text:
Blowin' in the Wind
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"Blowin' in the Wind"
Single by Bob Dylan
from the album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
B-side
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
Released
August 1963
Format
7" single
Recorded
July 9, 1962
Studio
Columbia Recording Studios, New York City, New York
Genre
Folk
Length
2:48
Label
Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Bob Dylan
Producer(s)
John H. Hammond[1]
Bob Dylan singles chronology
"Mixed-Up Confusion"
(1963) "Blowin' in the Wind"
(1963) "The Times They Are a-Changin'"
(1965)
"Mixed-Up Confusion"
(1963) "Blowin' in the Wind"
(1963) "The Times They Are a-Changin'"
(1965)
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan track listing
[show]
13 tracks
Side one
"Blowin' in the Wind"
"Girl from the North Country"
"Masters of War"
"Down the Highway"
"Bob Dylan's Blues"
"A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall"
Side two
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
"Bob Dylan's Dream"
"Oxford Town"
"Talkin' World War III Blues"
"Corrina, Corrina"
"Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance"
"I Shall Be Free"
Audio sample
file
help
"Blowin' in the Wind" is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released as a single and on his album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan in 1963. Although it has been described as a protest song, it poses a series of rhetorical questions about peace, war, and freedom. The refrain "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind" has been described as "impenetrably ambiguous: either the answer is so obvious it is right in your face, or the answer is as intangible as the wind".[2]
In 1994, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, it was ranked number 14 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Contents
[hide]
1 Origins and initial response
2 Personnel
3 Legacy
4 Other versions
5 See also
6 Notes
7 References
8 External links
Origins and initial response[edit]
Dylan originally wrote and performed a two-verse version of the song; its first public performance, at Gerde's Folk City on April 16, 1962, was recorded and circulated among Dylan collectors. Shortly after this performance, he added the middle verse to the song. Some published versions of the lyrics reverse the order of the second and third verses, apparently because Dylan simply appended the middle verse to his original manuscript, rather than writing out a new copy with the verses in proper order.[3] The song was published for the first time in May 1962, in the sixth issue of Broadside, the magazine founded by Pete Seeger and devoted to topical songs.[4] The theme may have been taken from a passage in Woody Guthrie's autobiography, Bound for Glory, in which Guthrie compared his political sensibility to newspapers blowing in the winds of New York City streets and alleys. Dylan was certainly familiar with Guthrie's work; his reading of it had been a major turning point in his intellectual and political development.[5]
In June 1962, the song was published in Sing Out!, accompanied by Dylan's comments:
There ain’t too much I can say about this song except that the answer is blowing in the wind. It ain't in no book or movie or TV show or discussion group. Man, it's in the wind — and it’s blowing in the wind. Too many of these hip people are telling me where the answer is but oh I won't believe that. I still say it's in the wind and just like a restless piece of paper it's got to come down some ... But the only trouble is that no one picks up the answer when it comes down so not too many people get to see and know ... and then it flies away. I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it's wrong. I'm only 21 years old and I know that there's been too many ... You people over 21, you're older and smarter.[6]
Dylan recorded "Blowin' in the Wind" on July 9, 1962, for inclusion on his second album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, released in May 1963.
In his sleeve notes for The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991, John Bauldie wrote that Pete Seeger first identified the melody of "Blowin' in the Wind" as an adaptation of the old African-American spiritual "No More Auction Block/We Shall Overcome". According to Alan Lomax's The Folk Songs of North America, the song originated in Canada and was sung by former slaves who fled there after Britain abolished slavery in 1833. In 1978, Dylan acknowledged the source when he told journalist Marc Rowland: "'Blowin' in the Wind' has always been a spiritual. I took it off a song called 'No More Auction Block' – that's a spiritual and 'Blowin' in the Wind' follows the same feeling."[7] Dylan's performance of "No More Auction Block" was recorded at the Gaslight Cafe in October 1962, and appeared on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991.
The critic Michael Gray suggested that the lyric is an example of Dylan's incorporation of Biblical rhetoric into his own style. A particular rhetorical form deployed time and again in the New Testament and based on a text from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel (12:1–2) is: "The word of the Lord came to me: 'Oh mortal, you dwell among the rebellious breed. They have eyes to see but see not; ears to hear, but hear not." In "Blowin' in the Wind", Dylan transforms this into "Yes'n' how many ears must one man have ...?" and "Yes' n' how many times must a man turn his head / Pretending he just doesn't see?"[8]
"Blowin' in the Wind" has been described as an anthem of the civil rights movement.[9] In Martin Scorsese's documentary on Dylan, No Direction Home, Mavis Staples expressed her astonishment on first hearing the song and said she could not understand how a young white man could write something that captured the frustration and aspirations of black people so powerfully. Sam Cooke was similarly deeply impressed by the song, incorporating it into his repertoire soon after its release (a version would be included on Sam Cooke at the Copa), and being inspired by it to write "A Change Is Gonna Come".[10][11]
"Blowin' in the Wind" was first covered by The Chad Mitchell Trio, but their record company delayed release of the album containing it because the song included the word death, so the trio lost out to Peter, Paul and Mary, who were represented by Dylan's manager, Albert Grossman. The single sold a phenomenal 300,000 copies in the first week of release and made the song world-famous. On August 17, 1963, it reached number two on the Billboard pop chart, with sales exceeding one million copies. Peter Yarrow recalled that, when he told Dylan he would make more than $5,000 (equivalent to $40,000 in 2017[12]) from the publishing rights, Dylan was speechless.[13] Peter, Paul and Mary's version of the song also spent five weeks atop the easy listening chart.
The critic Andy Gill wrote,
"Blowin' in the Wind" marked a huge jump in Dylan's songwriting. Prior to this, efforts like "The Ballad of Donald White" and "The Death of Emmett Till" had been fairly simplistic bouts of reportage songwriting. "Blowin' in the Wind" was different: for the first time, Dylan discovered the effectiveness of moving from the particular to the general. Whereas "The Ballad of Donald White" would become completely redundant as soon as the eponymous criminal was executed, a song as vague as "Blowin' in the Wind" could be applied to just about any freedom issue. It remains the song with which Dylan's name is most inextricably linked, and safeguarded his reputation as a civil libertarian through any number of changes in style and attitude.[14]
Dylan performed the song for the first time on television in the UK in January 1963, when he appeared in the BBC television play Madhouse on Castle Street.[15] He also performed the song during his first national US television appearance, filmed in March 1963, a performance made available in 2005 on the DVD release of Martin Scorsese's PBS television documentary on Dylan, No Direction Home.
An allegation that the song was written by a high-school student named Lorre Wyatt and subsequently purchased or plagiarised by Dylan before he gained fame was reported in an article in Newsweek magazine in November 1963. The plagiarism claim was eventually shown to be untrue.[16][17]
Personnel[edit]
Bob Dylan – guitar, harmonica, vocals
Legacy[edit]
The first line of the song ("How many roads must a man walk down?") is proposed as the "Ultimate Question" in the science fiction novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.
In the 1994 film Forrest Gump, Jenny sings this song for a show in a strip club and is introduced as "Bobbi Dylan". The film's soundtrack album features Joan Baez's 1976 live recording of the song, from her album From Every Stage.
In 1975, the song was included as poetry in a high-school English textbook in Sri Lanka. The textbook caused controversy because it replaced Shakespeare's work with Dylan's.[18][19]
During the protests against the Iraq War, commentators noted that protesters were resurrecting songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind" rather than creating new ones.[20]
The song has been embraced by many liberal churches, and in the 1960s and 1970s it was sung both in Catholic church "folk masses" and as a hymn in Protestant ones. In 1997, Bob Dylan performed three other songs at a Catholic church congress. Pope John Paul II, who was in attendance, told the crowd of some 300,000 young Italian Catholics that the answer was indeed "in the wind" – not in the wind that blew things away, but rather "in the wind of the spirit" that would lead them to Christ. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI (who had also been in attendance) wrote that he was uncomfortable with music stars such as Dylan performing in a church environment.[21]
