Ah. Now we’re getting somewhere.
I was never a “DC-guy.” I’m not sure if such demarcations exist now, but even in as late as the 1980’s and 1990’s, it was still common to prefer one company’s stable of characters over another. And though there were a fair share of independent publishers putting out super-hero titles, it still came down to the two heavyweights, Marvel and DC. Marvel had Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor; DC has Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman.
The styles were markedly different. The approaches the two companies took to writing their heroes have been discussed elsewhere, and I could fill several entries of this blog discussing it myself. But the important thing to know is, as a child and a young teenager, my allegiance was to Marvel Comics. Comics may have been a form of escapism, but it was the imperfect nature of Marvel superheroes—their insecurities and character weaknesses—that made them so appealing to me. So I didn’t care much for Superman and his amazing friends. Oh, sure, I liked the movies and I knew his shtick, but it was only my burgeoning desire to be a “collector” of comics that made me initially purchase anything related to him, as opposed to any real interest in his character or adventures.
My copy of Action Comics #1 is, of course, a reprint. It came out during Superman’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1988, same time as Action Comics #600 (which I will get to soon enough). I don’t think I was under any illusion that this reprint would eventually be worth anything (then again, maybe I was), but even at 12 years old I knew how important Action Comics #1 was to the world of comics, so of course I had to experience it for myself. Mind you, this reprint only reprints Superman’s story from that issue. The real first issue of Action Comics, like all comics of the time, was an anthology with lots of stories featuring different characters. But none of them featured an archetypal character that resonated with millions of people over four generations (and counting) and created a whole new genre of storytelling, so they get the short end of the stick here.
The beauty of reading this first Superman story is that it’s a virtual time machine. You have to understand: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster had no idea what they were starting when they created Superman almost 75 years ago. They were just trying to earn a living. Instead they created an institution. Because not only is this the first issue of Action Comics, not only is it the first appearance of Superman, but this is also the first appearance of a superhero. Superman was the first. The rules, the clichés of superheroes . . . they didn’t exist in 1938. They hadn’t been invented yet. Though Siegel and Shuster’s Superman would be an instant it, and imitations and derivations would pop up almost as quickly, it would take time before would eventually be recognized as something new; in fact, the attitude of Superman in this story, and his early adventures in general, were firmly rooted in the pulp tradition of heroes. Superman may have become a trailblazer, but in the beginning he was following in the footsteps of characters like The Shadow and Flash Gordon. While his “costume” was one that launched a thousand variations, it was initially Simon and Shuster’s take on the standard Circus Strongman outfit. (Although the cape was new; Simon and Shuster had no idea how iconic it would become.)
So the Superman in this story is vastly different Superman than most people know about. His costume is different: the bodysuit is blue and the cape and boots are red, but the S-shield is a triangle and the “S” is far less stylized than it would become. His powers are different: he does not fly, and can only leap “1/8 of a mile” He’s faster than an “express train” but “nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin”. He is the last survivor of a dying planet, but “Krypton” isn’t mentioned; he lands on earth but it doesn’t say “Kansas”; a passing car finds him, but he’s turned over to an orphanage, not raised by a kind, childless farming couple.
Perhaps more intriguing is Superman’s personality. In Superman’s first appearance he:
- Breaks into the house of a state Governor (manhandling the Governor’s butler in the process) to demand the Governor stay the execution of an innocent person.
- Beats up a wife-beater, warning “and now you’re going to get a lesson you’ll never forget!”
- Almost sadistically kidnaps and terrifies a Washington D.C. lobbyist to gain information on a corrupt senator.
There’s extensive writing out there on the social justice aspects of Superman’s initial adventures, and it’s fascinating to see it in (pardon the pun) action. He isn’t fighting space aliens or super villains—like I said before, those tropes hadn’t been invented yet. Instead Superman stands up for the oppressed and fights corruption proactively; he’s fighting against the status quo rather than preserving it. Here is Superman the vigilante, following through on his own moral code and not particularly interested in the moral ambiguities of his actions.
I don’t really remember what I thought of Superman’s first story it at the time I bought it in ’88. Knowing me, I probably didn’t like the art. But reading the comic now, as an adult, I find it absolutely thrilling. It’s faced-paced, exciting, compelling storytelling. It really is pure pulp, full of guns and dames and non-explicit violence. The cavalier, almost arrogant attitude Superman has as he man-handles his antagonists is wonderfully entertaining. I can appreciate it both in a post-modern, ironical way that people enjoy Jack Bauer torturing bad guys on 24, but also in that child-like amazement of seeing someone stand for themselves and not be afraid of those who abuse power, giving a well deserved come-uppance to those who bully and abuse. (Even though, in the context of this issue, the same argument of “abusing power” can be made against Superman himself, but we’ll leave the hard critiquing and analysis for those more qualified than I.)
I’m also marveling at the pace of this comic. Aside from the three moments mentioned above, there’s also space dedicated to Clark’s interest in Lois Lane, and a disastrous first date that ends with Superman rescuing Lois from some mobsters. And let’s not forget the one-page origin story that opens the issue. All of these episodes—the origin, the stopping of an execution, the wife beater, the date with Lois, the gangster, the corrupt senator—if told within the pages of a modern comic, would take at least 6 – 12 individual issues to tell. In 1938, it took thirteen pages. But the break-neck speed in which the stories barrel through is both symbolic of Superman himself, always rushing to do what he needs to, but also keeps the story moving and interested as opposed to slowing down for overwrought character development.
Granted, I’m not saying I’d be interested in reading that kind of breezy storytelling month after month for years on end. But there’s something to be said for this kind of fun, in the same way a good mindless action flick can be a fun time. And let’s not forget: in 1938, comics weren’t supposed to subtle or nuanced. They were disposable and there was no expectation that there would ever need to be complex characterization or extended plots to hold a readers interest. Comics were meant to provide quick entertainment, hold a kid’s interest for a few minutes, and leave it at that; and, my God, does this Superman story do that in spades.
Up Next: I was originally going to talk about Superman's first and last story, but I'm still gathering my thoughts on that second part. So join me next time for Action Comics #583 and the answers to the question: whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
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