Superman: The Unauthorized Biography

Glen Weldon

Book cover for Superman: The Unauthorized Biography
Book cover for Superman: The Unauthorized Biography
Image for variant 9781118341841
Image for variant 9781681629209
Book cover for Superman: The Unauthorized Biography
Book cover for Superman: The Unauthorized Biography
Image for variant 9781118341841
Image for variant 9781681629209

Superman: The Unauthorized Biography

Superman: The Unauthorized Biography

Glen Weldon

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Description

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

About the Author

GLEN WELDON" "is a freelance writer who for the past five years has served as NPR's go-to comic book guy, reviewing all things funnybook-related for their "Monkey See" blog, main website, "Pop Culture Happy Hour" podcast, and national shows. His writing has appeared in the" New York Times Book Review," " "the" New Republic," "Slate, " "Story," "Washington City Paper," " "the "American Literary Review," and many other publications. He has received an NEA Arts Journalism Fellowship, a Ragdale Writing Fellowship, and a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Fiction. You can find him at glenweldon.tumblr.com.

Critical Reviews

"Weldon's years as a lifelong Superman fan give him superb insight into the character's central truths.... A reliable, witty, and informative guide." --NPR Books

"Breezily written and compulsively readable." --A/V Club

"An excellent portrait of the Man of Steel, managing to be fan-crazed and critical at the same time." --Publishers Weekly

"[Gathers] the sprawling, complex, and occasionally contradictory history of Superman into a rich and deeply textured story." --New York Journal of Books

Publishing Information

Publisher: Trade Paper Press
Pub date: 2013-04-01
Length: 352 pages

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