In 2009, Dylan licensed the song to be used in an advertisement for the British consumer-owned Co-Operative Group. The Co-Op claimed that Dylan's decision was influenced by "the Co-Op's high ethical guidelines regarding fair trade and the environment." The Co-Op, which is owned by about 3 million consumers, also includes Britain's largest funeral parlour and farming business.[22][23]
He was described by David Barrett in 2017 as a 'living legend' and 'a true inspiration' to customer service representatives around the globe.[24]
Other versions[edit]
"Blowin' in the Wind"
Single by Peter, Paul and Mary
from the album In the Wind
B-side
"Flora"
Released
1963
Format
7" single
Recorded
1963
Genre
Folk
Length
2:53
Label
Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Bob Dylan
Producer(s)
Albert Grossman
Peter, Paul and Mary singles chronology
"Settle Down (Goin' Down That Highway)""
(1963) "Blowin' in the Wind"
(1963) "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
(1963)
"Settle Down (Goin' Down That Highway)""
(1963) "Blowin' in the Wind"
(1963) "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
(1963)
"Blowin' in the Wind"
Single by Marianne Faithfull
B-side
"The House of the Rising Sun"
Released
1964
Format
7" single
Genre
Pop
Label
Decca
Songwriter(s)
Bob Dylan
Producer(s)
Andrew Loog Oldham
Marianne Faithfull singles chronology
"As Tears Go By"
(1964) "Blowin' in the Wind"
(1964) "Come and Stay With Me"
(1965)
"As Tears Go By"
(1964) "Blowin' in the Wind"
(1964) "Come and Stay With Me"
(1965)
"Blowin' in the Wind" has been recorded by hundreds of artists. The most commercially successful version is by folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, who released the song in June 1963, three weeks after The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was issued. Albert Grossman, then managing both Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary, brought the trio the song which they promptly recorded (on a single take) and released.[25] The trio's version, which was the title track of their third album, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard charts.[26] The group's version also went to number one on the Middle-Road charts for five weeks.[27]
Other notable recordings include those by Sielun Veljet, who released it as a single, and Stevie Wonder, whose version became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.[28] The Me First and the Gimme Gimmes' version appears on their album Blow in the Wind, a play on the title of the song. Marlene Dietrich recorded a German version of the song (titled Die Antwort Weiss Ganz Allein Der Wind") which peak at #32 in Germany charts.[29]
Tore Lagergren wrote lyrics in Swedish, "Och vinden ger svar" ("and the wind gives answer"), which charted at Svensktoppen for two weeks in 1963, first as recorded by Otto, Berndt och Beppo, peaking at number 8 on October 12, and by Lars Lönndahl during November 9–15 with sixth & seventh position.[30] Both were released on single A-sides in 1963. This version was also recorded by Sven-Ingvars as the B-side of the single "Du ska tro på mej", released in March 1967.[31] With these lyrics, the song also charted at Svensktoppen in 1970, with Michael med Salt och peppar.[32]
Glen Campbell recorded an instrumental version of the song for his 1964 album The Astounding 12-String Guitar of Glen Campbell.
Dolly Parton recorded the song for her 2005 covers album Those Were the Days.
Steve Alaimo recorded the song in 1965. Despite his national presence on Where the Action Is, his version failed to chart on Billboard's Hot 100. It did however reach #139 on Cashbox charts.
In some live performances, Pete Seeger includes an additional verse as a spoof which criticizes Dylan’s use of over-extended metaphors and wordiness. The verse is usually sung as follows,
"How many words can be written on a page, before they begin to bleed? How many books can one man own, before he has learned to read? How many meanings can he give to a phrase, before, from his lexicon he’s freed?"
See also[edit]
List of anti-war songs
List of Bob Dylan songs based on earlier tunes
Notes[edit]
Jump up ^ Bjorner, Olof (2010-11-17). "1962 Concerts and Recording Sessions". Still on the Road. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
Jump up ^ Gold, Mick (2002). "Life and Life Only: Dylan at 60". Judas! magazine, April 2002. p. 43.
Jump up ^ A photo of Dylan's original lyrics with the third verse scribbled at the bottom was published on page 52 of Dylan, Lyrics 1962–2001
Jump up ^ Williams, Dylan: a man called alias, 42
Jump up ^ Hampton, Wayne (1986). Guerrilla Minstrels. University of Tennessee Press. p. 160, citing Bound for Glory, New York: Dutton, 1946, p. 295.
Jump up ^ Gray (2006). The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. p. 64.
Jump up ^ Quoted in John Bauldie's sleeve notes for The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991
Jump up ^ Gray (2006). The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. pp. 63–64.
Jump up ^ Cohen, Bob (2008-01-28). "How "Blowin' in the Wind" Came to Be". RightWingBob.com.
Jump up ^ "Sam Cooke And The Song That 'Almost Scared Him'". NPR (National Public Radio). February 1, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
Jump up ^ Gray, The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, 149–150
Jump up ^ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
Jump up ^ Sounes. Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan. p. 135.
Jump up ^ Gill. My Back Pages. p. 23
Jump up ^ "Dylan in the Madhouse". BBC TV. 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
Jump up ^ "False Claim on "Blowin' in the Wind"". Snopes.com, Rumor has it.
Jump up ^ Rees, Jasper (August 14, 1993). "Lives of the Great Songs: Blowin' this way and that". The Independent. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
Jump up ^ Samaranayake, Ajith (2004-12-19). "A Life in Ideas and Writing". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 2009-05-29.
Jump up ^ Haththotuwegama, GK (2005-01-26). "E.F.C.Ludowyk Memorial Lecture". Official website of GK Haththotuwegama. Archived from the original on 2009-01-02.
Jump up ^ Kennedy, Louise (2003-03-17). "Activists Ask, Where Have All the Peace Songs Gone?". San Francisco Chronicle.
Jump up ^ "Pope Opposed Bob Dylan Singing to John Paul in 1997". Reuters. 2007-03-10.
Jump up ^ "Bob Dylan Allows British Ad to Use Blowin' in the Wind". The Earth Times. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
Jump up ^ Sweney, Mark (2009-01-28). "Bob Dylan Song to Soundtrack Co-op Ad". Guardian.co.uk.
Jump up ^ Barrett, David (2017). "Life in the Fast Lane" p. 30
Jump up ^ Peter Yarrow interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969)
Jump up ^ Gray. The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. p. 63.
Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002), Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001, Record Research, p. 192
Jump up ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 25, The Soul Reformation: Phase Two, the Motown Story. [Part 4]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
Jump up ^ - "Marlene Dietrich – Die Antwort Weiss Ganz Allein Der Wind" (in German). musicline.de. PHONONET GmbH. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
Jump up ^ Svensktoppen – 1963
Jump up ^ Information på Svensk mediedatabas
Jump up ^ Svensktoppen, 1970, retrieved 31 May 2011
References[edit]
Gill, Andy (1999), Classic Bob Dylan: My Back Pages, Carlton, ISBN 1-85868-599-0
Gray, Michael (2006), The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, Continuum International, ISBN 0-8264-6933-7
Sounes, Howard (2001), Down The Highway: The Life Of Bob Dylan, Grove Press, ISBN 0-8021-1686-8
Williams, Richard (1992), Dylan: a man called alias, Bloomsbury, ISBN 0-7475-1084-9
External links[edit]
Lyrics
Preceded by
"Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" by Rolf Harris "Billboard" Easy Listening number-one single by
Peter, Paul and Mary
August 3, 1963
(five weeks) Succeeded by
"Blue Velvet" by Bobby Vinton
Preceded by
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations Billboard Hot R&B Singles number-one single (Stevie Wonder version)
August 27, 1966 Succeeded by
"You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes
[show]
v
t
e
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Songs
Side one
"Blowin' in the Wind"
"Girl from the North Country"
"Masters of War"
"Down the Highway"
"Bob Dylan's Blues"
"A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall"
Side two
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
"Bob Dylan's Dream"
"Oxford Town"
"Talkin' World War III Blues"
"Corrina, Corrina"
"Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance"
"I Shall Be Free"
Supporting tours
Bob Dylan England Tour 1965
[show]
v
t
e
Bob Dylan singles discography
1962
"Mixed-Up Confusion" / "Corrina, Corrina"
1963
"Blowin' in the Wind" / "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
1965
"The Times They Are a-Changin'" / "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance"
"Maggie's Farm" / "On the Road Again"
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" / "She Belongs to Me"
"Like a Rolling Stone" / "Gates of Eden
"Positively 4th Street" / "From a Buick 6"
"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" / "Highway 61 Revisited"
1966
"One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)" / "Queen Jane Approximately"
"Rainy Day Women ♯12 & 35" / "Pledging My Time"
"I Want You" / "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" (live with The Hawks)
"Just Like a Woman" / "Obviously 5 Believers"
1967
"Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" / "Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine"
