. It
occurred to me: What if I was real terrific? What if I had something
special going for me, like jumping over buildings or throwing cars around
or something like that? Then maybe they would notice me."
Joe Shuster arrived at Glenville High in 1930 and Jerry's cousin
arranged an introduction. Both boys shared the same enthusiasm for comic
strips, Douglas Fairbanks films, and science fiction pulps. Their first
comic collaboration in 1931 was The Interplanetary Police, inspired by Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. The second was Steve Walsh, a "scientific adventure extraordinary" and inventor of the
"penetrascope." The machine can see and hear through all substances, an
early example of x-ray vision and super-hearing. One of their early
cartoons appeared in the Glenville Torch on May 7, 1931. "Goober the Mighty" was a racist caricature that
combined elements of Tarzan and Popeye the Sailor Man.
Gladiator by Philip Wilde was first
published in 1930. Professor Abednego Danner genetically alters his son
Hugo, giving him superhuman abilities. Hugo Danner is raised in a rural
Colorado town and taught to conceal his powers. At an early age, Hugo
says, “I can jump higher’n a house. I can run faster’n a train.” Hugo
tells his father, “I’m like a man made out of iron instead of meat.” To
isolate himself, Hugo constructs a solitary fortress in the woods. Hugo
considers becoming a "super-detective" that punishes criminals, but
ultimately wanders the planet as a loner.
The Steranko History of Comics, Vol. 1 incorrectly claims that Jerry Siegel reviewed Gladiator in an issue
of Science Fiction. Jerry later commented, "I had read and enjoyed Philip Wylie's book ,'The Gladiator'. It
influenced me, too."
The Time Traveller was a fanzine released on
January 9, 1932, co-edited by future Superman editors Mortimer Weisinger and
Julius Schwartz. Jerry was among the first subscribers to what was billed as "Science
Fiction's Only Fan Magazine." Jerry submitted short stories to
The Time Traveller, but all were rejected.
The March 1932 issue of
The Author and Journalist announced the debut of
Science Fiction from Morantz Publications. Sam Morantz lived on the
same street as Jerry and his father owned a printing company. The magazine
was touted as "a new market for the work of science fiction writers."
Editors Jerome Siegel and Bernard J. Kenton offered 1/4 to 3 cents per word
for "tales in which the interest does not lag."
The solicitation sought work similar to P. Schuyler Miller and Francis Flagg. Both authors were prominently featured in the science pulp magazines. Miller had previously collaborated with Walter Dennis for two works published in Wonder Stories. Francis Flagg, a pseudonym of George Henry Weiss, published a short story titled "The Superman of Dr. Jukes" in the November 1931 issue of Wonder Stories.
A government scientist named Dr. Jukes injects a
mobster named Killer Mike with an experimental serum. Killer Mike
develops superhuman speed, strength, and telepathic powers. Jerry wrote
about Francis Flagg in letters printed in the pulps. As a
subscriber and active contributor to Wonder Stories, Jerry would
have read "The Superman of Dr. Jukes."
On April 14 and April 21, 1932, the Glenville Torch reported that a script was being published in Amazing Stories by a Glenville graduate named Bernard J. Kenton. At different
times, the Bernard J. Kenton alias may have been Jerry or his friend
Bernard Kantor – or both. Kantor later contributed plots as a
ghostwriter on early Superman comic book features. The story "Miracles
on Antares" was never published and editor T. O'Conor Sloane later
returned the manuscript to Jerry.
On June 2, 1932, Michael Siegel collapsed and died
due to "acute dilation of heart" during a robbery at the clothing store.
The three perpetrators were never identified. Jerry continued to compile
material for the upcoming magazine. To promote the new
"Scientific-fiction novelty," an advertisement was printed in the
September 1932 issue of
Amazing Stories. The contact address was now
the Siegel home on Kimberley Avenue.
A note from the editorial department promotes
The Time Crusaders as a limited edition novel by Jerome Siegel and
Bernard J. Kenton. Jerry later worked on The Time Crusaders as
a comic strip collaboration with pulp artist Clay Ferguson, Jr.
