Superman

Kurt Andersen explores the history of Superman and why "The Man of Steel" remains as popular and elusive as ever.

Kryptonite

Clark Kent is Jewish? Who knew? Novelist Howard Jacobson explains why the essence of Superman may lie in the ruins of his homeland.

The Amazing Siegel & Shuster

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were teenagers when they sold the rights to Superman to DC Comics for $130. Biographer Gerard Jones and cartoonists Jules Feiffer and Art Spiegelman recall how the boy wonders from Cleveland were partially to blame for their own downfall.

Superman Sings!

Superman has existed in every form of media, from radio to TV to movies to a Broadway musical. Jocelyn Gonzales explains how the Man of Steel changed with each leap into a new medium.

Secret Identities

Why would the strongest man in the world pretend to be a super loser? Kurt Andersen explores the psychology of Clark Kent with help from Superman Returns director Bryan Singer.

The Daily Planet

Clark Kent's career as a mild-mannered reporter for "a great metropolitan newspaper" was once a fitting parallel with Superman's battle for truth, justice and The American Way. Derek John looks at how times changed, inside and outside The Daily Planet.

Margo Kidder

Men in Tights

Superman's outfit is made from the fabric he was swaddled in when he crash-landed from Krypton. Margot Kidder, Brandon Routh and artist William Pope.L explore what it's like for mortal men to fill out the tights. Photo Courtesy of Margot Kidder

Michael Shabon

Superpower

Kurt Andersen and novelist Michael Chabon look at how Superman reflects a particularly American desire to merge astonishing power with good intentions and basic decency.

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