Honoring Jerry Siegel
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Twelve years ago today, the writer and creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel, died.
Siegel and his artist friend, Joe Shuster, were the pioneers behind everyone’s favorite superhero. These days, it seems hard to believe that the character was initially rejected by all of the major newspaper syndicates at the time. Who would’ve guessed that an alien superhero sent to Earth in a space capsule and raised by an ordinary human family would resonate in the hearts and imaginations of the world?
After a long career as a comic book, then a newspaper strip, a radio series, a TV series, another TV series, a movie franchise and countless remakes, Superman remains one of the most iconic comic figures in history. All thanks to you, Mr. Siegel.
Let us not forget that Joe Shuster was more than just Jerry's friend. He was the co-creator of Superman. Unlike Bob Kane, Jerry often made a point of signing autographs as the "writer-creator" of Superman. Joe would sign his autographs as the "artist-creator." Today is Jerry's day, but hail to them both!
Well, today's not really Jerry's day, that would have been his birthday. Wouldn't this piece be more appropriate then? It's customary to honor people on the day of their birth, not their death. In Jerry's case, that would be October 17.