Superman is a Clevelander

Superman recently returned to the big screen and, of course, is a mainstay in the comics and in the cartoons. But few people realize that Superman was not born on Krypton or raised in Kansas. No he was created in and epitomized the great spirit of Cleveland. And who knew that Superman was 75 years young in 2013?

The great comic book character was created by Jerry Siegel while he was still a student at Glenville High. He turned to his friend and illustrator Joe Shuster to illustrate the first comics of Superman. The old AT&T building in Downtown Cleveland (next to the Caxton Building) became the inspiration for the Daily Planet building in the comics. Jerry’s wife became the inspiration for Lois Lane.

Both men struggled mightily after selling the strip to Harry Donnenfield and signing a terrible contract which essentially left them with no rights to their creation. But more on that super story at another time. But take refuge in the fact that the most powerful man on the planet, an inspiration to so many, has super roots in Cleveland.