Superman

The Unauthorized Biography

By: Glen Weldon

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

How has the Big Blue Boy Scout stayed so popular for so long? How has he changed with the times, and what essential aspects of him have remained constant? This fascinating biography examines Superman as a cultural phenomenon through 75 years of action-packed adventures, from his early years as a social activist in circus tights to his growth into the internationally renowned demigod he is today.

Written by NPR book critic, blogger, and resident comic-book expert Glen Weldon, this biography chronicles the ever-evolving Man of Steel and his world - not just the men and women behind the comics, movies, and shows, but his continually shifting origin story, burgeoning powers, and the colorful cast of trusted friends and deadly villains that surround him. Superman places every iteration of the Man of Steel into the character's greater, decades-long story: from Bud Collyer to Henry Cavill, World War II propagandist to peanut-butter pitchman, Super Pup to Super Friends, comic strip to Broadway musical, Lori Lemaris to Lois & Clark, it's all here.

Affectionate and in-depth, this biography contains analyses of the hero's most beloved adventures, in and out of the comics - his most iconic Golden Age tales, goofiest Silver Age exploits, and the contemporary film, television, and comics stories that keep him alive today.

©2013 Glen Weldon (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Superman Fans Must Listen!!

Superman will endure. He was the first, and the best. Great read will recommend this to all of the Superman fans that I know. As an avid Superman fan I learned a lot about the Man of Steel and his evolution since his creation.

Interesting

While one sided, it is very interesting to hear the history about and around Superman.

Fun!

Weldon's reverence for Superman is tempered with a cheeky wit that I find irresistible!

Loved the insights!

So much more to Superman's history than I would have guessed. Loved this chance to learn more!

Starts out oddly

The first several hours is just someone describing the earliest Superman stories. Only later does it become clear that this is an exhaustive examination of the evolution of Superman in Comics, TV & Film.
Likely only interesting to the geekiest of us...

Lots I never knew, but...

...recent stuff missing Injustice, CW's most recent outings, Snyder etc. Good historical foundation and context however.

An awesome museum tour of Superman's 75 years

As a Superman fan from since the 90's, I absolutely enjoyed listening to this. The author knows his material and lovingly walks us through the character's history from the moment of inception to the present. He has also made me look at older material which renewed wonder and appreciation. A must listen for all Superman fans.

Greatly detailed history

Loved it. Full of useless information for the Supernerd. Will definitely be listening again.

Glen Weldon is Superman xo

G l e n W e l d o n I s S u p e r m a n XO

Walk Through the Years with Superman

Superman has been around for more than eighty years, often getting changed but in the end being pulled back to the core concepts that originally fueled his creation. He is the ultimate nice guy, willing to suffer anything to help people. In this book, Glen Weldon walks the reader through his long history in sometimes excruciating detail. I’ve never thought of myself as a serious Superman reader, but I was amazed at how many times—even in the periods before I was born—I remembered what Weldon was talking about. It turns out that reading Superman anthologies in the doctor’s office, picking up stray copies at friends, and reading a lot of books that Superman appeared in, plus the television series, movies, cartoons, songs, and so much more, actually has made Superman a common feature in my life. It was fascinating to see how often I “recognized” a particular incarnation, and fun to walk through the many retcons and other changes that his writers have subjected him to over the years. If you give the book a try, I’ll bet you’ll be surprised by how well you know Superman too.