And Then Came Superman

Abstract

This chapter explores some of the shared similarities of Superman and his creators with a special focus on the influence of loss, grief, and oppression. Brad Metzler’s work helped to reveal origins to the creation of Superman that were more profound. Although first published in 1938 by DC Comics, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster conceived the idea of Superman in 1932, shortly after the sudden, tragic death of Siegel’s father. The loss of Superman’s parents is predicated on the destruction of his homeland, Krypton, which forges a central theme to the identity of Clark Kent – that of an immigrant. America was not the safest of harbors for those Jewish families seeking refuge from hatred and discrimination. Between 1880s and 1920s, American Jews were being persecuted as two million Jewish people sought refuge in the United States. Superman was created during the rise of the Third Reich, and in the following year, 1939, Second World War began.