Siegel and Shuster in books

I talk a lot here about books created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but what if you are interested in reading a book about them and their work? As recently as a decade ago, options were limited both in number and information. But thankfully, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of books that fit that bill.

So if you are wanting to read up on Jerry and Joe’s lives or take a deeper look into the stories behind the stories, here are some recommendations:

‘Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman’

'Boys of Steel: The Creators of Supeman'

Published: 2008
Writer: Marc Tyler Nobleman
Illustrator: Ross McDonald

The first standalone biography of Jerry and Joe, this well-researched book is great for readers of all ages but especially recommended for younger readers. Quotes in the book all are taken from interviews Siegel and Shuster gave throughout the years.

‘Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster — the Creators of Superman’

'Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster — the Creators of Superman'

Published: 2013
Writer: Brad Ricca

Meticulously researched and highly detailed, you will not currently find a more thorough biography on the two. The book gives a comprehensive overview of Jerry’s and Joe’s lives, their work, their successes and their trials, putting it all into context and weaving it into a narrative that helps inform their creative output.

‘The Joe Shuster Story: The Artist Behind Superman’

'The Joe Shuster Story: The Artist Behind Superman'

Published: 2018
Writer: Julian Voloj
Illustator: Thomas Campi

While Joe’s story is inextricably linked with Jerry Siegel’s, this graphic novel (read: comic book) puts the soft-spoken artist front and center.

‘The Secret Origins of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster: The Creators of Superman’

'The Secret Origins of Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster: The Creators of Superman'

Published: (2013)
Writer: Jon Judy
Illustrator: Onofrio Orlando

I have not had the pleasure to read this biographical comic, but I look forward to doing so. I believe it is only available digitally.

‘Siegel and Shuster’s Funnyman: The First Jewish Superhero’

Published: 2010
Writers: Thomas Andrae and Mel Gordon

This volume offers background, cultural history and analysis of Jerry and Joe’s final co-creation — Funnyman. It also reprints a selection of stories from the comic book and samples from the daily and Sunday newspaper strip.

‘Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-Creator Joe Shuster’

'Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster'

Published: 2009
Writer: Craig Yoe

This book takes a look at a darker part of Shuster’s career, including historical background and cultural context. As the title and cover might suggest, this one’s not for kids.

‘Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero’

'Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero'

Published: 2012
Writer: Larry Tye

While focusing more on the Man of Steel’s history over more than seven decades, the book also include a substantial amount on Jerry and Joe’s story and deep background on their creation of the character. It also touches briefly on other parts of their early careers.

‘DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s Pulp Comics’

'DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's Pulp Comics'

Published: 2018
Writer: Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson

The book puts Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, founder of the company now known as DC Comics, in the spotlight and as such does not focus directly on Jerry and Joe. However, along with a deep profile of the Major, who hired Siegel and Shuster, it gives critical background on their early comics work before the Man of Steel changed everything. It also includes reprints and exerpts of early stories.

But, wait, there’s more

"The Steranko History of Comics“

And lastly, I would be remiss not to mention “The Great Comic Book Heroes” (1965) by Jules Feiffer, “The Steranko History of Comics“ (1971) by Jim Steranko and “Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters & the Birth of the Comic Book” (2004) by Gerard Jones, three seminal works in the documenting of comic book history.

So, hey, go read a book!

Editor’s note: This post was adapted and expanded from the original Twitter thread posted on Sept. 6, 2019, observed annually as “National Read a Book Day.”

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Missing the site?

A few years ago, I launched this blog as a tribute to the works of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and as a way to shine a light on lesser-known parts of their careers. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, life happened, and I found a shortage of time to make the site what I wanted it to be. This lead me to make the difficult decision to let the site remain dormant, rather than produce content I felt was sub-par.

Flash forward to today, and I would like to invite you all to join me over on Twitter, where I am a more active these days. There, I have been sharing information about Jerry and Joe’s work, and I share other links, retweets, news and goodness as it comes. While it isn’t quite bringing back the site, it is a way to continue to celebrate Jerry’s and Joe’s legacies, albeit in a form that is more easily digestible, producible and shareable.

This site will remain online, not only for the archives but for some longer-form posts as time allows and inspiration strikes. Likewise, the Facebook page still exists, but since the platforms no longer allow automated cross-posting, Twitter is where its at right now.

So, come on to Twitter over, give it follow and join the conversation, won’t you? Hope to see you there.

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Superman Fan Podcast, episode 291

For the first time in several episode, Billy Hogan once again gives attention to a Jerry Siegel-written story in episode 291 of the Superman Fan Podcast!

Superman Fan Podcast, episode 291

This time out, Billy’s focus in SUPERMAN #157, which contains one Siegel-written story: “Superman’s Day of Doom!” The story finds the Man of Steel unraveling the truth when a strange alien machine predicts he will be rescued by “L.L.” Will the prophecy come true? And just who — or what — is the “L.L.” foretold to rescue Superman? Find out!

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Random Panel #62

Random Panel #62

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Random Panel #61

Random Panel #61

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