The Evolution of Superman: From 1938 to Modern Canon
The Evolution of Superman: From 1938 to Modern Canon
Superman, the iconic superhero with an unparalleled legacy, has seen many iterations and transformations over the past eight decades. The character we know today diverges significantly from the original 1938 Superman, Kal-L, as portrayed by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, due to a pivotal event in 2006 known as Infinite Crisis. This event marked a substantial shift in the Superman mythos. However, the modern Canon Superman is Earth 1 Superman, Kal-El, who made his debut in 1945. This raises the question: is the current iteration of Superman truly the original 1938 version?
The Continuity of DC Comics
Contrary to the interrupted adventures of the Justice Society of America (JSA) and Justice League of America (JLA), the Big Three heroes—Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman—have a more continuous storyline. However, this continuity is often overshadowed by constant retcons (retroactive continuity changes) that alter the established narrative. For example, both major pre-Crisis versions of Batman faced Clayface, named Basil Karlo, in almost identical circumstances. The transformation of Harvey Dent into Two-Face on Earth-Two pre-Crisis and Earth-One post-Crisis further exemplifies the changing dynamics within the DC universe.
Earths and Supermen
The debut of Superman in Action Comics #1 in 1938 marked the beginning of an era, but the character's origins have since evolved. In 2006, the Earth-2 Superman, a character introduced in 1945, became the canonical version of Superman. The comics first introduced Kryptonite a year later, which was crucial to Superman's understanding of his origins. Despite these changes, various versions of Superman have had their place in the DC universe, often retaining elements from their earlier incarnations.
The Continuity of Older Tales
Even stories from the Golden Age, which are often considered preposterous or out-of-character by contemporary standards, are incorporated into a loose continuity. However, these tales do not always mirror their original form. For instance, the introduction of Superman's career as Superboy in the 1940s was not directly referenced in his adult version until several years later, indicating the complex nature of continuity in DC's vast landscape.
Post-Infinite Crisis Transformations
After Infinite Crisis, the post-Crisis versions of Superman took a different path. Roy Thomas, a renowned writer for DC, penned a post-Crisis version of a GA Superman story featuring newspaper strip characters coming to life. This piece, part of his All-Star Squadron run, provides a unique perspective on how Superman and his allies can interact with characters from the Golden Age.
The event that marked Infinite Crisis was a tumultuous period in DC's history. It not only altered thetatus of Superman but also set the stage for a new continuity that continues to evolve today. While the original 1938 Superman was a significant starting point, the modern narrative often diverges, leading to a complex and ever-changing landscape.