1. Superman Was Created After Jerry Siegels Father Died During A Robbery
In 1932, Superman creator Jerry Siegels father, Mitchell Siegel, suffered a fatal heart attack after his Haberdashery store in Cleveland was the target of an armed robbery. It has been suggested by noted comic book historians Gerard Jones and Brad Meltzer that this incident became the inspiration for Siegel and his creative partner Joel Schuster to create the invulnerable Man Of Steel only a year later. Given that the character was initially conceived as a bald villain, hell-bent on World Domination - more Lex than Kal-El - this theory could be challenged, but it is entirely conceivable that shifting the focus of the character from antagonist towards superhero could have been a reaction to the loss of Siegels father. As Meltzer suggests "Your father dies in a robbery, and you invent a bulletproof man who becomes the world's greatest hero." It is a compelling theory, and perhaps the first example of comics being used as a form of catharsis, in addressing a real life tragedy. Which other real-world moments have shaped the history of comic books? Share your own thoughts below in the comments thread below.
As well as the odd article, I apply my "special mind" to scriptwriting for Comics, Films and Games... Oh and I cut down trees, I skip and jump, I like to press wild flow'rs, I put on women's clothing, and hang around in bars.
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