A review by loonyboi
Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero by Larry Tye
4.0
I enjoyed this quite a bit. Larry Tye's book covers the complete history of Superman, starting in the earliest days with Siegel and Shuster, and going all the way up to last year's New 52 reboot. It's good that it doesn't attempt to cover just the early days, because that material is well covered by Gerard Jones' [b:Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book|105398|Men of Tomorrow Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book|Gerard Jones|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348555871s/105398.jpg|101610]. Instead we get lots of great anecdotes about the radio, television and film versions of Superman, plus of course, all the various comic book incarnations. It doesn't skip over any major event in Superman's history, not even easily forgotten epochs like when Curt Swan retired (in the process creating the greatest single Superman comic of all-time, with writer Alan Moore), the Superboy TV series or Shaquille O'Neil's ill-fated Steel movie.
Ultimately this serves as an excellent biography of Superman across every conceivable medium. Some of the anecdotes are presented as fact, when there is questionable evidence, which irked me a little bit, but in general, this is a well-researched book.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a decent history of the character.
Ultimately this serves as an excellent biography of Superman across every conceivable medium. Some of the anecdotes are presented as fact, when there is questionable evidence, which irked me a little bit, but in general, this is a well-researched book.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a decent history of the character.