The second Fantastic Fiction release in October 1932 was an original story by Jerry Siegel as Hugh Langley. Guests of the Earth is about an alien invasion that is later revealed to be a hoax. The afterword was provided by science fiction icon Forrest J Ackerman. Jerry showed the booklet to an English teacher who expressed disapproval of the genre. The print run for Guests of the Earth is unknown.
%20-%201932.png "Guests of the Earth by High Langley (Jerry Siegel) - 1932")
The first issues of
Science Fiction: The Advance Guard of Future Civilization were
mailed to subscribers in October 1932. The 8.5 x 11 inch booklets were
compiled, edited, and typed by Jerry Siegel. All five installments of
Science Fiction were mimeographed after school hours at Glenville
High. Joe Shuster provided stencil illustrations with contributions from
schoolmate Bernie Schmittke and pulp artist Clay Ferguson, Jr. The
fanzine was sold by mail order for 15 cents each or $1.50 a year. The
total circulation for all five issues was about 200 copies.
The chemical was made of meteor fragments from a "Dark
Planet," an early precursor of "K-Metal" and kryptonite. The bald villain and mad scientist motifs are evocative of the Golden
Age Lex Luthor. Forrest Ackerman appears as an investigating newspaper
reporter on assignment from "The Chief." The story is signed as Herbert
S. Fine, a combination of Jerry's cousin Herbert Schwartz and his
mother's maiden name.
Julius Schwartz later credited
The Time Traveller as the inspiration for Siegel to
produce Science Fiction, thus leading to the creation of
Superman. However, Jerry had previously released the
Cosmic Stories fanzine in 1929. According to Jerry, the
motivation to self-publish came from constantly being rejected.
The fourth issue of Science Fiction features
a preview of the
1933 World's Fair in Chicago
and a fictional review of the RKO feature King Kong, both
illustrated and stenciled by Joe. The fourth issue was mailed to
subscribers in February 1933, two months before the actual release of
King Kong.
Mort Weisinger contributed a satirical news column under the name Ian Rectez. Weisinger would later become editor of the Superman titles in 1941. Pulp artist Clay Ferguson Jr. provided an illustration for "Technocracy" that was transposed to stencil by Joe.
In 1978, Jerry revealed that he read
Doc Savage Magazine "with fascination." The Steranko History of Comics, Vol. 1 incorrectly claims that Jerry copied the name Superman from Doc
Savage. "The Reign of the Superman" was written by Jerry in 1932 and
released in January 1933.
In July 1933, Jerry corresponded with artist Leo
O'Mealia to collaborate on the strip. "Superman" was revamped as a
scientist from a future of evolved superhumans. Before the destruction
of Earth, the scientist travels back to the 1930s in a time machine.
Superman decides to use his abilities to fight crime during the
Depression. Bell Syndicate expressed interest and O'Mealia allegedly
began drawing in September. O'Mealia suggested that Jerry include a
female romance element. Jerry never received any completed artwork and his letters to
O'Mealia remained unanswered for almost a year.
In a letter to Jerry dated August 22, 1933, Consolidated Book Publishers wrote that the company was shutting down. Feeling betrayed and frustrated by rejection, Joe destroyed his own pages of "The Superman" from the Consolidated samples. All that remains of the early prototype is a penciled concept and a finished cover. Coincidentally, Leo O'Mealia would later illustrate the cover of Superman #1 (Summer 1939) based on an image drawn by Joe.
In a letter to Jerry dated August 22, 1933, Consolidated Book Publishers wrote that the company was shutting down. Feeling betrayed and frustrated by rejection, Joe destroyed his own pages of "The Superman" from the Consolidated samples. All that remains of the early prototype is a penciled concept and a finished cover. Coincidentally, Leo O'Mealia would later illustrate the cover of Superman #1 (Summer 1939) based on an image drawn by Joe.
In this version, the last man on Earth transports
his son back in time to 1935. The time machine is found by Sam and Molly
Kent. Inside, the three-year old boy is outfitted with a round emblem
and notched boots. The child awakens and begins to display usual
superhuman abilities. Sam and Molly adopt the boy and name him Clark
Kent. As he grew older, Clark could "leap over a ten story building" and
"run as fast as an express train." The newspaper syndicates were not
interested and Keaton eventually departed from the project.
