Superman: The HighFlying History of America s Most Enduring Hero

Seventyfive years after he came to life, Superman remains one of Americas most adored and enduring heroes. Now Larry Tye, the prizewinning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of Satchel, has written the first fullfledged history not just of the Man of Steel but of the creators, designers, owners, and performers who made him the icon he is today.Legions of fans from Boston to Buenos Aires can recite the story of the child born KalEl, scion of the doomed planet Krypton, who was rocketed to Earth as an infant, raised by humble Kansas farmers, and rechristened Clark Kent. Known to lawabiders and evildoers alike as Superman, he was destined to become the invincible champion of all that is good and justand a star in every medium from comic books and comic strips to radio, TV, and film.But behind the highflying legend lies a truetolife saga every bit as compelling, one that begins not in the far reaches of outer space but in the middle of Americas heartland. During the depths of the Great Depression, Jerry Siegel was a shy, awkward teenager in Cleveland. Raised on adventure tales and robbed of his father at a young age, Jerry dreamed of a hero for a boy and a world that desperately needed one. Together with neighborhood chum and kindred spirit Joe Shuster, young Siegel conjured a humansized god who was everything his creators yearned to be: handsome, stalwart, and brave, able to protect the innocent, punish the wicked, save the day, and win the girl. It was on Supermans musclebound back that the comic book and the very idea of the superhero took flight.Tye chronicles the adventures of the men and women who kept Siegel and Shusters Man of Tomorrow aloft and vitally alive through seven decades and counting. Here are the savvy publishers and visionary writers and artists of comics Golden Age who ushered the redandblueclad titan through changing eras and evolving incarnations; and the actorsincluding George Reeves and Christopher Reevewho brought the Man of Steel to life on screen, only to succumb themselves to alltoohuman tragedy in the mortal world. Here too is the poignant and compelling history of Siegel and Shusters lifelong struggle for the recognition and rewards rightly due to the architects of a genuine cultural phenomenon.From twofisted crimebuster to berpatriot, social crusader to spiritual savior, Supermanperhaps like no other mythical character before or sincehas evolved in a way that offers a Rorschach test of his times and our aspirations. In this deftly realized appreciation, Larry Tye reveals a portrait of America over seventy years through the lens of that otherworldly hero who continues to embody our best selves.Praise for SupermanEngaging, fun, inspiringlike the Man of Steel.The Huffington PostPowerful . . . wonderfully readable.The Plain DealerA story as American as Superman himself . . . The best origin story pulsing through Superman is not the one about the KryptontoKansas alien baby, but rather the one about the superheros mortal and sometimes starcrossed creators.The Washington PostFun, enlightening popcultural history.Kirkus ReviewsA rich history full of lively heroes and villains much like a comic book. Essential for Superman fans.Library Journal (starred review)[A] comprehensive, definitive history.Publishers Weekly