It’s National Superhero Day! Who Created Your Favorite Iconic Heroes?
Long before Marvel and DC characters invaded present-day movie and TV screens, superheroes had been saving the universe for decades, with some standing above others … Here’s how your favorite heroes first came to life, in comic books and one the big and small screen.
Look! Up In The Sky: Superman
Everett Collection
Superman, still one of the most famous superheroes, is the brainchild of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Superman first appeared in a comic book in 1938 before expanding to serialized radio programs, newspapers, TV, movies and video games; Bud Collyer provided the voice of Superman and alter ego Clark Kent in radio shows and early animated cartoons. A string of others have portrayed him since then, ranging from Kirk Alyn (the first to play Superman onscreen) and George Reeves (star of the 1950s TV series) to such stars as Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill.
Bam! Kapow!: Batman
20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved/Everett Collection
Batman was originally envisioned in 1939 by artist Bob Kane as “the Bat-man,” the iconic crime-fighter and his secret identity, Bruce Wayne, were refined with help from writer Bill Finger. Batman and, at various times, his sidekick, Robin, have highlighted many media platforms. A 15-chapter movie serial in 1943 featured Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. Another movie serial in 1949 starred Robert Lowery and Johnny Duncan. During the 1960s, Adam West and Burt Ward headlined a classic TV series as well as its theatrical-movie spinoff. Since then, Batman has been played in feature films by a variety of actors: Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck.
I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar: Wonder Woman
Everett Collection
Most superheroes have been male, but women have also left a mark, thanks to Black Widow, Batgirl, Supergirl and, of course, Wonder Woman. Created by writer William Moulton Marston and artist H.G. Peter, Wonder Woman made her debut in 1941 as a comic-book heroine fighting for justice, love and peace. The character ventured into other media, not always successfully. A 1974 TV movie featured Cathy Lee Crosby and wasn’t a huge hit, but the 1975-79 TV series starring Lynda Carter remains the most memorable characterization. A couple of unsuccessful attempts at TV revivals followed and, ironically, more than 70 years went by without Wonder Woman making a feature-film appearance. Gal Gadot changed that, playing her in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and multiple solo Wonder Woman films.
Snug As A Bug: Spiderman, Ant-Man, and the Tick
The invention of superheroes has gone “buggy” at times. During the 1960s, writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko conjured up Spider-Man. Lee was also a driving force behind Ant-Man, another 1960s creation who didn’t equal Spider-Man’s success. The 1980s, meanwhile, saw cartoonist Ben Edlund dream up The Tick as a spoof that ended up with mainstream popularity. And, during the 1970s, the Human Fly was the moniker for two separate comic-book characters — a superhero and another, earlier incarnation who was a villain who got tangled up in Spider-Man’s web.
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Green Lantern, Green Arrow and Green Hornet
The superhero universe has had “Green” characters who haven’t quite matched the more dominant ones. The Green Lantern and the Green Arrow got their beginnings in the comic-book world. The Green Hornet, meanwhile, made his debut on radio in 1936 before expanding to other platforms, including comic books that began in the 1940s, a TV show during the 1960s and even a feature film in 2011.
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