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Happy Birthday Superman


Jetheelz

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Today, February 29, 2008, is Superman's birthday -- depending on who you ask anyway. Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster designed the Man of Tomorrow around 1932 but it took six years of rejections for the pair to sell the character. Finally, in Action Comics #1, Superman debuted. The comic magazine, an anthology which included other stories including DC mage Zatara, was cover-dated June 1938. As anyone who reads comics today knows, comic books -- like magazines -- are post-dated several months so Action Comics #1 actually hit newsstands (remember there weren't any comic book stores back then) in April 1938. So naturally, with a first appearance in April of a comic dated June, we celebrate Superman's anniversary in February. Wait a second, that doesn't seem right.

The idea that Superman's birthday is February 29 initially began as a lark. DC editors explained tongue in cheek in comic book letter columns that Superman remained eternally youthful because he was born on Leap Day, February 29, which occurs only once every four years.

When DC celebrated Superman's 50th anniversary in 1988, they treated February 29 as the Man of Steel's birth date. Even a "TIME" magazine cover-story (March 14, 1988 cover dated magazine) commemorating the 50th anniversary (with a cover by John Byrne) declared for all of America that Superman's birthday is February 29.

DC even held a Leap Day birthday party for Superman's 50th in 1988. The party was held at the Puck Building in downtown Manhattan. There were cheerleaders clad in Superman sweaters. Superman artist Curt Swan was there signing autographs. There was a Superman cake. Party goers got to walk through a room made of Kryptonite (actually green lights and cellophane). And of course there were truckloads of Superman merchandise for sale to those in attendance.

Whenever Clark Kent and/or Superman were "born", Superman the fictional character celebrates 70 years of fictional existence in 2008. DC Comics has not made any official pronouncement of Supes' birthday being February 29 this year as they did back in 1988. The city of Cleveland, Ohio -- hometown to Superman's creators Siegel and Shuster -- plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary in June.

Happy Birthday Superman!

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Today, February 29, 2008, is Superman's birthday -- depending on who you ask anyway. Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster designed the Man of Tomorrow around 1932 but it took six years of rejections for the pair to sell the character. Finally, in Action Comics #1, Superman debuted. The comic magazine, an anthology which included other stories including DC mage Zatara, was cover-dated June 1938. As anyone who reads comics today knows, comic books -- like magazines -- are post-dated several months so Action Comics #1 actually hit newsstands (remember there weren't any comic book stores back then) in April 1938. So naturally, with a first appearance in April of a comic dated June, we celebrate Superman's anniversary in February. Wait a second, that doesn't seem right.

The idea that Superman's birthday is February 29 initially began as a lark. DC editors explained tongue in cheek in comic book letter columns that Superman remained eternally youthful because he was born on Leap Day, February 29, which occurs only once every four years.

When DC celebrated Superman's 50th anniversary in 1988, they treated February 29 as the Man of Steel's birth date. Even a "TIME" magazine cover-story (March 14, 1988 cover dated magazine) commemorating the 50th anniversary (with a cover by John Byrne) declared for all of America that Superman's birthday is February 29.

DC even held a Leap Day birthday party for Superman's 50th in 1988. The party was held at the Puck Building in downtown Manhattan. There were cheerleaders clad in Superman sweaters. Superman artist Curt Swan was there signing autographs. There was a Superman cake. Party goers got to walk through a room made of Kryptonite (actually green lights and cellophane). And of course there were truckloads of Superman merchandise for sale to those in attendance.

Whenever Clark Kent and/or Superman were "born", Superman the fictional character celebrates 70 years of fictional existence in 2008. DC Comics has not made any official pronouncement of Supes' birthday being February 29 this year as they did back in 1988. The city of Cleveland, Ohio -- hometown to Superman's creators Siegel and Shuster -- plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary in June.

Happy Birthday Superman!

I have a headache. :confused0085:

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What is the difference between being crazy for Troy Brown, Big Brother or Superman? Oh, hey, I know!!!! I know!!!! Troy Brown is real. Big Brother is contrived "reality" TV, and Superman is a cartoon character.