"If You Gotta Go, Go Now" / "To Ramona" (only in Europe)
1968
"Drifter's Escape" / "John Wesley Harding"
"All Along the Watchtower" / "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"
1969
"I Threw It All Away" / "Drifter's Escape"
"Lay Lady Lay" / "Peggy Day"
"Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You" / "Country Pie"
1970
"If Not for You" / "New Morning"
"Wigwam" / "Copper Kettle"
1971
"Watching the River Flow" / "Spanish is the Loving Tongue"
"George Jackson" (band version) / "George Jackson" (acoustic version)
1973
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" / "Turkey Chase" (instrumental from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid)
"A Fool Such as I" / "Lily of the West"
1974
"On a Night Like This" / "You Angel You"
"Something There Is About You" / "Tough Mama"
"Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" (live with The Band)
"All Along the Watchtower" / "It Ain't Me Babe"
1975
"Tangled Up in Blue" / "If You See Her, Say Hello"
"Million Dollar Bash" / "Tears of Rage"
"Hurricane" (Part 1) / "Hurricane" (Part 2)
1976
"Mozambique" / "Oh Sister"
"Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" (live) / "Rita May"
1978
"Baby, Stop Crying" / "We Better Talk This Over"
"Changing of the Guards" / "Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)"
"Is Your Love In Vain?" / "We Better Talk This Over"
1979
"Maggie's Farm (live) / "All Along the Watchtower"
"Forever Young" (live) / "All Along the Watchtower" / "I Want You"
"Man Gave Names to All the Animals" / "When You Gonna Wake Up?"
"Gotta Serve Somebody" / "Trouble in Mind"
"Precious Angel" / "Trouble in Mind"
1980
"Slow Train" / "Do Right to Me Baby"
"Solid Rock" / "Covenant Woman"
"Saved" / "Are You Ready?"
1981
"Heart of Mine" / "Let It Be Me"
"Dead Man, Dead Man" / "Lenny Bruce"
1983
"Union Sundown" / "Angel Flying too Close to the Ground"
"I and I" / "Angel Flying too Close to the Ground"
"Sweetheart Like You" / "Union Sundown"
1984
"Jokerman" / "Isis"
1985
"Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)" / "We Better Talk this Over"
"When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky" / "Emotionally Yours"
1986
"Band of the Hand" / "Joe's Death" (Michael Rubini)
"Got My Mind Made Up" / "The Usual"
1988
"Silvio" / "Driftin' too Far from the Shore"
1989
"Everything Is Broken" / "Death is Not the End"
"Slow Train" (live with The Grateful Dead)
1990
"Political World" / "Ring Them Bells" (only in the UK and Australia)
"Most of the Time" / "Most of the Time (edit piece)
"Unbelievable" / "10,000 Men"
1991
"Series of Dreams" / "Seven Curses"
"Blind Willie McTell" / "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" (from The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3)
"Step it Up and Go" — (no b-side)
1993
"My Back Pages" (with Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison) — (no b-side)
1995
"Dignity" (live on MTV Unplugged) / "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" (live version)
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" / "John Brown" (both live on MTV Unplugged)
1998
"Not Dark Yet" / "Tombstone Blues" (live) / "Ballad of a Thin Man" (live) / "Boots of Spanish Leather" (live)
"Love Sick" / "Tombstone Blues" (live)
2000
"Things Have Changed" / "Make You Feel My Love" (live) / "Hurricane" / "Song to Woody" (live)
2006
"Someday Baby" / "Someday Baby" (edit piece)
"Rollin' and Tumblin'" / "Not Dark Yet" / "High Water (for Charley Patton)"
2007
"Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" (Mark Ronson remix version) / "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" (album version)
2008
"Dreamin' of You" (edit piece) / "Dreamin' of You" (album version)
2009
"Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" / "Down Along the Cove" (live)
"I Feel a Change Comin' On" / "I Feel a Change Comin' On" (edit piece)
"Must Be Santa" / "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"
2010
"The Times They Are a-Changin'" (demo version) / "Like a Rolling Stone"
2012
"Duquesne Whistle"
2013
"Wigwam" (demo version) / "Thirsty Boots"
[show]
v
t
e
Stevie Wonder
Studio albums
The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie
Tribute to Uncle Ray
With a Song in My Heart
Stevie at the Beach
Up-Tight
Down to Earth
I Was Made to Love Her
Someday at Christmas
Eivets Rednow
For Once in My Life
My Cherie Amour
Signed, Sealed & Delivered
Where I'm Coming From
Music of My Mind
Talking Book
Innervisions
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life
Hotter than July
In Square Circle
Characters
Conversation Peace
A Time to Love
Live albums
Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius
Stevie Wonder Live
Live at the Talk of the Town
Natural Wonder
Soundtracks
Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants"
The Woman in Red
Jungle Fever
Compilations
Looking Back
Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I
Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection
At the Close of a Century
Ballad Collection
The Definitive Collection
20th Century Masters
The Complete Stevie Wonder
Top ten singles
"Fingertips - Part 2"
"Uptight (Everything's Alright)"
"Blowin' in the Wind"
"A Place in the Sun"
"I Was Made to Love Her"
"I'm Wondering"
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day"
"For Once in My Life"
"My Cherie Amour"
"Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday"
"Never Had a Dream Come True"
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"
"Heaven Help Us All"
"If You Really Love Me"
"Superstition"
"You Are the Sunshine of My Life"
"Higher Ground"
"Living for the City"
"He's Misstra Know-It-All"
"You Haven't Done Nothin'"
"Boogie On Reggae Woman"
"I Wish"
"Sir Duke"
"Send One Your Love"
"Master Blaster (Jammin')"
"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It"
"Happy Birthday"
"That Girl"
"Do I Do"
"Ebony and Ivory"
"I Just Called to Say I Love You"
"Love Light in Flight"
"Part-Time Lover"
"That's What Friends Are For"
"Go Home"
Other singles
"Hey Harmonica Man"
"Hey Love"
"I Don't Know Why"
"Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer"
"Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)"
"Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing"
"As"
"Another Star"
"Lately"
"Ribbon in the Sky"
"Overjoyed"
"Faith"
Other songs
"You and I (We Can Conquer the World)"
"Golden Lady
"All in Love Is Fair"
"They Won't Go When I Go"
"Knocks Me Off My Feet"
"Pastime Paradise"
"Isn't She Lovely"
"Black Man"
Collaborations
"Ebony and Ivory"
"We Are the World"
"Just Good Friends"
"California Roll"
Related articles
Discography
Lula Mae Hardaway
Syreeta Wright
KJLH
Wonderin'
"Wonder-ful"
Book
Category
[show]
v
t
e
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter Yarrow
Paul Stookey
Mary Travers
Studio albums
Peter, Paul and Mary
Moving
In the Wind
A Song Will Rise
See What Tomorrow Brings
The Peter, Paul and Mary Album
Album 1700
Late Again
Peter, Paul and Mommy
No Easy Walk to Freedom
In These Times
Compilation albums
The Best of Peter, Paul and Mary: Ten Years Together
Songs of Conscience and Concern
Live albums
In Concert
Peter, Paul & Mommy, Too
Singles
"Lemon Tree"
"If I Had a Hammer"
"Puff, the Magic Dragon"
"500 Miles"
"Blowin' in the Wind"
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
"Stewball"
"Tell It on the Mountain"
"The Times They Are a-Changin'"
"When the Ship Comes In"
"San Francisco Bay Blues"
"Early Morning Rain"
"I Dig Rock and Roll Music"
"Too Much of Nothing"
"Day Is Done"
"Leaving on a Jet Plane"
Other songs
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?"
"And When I Die"
"El Salvador"
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
"This Land Is Your Land"
"Light One Candle"
[show]
v
t
e
Marlene Dietrich
Studio albums
Marlene Dietrich Overseas (1951)
Die neue Marlene (1965)
Marlene singt Berlin, Berlin (1965)
Live albums
Live at the Café de Paris (1954)
Dietrich in Rio (1959)
Wiedersehen mit Marlene (1960)
Dietrich in London (1965)
Selected singles
"Falling in Love Again"
"The Boys in the Backroom"
"Lili Marlene"
"Sag' mir, wo die Blumen sind"
"Die Antwort Weiss Ganz Allein Der Wind"
"Come Rain or Come Shine"
Videos
An Evening with Marlene Dietrich (2003)
Related articles
Discography
Filmography
Marlene
Authority control
WorldCat Identities
VIAF: 183974483
GND: 1038106850
BNF: cb16230041j (data)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blowin%27_in_the_Wind&oldid=835648353"
Categories:
Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one singles
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles
1963 singles
1966 singles
Anti-war songs
Songs written by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan songs
Elvis Presley songs
Glen Campbell songs
Dolly Parton songs
Joan Baez songs
Peter, Paul and Mary songs
The Kingston Trio songs
Protest songs
Stevie Wonder songs
Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients
American folk songs
Columbia Records singles
Warner Bros. Records singles
Decca Records singles
Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording
1962 songs
Song recordings produced by John Hammond (producer)
Song recordings produced by Albert Grossman
Songs involved in plagiarism controversies
Hidden categories:
Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters
Articles with hAudio microformats
Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers
Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers
Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
Languages
Brezhoneg
Català
Čeština
Dansk
Deutsch
Ελληνικά
Español
فارسی
Français
Galego
Italiano
עברית
Latina
Magyar
മലയാളം
Nederlands
日本語
Norsk
Norsk nynorsk
Polski
Português
Русский
Sicilianu
Suomi
Svenska
Українська
Tiếng Việt
中文
19 more
Edit links
This page was last edited on 9 April 2018, at 23:13.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

