things you didnt know about superman
- An earlier (and bald) version of Superman appeared in "Reign Of The Superman", in issue 3 of Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster's self-published magazine Science Fiction.
- Superman's secret identity was born out of Jerry Siegel's frustration with not being "glamorous" or popular with girls in high school.
- In his first appearance, Superman could only leap an eighth of a mile. His powers would eventually grow, obviously, and by 1943 he could fly faster than the speed of light.
- Superman's arch-enemy Lex Luthor first appeared in Action Comics 23 (April 1940). Now known for his baldness, he was originally drawn with a full head of red hair.
- Batman and Superman crossed paths for the first time in a 1945 episode of the latter's radio show, when Robin enlisted Superman's help in finding his missing partner.
- Kryptonite was officially introduced on the radio show in an episode aired in June 1943 in part to allow actor Budd Collyer to take some time off.
- Clark Kent first changed into costume in a phone booth in the second Fleischer Studios Superman short The Mechanical Monsters, released on 28 November 1941.
- Originally Superman fought for "truth and justice." "The American Way" was added to his motto during World War Two radio broadcasts.
- Superman's strength and invulnerability grew to the point where, in 1946, he could withstand two atomic bombs.
- Superman had a near-death experience in 'The Dark Knight Returns', where he is at the centre of an atomic blast.
- George Reeves stopped a child from firing a gun at him during a personal appearance by explaining the bullets would bounce off of him and harm others.
- Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent's red-headed, freckle-faced colleague at The Daily Planet, was created as a character for young radio listeners to identify with.
- Later added to the comics due to his popularity, perhaps his most infamous story is in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen 98, in which a gorilla seeks the cub reporter's hand in marriage.
- Man Of Steel will be the first Superman film in which Jimmy Olsen will not make an appearance.
- Bestiality featured in 1958's Action Comics 243, when Lois kisses Superman after he's transformed into a lion in the hopes of reversing the transformation.
- In the 1965 comic strip story "The Goofy Superman", Supes' must smoke an entire pack of cigars to create a literal smokescreen to hide his secret identity.
- In Lois Lane 59 (August 1965), Superman's girlfriend travels through time and showers a helpless infant Kal-El with kisses. WTF Lois?!?
- Arguably the most disturbing of all Superman comic covers is the Deliverance-style Action Comics 469, in which Supes is not only gagged, but also ridden by a hillbilly.
- A Superman theme park - called Supermanland, duh - was once planned for Metropolis, Illinois, before the gas crisis of the 1970's put it on indefinite hold. There is, however, a Superman Museum in the town, outside of which stands a 15-foot statue of the Man Of Steel.
- Superman: The Movie was the first time that Supes' "S" Shield was explained to be the El family crest, not just the first letter of his name.
- Ever wondered how Superman shaves his indestructible stubble? He simply bounces his heat vision off a reflective surface, like a fragment of the rocket that brought him from Krypton.
- Producer Alexander Salkind briefly considered Muhammed Ali for the lead role in Superman: The Movie.
- Lastly, there are currently 564 songs mentioning Superman or Clark Kent. So yeah, I guess you could say he's kind of popular.