The prototype for Superman was a telepathic villain from the story “The Reign of the Superman,” which appeared in the third issue of the Science Fiction fanzine, published by Shuster and Siegel in January 1933. The story drew on the concept of the “Übermensch” (Superman) described by Friedrich Nietzsche in his book, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.” However, Siegel and Shuster later decided to turn this character into a hero, drawing inspiration from the acting of Douglas Fairbanks, who played title roles in films such as “The Mark of Zorro” (1920) and “Robin Hood” (1922). The creation of Superman was also influenced by Philip Wylie’s 1930 sci-fi novel “Gladiator,” featuring the protagonist Hugo Danner, who possessed superhuman strength and speed and is widely considered the prototype for the later Kryptonian.
The creators were also inspired by Judaism (Shuster and Siegel were of Jewish origin) and Greek mythology, drawing on the stories of Moses (the idea of a savior coming from a nearly extinct people), as well as Samson and Heracles (the idea of a hero performing feats impossible for ordinary mortals). Superman’s real Kryptonian name is Kal-El, which is similar to the Hebrew “voice of God.” The suffix “-El” is actually a family name that comes from the Semitic word “El,” meaning “god.” His Earth name, Clark Kent, was inspired by the American actor Clark Gable, while his surname, Kent, was borrowed from another actor, Kent Taylor. The prototype for Superman’s alter ego, the timid reporter Clark Kent working at the Daily Planet, was various comedic film creations of American actor Harold Lloyd, as well as Shuster himself, who worked for the Toronto Star in the 1930s.
Superman is widely regarded as an icon of 20th-century American pop culture, alongside Batman and Spider-Man. As an extraterrestrial representative, he reflects an immigrant who has assimilated into American society, which is yet another allusion to Joe Shuster’s own past as a Canadian immigrant. Superman possesses superhuman abilities that enable him to help humanity, and defend the weak and oppressed. He wears a blue-and-red costume with a cape, modeled on a circus strongman’s outfit. The distinctive symbol on his chest is the large Latin letter “S” inside a diamond-shaped shield. He is also known by such nicknames as “The Last Son of Krypton,” “The Man of Steel,” and “The Man of Tomorrow.”
In addition to comic books, Superman has appeared in numerous films, television series, and video games, becoming an enduring cultural icon.