Justice, Honesty, and American Tradition: The Superman Code
In the world of comics, few characters hold as much iconic status as Superman. This legendary hero, who first graced the pages of Action Comics #1 back in June 1938, was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster during the Great Depression in Cleveland.
Published by DC Comics, this debut issue not only introduced Superman but also introduced key characters such as Lois Lane and Superman's adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent. The issue marked an overnight success, with Superman comics quickly becoming a staple in newspaper circulation across the country.
Superman's origin story, including his Kryptonian heritage and adoption by the Kents, was expanded in subsequent publications starting from 1939. This included the launch of a dedicated Superman comic and a daily newspaper strip.
Over the decades, Superman's mythos has evolved, with more background on his origin and powers becoming standard parts of his story during the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages of Comics. Key villains such as Lex Luthor, introduced in Action Comics #23 (April 1940), General Zod from Adventure Comics #283 (April 1961), and Darkseid from Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (December 1970), added depth and complexity to the Superman universe.
Superman also formed alliances, with his first formal team-up coming in All-Star Comics #36 (August 1947) alongside Batman and Wonder Woman.
Now, in 2025, Superman is set to return to the big screen in a new film adaptation titled Superman. Directed by James Gunn, this reboot promises a fresh start in the history of DC film adaptations. The film, set for release on July 11, 2025, stars David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
Interestingly, this new film is detached from the DCEU that dominated DC film adaptations for the last decade. Instead, it offers a new take on the character, with Kal-El, as depicted in Action Comics #1, growing up to be a champion of the oppressed, sent as a baby from Krypton to Kansas.
In this new iteration, Superman will once again stand for truth, justice, and the American way, ready to protect the world from the forces of evil. As the countdown to the film's release begins, fans can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for this new chapter in the history of the Man of Steel.
The excitement of Superman's upcoming return in movies-and-tv is palpable, as he embarks on a new journey in the entertainment industry with the release of the film "Superman" on July 11, 2025. This reboot promises to offer a fresh start in DC's film adaptations, that have previously been popular forms of entertainment for many.