According to Joe, Jerry named the character after
his high school crush, Lois Amster. Lois was inspired by Torchy Blane, a
detective reporter portrayed in films from 1937–1938 by actresses Glenda
Farrell and Lola Lane. Joanne and Jerry married each other in Cleveland
on October 14, 1948. The full name of Lois Joanne Lane was revealed in
Superman: The Wedding Album (December 1996).
Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson began as an adventure pulp writer in 1924. In 1925, Wheeler-Nicholson founded the Nicholson Publishing Company, Inc. as a newspaper syndicate. In the autumn of 1934, the Major launched National Allied Publications, Inc., also known as National Allied Newspaper Syndicate, Inc. On January 11, 1935, National released New Fun #1, the first regularly published comic book comprised of all-original material.
Wheeler-Nicholson reviewed sample sketches from
Joe that were submitted on the old wallpaper from Toronto and some brown
wrapping paper. In a letter dated June 6, 1935, Wheeler-Nicholson
offered Siegel and Shuster a feature in New Fun as an audition
for the magazine. Joe borrowed money from his parents to purchase proper
art paper and the team was paid $20 for two pages. The black and white
stories were printed in New Fun #6, dated October 1935.
The first paid assignment was "Henri Duval of France, Famed Soldier of Fortune." Conceived by Wheeler-Nicholson, Henri Duval is a Douglas Fairbanks inspired swashbuckler in the vein of The Three Musketeers. The three-part story "Rescuing the King" continued over the next two issues renamed More Fun. Jerry and Joe produced six Henri Duval features before the series ended. A different character named Henri Duval later commits suicide in a Doctor Occult story by Jerry and Joe in More Fun Comics #24 (September 1937).
The first paid assignment was "Henri Duval of France, Famed Soldier of Fortune." Conceived by Wheeler-Nicholson, Henri Duval is a Douglas Fairbanks inspired swashbuckler in the vein of The Three Musketeers. The three-part story "Rescuing the King" continued over the next two issues renamed More Fun. Jerry and Joe produced six Henri Duval features before the series ended. A different character named Henri Duval later commits suicide in a Doctor Occult story by Jerry and Joe in More Fun Comics #24 (September 1937).
"Doctor Occult, the Ghost Detective" was
a new creation from Jerry and Joe about a Sam Spade gumshoe that
specializes in supernatural cases. The debut was signed as Leger and
Reuths, an anagram alias for the pair. The feature notably depicts the
first appearance of a vampire in a comic book. "The Vampire Master"
story continued over the next two issues renamed More Fun.
Today, Doctor Occult is the earliest recurring DC Comics character that
remains in continuity
On a "hot summer night" in 1935, Jerry refined the
Superman character into version more recognizable today. The story
begins on an unnamed doomed planet. A scientist places his infant son
into a rocket ship and launches it towards Earth. Like John Carter of Mars, this
iteration of Superman could leap great distances due to his homeworld
being larger than Earth.
The alter-ego of Clark Kent is presented as a mild-mannered
detective reporter. Clark is infatuated with a beautiful coworker named
Lois. She adores Superman, but despises Clark for being a coward.
Joe penciled four weeks of newspaper strips for the new character. The first week was inked, lettered, photostatted, and mailed to the syndicates. Joe outfitted Superman in a colorful circus strongman costume. Jerry suggested the swashbuckler cape and S-symbol, originally shaped like a shield. According to Jerry, the cape provided "more action and movement." Joe said that he was inspired by silent films starring Douglas Fairbanks, especially Robin Hood. "He always stands with his hands on his hips and feet apart, laughing, as if he doesn’t take anything seriously."
Joe penciled four weeks of newspaper strips for the new character. The first week was inked, lettered, photostatted, and mailed to the syndicates. Joe outfitted Superman in a colorful circus strongman costume. Jerry suggested the swashbuckler cape and S-symbol, originally shaped like a shield. According to Jerry, the cape provided "more action and movement." Joe said that he was inspired by silent films starring Douglas Fairbanks, especially Robin Hood. "He always stands with his hands on his hips and feet apart, laughing, as if he doesn’t take anything seriously."
