Superman christopher reeve will always be the best man of steel comic book characters. Marston was hired in 1940 by maxwell charles gaines, the inventor of the comic book and coowner of allamerican publications, the precursor to dc comics. The term superhero, as we use it today, basically boils down to this guy. The strip proved so popular that national launched superman into his own selftitled comic book, the first for any superhero, premiering with. Shuster and siegels superman was launched in 1938, published by gaines. The comic book writer who had homage characters on both of. Jan 21, 2020 the 1990s were a dark and gritty time for comic books. Why mess with a tried and true superhero formula like superman. Robert venditti keeps all the classic aspects of superman and treats us to a story that feels like you are getting a fresh start with the franchise. Modern comic book characters are often compared to gods nowadays, but for the most part, the majority of them are still mortal. Some of the most well known characters in all of popular culture have come from comic books. As such, he is one of the most powerful heroes in the wildstorm universe, an independent comic book company that was purchased by dc in.
Here are the six comic book characters sure to create an immediate urge to shower. This is an easy to pick up comic book for those looking to read a fun superman story. Super heroes in todays society superman art, superhero. As weve already noted, the man of steel first appeared as a telepathic villain and just as bald as lex luthor in the january 1933 issue of the fanzine science fiction. Hes also inspired a slew of analoguessupermanlike characters that other. From his blue uniform to his flowing red cape to the s shield on his chest, superman is one of the most immediately recognizable and beloved dc super heroes of all time. Ok, maybe not in most of the comic books, but i certainly like charles holberts. The history and political ideologies of their times affected the stories and characters of comic books, in which superheroes fought for ideals like truth, justice, and the american way supermans catchphrase.
Here are characters who prove that, sometimes, the best comic book characters dont need to come from the comics. When the comic book giants that are marvel decided to unite their comic book world and bring all their heroes together under one name, they wanted a superman of their own and came up with hyperion. Hamilton, like many pulp writers, quickly adapted to the comic book medium, as well. Like superman, though, apollos powers are unlocked by the earths sun, resulting in extremely kalel like abilities such as flight, superhuman strength and speed, nearinvulnerability and heat vision. Similar to the digital comic museum, which we wrote about last week, comic book plus contains a near inexhaustible quantity of golden and silver age comic books. The collections timespan ranges from the late 1930s through to the early 1960s, and includes many thousands of comic books in the superhero, scifi, and horror genres. See more ideas about comics, superhero and comic character. One boy, whose name is clark kent, discovers that he has supermans superpowers, for some unknown reason. Years later, when hamilton began writing for dcs science fiction anthology, strange adventures, he essentially brought captain future to the series as chiskl99.
Each issue of the series covers a different era of supermans life. Superman dc comics comic book characters who fought cancer from superman to captain marvel, comics have offered some surprisingly artful, sensitive takes on the disease. May 12, 2014 though he was created in the 70s, much of groos chaotic, exaggerated wit seeded a future where characters like the tick could continue to skew the tights and muscles crowd. The comic book writer who had homage characters on both of dc. Sep 05, 2012 dcs new phantom stranger series looks like it stars judas, and here are 10 more characters borrowed from the good book 10 comic book characters of literally biblical proportions. What if thanos crosses roads with a few of the smartest and powerful characters in the dcu. The powers of the dc comics character superman have changed a great deal since his. Chip zdarsky one of the most interesting comic characters weve seen in recent years doesnt fly. Dcs new phantom stranger series looks like it stars judas, and here are 10 more characters borrowed from the good book 10 comic book characters of literally biblical proportions. Tim seeley, writer of revival, hacksslash, and nightwing. Jerry siegel and simon shuster created superman, as we know the character, in the mid1930s, and published the first superman comic in 1938.
