A celebration of Superman's life and history--in time for his 75th birthday How has the Big Blue Boy Scout stayed so popular for so long? How has he changed with the times, and what essential aspects of him have remained constant? This fascinating biography examines Superman as a cultural phenomenon through 75 years of action-packed adventures, from his early years as a social activist in circus tights to his growth into the internationally renowned demigod he is today. Chronicles the ever-evolving Man of Steel and his world--not just the men and women behind the comics, movies and shows, but his continually shifting origin story, burgeoning powers, and the colorful cast of trusted friends and deadly villains that surround him Places every iteration of the Man of Steel into the character's greater, decades-long story: From Bud Collyer to Henry Cavill, World War II propagandist to peanut butter pitchman, Super Pup to Super Friends, comic strip to Broadway musical, Lori Lemaris to Lois & Clark--it's all here Affectionate, in-depth analyses of the hero's most beloved adventures, in and out of the comics--his most iconic Golden Age tales, goofiest Silver Age exploits, and the contemporary film, television, and comics stories that keep him alive today Written by NPR book critic, blogger, and resident comic book expert, Glen Weldon

The superstar creative team of Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Doug Mahnke and a host of comicsÕ most exciting artists proudly present SUPERMAN: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONEÑan incredible collection of the all-new adventures of the Man of Steel in this first hardcover collection of the new Rebirth series, exploding from DCÕs blockbuster Rebirth event! Rocketed from his dying homeworld as an infant, he became his adopted planetÕs greatest champion. Then he and his familyÑhis wife, Lois Lane, and their son, Jonathan KentÑnarrowly escaped the destruction of their entire universe. They emerged on a new Earth, where a younger, brasher breed of superheroes held sway. And when the valiant young Superman of this strangely familiar reality fell in the line of duty, the original Man of Steel stepped out of the shadows to take his place. Now, in addition to battling threats from around the world and across the universe, Superman must fight to earn the trust of his newly adopted planetÕs other protectorsÑas well as his curious small-town neighbors. Most of all, he must teach young Jonathan how to harness his ever-increasing abilities and wield them in the service of truth and justiceÑas a child of two worlds, this grandson of KryptonÕs potential is rivaled only by the dangers he will face. Collects the first two paperback collections SUPERMAN #1-13 and the SUPERMAN: REBIRTH one-shot.

A. E. Roman brings New York City and its eccentric characters to life in this second in the original and energetic Chico Santana series. After a series of low-paying jobs, Chico Santana, PI, is living in his tiny office on 149th Street in the Bronx. He's in an absolutely foul mood when Pablo Sanchez and his mother drop in, seeking help for one of Chico's old childhood pals----the handsome and charismatic Joey Ventura. Chico has not seen Joey since Joey disappeared from St. Mary's Home for Boys, headed for Tahiti. He ended up, instead, on the island of TSP---The Superman Project. The Superman Project peddles German philosophy, Hinduism, and American comic book mythology as a method toward self-improvement, but its members are hiding more than a few secrets. The leader of TSP is a man named Father Ravi. One of his daughters, Gabby, who is also Joey's wife, is missing. Joey was accused by the TSP leaders of killing Gabby and has fled the police. Pablo and his mother insist he is innocent. Compelled to believe in his old friend, and by the promised payment of a very valuable Superman comic, Chico investigates the competing interests in the organization, falling for a beautiful suspect and trying to look out for a friend's troubled niece in the process.

The first book every comic book geek Dad will want to read to his child! And the first-ever touch-and-feel Superman book. Each of 6 spreads in this irresistibly cool package features classic Superman art and a special interactive feature. Budding Superman fans can: · tap his rippling chest of steel · experience the magic of X-ray vision · pull the tab bringing Clark Kent into the phone booth as Superman flies out · touch his silky red cape · be dazzled by his sparkly Fortress of Solitude · and pet a furry Krypto Tons of fun for children of all ages!