You're all crazy.

And when have I ever given you grief for liking Troy Brown?

Oh yeah, that's right....never. :)

And get your facts straight...Superman is not just a cartoon character...he's an American Icon.

Truth, Justice, and the American Way. That means he doesn't take kind to cheaters.

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And when have I ever given you grief for liking Troy Brown?

Oh yeah, that's right....never. :)

And get your facts straight...Superman is not just a cartoon character...he's an American Icon.

Truth, Justice, and the American Way. That means he doesn't take kind to cheaters.

Wait a minute. Didn't they write out 'The American Way' part in the last Superman movie, because it might 'offend' people? It makes me want tell the rest of the world to eat the peanuts out of my good old American stool.
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Wait a minute. Didn't they write out 'The American Way' part in the last Superman movie, because it might 'offend' people? It makes me want tell the rest of the world to eat the peanuts out of my good old American stool.

It wasn't written out....Bryan Singer just changed it when he had Perry White say "does he still stand for truth, justice, and all that other stuff?" It was just meant to be a reference to that tagline.

There was some controversy over it though.

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Wait a minute. Didn't they write out 'The American Way' part in the last Superman movie, because it might 'offend' people? It makes me want tell the rest of the world to eat the peanuts out of my good old American stool.

I found the whole damn movie offensive. Bad.

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I found the whole damn movie offensive. Bad.

It had some good parts (like the airplane rescue), but overall it didn't deliver like it was expected to. I still enjoyed it, but there are some things about it that frustrate the hell outta me.

Best Superman film is part II.

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It had some good parts (like the airplane rescue), but overall it didn't deliver like it was expected to. I still enjoyed it, but there are some things about it that frustrate the hell outta me.

Best Superman film is part II.

I can relate to and appreciate your devotion to the series (says the HUGE XFiles fan)!! :grin:

The airplane rescue was what did the movie in for me.. No way it doesn't pancake like an accordian when he "catches" it.. And the passengers escape with only minor cuts and scrapes.. and that was the beginning of the flick.

Yes, yes, I know.. suspending reality. But seriously..

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I can relate to and appreciate your devotion to the series (says the HUGE XFiles fan)!! :grin:

Chris Carter is working on an X-files sequel. I've been reading about it for a few months now.

The airplane rescue was what did the movie in for me.. No way it doesn't pancake like an accordian when he "catches" it.. And the passengers escape with only minor cuts and scrapes.. and that was the beginning of the flick.

Yes, yes, I know.. suspending reality. But seriously..

I liked the airplane rescue because it was the first time we've seen Superman fly in a movie since that god awful piece of garbage Superman IV. Plus it was the first time we've seen it with modern special effects in a motion picture.

None of the passengers suffered major injuries because Supes rescued them. :)

The bullet in the eye was badass too.

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It wasn't written out....Bryan Singer just changed it when he had Perry White say "does he still stand for truth, justice, and all that other stuff?" It was just meant to be a reference to that tagline.

There was some controversy over it though.

A 'reference'. Whatever. Then he isn't Superman. He folded like cheap lawn furniture.
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It always bothered me that Superman was indestructible, and clearly the best super hero. Yet in every comic you read that he fights either Batman, or any of his numerous villains he struggles until the very end where he pulls off the upset.

You are f'in Superman!!!!! Act like it! Your eyes can burn a hole in the sun, you can turn back time, start pulling out your bag of tricks and stop acting like a little sissy girl!

Pisses me off. Batman is way cooler.

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It always bothered me that Superman was indestructible, and clearly the best super hero. Yet in every comic you read that he fights either Batman, or any of his numerous villains he struggles until the very end where he pulls off the upset.

You are f'in Superman!!!!! Act like it! Your eyes can burn a hole in the sun, you can turn back time, start pulling out your bag of tricks and stop acting like a little sissy girl!

Pisses me off. Batman is way cooler.

Superman gave Batman kryptonite.

Also don't forget that Superman doesn't kill. Not saying he hasn't, but he doesn't fight that way.

And besides, if he won every single battle in 1 move, that would make for some boring comics.

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