The Fortress of Solitude
A secret lair for Superman existed in various forms throughout the Golden Age.
Clark Kent was first revealed to have a laboratory in Action Comics #32
(January 1941). Superman conducts chemical analysis inside a "hidden
laboratory" in World's Finest Comics #11 (Fall 1943).
The Secret Citadel first appeared in "Muscles for Sale" by Jerry Siegel, published in Superman #17 (July–August 1942). The hidden refuge was located on a remote mountain peak outside of Metropolis. The universe is designated as Earth-Two in DC Comics continuity. The Secret Citadel contains trophies from previous adventures and a gymnasium for Superman.
The Secret Citadel first appeared in "Muscles for Sale" by Jerry Siegel, published in Superman #17 (July–August 1942). The hidden refuge was located on a remote mountain peak outside of Metropolis. The universe is designated as Earth-Two in DC Comics continuity. The Secret Citadel contains trophies from previous adventures and a gymnasium for Superman.
The "mountain retreat" and super-gym are next seen in
World's Finest Comics #7 (Fall 1942). The Superman emblem on the Secret
Citadel is revealed to be an exit door.
Superman first referred to the hideaway as "My Fortress of Solitude!" in
Superman #58 (May 1949). The Fortress and gymnasium are now located in
"the polar wastes." A different fortress "especially constructed by Superman
for the Kents' protection" is seen in Action Comics #132 (May 1949).
The concept of a "Fortress of Solitude" in the Arctic first appeared in
Doc Savage #23 (October 1938). The pulp novel was written by Lester
Dent as Kenneth Robeson. The "Strange Blue Dome" is a secret research
facility constructed by the "Man of Bronze" near the North Pole.
Elements of the Doc Savage character were influenced by Hugo Danner in the
1930 novel Gladiator by Philip Wylie. Danner constructed a rock
fortress in the deep forest within an abandoned pit mine. Danner destroyed the
fortress after it was discovered by two college professors.
In an unpublished draft of Creation of a Superhero, Jerry Siegel acknowledged both Gladiator and Doc Savage as influences on the creation of Superman. The Fortress of Solitude was introduced to the Superman titles by editor Mortimer "Mort" Weisinger.
In an unpublished draft of Creation of a Superhero, Jerry Siegel acknowledged both Gladiator and Doc Savage as influences on the creation of Superman. The Fortress of Solitude was introduced to the Superman titles by editor Mortimer "Mort" Weisinger.
The location is labeled as "Fort Superman" on the cover of
Action Comics #241 (June 1958). "The Super-Key to Fort Superman"
establishes the Fortress of Solitude within the core of an Arctic
mountainside. The door is unlocked by a giant key disguised as an aircraft
guide marker. The Fortress contains individual trophy rooms for
Lois Lane, Jimmy
Olsen, Batman, and Clark Kent. Batman sneaks into the Fortress after hollowing
out the key and hiding inside.
The artistic depictions of the key varied in early appearances. The key was commonly illustrated as an arrow shape.
The Fortress of Solitude is revealed to be located at the North Pole in Action Comics #242 (July 1958). Superman brought the Bottle City of Kandor to the Fortress hoping to someday restore the city and live with Kryptonian people.
Superman constructed an Undersea Fortress of Solitude in Action Comics #244 (1958). "Superman's Undersea Kingdom!" is located inside of a cliff beneath the Sargasso Sea. The Undersea Fortress was later abandoned by Superman and inhabited by people from Atlantis.
The Fortress of Solitude first appeared in the Sunday Superman newspaper strip on March 22, 1959 (#1012).
Superman gives a public tour of the Fortress of Solitude in Action Comics #261 (February 1960). Superman brought the Fortress to the outskirts of Metropolis. It is revealed that Superman once had a "Satellite of Solitude" that was disguised as a meteor.
The artistic depictions of the key varied in early appearances. The key was commonly illustrated as an arrow shape.
The Fortress of Solitude is revealed to be located at the North Pole in Action Comics #242 (July 1958). Superman brought the Bottle City of Kandor to the Fortress hoping to someday restore the city and live with Kryptonian people.
Superman constructed an Undersea Fortress of Solitude in Action Comics #244 (1958). "Superman's Undersea Kingdom!" is located inside of a cliff beneath the Sargasso Sea. The Undersea Fortress was later abandoned by Superman and inhabited by people from Atlantis.
The Fortress of Solitude first appeared in the Sunday Superman newspaper strip on March 22, 1959 (#1012).
Superman gives a public tour of the Fortress of Solitude in Action Comics #261 (February 1960). Superman brought the Fortress to the outskirts of Metropolis. It is revealed that Superman once had a "Satellite of Solitude" that was disguised as a meteor.
The "Fortriss uv Bizarro" first appeared in Superman #140 (October
1960).
Bizarro No. 1
constructed the opposite lair in the hot desert. The bottle city of
Bizarro Kandor is
kept inside the desert sanctuary among a collection of worthless junk.
"Supergirl's Fortress of Solitude!" was constructed in
Action Comics #327 (December 1960).
Supergirl built
the Fortress beneath the sand in the Arabian Desert. Supergirl added a
playroom for Streaky the Supercat to use while under the effects of
X-Kryptonite. Supergirl destroyed the Fortress
with heat vision in order to prevent her existence from being exposed.
Krypto the Superdog constructed a Doghouse of Solitude in Superman #150 (January 1962).
The construction of the arctic Fortress of Solitude is seen in Superman #176 (April 1965). Superman preferred the location over the drawbacks of being in space, underwater, or the center of the Earth.
The Fortress of Solitude of 2965 is seen in Superman #181 (November 1965). The future Fortress of the 30th century is a satellite that orbits the Earth. The Fortress is made invisible by a "field of refractive force all around it."
Krypto the Superdog constructed a Doghouse of Solitude in Superman #150 (January 1962).
The construction of the arctic Fortress of Solitude is seen in Superman #176 (April 1965). Superman preferred the location over the drawbacks of being in space, underwater, or the center of the Earth.
The Fortress of Solitude of 2965 is seen in Superman #181 (November 1965). The future Fortress of the 30th century is a satellite that orbits the Earth. The Fortress is made invisible by a "field of refractive force all around it."