value: th

attrs: colspan class style

value: tr

values:
/wiki/John_H._Hammond
mw-redirect
John H. Hammond

values: width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em .1em .2em 0;

values: width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding:.2em .1em;

values: width: 33%; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding: .2em 0 .2em .1em;

values: background: transparent; width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;

values: width:33%; padding:.2em .1em .2em 0; text-align: center;

values: width:33%; padding:.2em .1em; text-align: center;

values: width:33%; padding:.2em 0 .2em .1em; text-align: center;

values: text-align: left; display: none; background: transparent;

values: position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 110px; right: 0px; bottom: 0px; height: 0px; width: 0px;

values: left: 50%; top: 50%; margin-left: -35px; margin-top: -27.5px;

values:
mwPlayerContainer k-player videoHolder
width: 220px; position: relative;

values: File:Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind.ogg

values:
/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_help
mw-redirect
Wikipedia:Media help

values:
hlist hlist-separated
font-size: smaller

values:
/wiki/Grammy_Hall_of_Fame_Award
mw-redirect
Grammy Hall of Fame Award

values: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

values: Edit section: Origins and initial response

values:
/wiki/Ultimate_Question
mw-redirect
Ultimate Question

values:
/wiki/Gramophone_record
mw-redirect
Gramophone record

values:
/wiki/Hot_Adult_Contemporary
mw-redirect
Hot Adult Contemporary

values: The Astounding 12-String Guitar of Glen Campbell

values: Those Were the Days (Dolly Parton album)

values:
/wiki/Billboard%27s_Hot_100
mw-redirect
Billboard's Hot 100

values: List of Bob Dylan songs based on earlier tunes

values:
nofollow
external text
http://smdb.kb.se/catalog/id/001469637

values: -moz-column-width: 30em; -webkit-column-width: 30em; column-width: 30em; list-style-type: decimal;

