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Superman - by Glen Weldon

Superman - by Glen Weldon - 1 of 1
$25.95 when purchased online
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About this item

Highlights

  • A celebration of Superman's life and history--in time for his 75th birthdayHow has the Big Blue Boy Scout stayed so popular for so long?
  • About the Author: GLEN WELDON" "is a freelance writer who for the past five years has served as NPR's go-to comic book guy, reviewing all things funnybook-related for their "Monkey See" blog, main website, "Pop Culture Happy Hour" podcast, and national shows.
  • 352 Pages
  • Social Science, Popular Culture

Description



Book Synopsis



A celebration of Superman's life and history--in time for his 75th birthday

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.

  • 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
  • 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, in-depth 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
  • Written by NPR book critic, blogger, and resident comic book expert, Glen Weldon



From the Back Cover



How has "The Big Blue Boy Scout" stayed popular for so long?

Why can't anyone recognize Superman when he puts on a pair of eyeglasses?

Why didn't Clark Kent enlist to fight in World War II?

Has there ever been a Superman comic, film, or show that wasn't a huge success?

It's not true that a super-mullet happened in the 1990s, is it?

NPR's go-to comic book geek, Glen Weldon, recounts Superman's story from 1930s circus strongman to all-American icon

How has he changed with the times, and what essential aspects have remained constant? This fascinating biography examines Superman as a cultural phenomenon through seventy-five years of action-packed adventures, from his early years as a crime-fighter in circus tights to his growth into the internationally renowned icon he is today.

Weldon examines the character as a cultural phenomenon: how he's perceived, how that perception has changed over time, and which specific aspects have remained constant. As a critic, Weldon looks at what makes a Superman story a Superman story and what the various iterations of the character over the years say about him--and about us.



Review Quotes




"Weldon's years as a lifelong Superman fan give him superb insight into the character's central truths.... A reliable, witty, and informative guide." --NPR Books

"Breezily written and compulsively readable." --A/V Club

"An excellent portrait of the Man of Steel, managing to be fan-crazed and critical at the same time." --Publishers Weekly

"[Gathers] the sprawling, complex, and occasionally contradictory history of Superman into a rich and deeply textured story." --New York Journal of Books




About the Author



GLEN WELDON" "is a freelance writer who for the past five years has served as NPR's go-to comic book guy, reviewing all things funnybook-related for their "Monkey See" blog, main website, "Pop Culture Happy Hour" podcast, and national shows. His writing has appeared in the" New York Times Book Review," " "the" New Republic," "Slate, " "Story," "Washington City Paper," " "the "American Literary Review," and many other publications. He has received an NEA Arts Journalism Fellowship, a Ragdale Writing Fellowship, and a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Fiction. You can find him at glenweldon.tumblr.com.

Dimensions (Overall): 9.37 Inches (H) x 6.22 Inches (W) x 1.26 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.15 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Sub-Genre: Popular Culture
Genre: Social Science
Number of Pages: 352
Publisher: Trade Paper Press
Format: Hardcover
Author: Glen Weldon
Language: English
Street Date: April 1, 2013
TCIN: 88266923
UPC: 9781118341841
Item Number (DPCI): 247-37-4552
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1.26 inches length x 6.22 inches width x 9.37 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.15 pounds
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