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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2008
Writer: Marc Tyler Nobleman
Illustrator: Ross McDonald<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster \u2014 the Creators of Superman’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2013
Writer: Brad Ricca<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘The Joe Shuster Story: The Artist Behind Superman’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2018
Writer: Julian Voloj
Illustator: Thomas Campi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘The Secret Origins of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster: The Creators of Superman’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: (2013)
Writer: Jon Judy
Illustrator: Onofrio Orlando<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Siegel and Shuster’s Funnyman: The First Jewish Superhero’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2010
Writers: Thomas Andrae and Mel Gordon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-Creator Joe Shuster’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2009
Writer: Craig Yoe<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2012
Writer: Larry Tye<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s Pulp Comics’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPublished: 2018
Writer: Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, wait, there’s more<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAnd lastly, I would be remiss not to mention “The Great Comic Book Heroes” (1965) by Jules Feiffer, “The Steranko History of Comics\u201c (1971) by Jim Steranko and \u201cMen of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters & the Birth of the Comic Book\u201d (2004) by Gerard Jones, three seminal works in the documenting of comic book history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, hey, go read a book!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editor’s note: This post was adapted and expanded from the <\/em>original Twitter thread<\/em><\/a> posted on Sept. 6, 2019, observed annually as “National Read a Book Day.”<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … Continue reading