values:
/wiki/Tie_Me_Kangaroo_Down_Sport
mw-redirect
Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport

values: Template talk:The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

values: nowraplinks collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values:
Bob_Dylan_singles_discography
fn
font-size:114%;margin:0 4em

values:
row
navbox-group
width:1%;background: #EEEEEE;

values:
/wiki/Just_Like_a_Woman_(song)
mw-redirect
Just Like a Woman (song)

values:
/wiki/Obviously_5_Believers
mw-redirect
Obviously 5 Believers

values: Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine

values:
/wiki/A_Fool_Such_as_I
mw-redirect
A Fool Such as I

values: Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

values:
/wiki/The_Grateful_Dead
mw-redirect
The Grateful Dead

values:
/wiki/Most_of_the_Time
mw-redirect
Most of the Time

values: It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry

values:
/wiki/Good_As_I_Been_to_You
mw-redirect
Good As I Been to You

values:
/wiki/High_Water_(For_Charlie_Patton)
mw-redirect
High Water (For Charlie Patton)

values:
/wiki/I_Feel_a_Change_Comin%27_On
mw-redirect
I Feel a Change Comin' On

values: nowraplinks vcard hlist collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values:
Stevie_Wonder
fn
font-size:114%;margin:0 4em

values: With a Song in My Heart (Stevie Wonder album)

values: For Once in My Life (Stevie Wonder album)

values: Live at the Talk of the Town (Stevie Wonder album)

values: The Definitive Collection (Stevie Wonder album)

values: 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Stevie Wonder

values: For Once in My Life (Stevie Wonder song)

values: Never Had a Dream Come True (Stevie Wonder song)

values: Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)

values:
/wiki/Golden_Lady_(Stevie_Wonder_song)
mw-redirect
Golden Lady (Stevie Wonder song)

values:
navbox-abovebelow
2
background: #EEEEEE;

values:
Peter,_Paul_and_Mary
fn org
font-size:114%;margin:0 4em

values: Template talk:Marlene Dietrich (page does not exist)

values:
Marlene_Dietrich
fn
font-size:114%;margin:0 4em

values: nowraplinks vcard collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values:
nofollow
external text
https://viaf.org/viaf/183974483

values:
nofollow
external text
https://d-nb.info/gnd/1038106850

values: Category:Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one singles

values: Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles

values: Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients

values: Category:Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording

values: Category:Song recordings produced by John Hammond (producer)

values: Category:Song recordings produced by Albert Grossman

values: Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies

values: Category:Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters

values: Category:Articles with hAudio microformats

values: Category:Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers

values: Category:Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers

values: Category:Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/Blowin%27_in_the_Wind
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia

values: About the project, what you can do, where to find things

values: A list of recent changes in the wiki [ctrl-alt-r]

values: portal navigation p-interaction p-interaction-label

values: List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [ctrl-alt-j]

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-br
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-da
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-el
display: none;

values: دمیدن در باد – Persian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-fa
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-he
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-la
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-hu
display: none;

values: ബ്ലോയിംഗ് ഇൻ ദ വിൻഡ് – Malayalam

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ml
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-nl
display: none;

values: 風に吹かれて (ボブ・ディランの曲) – Japanese

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-no
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-nn
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-pl
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-scn
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-sv
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-uk
display: none;

values: 答案在风中飘荡 – Chinese

values:
suggestions
display: none; font-size: 13px;

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Blowin_in_the_Wind rootpage-Blowin_in_the_Wind skin-vector action-view