By 1936, the Superman chest emblem had changed from
the shield-badge to a triangle shape. In early sketches, Joe depicted
Superman in a sleeveless leotard worn by wrestlers and strongmen of the
era. Jerry and Joe correctly envisioned Superman becoming a marketing
phenomena.
Jerry and Joe were given work on additional features
at National. "Federal Men" was based on the 1935 film G Men,
and "Calling All Cars featuring Sandy Kean and the Radio Squad" was a
copy of the popular radio show Calling All Cars. The title
was later shortened to "Radio Squad." In a letter dated October 4, 1935,
Wheeler-Nicholson made a vague offer to publish Superman in tabloid
format, but Jerry and Joe rejected the proposal. National was struggling
to pay contributors on time. Jerry and Joe wanted their new hero in
newspaper syndication.
Managers William H. Cook and John Mahone left National and began publishing artists and stories originally contracted by Wheeler-Nicholson. Doctor Occult was renamed "Dr. Mystic: The Occult Detective" for one story printed in The Comics Magazine #1 (May 1936). "Federal Agent" in The Comics Magazine Funny Pages #2 (June 1936) introduces Bart Regan, a spy detective created by Jerry and Joe later published in Detective Comics as "Spy".
Managers William H. Cook and John Mahone left National and began publishing artists and stories originally contracted by Wheeler-Nicholson. Doctor Occult was renamed "Dr. Mystic: The Occult Detective" for one story printed in The Comics Magazine #1 (May 1936). "Federal Agent" in The Comics Magazine Funny Pages #2 (June 1936) introduces Bart Regan, a spy detective created by Jerry and Joe later published in Detective Comics as "Spy".
Jerry and Joe would use the early stories to experiment with their Superman prototype. The "Dr. Mystic" story
published in The Comics Magazine #1 continues in More Fun Comics
#14 (October 1936). Doctor Occult and Zator fly through the spiritual
world wearing the uniform of "The Seven," a red cape with red boots,
blue trunks, and a triangular chest emblem. The sword and uniform
resemble the comic strip depictions of John Carter of Mars.
New Adventure Comics #12 (January 1937) was
released on December 19, 1936. The "Federal Men" story focuses on an
agent named Jor-L in the year 3000 A.D. Jor-L is an anagram of Jerome
Siegel. The names Jor-L and Lora would later appear as the biological
parents of Superman in the January 16, 1939, newspaper strip. The
spellings were changed to Jor-el and Lara in
The Adventures of Superman novel by George Lowther, published on November 2, 1942.
Major Wheeler-Nicholson planned to launch two more
magazines, Detective Comics and Action Comics. In
order to finance the venture, the Major turned to publisher Harry
Donenfeld and his accountant Jack Liebowitz. Donenfeld owned a
printing plant and the newsstand distributor Independent News Co.
Donenfeld and Liebowitz were both prominent socialists in the
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU).
Detective Comics, Inc., later known as DC Comics,
was organized on December 30, 1936. Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and Jack
Liebowitz were listed as the principal owners. The first issue of
Detective Comics hit newsstands on February 10, 1937. The debut
features a 13-page Siegel and Shuster story for Slam Bradley, and
four pages of Bart Regan, Spy. The cover feature and Slam Bradley
story highlight prejudices toward Asians during the
Yellow Peril and rise of the Nazi party. The early comic books published by National and DC depict ethnic
stereotypes that are considered obscene by modern standards.
Wheeler-Nicholson first outlined the character concept for Slam Bradley in a letter to Jerry dated May 13, 1936. According to Joe, "Slam Bradley was a dry run for Superman." "We turned it out with no restrictions, complete freedom to do what we wanted; the only problem was that we had a deadline." In order to work faster, Jerry and Joe pioneered the technique of using large action splash panels in comic books.
Harry Donenfeld and Independent News Co. took over
distribution for National with Detective Comics #2
(April 1937). On December 4, 1937, Jerry and Joe signed a two-year
agreement acknowledging that all work done for Detectives Comics would
become "sole and exclusive property" of DC. Wheeler-Nicholson produced
an ashcan for Action Comics, but was now in debt to Harry
Donenfeld for $63,380. On December 30, 1937, Donenfeld and Liebowitz
initiated bankruptcy proceedings against Nicholson Publishing in order
to buy Wheeler-Nicholson out of National and DC.
