1. Jerry Siegel And Joe Shuster's 75-Year Battle For Superman
What it was: The Man Of Steel's origin story is a tragic one. Not just the orphaned by a dying planet thing there's also the fact that he was created by a couple of poor Jewish kids by the name of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who were conned out of what turned out to be a multi-billion dollar idea by the early incarnation of DC Comics for a measly $130. For a while the pair supported themselves with further work for the publisher, which eventually died off. Siegel and Shuster, meanwhile, struggled with medical problems without the help of insurance. Their creation, which became an icon and made DC a crap-tonne of money, brought them barely enough to live on. And so, they sued. What it changed: Except, when they have the full clout of Warner Bros behind them, it's difficult to mount a successful campaign against DC Comics. Doubly so when there's a contract Siegel and Shuster signed, giving over the rights (even though they were kids at the time). After decades of fighting, it looks like Warner Bros have won in the end. What has that changed? Nothing, except to cement the fact that you can beat city hall. Even if you're the guy who gave them their superpowered security guard in the first place.
Tom Baker
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Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
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