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Today marks the 85th anniversary of Clark Kent AKA Superman’s debut in Action Comics #1. While the issue’s cover date is June 1938, the comic went on sale on April 18 that year. This means Clark Kent is turning 85 today, and boy it is hard to believe we have had almost 100 years of adventures with the man from Krypton.
An Action-Packed Debut
While the Clark Kent we know and love wouldn’t debut until Action Comics #1, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first had the idea for Superman back in 1933. Although, that version of Superman was a bald telepath. Eventually, the character was reworked as a hero sent to Earth from a faraway planet, and Clark Kent was born.
Fast forward to April of 1938, and Clark Kent would debut as Superman in the first issue of Action Comics. The Man of Steel’s debut began with a short rundown of the hero. The first page of the comic broke down Superman’s origin story by showing a baby Kent loaded into a ship and landing on Earth. Then, the baby is shown growing up with amazing powers like super strength, speed, and invincibility. Finally, the young man decides to use these gifts to help the helpless.
This first page is followed by several pages of Superman adventures. They include saving an innocent woman from being wrongfully executed for a crime. He also helps a woman who is being abused by her husband and confronting a corrupt Senator. The issue also sees the first appearance of Lois Lane, who is rescued by Superman from a potential kidnapper. What a debut!
The Lasting Legacy of Superman
Since that first issue, Superman has become a staple in the world of comic books. In fact, Superman is often used as a blueprint for other comic book heroes like Wonder Woman, Batman, Captain America, and Green Lantern. Plus, the hero has leaped out of the pages of comic books and been featured in films and television shows.
Not to mention the characters that have spawned out of Superman comic books. Recently, Clark Kent’s son, Jon Kent, has been making his own way as Superman while his father is away. I wonder if Siegel and Shuster knew how big Superman would be 85 years after that first Action Comic.