On January 10, 1938, Detective Comics editor Vin
Sullivan wrote to Jerry Siegel about featuring Superman in the new
Action Comics magazine. During a conference call with Jack
Liebowitz at DC and Max Gaines at the McClure Syndicate, Jerry agreed to
let DC use the Superman newspaper samples.
On February 1, 1938, Sullivan mailed the strips back
to Jerry and requested a 13-page story in tabloid format. Three weeks of
older penciled stories were inked and lettered by Joe. The scenes were
cut and pasted onto pages of 6–8 panels. Eight days of the original
story were omitted and additional panels were included for continuity
purposes.
The first panels were redrawn to include an origin
story and "a scientific explanation of Clark Kent's amazing strength."
The story begins on a distant planet destroyed by old age. A scientist
places his infant son into a rocket ship and launches it towards Earth.
The baby is discovered by a passing motorist and taken to an orphanage.
As an adult, Clark Kent could "leap 1/8 of a mile," "raise tremendous
weights," and "run faster than an express train."
Krypton,
Kal-L, Jor-L, and Lora are not yet named.
.png "Superman, Action Comics 1 (June 1938)")
In the first adventure,
Superman is still unknown to the public. He bursts into the Governor's
mansion and demands a pardon for an innocent woman. Back at the
Daily Star, Clark Kent receives a tip to stop an armed domestic
dispute. He returns to ask
Lois out on a date and she reluctantly accepts. Lois is only referred
to by her first name.
.png "Clark Kent & Lois Lane, Action Comics #1 (June 1938)")
That night, Clark is challenged by a gangster named
Butch Mason. Clark refuses to fight and Lois leaves in disgust. Mason
and his men abduct Lois and drive away, only to be intercepted by
Superman. The hero lifts Mason's coupe and smashes it into a boulder.
Jerry Siegel suggested that Vin Sullivan use the car scene for the cover
artwork. The scene was later redrawn for the 1939 newspaper strip.
.png "Panel 67, Action Comics 1 (June 1938)")
Clark is given an assignment to investigate a
warring South American republic named San Monte. As Superman, he travels
to Washington, D.C., and kidnaps a corrupt lobbyist. The story concludes
in Action Comics #2 (July 1938). A final splash panel was added
that depicts the first image of Superman breaking chains.
.png "Panel 98, Action Comics 1 (June 1938)")
Some of the Superman images have been compared to
illustrations from the 1930 booklet Molding a Mighty Chest by
strongman George F. Jowett. Publications from the Jowett Institute of
Physical Culture were frequently advertised in the pulps, and later in
issues of Action Comics and Superman.
.png "George F. Jowett, Molding a Mighty Chest (1930)")
.png "George F. Jowett, Molding a Mighty Chest, p 31 (1930)")
The cover art for Action Comics #1 was
illustrated by an unnamed staff member at Detective Comics. On February
22, 1938, Vin Sullivan mailed a silver print of the finished cover to
Jerry Siegel, writing, "You'll note that we already used one of those
panel drawings of Superman, as you suggested in your recent letter." The
costume that appears on the cover contains the shield chest emblem and
boot design from the 1935 McClure submissions.
.png "Action Comics #1 Silver Print (February 1938)")
On March 1, 1938, Jack Liebowitz signed a paycheck
to Jerry and Joe for $412. Included was a contract that gave Superman to
Detective Comics, Inc. "to have and hold forever." They were paid a
total of $130 for the first Superman feature. The remaining money was
for previous work unpaid by Wheeler-Nicholson. In 1979, Jerry lamented,
"The legal release, which Joe and I signed, caused us much grief later."
On April 5, 1938, Superman first appeared on
newsstands in a black-and-white advertisement for the new
Action Comics. The ad was printed on the inside covers of More Fun Comics #31, Detective Comics #15, and
New Adventure Comics #26.
Action Comics #1 was copyrighted on April 18,
1938, and there were 202,000 copies produced. The 64-page
issue began to arrive on newsstands by the first week of May. The
cover date is June 1938 and the price for the historical book was ten
cents.
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