Man from Krypton, The: A Closer Look at Superman (Smart Pop) - Softcover

Faster than a speeding bullet: an insightful celebration of everyone's favourite hero. The ultimate American superhero is dissected, discussed, debated and celebrated by leading comic book artists, writers and critics in this fantastic tribute to the Man of Steel. A god humbled by his need to be a man. He is an all-American farm boy espousing the doctrines of honest work and clean living; the inner hero of every working Joe made flesh; the archetype of human decency; an alien superpower; a weapon; a Nietzschean impossibility; a determinist puppet unquestioningly obeying the orders of power-hungry Presidents; The Ultimate Good; and, a man in blue tights and kinky boots who wears his pants over his trousers. Superman was created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, introduced into a world reeling at the prospect of another war in the pages of Action Comics No. 1. A colourful giant from outer space with the everyday appearance of the average working stiff, he was the matchless force of pure good that countered the evil threatening to poison everything Westerners held dear about their lifestyles.

Since then he has appeared in films, TV shows, animated cartoons, comic books and radio programmes. His blue and red uniform adorns wallpaper and bedclothes from Birmingham to Beijing. But what is Superman? He is indestructible, flawed with a secret weakness, incapable of evil but unable to step outside the law. The ultimate American myth representing the ultimate American ideal, fighting for the syndicated American brand of truth and justice in the face of insuperable odds and extraordinary quantities of red Kryptonite. "The Man from Krypton" deconstructs the most famous superhero that ever donned a cape and lied about his identity, delving into his history, his multiple incarnations and the array of things he has signified in his 65-year career. Humorous, philosophical, insightful and personal, this is the ultimate guide to the ultimate hero.

Glenn Yeffeth is the author of Navigating the Golden Compass, Farscape Forever! And War of the Worlds (all available from Turnaround). He lives in Chicago.