Sep 21, 2014 superman dc comics comic book characters who fought cancer from superman to captain marvel, comics have offered some surprisingly artful, sensitive takes on the disease. Over the last decade comic book aficionados have argued and debated whether superman himself was also jewish, and whether he and subsequent superheroes were created in order to fulfill a hidden jewish desire to deliver a decisive victory over nazi germany. Secret identity is a comic book miniseries, taking place in an alternate reality in which all the familiar dc comics superheroes are just comic book characters, much like on earthprime. Almost all versions reference the source material of the comic book version and therefore the various iterations in all forms of media share an overlapping set of. The list of supporting characters of superman is the cast of characters secondary to the main character of superman in the superman comics, television programs, cartoons, and movies. This is a list of the characters in the dcu who can defeat him, thanos. One boy, whose name is clark kent, discovers that he has supermans superpowers, for some unknown reason each issue of the series covers a different era of supermans life. Abstract comic book hero depictions comic book heroes, batman. The man of steel is the ultimate symbol of truth, justice, and hope. He stands as the true north in a world of morally murky characters living in a morally relevant world. Red son is considered a classic comic book story, and fans have been desperate for years to see some sort of big or small screen.
Jerry siegel, 18, was a scifi fan inspired by friedrich nietzsches idealized man of the future, the ubermensch, which is. Whether its his personality, origin story, or his vast powers, superman has been the subject of a lot of copycats over the years. The creations of bon kane, bill finger, jerry siegel, joe shuster, stan lee. Nov 08, 2011 considered one of the most brilliant and ingenious reboots in comic history, moore based his storylines and characters off classic superman comics. Jul, 2016 heroes are among us in every walk of life. Batmansuperman continues to be one of the best books in dcs roster. The creations of bon kane, bill finger, jerry siegel, joe shuster, stan lee and co. A superman like character from dc comics 31st century universe. May 08, 2017 most inappropriate comic book characters ever by grunge staff may 8, 2017 3. Before he wore an s on his chest, superman was kalel of the planet krypton. Find out how your favorite superhero stacks up against the cream of the crop of superhero characters.
Shazam memories of my childhood as my father used to share this comic book series from. Without superman, the first big comic book superhero, we might not. These videos explore the vast array of comic book characters in the dc universe. Albert robertson, 2017 truth, justice, and the birth of. First off, unlike superman, hes known for being one of the first gay comicbook superheroes, and his hair is usually white. Red son is considered a classic comic book story, and fans have been desperate for years to see some sort of big or small screen adaptation. Aaron albert, a collector of and an expert on comic books, has studied, taught, and written about the comic book genre for more than 20 years. Harley quinn and 12 other comic characters who didnt. One of the most popular comic stars around, harley quinn actually debuted on batman. Some fans will check out these old comic books and have a great time watching these characters being created by people like jerry siegel, joe shuster, john broome, gil kane, gardner fox, joe simon, jack kirby, bill finger, bob kane mort weisinger, jerry robinson, wally wood, robert kanigher, joe kubert, carmine infantino and stan lee. This is just a list of characters who were based off of clark kentsuperman and some of his counterparts from alternate realities in a variety of different ways.
Who can deny the impact that characters like superman, spiderman, or. Take a look at the abilities, powers, and origins of dc comics characters. Supermans identity is out, but these are still secret. One of supermans darkest times was when he faced the nighunstoppable villain doomsday, in dcs the death of superman. Truth, justice, and the birth of the superhero comic book. Over the years, many comic books have tried to replicate superman s success and have come up with characters that are very similar to, and even ones that were inspired by, the man of steel. The greatest comicbook characters in the canon have been debated and argued over for decades. While many of these just didnt hit the market and impress readers, leading to their inevitable demise and relegation to the 10foradollar box, some were so incredibly racist, misogynist, or culturally and ethnically insensitive they stood out as examples of what not to do when creating comics. Superman was created by american writer jerry siegel and canadianborn american artist joe shuster in 1933. The definitive 100 greatest black comic book superheroesvillains. Antiheroes like venom, lobo and spawn lept to the forefront while old school characters like superman and captain america struggled to remain relevant.
