Truth, Justice, and the American Way: The Saga of Superman
80 years ago, in Cleveland, two Jewish teenagers, Jerry Siegel (1914-1996) and Joe Shuster (1914-1992), created the concept of a “villain” named “The Superman.”
In 1933, Siegel wrote “The Reign of Superman,” illustrated by Shuster, for their fan magazine “Science Fiction: The Vanguard of Future Civilization.” This version featured an evil genius with advanced mental powers in Volume 1, No. 3.
For five long years, from 1933 to 1938, Siegel and Shuster struggled to find a comic book publisher willing to embrace their idea. Eventually, they reimagined Superman as a heroic figure.
In 1938, they sold the rights to Superman to what would eventually become DC Comics for just $130, equivalent to about $2,080 today.
Meanwhile, DC has earned untold multi-billions from the Superman franchise. Tragically, Siegel and Shuster passed away nearly destitute in 1992 and 1996, respectively.