text:
Origin of Superman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The abbreviated origin of Superman as featured in All-Star Superman #1 (January 2006) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.
The origin of Superman is the story that relates Superman's arrival on Earth and the beginnings of his career as a superhero. The story has been through many revisions through decades of publication in comic books and radio, television and film adaptations.
The original story was written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Joe Shuster, and published as a part of the character's first appearance in Action Comics #1 (June 1938). As more stories were published, more details about the original story were established. These stories explored individual details, such as the planet Krypton, the source of Superman's powers and his relationship with supporting characters. Because continuity was looser during the Golden Age and the Silver Age, many of these stories contradicted each other.
As Superman was adapted into other media, his origin story has been frequently retold. These origin stories adhere to the basic framework created by Siegel and Shuster, with minor variations made to serve the plot or to appeal to contemporary audiences. Some of the details created for these adaptations influenced the origin story in the mainstream comic series.
In more recent years, the origin story has been revamped in the comic books several times. In 1985, DC Comics published Crisis on Infinite Earths, which created the opportunity to definitively revise the history of the DC Universe. Superman's origin was subsequently retold in the 1986 limited series The Man of Steel, written and drawn by John Byrne. The story was later removed from continuity ("retconned") and replaced with the Superman: Birthright limited series in 2003 and 2004, written by Mark Waid and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu, as Superman's official origin. After the Infinite Crisis limited series in 2005 and 2006, Superman's origin was revised yet again, unfolding throughout Superman's regular publications and the Superman: Secret Origin mini-series in 2009 and 2010.
Contents
[hide]
1 Basic story
1.1 Common variations
1.2 Influences
2 Publication history
2.1 Pre-Crisis
2.1.1 Golden Age
2.1.2 Silver Age
2.1.3 Bronze Age
2.2 Post-Crisis
2.2.1 The Man of Steel
2.2.2 Superman: Birthright
2.2.3 Superman: Secret Origin
2.3 The New 52
2.4 DC Universe: Rebirth
3 Other versions
3.1 Parallel earths
3.2 Elseworlds
4 In other media
4.1 Radio
4.2 Superman 1940s cartoons
4.3 Superman film serial
4.4 Adventures of Superman
4.5 Superman: The Movie
4.6 Lois & Clark
4.7 Superman: The Animated Series
4.8 Smallville
4.9 Superman Returns
4.10 Man of Steel
5 References
Basic story[edit]
While the individual details vary, certain key elements have remained consistent in almost all retellings.
Superman is born Kal-El on the alien planet Krypton. His parents, Jor-El and Lara become aware of Krypton's impending destruction and Jor-El begins constructing a spacecraft to carry Kal-El to Earth. During Krypton's last moments, Jor-El places young Kal-El in the spacecraft and launches it. Jor-El and Lara die as the spacecraft barely escapes Krypton's fate. The explosion transforms planetary debris into kryptonite, a radioactive substance that is lethal to superpowered (as by Earth's yellow sun) Kryptonians.
The spacecraft lands in the rural United States, where it is found by a passing motorist. Jonathan and Martha Kent adopt Kal-El and name him Clark Kent. As Clark grows up on Earth, he and his adoptive parents discover that he has superhuman powers. The Kents teach Clark to use these powers responsibly to help others and fight crime.
Clark keeps his powers secret in order to protect his family and friends, who might be endangered by his criminal enemies. In order to use his powers to help humanity, Clark creates the alter ego of Superman. A number of elements are added to each identity to keep them distinct enough to prevent the casual observer from matching them. Superman wears a characteristic red and blue costume with a letter "S" emblem and a cape. Clark Kent takes to wearing glasses, styling his hair differently, changing his body language, significantly altering his voice, and wearing looser clothing and suits that hide his physique.
Clark Kent moves to Metropolis and takes a job as a reporter at the Daily Planet, where he meets his friends and co-workers, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Editor Perry White. Superman becomes the subject of frequent headline stories written by Lois, and the two become romantically attracted to each other.
Common variations[edit]
Superman's public debut has differed throughout decades of publication. Originally, he first donned the costume and began fighting crime as an adult.[1] Later, he was shown to have begun his heroic career as Superboy,[2] changing his name to Superman after he grew up. The character's history as Superboy was retroactively erased from continuity in The Man of Steel retelling of the origin.[3] In current continuity, Clark used his powers to aid others while still a youth,[4] operating as "a rarely-glimpsed American myth – the mysterious 'Super-Boy'".[5]
Influences[edit]
Superman's origin was influenced by the science fiction stories appearing in pulp magazines that Siegel and Shuster were fond of and by a variety of social and religious themes.
Siegel and Shuster created multiple characters named Superman. The first was a villain with telepathic powers, published in the short story "The Reign of the Superman." A later collaboration in 1934 with Russell Keaton has a Superman that is a meta-human sent back in time as an infant, where he is found and raised by Sam and Molly Kent. Yet another version, which was unpublished, was a crime fighter without any superhuman abilities, which Siegel and Shuster compare to another of their creations, Slam Bradley.[6] They felt that a virtuous character originating from Earth to possess superhuman powers would make the character and stories seem less serious, inviting comparisons to humorous strongmen like Popeye. So they decided to make the third version a visitor from another planet.[7]
Siegel has cited the John Carter of Mars stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs as an influence on the source of Superman's strength and leaping ability being the lesser gravity of a smaller planet.[6] Jack Williamson once remarked that Superman's origin had strong similarities to a story he had written and published early in his career, where a Martian scientist sent his infant daughter into space to save her from their planet's destruction.[8]
Superman carries some similarities to Hugo Danner, the main character in the novel Gladiator by Philip Wylie. Danner's great strength comes from a serum injected into him by his father while still a fetus which gave him the proportional strength of an insect.[9] The scientific explanation for the source of Superman's powers published in Action Comics #1 also compared Superman's great strength to an ant's ability to carry hundreds of times its own weight and a grasshopper's ability to leap great distances.[1] Wylie later threatened to sue National Comics for plagiarism. Siegel signed an affidavit that claimed Superman was not influenced by Gladiator, though he had reviewed the novel for his fanzine Science Fiction in 1932.[10]
Because Siegel and Shuster were both Jewish, some religious commentators and pop-culture scholars such as Rabbi Simcha Weinstein and British novelist Howard Jacobson suggest that Superman's creation was partly influenced by Moses[11][12] and other Jewish elements. However, Siegel and Shuster claim that having Superman drop out of the sky just seemed like a good idea.[6]
Publication history[edit]
Pre-Crisis[edit]
Superman's origin took more than twenty years to unfold into the narrative we are familiar with today. During the Golden Age of Comics (1935–1953), Krypton and the Kents were almost incidental, seldom being referred to in the comic book stories. The Superman mythology expanded during the Silver Age of Comics (1953–1970) and was refined during the Bronze Age (1970–1986).[13]
Golden Age[edit]
Siegel created, and Shuster designed, the character Superman in 1934 and intended to sell the character as a daily newspaper comic strip. They told Superman's origin over the course of twelve strips, ten of which detailed the planet Krypton.[6]
In 1938, DC Comics published Superman's debut in Action Comics #1, Siegel and Shuster were required to cut the story down to thirteen pages, and so the origin story was reduced to a single page. The story described a scientist on an unnamed doomed planet placing his infant son into a hastily designed spaceship and launching it toward Earth. When the spaceship lands, a passing motorist finds it and turns the child over to a local orphanage, where the staff is astounded by the child's feats of strength. As the child matures, he discovers more of his abilities and decides to use them for the benefit of mankind as Superman. The last panel of this origin is captioned "A Scientific Explanation of Clark Kent's Amazing Strength," explaining he "had come from a planet whose inhabitants' physical structure was millions of years advanced of our own." Kent's strength is then compared with ants' and grasshoppers' abilities to lift many times their body weight and leap great distances.[1]
Starting on January 16, 1939, Siegel's original stories and Shuster's original art work appeared in a daily newspaper comic strip through the McClure Syndicate. The first days of the Superman daily newspaper strip retold the origin in greater detail, focusing on his departure from Krypton. In this retelling, the planet Krypton and Superman's biological parents, Jor-L and Lara, are called by name for the first time.[6]