Since his introduction in 1938, this iconic character has inspired plenty of copycats. Is superman truly the strongest comic book character hero or villain. Over the years, there have been many characters that have used the name hyperion and pretty much all of them have been superman clones. The 100 best comic book characters of all time paste. Gaines was already publishing superman and batman comics and was receiving criticism for the violence they glorified, even as world war ii was heating up. Theres been so many characters are initially copied from superman in both marvel and dc universes but no one has similar power set like superman. One possible justification is that publication time does not equal the passage of time in the book.
Although he is arguably the most wellknown and famous superhero, he is definitely not the most loved, or understood. The spectacular sisterhood of superwomen is an in depth catalog of the only thing i like better than comic book superheroes. An individual with extraordinary abilities, who uses said abil. Who can deny the impact that characters like superman, spiderman, or archie andrews have had in our lives. The battle lasted for days, but when the dust settled, both hero and villain were slain. But this era was a unique environment in that some of those characters could only be popular during said era. What marvel characters are comparable to superman or even. Many people view him as boring and uninteresting, and find characters like batman and spiderman to be far more intriguing and complex. These comic book characters were all inspired by the man of steel. The 50 greatest comicbook characters movies empire. E verything from popeye cartoons to the mask of zorro to fitness culture influenced supermans comic book inception.
Beano is the longestrunning british comic series, featuring characters like dennis the menace, minnie the minx, and the bash street kids. Although, there is this book we once read in the cracked offices called the naked ape that teaches us that girls like horses because riding them is the closest activity to nonthreatening sex they can have. Superman is and will always be an inspiration to comic book fans. Superman is a superhero published by dc comics since 1938. Another factor of comicbook time is that it does not pass at the same rate for everyone.
Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman, batman, wonder woman, green lantern, the flash, aquaman and more. Or minor characters can drop out of the narrative, only to return years later, aged, while their counterpart heroes remain. An alien named kalel from the destroyed planet krypton. Nicholson pulls from both the back and front of the long box, critiquing wellknown favorites and revealing little known gems. Superman is an ongoing american comic book series featuring the dc comics superhero superman as its main protagonist. The book is wellwritten and meticulously researched and is a real delight to read. Considered one of the most brilliant and ingenious reboots in comic history, moore based his storylines and characters off classic superman comics. For every spiderman or superman, there are hundreds of comic book characters you have never heard of. As an adult, superman became the protector of earth, working at the daily planet as clark kent alongside his partner and wife lois lane. The history and political ideologies of their times affected the stories and characters of comic books, in which superheroes fought for ideals like truth, justice. At first this sounds really cute, because girls love horses. The origin of superman was a long and lengthy process. Comic book characters that are blatant superman ripoffs.
Superman s identity is out, but these are still secret. Batman superman continues to be one of the best books in dcs roster. You might not realize it from how often someone like superman has avoided death, but he is still just a mortal being. This is an excellent piece of social and cultural history that traces the comic book hero, superman, from his origins during the depression to his place in movies and tv in the 21st century. Particularly in recent years, comic book publishers have tended to adopt a model where each monthly issue of the book in question is a single installment of a longer storyarc. Aug 01, 2019 the greatest comic book characters in the canon have been debated and argued over for decades. This comic book storyline influenced the 2016 movie batman v superman. Henry cavill as superman man of steel kellogs cereal promo image. He introduced new characters like supremes sister suprema a homage to supergirl and radar the hound supreme a homage to krypto by doing this, he was able to take a modern day spin on classic. Red son features complex and compelling takes on characters like superman and lex luthor which help put it up there with classics like under the.
Man of tomorrow is exactly the comic book i expect to get when i pick up a superman comic. Apr 25, 2018 what if thanos crosses roads with a few of the smartest and powerful characters in the dcu. The 1990s were a dark and gritty time for comic books. Over the years, the comics have been known for glorifying immoral behavior like robbery and bullying, though recently there has been a push to change this message. The 30 bestselling comic book series of all time best life. So its pretty incredible to think that theres still room for such characters to become even more powerful by actually attaining the power of a god. Lex luthor luthor had his fair share of weapons, but what if he.
912 966 1240 1313 1313 931 379 858 827 1413 504 1497 1194 676 604 1151 1503 899 419 846 812 1344 1413 1012 243 746 841 1392