Superman: The Complete History: The Life and Times of the Man of Steel

by Les Daniels

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! The first, the strongest, and the most enduringly popular super hero has been captivating audiences around the world for 60 years. Since his humble comic book beginnings in 1938, Superman has conquered every dimension of media entertainment, launching radio and television shows, major motion pictures, books, toys, ?and more. Now take a nostalgic, colorful, and entertaining look back at the first 60 years of this cultural icon—from his scrappy beginnings as a Depression-era champion of justice to the modern mega-hero of today. Designed by Chip Kidd and boasting hundreds of examples of rare comic book art, interviews with writers and artists, working sketches and original character designs, The Complete History will satisfy the collector and captivate fans of all ages.? © 1998 DC Comics. SUPERMAN, all titles, characters, their distinctive likenesses, and related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics.

Genres: Comics, Nonfiction, History, Superman, Superheroes, Dc Comics, Reference

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Les Daniels was one of the earliest historians of comic books and an author of horror novels.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much Superman A - Z here in this wonderful book which examines the first super-hero from his creation by two young Cleveland school mates: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster to comic strip, comic book, radio, television, movies, books, and beyond.
Writer Les Daniels creates an amazing history of the Man of Steel and leaves no stone unturned with great supporting art and pictures from all media.
Highly recommended for fans of super-heroes in general and fans of Superman in particular!

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book about the evolution of Superman throughout the years.

[Julian]

This is basically a beautifully illustrated medium length essay on Superman's history-- nothing wrong with that. There are three excerpts from the comics, and the first two are examples you don't see a lot - original Siegel/Shuster work that was surprising in being a little anti-authoritarian, and a funky Otto Binder/Wayne Boring story that is a team you don't get to see much, even for nostalgic types... as Curt Swan is so fondly (and rightly) remembered. (The third excerpt is a John Byrne-era Luthor vignette).

Anyway, it's a lovely package, terrifically designed and filled with art, graphics and, a solid history, particularly for me whose knowledge was superficial. There's plenty of emphasis on the cartoons, films, TV shows, etc. as well and his influence on popular culture. An entertaining and nice looking book, but true afficionados will probably not learn a lot.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great trip through the first sixty years of Superman! The star of this book, however, is all the photos and illustrations. In fact, I've owned this book for over a decade and only ever looked at the pictures. This is the first time I've actually read it! The history is not too in-depth, but is very informative and enjoyable. It ends with talk about a forthcoming new Superman film written and directed by Tim Burton which never actually happened.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable history with emphasis on imagery.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about Superman. Wonderful pictures and talks about different plans with the character.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good history of Superman. It's been overshadowed however by better histories that have been published since. I enjoyed it however.

[Wayland Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed and well researched history of the world's first superhero. Superman is traced from the imaginations of two kids no one had ever heard of to the star of comics, radio, tv, movies, novels, and about everything else he became. It's a well written book with some great art.

Superman is certainly a cultural icon. Who doesn't know him by sight, or know the "faster than a speeding bullet.." lines? This book shows how the Man of Steel became the sensation that he is, and created a whole new industry as he went.

I'm a big comic book fan, and have both read and studied them most of my life. I found this to be a good source of knowledge, and learned some things as I went.

Recommended to all comic book fans, and anyone interested in Superman himself.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goofy fun! I began writing a play involving one man's love for Superman, his mythology and his mark on American culture, and this book helped me understand why everyone loves Superman, even as many view him for the corny marketing tool he can be. This book is a great examination of two boys' dream for their artistic creation, and its journey from monster popularity to pop icon to marketing blitzkrieg to modern interpretations as a Messiah and romantic matinee idol. Well worth it for any comics fan of the Golden or Silver Age.

[Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a true-blue (or, in this case, true blue-and-red) Superman fan since I was old enough to have discovered who Superman was, which by all accounts was REALLY young. When I was a kid, I both wanted to be saved from danger by Superman and wanted to BE Superman. Even now, I eagerly gobble up anything I can about him. That included this thoroughly enjoyable and finely illustrated "history book". It really does cover an impressive depth and breadth of Superman lore that any super fan will love.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests this book chronicles the history of Superman from his predecessors (comics/strips/stories created by Superman creators writer Jerry Siegel and cartoonist Joe Shuster that feature "Supermen" in some fashion or another) until the end of the golden age in 1955.

Most of the book is centred around the initial concepts, creative control and marketing as well as a look into the early days of the comic industry and the somewhat rocky beginnings of DC Comics.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a lot of comic book fans it is all about the art and it is the photos and illustrations that really make this book stand out! Otherwise, it is a basic introduction to Superman in his various incarnations. It is a nice general history, but doesn’t go very deep. It was published in 1998 so it only covers Superman up to his 60th birthday.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't enjoy thr Superman character. I think he is contrived and outdated; however, he is the strat of superheroes, therefore I read this found out some interesting things and some things that I could have never known and still be happy.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The late Les Daniels provides a comprehensive overview of the life and times of the Man of Steel to commemorate his 60th anniversary. Daniels' text is supported and enhanced by numerous photographs, artwork, toys, costumes, and comic panels and stories, etc., throughout the years. Nice!

[Whitney Borup · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read so many Superman histories now and I really liked the format of this one. It made sense to combine key comics with text and images. Though it did seem like he was kind of in cahoots with DC on some of the more controversial historical details.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

164th - 2011

[Jono Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

revisited this and found it really interesting. full of amazing artwork and facts about the man of steel.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the evolution of the character since his beginning to the turn of this century. Love the photos.

[Ben Flay · Rating 5 out of 5]

great review of the original comic book superhero brilliant words and pictures a definitive history from radio cartoon and comic to film and tv it is all here a must read and own

[Alenkar Escudero]

Good Book

[Reuxbot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly comprehensive look into the beginnings of Superman and DC throughout the golden age of comics and beyond.