Superman: the Golden Age

by Les Daniels, Chip Kidd (Illustrator), Geoff Spear (Photographer)

1999, Chronicle Books, oversize hardcover edition. Most attractive, oversize volume, with collector's toys, comic strip pages, original drawings, vintage photos, World's Fair appearances, and a mind-blowing balloon figure in the 1940 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gorgeous title. Describes the man of steel's life and times from 1938 to 1955. Author Les Daniels has done some wonderful books.

Genres: Comics, History

100 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Les Daniels was one of the earliest historians of comic books and an author of horror novels.

Reviews

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this gem in 'new' condition at a secondhand shop, and it was a great find. It gives the history of Superman from his conception in the 1930s to the end of the Golden Era of Comics in the 1950s. It was filled with interesting snippets of information, trivia, rare photos, original sketches, newspaper strips, and a reprinted comic book story from 1949.

It was fascinating to read of the persistence of teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster in getting a publisher for Superman at a time when it was very different from anything else and publishers weren't willing to take a risk. They were still only in their early 20s when it was finally picked up, and it became an instant sensation. Information about the early radio broadcasts and serial films were also interesting.

We take superhero comics and movies for granted now, but it was groundbreaking in its day and I liked seeing how it all took off. A great book for anyone interested in the history of pop culture. (N.B. I don't think I had the masterpiece edition, but I couldn't find the edition I had).

[Gary Sassaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, along with the Batman and Wonder Woman Masterpiece Editions, is a wonderful little history of a specific time in comics history, The Golden Age. Comics historian Les Daniels is perfectly complimented by Chip Kidd's stellar and innovative design and layout and the book itself is a work of art, filled with comics panels and pages, original art and sketches and promotional and merchandising items that are seldom seen.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details the history of the creation of Superman. If you're remotely interested in how comic characters came to be, or if you are interested in learning anything about the trials and tribulations of the two men who created the first superhero, pick up this book and read it.

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a comic book itself, but a history of Superman in the Golden Age. The library only provides the hardcover book. Pretty interesting.