canadianoranges's review against another edition
5.0
A well-written, comprehensive history of the people behind Superman. It doesn't go too much into the history of each individual incarnation, but the people that worked to create these renditions. I'd love a second edition that looks deeper into the current era.
It's pretty fair across mediums as well. Spending equal time discussing TV, comics and movies. Well done.
It's pretty fair across mediums as well. Spending equal time discussing TV, comics and movies. Well done.
tarmstrong112's review against another edition
4.0
It was an interesting book, with a lot of focus on Superman's early years. But it covered right up until the modern day and was very interesting.
strangebehavior's review against another edition
3.0
Very well researched and obviously interesting subject matter but for some reason took me forever to finish.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
2.0
Boring. Okay so I'm not a big superman fan - but I am a comics fan. And I remember watching the George Reeves Superman in black and white. And watching and enjoying Superman I and II (I may have never seen the others). I watched Lois and Clark - and all but season 2 and 3 or so of ten seasons of Smallville. But I always thought that Superman was an uninteresting character - Clark though was somewhat interesting. But this book did not cover much new ground. Except for the coverage of the initial creators and business people who were not portrayed particularly as people you'd want to know more of. Don't bother reading.
scotty_s's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
1.5
So technical and specific that the overarching narrative is lostÂ
epersonae's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok; decent bus ride reading when it was too warm to knit. Don't remember a ton of detail.
andrewgraphics's review against another edition
4.0
Not a comic! Not a graphic novel! It's a true story!
This book covers the history and behind-the-scenes story of the Man of Steel, from his birth as an idea of a couple of teens in Cleveland, Ohio in the early '30s to his place as one of the most recognized figures (fictional or real) in the world.
Incredibly well researched, the author conducted a number of interviews with people who were involved in creating the myth, from actors of various TV shows and movies to creators who wrote and drew the character in recent years. (Unfortunately, since they died in the 1990s, he doesn't include first-hand info from the creators; tho he does do a lot of due diligence in getting their side of the story.)
This book covers the history and behind-the-scenes story of the Man of Steel, from his birth as an idea of a couple of teens in Cleveland, Ohio in the early '30s to his place as one of the most recognized figures (fictional or real) in the world.
Incredibly well researched, the author conducted a number of interviews with people who were involved in creating the myth, from actors of various TV shows and movies to creators who wrote and drew the character in recent years. (Unfortunately, since they died in the 1990s, he doesn't include first-hand info from the creators; tho he does do a lot of due diligence in getting their side of the story.)
rysmi's review against another edition
4.0
First I want to thank Random House for sending me a copy of the book during a Goodreads giveaway. Now for my review. A very readable book on the history of one of America's strongest and longest lasting heroes. The book provides contextual history in a way that makes you reconsider the shaping of Superman and provides an understanding for the progress his story has made over the many log decades he has entertained people all over the world. The only reason I would not give it 5 stars is that while the language is reader friendly, the lack of clear chronology sacrificed for subject heavy chapters. Often I got lost trying to figure out what was going on when. The author continuously makes side notes reminding you but I would rather have read a chronological history with subject brought in. Or at least a clear time line on the front or back of the book offering information about who was in charge during what year and what mediums the saga of superman explored. Still, an excellent book for new comers and devoted persons alike.l
nellybly's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not a huge Superman fan but I really enjoyed this biography/history.