The first issue of Superman, published in 1939, also featured the origin story. Max Gaines had written to Siegel and Shuster and asked them to expand the origin sequence to two pages, and to include four pages that detailed how Clark Kent became a journalist as well as a full page feature that expanded on the scientific explanation for Superman's powers.[6] In this issue, the passing motorists are revealed to be the Kents, who leave him at the local orphan asylum but later return to adopt him. The Kents teach Clark that he must keep his powers a secret but that he will someday use them to assist humanity. Clark becomes Superman after the Kents pass away and wins his job as a reporter for the Daily Star by delivering information he had gathered as Superman about a lynch mob at the county jail.[14] The feature on Superman's powers asserts again that Kryptonians had evolved to physical perfection, but also reveals that because Earth is a smaller planet than Krypton, the lighter gravitational pull further enhanced Superman's strength.[15]
In 1945, More Fun Comics #101 introduced the concept of Superboy, establishing that Superman began his superhero career as a child. This issue showed Krypton in much greater detail than before, as a scientifically advanced world. Kryptonians did not appear to possess superhuman powers on Krypton but were aware that a Kryptonian on Earth would have them. In this story, Superman's biological parents were named Jor-El and Lara. Jor-El attempted to convince the Supreme Council that their world was doomed and that they must take action. The Council scoffed at Jor-El's warnings, so he returned home to save his family, if nobody else. But Jor-El was only able to save his son.[2]
For the tenth anniversary in 1948 of Superman's debut, Superman #53 retold the origin story, compiling and expanding upon previous versions, though the story does not acknowledge the adventures of Superboy. This story establishes the Kents as farmers and that "Clark" is a family name. Before Clark's adopted father dies, he tells Clark that he must use his powers to become a force for good. Clark's father calls Clark a "Super-Man," inspiring Clark to use the name.[16] Superman discovered his alien origins for the first time in Superman #61.[17] Action Comics #158 retold the origin again, this time acknowledging the adventures of Superboy.[18]
Silver Age[edit]
After Mort Weisinger took over as editor of the Superboy comics in 1953, the mythology of Superman began growing, starting with the introduction of Superboy's pet Krypto the Superdog, the first survivor of Krypton in comics other than Kal-El himself.[19] When Weisinger became editor of the entire Superman line in 1958, the Superman mythology began expanding even more rapidly.[20] Producing over a hundred Superman stories a year, Weisinger aimed to introduce a new element to the character's mythology every six months.[21] By this time, the basic elements of Superman's origin were in place, and Weisinger capitalized on it. Weisinger and his writers gave Superman history and family and constructed a world for readers to explore.[6]
Through flashbacks, imaginary stories and time travel, Superman comics in the Silver Age examined the implicit themes of Superman's origin as an orphan from another planet,[6] while also providing explanations for many key story elements. In 1961, Superman #146 told the most complete version of the origin story to date, this time inserting references to other elements of the expanding Superman mythos, including Jor-El's warning to his brother Zor-El, father of Supergirl, about Krypton's fate and Krypto's launch into space.[22]
Bronze Age[edit]
The stories published under Weisinger remained the basis for Superman's origin throughout the Bronze Age.[13] But by the time Julius Schwartz took over as the editor of the Superman in 1970, continuity had strayed from the broader outline established in the 1960s.[23] Schwartz relied on writer E. Nelson Bridwell, an expert in the fine details of the Superman mythology, to help refine the character's history.[13] Bridwell explained to readers that many stories were no longer in continuity because they contradicted others, stating that, "It was decided that the only thing to do was to throw out part of the tales and work the rest into a consistent whole".[24] Superman's origin was retold during this time in The Amazing World of Superman (Metropolis Edition), which adhered to the origin previously established in the Silver Age.[25] Martin Pasko wrote Action Comics #500 (October 1979), which featured a history of the Superman canon as it existed at the time[26] and was published in the Dollar Comics format.[27]
Jor-El's life,[28] the destruction of Krypton,[29] and the launch of the rocket that carried Kal-El to Earth,[30] are documented in The World of Krypton (vol. 1) limited series. Superman: The Secret Years tells the story of Clark Kent's college career in which Superboy leaves Smallville to attend college,[31] and copes with problems that force his outlook to mature,[32][33] ending with Superboy changing his heroic identity to Superman after defeating Lex Luthor's plot to destroy the world.[34]
Post-Crisis[edit]
In the 1980s, editors at DC Comics felt that its characters and their history had become convoluted and confusing to casual readers.[35] In 1985, DC published Crisis on Infinite Earths, which rewrote the history of the DC Universe.[36] DC had been planning to revamp Superman for some time,[37] and Crisis gave the company freedom to reset the character from the very beginning.[38]
The Man of Steel[edit]
Main article: The Man of Steel (comics)
In 1986, DC Comics hired writer and artist John Byrne, who had gained a reputation for re-energizing several Marvel Comics series,[6] to write the relaunched Superman series and Action Comics. In addition to Byrne, managing editor and inker Dick Giordano, writer Marv Wolfman, artist Jerry Ordway and editor Andy Helfer recreated the Superman mythology from the ground up to appeal to modern audiences.[39] This revamped origin was published in the six issue The Man of Steel limited series, written and pencilled by Byrne and inked by Giordano.
The Man of Steel opened on Krypton, vastly different from the planet developed in the Weisinger era, just before its destruction. Byrne felt that Krypton had been "'stuck' in a 1930s Buck Rogers-like art style for decades" and Giordano and publisher Jenette Kahn agreed that he should redesign it.[37] The people of Krypton were portrayed as living in a cold and heartless society. Though they were masters of science, they had repressed their emotions and passion for life.[40] Superman learned of his alien heritage several years into his heroic career, but marginalized it in favor of his upbringing on Earth.[41]
Byrne's goal was to "pare away some of the barnacles that have attached themselves to the company's flagship title",[42] and take Superman back to the basics. In this new continuity, the character was re-established as the last survivor of Krypton's destruction.[37]
Man of Steel also illustrated significant events in Superman's relationships, such as his first interview with Lois Lane[43] and his first encounter with Gotham City's Batman.[44] Lex Luthor was reinvented by Wolfman[45] and portrayed as a corrupt business tycoon who hated Superman for exposing his unethical business practices.[46] Superman's adoptive parents lived into his adulthood, providing hooks that Byrne felt made the character more human.[37]
Superman: Birthright[edit]
Main article: Superman: Birthright
In 2002, DC Comics Executive Editor Dan DiDio asked writer Mark Waid to reimagine Superman's origin, making the character relevant for the 21st century. After taking the assignment, Waid's goal was to present a definitive volume on Superman's origin that was familiar to longtime fans as well as casual readers who were more familiar with Superman through television and film adaptations than through comics.[47] Starting in 2003, the new origin story was published in the twelve issue Superman: Birthright limited series, written by Waid and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu.
During the early issues of the series, it was unclear if the story was intended to be the new origin of the mainstream Superman or the beginnings of a new universe, similar to Marvel's Ultimate line.[48] DC later confirmed that Birthright was the new official origin of Superman, and it was embedded into the Superman fiction in Superman (vol. 2) #200.[49]
Krypton was redesigned again in Birthright, portrayed as a society that used its advanced science and technology to make its planet into a paradise.[50] Clark Kent respected his alien heritage and designed his Superman costume based on images of Kryptonian culture that were sent along with him in his spacecraft to Earth.[51]
Birthright establishes that Lex Luthor grew up in Smallville and was good friends with Clark Kent.[52] Inspired by the television series Smallville, Clark Kent's parents were portrayed as being similar to their television counterparts, John Schneider and Annette O'Toole.[48]
Superman: Secret Origin[edit]
Main article: Superman: Secret Origin
Following the events of the Infinite Crisis limited series, DC Universe continuity was revamped in a way that both kept and altered previous elements in canon, and Superman's origin was no exception. The first revelations of this revised origin came only in bits and pieces. In Action Comics Annual #10 (2007), Krypton is shown to have characteristics that resemble the version that appears in the Richard Donner Superman films. In Action Comics #850, a more complete recap was presented: Krypto appears on Krypton, Jor-El's frustrations with the Council, Clark's awareness about being adopted during grade school, a friendship with Lex Luthor when they are both teenagers, Clark wearing glasses in his teens, using his powers to help people while not in costume, and showing Lois Lane trying to secure interviews with Superman and being friends with Clark. Finally, the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes arc revealed that Clark's membership in the Legion of Super Heroes when he is a teenager is now back in canon.[53]
