Created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist) for "Action Comics"#1 (which is currently worth upwards of $1,400,000 in mint condition). He originally was shown to have amazing strength and be able to leap over tall buildings only. He had invulnerability, flight, x-ray vision, heat vision, and super-cold breath added to his list of powers. His only weakness was Kryptonite (radioactive chunks of his home world) although years later, he was shown to be vulnerable to magic also.
By now, everyone knows Superman's origin. Kal-El,an infant, is sent to Earth in a rocket-ship by his father, Jor-El,before his home world of Krypton explodes. He is found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, and adopted by them. Raised as Clark Kent, He discovers his powers and develops them; learns of his Kryptonian heritage; creates the identity of Superman; and moves to Metropolis to become a reporter at the Daily Planet (as Clark Kent).
Superman has battled many evil super-villains over the years, but his greatest enemy has always been Lex Luthor. Here is a listing of some of his other most prominant villains: Brainiac;General Zod; Bizarro (a warped version of Superman); Darkseid; and of course, Doomsday.
In the 50's, Superboy (Superman as a boy) began as a solo feature in More Fun Comics#101, continued for years in "Adventure Comics" and eventually his own "Superboy" comic and many adventures with the Legion of Super Heroes.
His supporting cast included his lady love, Lois Lane (who he would wed in 1996); his cub reporter pal, Jimmy Olson; his cousin Supergirl and a host of other semi-regulars. He would also team-up with Batman in "World's Finest Comics" for many decades (and still does). Superman would join the Justice League of America in the 1950's and is still a member to this day.
In 1971, Superman (with the help of S.T.A.R. labs) was made immune to Kryptonite, but the resulting explosion (unbeknownst to Superman) created a slowly forming 2nd Superman from the sand,whose presence caused a slow power drain on Superman, as his double's strength increased. They eventually did battle with the 2nd one leaving forever.
In 1992, Superman was actually killed by a villain called Doomsday, but they resurrected him a year later (in a very complex manner).In 1996, he married Lois Lane.
Superman has been drawn by many great artists such as Wayne Boring, Al Plastino, Curt Swan, and Neal Adams (just to name a few of the classic ones).
Superman has been the subject of countless cartoons, TV shows, and feature films (also endless spoofs).In the 40's-17 wonderful animated shorts from Fleischer studios, and two serials starring Kirk Alyn; In the 50's-The Adventures of Superman" TV show starring George Reeve; In the 60's- two different cartoon shows; In the 70's & 80's-"Super Friends" cartoon show, Superman 1,2,3,4 Feature films starring Christopher Reeve; In the 90's- Lois and Clark (The New Adventures of Superman) TV show starring Dean Cain; also a quality group of Warner Bros. animated cartoons;In the 2000's- Smallville, TV series starring Tom Welling," Superman Returns" feature film starring Brandon Routh, more Warner Bros. animated series',Warner Premiere feature length quality animated films; In 2013 (forthcoming) "The Man Of Steel" feature film starring Henry Cavill. (In the 80's, there was also a Superboy TV show and a Supergirl feature film starring Helen Slater).
I know that the "Superman Legacy" will carry on for many more decades to come!
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