Fascinating and often bizarre true stories behind more than 130 urban legends about comic book culture. Was Superman a Spy? demystifies all of the interesting stories, unbelievable anecdotes, wacky rumors, and persistent myths that have piled up like priceless back issues in the seventy-plus years of the comic book industry, including: • Elvis Presley's trademark hairstyle was based on a comic book character (True) • Stan Lee featured a gay character in one of Marvel's 1960s war comics (False) • Wolverine of the X-Men was originally meant to be an actual wolverine! (True) • What would have been DC's first black superhero was changed at the last moment to a white hero (True) • A Dutch inventor was blocked from getting a patent on a process because it had been used previously in a Donald Duck comic book (True) With many more legends resolved, Was Superman a Spy? is a must-have for the legions of comic book fans and all seekers of “truth, justice, and the American way.”

The fifth collection of Superman tales from the 1980s, featuring ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #432-435, ACTION COMICS #592-593 and SUPERMAN #9-10! Superman encounters the new hero Gangbuster, faces the menace of the Joker, teams up with Mister Miracle and Big Barda, and inadvertently becomes Metropolis's greatest menace!

SUPERMAN, the MAN OF STEEL, demonstrates the heroic life skill of Responsibility.

Superman is the original superhero, an American icon, and arguably the most famous character in the world--and he's Jewish! Introduced in June 1938, the Man of Steel was created by two Jewish teens, Jerry Siegel, the son of immigrants from Eastern Europe, and Joe Shuster, an immigrant. They based their hero's origin story on Moses, his strength on Samson, his mission on the golem, and his nebbish secret identity on themselves. They made him a refugee fleeing catastrophe on the eve of World War II and sent him to tear Nazi tanks apart nearly two years before the US joined the war. In the following decades, Superman's mostly Jewish writers, artists, and editors continued to borrow Jewish motifs for their stories, basing Krypton's past on Genesis and Exodus, its society on Jewish culture, the trial of Lex Luthor on Adolf Eichmann's, and a future holiday celebrating Superman on Passover. A fascinating journey through comic book lore, American history, and Jewish tradition, this book examines the entirety of Superman's career from 1938 to date, and is sure to give readers a newfound appreciation for the Mensch of Steel!

The Superman Files reveals the secret life of the man named Clark Kent and the world of the greatest superhero. It’s a comprehensive account of his history, employing clippings from the Daily Planet, journal entries, surviving artifacts from Krypton, schematics for the Fortress of Solitude and other technology, files from Stryker's Island Prison, as well as hundreds of "photographs" of Superman's enemies and allies culled from modern Superman comics. The Superman Files offers a complete, in-depth life story of the Man of Steel, from his birth on Krypton as Kal-El through his present, as Clark Kent and Superman, and even onward into the future. One thousand years from now, a group of superpowered teenagers is inspired by Superman’s legacy. They band together and form the Legion of Super-Heroes, a crime-fighting group dedicated to protecting the citizens of the United Planets. One of these teens is Brainiac 5, a highly intelligent descendant of Superman’s arch foe, the original Brainiac. Like many people in the 31st Century, members of the Legion idolize Superman. They frequent the Superman Museum and marvel at tales of his past. A few of them even travel back in time to Clark Kent’s teenage years. They recruit him to their team, thereby jumpstarting the adventures of Superboy, the Boy of Steel. In a future without precise records of the 21st Century, Brainiac 5 takes it upon himself to compile a tribute to his hero and friend. Collecting accounts from a myriad of sources, he compiles the universe’s greatest historical record of the life and times of the Man of Steel. The Superman Files chronicles seventy-five years of adventures in one easy-to-understand history of the Last Son of Krypton. Appealing to Superman fans of any age—from new collectors just starting out with the New 52 to longtime readers who have followed the character from his very first adventures—there is something for everyone. With a modern tone and a deep respect for his legacy, The Superman Files is not only entertaining, but it is also a complete and thorough history of the Man of Steel. SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s13)