The Comics Heritage

What could possibly be more straightforward than Superman? As we all know, Superman is a man in a blue pair of tights, flashy red underpants (or overpants as he wears them) with the big S logo on his chest. He is just the most recognizable global icon of modern times, especially since the new movie about him is now showing at theatres.

But who are the important people behind the making of this comic heritage? If you'd ask me before this research, I wouldn't have the slightest clue. His creators were writer, Jerry Siegel and artist, Joe Shuster. But how well do we know these people and how did they come across writing such fantasy? You'd probably not know much either.

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were first generation Jewish immigrants. While still at school, they both developed the character, selling the rights to Detective Comics in the 1930s.

In the blaze of creative activity, Siegel and Shuster mapped out a mythology for their character that until today has remained virtually unchanged. The main purpose for the character Superman is that on the scientifically and culturally advanced planet Krypton, a devoted couple learn that their world is doomed so they send their toddler into space in a rocket aimed at Earth where similar looking species live.

There are obvious parallels with these creators such as Shuster's parents improvised immigrants from Rotterdam and Kiev while Siegel's parents were from Lithuania. A thief murdered Siegel's father when he was in high school leaving an effect on him, which had manifested itself in Superman as the superhero's relentless dedication to fighting crime as well as struggling with the loss of his parents at an early age.

For these two boys coming from a highly unpopular ethnic group, their character was a conflation of their desires, which led to the thought of a super hero who was admired by the world. With Superman, he always had his secret identity. Perhaps, this trait was inspired by their own experiences, as they had to soften their "Jewishness" in order to better suit their environment.

By the time Superman's popularity grew, both Siegel and Shuster were able to share their views more openly. Although their stories were entertaining rather than political, covers became very pro-war. But at the end of it all, these two were very successful. They have created an enduring "myth" every bit as strong now as it was almost a century ago. And until today at this very moment, the story still does not end. Let's just remember that the red "S" on his chest stands much more than just super.