Superman

The Unauthorized Biography

De: Glen Weldon

Narrado por: George Newbern

How has the Big Blue Boy Scout stayed so popular for so long? How has he changed with the times, and what essential aspects of him have remained constant? This fascinating biography examines Superman as a cultural phenomenon through 75 years of action-packed adventures, from his early years as a social activist in circus tights to his growth into the internationally renowned demigod he is today.

Written by NPR book critic, blogger, and resident comic-book expert Glen Weldon, this biography chronicles the ever-evolving Man of Steel and his world - not just the men and women behind the comics, movies, and shows, but his continually shifting origin story, burgeoning powers, and the colorful cast of trusted friends and deadly villains that surround him. Superman places every iteration of the Man of Steel into the character's greater, decades-long story: from Bud Collyer to Henry Cavill, World War II propagandist to peanut-butter pitchman, Super Pup to Super Friends, comic strip to Broadway musical, Lori Lemaris to Lois & Clark, it's all here.

Affectionate and in-depth, this biography contains analyses of the hero's most beloved adventures, in and out of the comics - his most iconic Golden Age tales, goofiest Silver Age exploits, and the contemporary film, television, and comics stories that keep him alive today.

©2013 Glen Weldon (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Interesting

While one sided, it is very interesting to hear the history about and around Superman.

gradually lost touch

The author provides a remarkably knowledgeable and poignant history of the Man of Steel, as well as the commercial and social forces that shaped him. However, the closer to the time of publication that the narrative approached, the less thoughtful and less knowledgeable the narrative became. Ultimately, the author boiled the essence of Superman down to two pillars: he helps people and he never gives up. Sadly, he somehow completely missed the third pillar: he always tries to do the right thing, even if he sometimes misses what that is. it is why the author completely understood the reasons for the fan backlash to Superman Returns but failed to grasp the reasons for Smallville's longevity and influence.

Fun!

Weldon's reverence for Superman is tempered with a cheeky wit that I find irresistible!

Loved the insights!

So much more to Superman's history than I would have guessed. Loved this chance to learn more!

A fun and easy read.

A fast paced history of the Man of Steel. I was focused on his comic history but there is a lot covered for tv, films, and radio.

Starts out oddly

The first several hours is just someone describing the earliest Superman stories. Only later does it become clear that this is an exhaustive examination of the evolution of Superman in Comics, TV & Film.
Likely only interesting to the geekiest of us...

Lots I never knew, but...

...recent stuff missing Injustice, CW's most recent outings, Snyder etc. Good historical foundation and context however.

Glen Weldon is Superman xo

G l e n W e l d o n I s S u p e r m a n XO

Walk Through the Years with Superman

Superman has been around for more than eighty years, often getting changed but in the end being pulled back to the core concepts that originally fueled his creation. He is the ultimate nice guy, willing to suffer anything to help people. In this book, Glen Weldon walks the reader through his long history in sometimes excruciating detail. I’ve never thought of myself as a serious Superman reader, but I was amazed at how many times—even in the periods before I was born—I remembered what Weldon was talking about. It turns out that reading Superman anthologies in the doctor’s office, picking up stray copies at friends, and reading a lot of books that Superman appeared in, plus the television series, movies, cartoons, songs, and so much more, actually has made Superman a common feature in my life. It was fascinating to see how often I “recognized” a particular incarnation, and fun to walk through the many retcons and other changes that his writers have subjected him to over the years. If you give the book a try, I’ll bet you’ll be surprised by how well you know Superman too.

Up, Up, and Away

As a youngster barely nine years old, I remember racing home after school on Monday’s to catch “The Adventures of Superman”. It wasn’t long before I was reading those ten cent comics by collecting returnable bottles, cutting grass, or whatever way I could earn money to buy another superhero comic.

Growing older, I moved away from my comics craze but continued to follow Superman (and Batman) on TV and film. I saw the Christopher Reeve original movie multiple times. I occasionally picked up comics as I grew older, but most of my interest with the DC heroes was now with the film versions.

With Superman The Unauthorized Biography, I was able to really catch up on everything Superman from comics to tv/movies. This narration is strictly for the true fan with its chronicling of the Superman mythos from early introduction all the way up to the pre-production of Man of Steel. Along the way, we get a solid dose of everything that works and things that do not. The narration by George Newbern is first rate and the information flows well.

Overall, this is a very good history of the Man of Steel and I enjoyed the listen. If you are a hard core Superman fan, this will be of interest to you. If you are just a casual observer, I would say pass. For me, it was a great reminder of my childhood hero and what makes Superman the icon he continues to be.