Superman was created in 1938 by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, two young men from Cleveland, Ohio. First appearing in Action Comics #1, published by what would become DC Comics, Superman was the world’s first true superhero – a costumed figure with extraordinary powers, a secret identity and an altruistic mission to fight for justice.
Superman's origin story is now legendary: born as Kal-El on the doomed planet Krypton, he was sent to Earth in a spaceship by his parents, moments before the planet exploded. Discovered and raised by a kindly farming couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, in the rural town of Smallville, he was given the name Clark Kent. As he matured, Clark developed superhuman abilities due to Earth’s yellow sun and weaker gravity. He eventually moved to the city of Metropolis, where he adopted the Superman identity to help humanity, while working as a mild-mannered reporter at the Daily Planet.
Superman’s early stories reflected the social and political climate of the Great Depression. He battled corrupt businessmen, wife beaters, and slumlords – a sort of super-powered social crusader. His powers were modest at first (leaping tall buildings, outrunning trains), but they quickly expanded to include flight, heat vision, X-ray vision, super strength and near-invulnerability, turning him into a near-godlike figure.
In the 1940s and '50s, Superman's popularity exploded. He starred in comic books, a radio serial, animated shorts, and a live-action TV series starring George Reeves. His image helped define the ideal of American heroism during World War II, often depicted fighting Nazis or supporting the Allied cause. He became a symbol of truth, justice, and the American way.
The 1960s and '70s saw Superman become more cosmic and science-fictional, with increasingly bizarre adventures and new enemies. During this era, a sprawling mythology developed, including the introduction of Supergirl, the Fortress of Solitude, Brainiac and the Phantom Zone. But by the late 70s, interest waned – until Richard Donner’s 1978 film Superman: The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve, revived the character for a new generation.
Since then, Superman has undergone many reinventions and reboots … too numerous to mention here.
The Superman myth is deeply aligned with the American national identity – so much so that he is often considered a metaphorical embodiment of the American ideal. His backstory – an alien from another world who is raised in America and adopts its values – mirrors the classic immigrant narrative. His journey from outsider to national hero reflects the idea that anyone, regardless of origin, can become "American" through hard work, virtue and belief in freedom.
For a long time, Superman stood for "truth, justice, and the American way" a phrase that solidified during World War II and the Cold War, eras when the U.S. saw itself as the moral leader of the free world. Superman’s unwavering moral compass and superhuman abilities fed into the concept of American exceptionalism – the increasingly quaint idea that the United States holds a unique and superior role in world affairs.
Today, Superman’s alignment with American identity is more nuanced. He still stands for hope and decency, but his story is increasingly inclusive. Recent comics and films have explored broader themes: immigration, identity, surveillance and global responsibility. Even his motto was recently updated by DC to "truth, justice, and a better tomorrow" – a subtle but meaningful shift toward a more universal ideal.
_________________________
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman
https://www.reddit.com/r/seinfeld/comments/ubrlq3/what_is_up_with_jerrys_obsession_with_superman/
Images
1. George Reeves played Superman in the 1950s live-action TV series
2. Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster
3. Superman's debut
4. Superman issue 6, 1940
5. Video: Adventures of Superman Opening Credits and Theme Song
6. Superman: City Under Siege, 1978
7. Christopher Reeve as Superman for the Warner Bros film, 1978