A complete tale of Superman's new origin was told in the Superman: Secret Origin limited series written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Gary Frank. Described as the "definitive" telling of the origin story of Superman, it features his life in Smallville, his first adventures with the Legion of Super-Heroes as Superboy, and his arrival in Metropolis all told from Clark Kent's point of view.[54]
The New 52[edit]
On May 31, 2011, DC Comics announced its plans to reboot its continuity and launch a new line of comics after that year's Flashpoint event.[55] While the new Superman series portrays Superman's current adventures, Action Comics began its run telling the story of Superman's early days in Metropolis. The story reintroduced many Golden Age concepts (Superman fighting political and social corruption, starting out with reduced powers, working at the Daily Star rather than the Daily Planet), and removed several aspects reintroduced in Secret Origin (Clark Kent and Lex Luthor as childhood friends, and his career as Superboy, though the Legion of Superheroes still played a part in Clark Kent's childhood). The story focuses on a young, social crusading Superman in a makeshift costume (shortly before acquiring the redesigned costume by Jim Lee), fending off the attacks of the Army and their consultant Dr. Lex Luthor, as well as contending with public fear resulting from his sudden appearance and defiance of the authorities.
Kal-El's escape from Krypton was depicted in Action Comics, vol. 2 #5. Krypton had built its society into a paradise. As Krypton begins to explode, Jor-El and Lara first consider escaping into the Phantom Zone with their son, but the portal to the zone is shattered by the convicts already there. Their last hope is to send Kal-El away in a prototype rocket, guided by Brainiac artificial intelligence to find planets with younger suns and weaker gravity.
As the ship lands on Earth, the Kents are stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, lamenting Martha's miscarriage earlier that month. They rescue Kal-El from the ship before the government arrives. The Kents slip past them by presenting the baby as their own and offering instead the body of a deformed calf as the alien occupant.[56] Ultimately, Superman meets and battles the Collector of Worlds, saving the Earth and receiving the public's trust as the world's first Super-Hero.
DC Universe: Rebirth[edit]
Main article: DC Rebirth
Following the comic book crossover event Convergence, it was revealed in the mini-series Superman: Lois and Clark that the pre-Flashpoint version of the character had survived the universal transition into the New 52, and was living on the new DC Universe's Earth with his wife, the pre-Flashpoint Lois Lane, and their young son.[57] After the indigenous New 52 Superman was killed, the pre-Flashpoint Superman became the DC Universe's primary version of the character once again, which brings the events of 2009's Secret Origin series back as the primary Superman's origin story once more.
Other versions[edit]
Main article: Alternative versions of Superman
In the DC Comics Multiverse, there are several versions of Superman originating from different parallel Earths. Most of these counterparts have subtle differences in their origins. Alterations to Superman's origin are also frequently used as the premises for Elseworlds and imaginary stories published by DC Comics.
Parallel earths[edit]
Kal-L is the Superman of the pre-Crisis Earth-Two. His origin adheres to the basic origin, but he arrives on Earth early in the twentieth century and becomes active as a superhero in 1938. On his version of Krypton, all Kryptonians had superhuman abilities on their home planet due to the planet's greater gravitational pull. Kal-L never had a career as Superboy. The origin stories that appeared in Action Comics #1 and Superman #1 are attributed to Kal-L.[58]
Superboy-Prime comes from the pre-Crisis Earth-Prime. On this Earth, Kal-El is teleported to Earth moments before the planet Krypton is destroyed when its sun went supernova.[59] Because Earth-Prime's Krypton was consumed by its sun, Kryptonite never comes into existence in this universe.
Elseworlds[edit]
In Superman: Red Son, Superman's ship was launched by descendants of Lex Luthor and Lois Luthor in Earth's far future. The ship, travelling backward through time, lands on a Ukrainian collective farm rather than in Kansas. Instead of fighting for "... truth, justice, and the American Way," Superman is described in Soviet propaganda broadcasts "... as the Champion of the common worker who fights a never-ending battle for Stalin, socialism, and the international expansion of the Warsaw Pact."
In Superman: Speeding Bullets, Kal-El is found by Thomas and Martha Wayne, who decide to adopt the baby and name him Bruce. After Thomas and Martha are gunned down by a mugger, Bruce reacts by burning the mugger with his heat vision and discovers his superpowers. Years later, he decides to create a secret identity for himself as the Batman and starts to brutally strike back at the criminals in Gotham City.
In JLA: The Nail, the Kents do not discover the spacecraft because their truck's tire was punctured by a nail. Kal-El is found and adopted by an Amish family and does not become Superman until much later.
In the Tangent Comics reality, Superman's origin is completely different as an ordinary man finds himself evolving into something millions of years beyond human.
Superman: True Brit is a humorous re-imagining of Superman in which the ship crashes in England.
In Superman: Secret Identity, a teenage boy named Clark Kent in the "real world," where Superman is nothing more than a comic book character, somehow develops super-human powers like those of his namesake. After a brief career as a mysterious, non-costumed "Superboy," Clark dons the fictional character's colors and continues to work in secret as "Superman".
In other media[edit]
Given Superman's cultural status as one of the most recognizable fictional characters ever created, he has been adapted into other forms numerous times. On first time outings, such as the premiere episode of a television series or a first feature film, the origin story is generally depicted.
Radio[edit]
Main article: The Adventures of Superman (radio)
His origin's first depiction outside of the source material was in the 1940 radio serial The Adventures of Superman. In this version, after being sent off in the rocket ship from Krypton, a kind of Counter Earth on the other side of the Sun, by his father while still an infant,[60] Superman matures during the flight and emerges full-grown as an adult when he lands on Earth. He is greeted by a man and a boy who give him the idea of disguising himself as Clark Kent, after which he looks for a job at the Daily Planet.[61]
Among other concepts and characters, the radio program introduced kryptonite into the Superman mythology. These fragments of radioactive debris from Superman's home planet were created to allow actor Bud Collyer the occasional time off from recording, as Superman periodically succumbed to the baleful rays and be absent for some episodes.[6] Kryptonite was incorporated into Superman's origin in the comics in Superman #61, published in 1949.[17]
Superman 1940s cartoons[edit]
Main article: Superman (1940s cartoons)
Fleischer Studios presented the origin in the first of the Superman animated cartoons. Titled simply "Superman," (also referred to as "The Mad Scientist"), the animated short begins with a brief prologue that introduces Krypton as an advanced civilization that had brought forth a race of supermen, whose mental and physical powers were developed to the absolute peak of human perfection. When giant quakes threaten to destroy Krypton forever, one of the planet's leading scientists places his infant son in a rocket bound for Earth. A passing motorist finds the uninjured child and takes it to the local orphanage. As the child grows to maturity, he discovers his powers and eventually takes the identity of Clark Kent. Jor-El is not mentioned by name in this first cartoon and Clark's adoptive parents are not mentioned at all.
The Fleischer cartoons were responsible for Superman being able to fly. When they started work on the series, Superman could only leap from place to place. But they deemed it as "silly looking" after seeing it animated and decided to have him fly instead.
Superman film serial[edit]
Main article: Superman (serial)
The first chapter of the 1948 Superman film serial, titled "Superman Comes to Earth," depicts Superman's origin in detail.[62] In this version, Krypton is a rugged planet that is home to an advanced civilization of super men and women. As Krypton experiences a series of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions and tidal waves, Jor-El calls an emergency session of the governing council to warn them of the planet's impending fate. Jor-El explains that Krypton is being pulled into the sun, which will lead to the planet's destruction in short period of time, and urges the council to sponsor the construction of a fleet of spacecraft to carry the population of Krypton to Earth. The council votes against Jor-El's proposal, even as the tremors shake their session and grow in frequency. Jor-El returns home where he and his wife Lara send their infant son Kal-El to Earth in a model spacecraft that was intended to test the proposed larger spacecraft.
On Earth, Eben and Martha Kent find Kal-El in the spacecraft and pull him from it before it explodes. The Kents decide to raise him as their own and name him Clark. Clark is shown learning about his abilities as he grows up, displaying great strength and speed, x-ray vision, super hearing and super durability. Once Clark is an adult, Eben explains how he and Martha found him and that Clark has a responsibility to use his powers wisely and justly in the interest of truth, tolerance and justice. They agree that the world needs him and that he must leave their farm and go where he is needed. Clark states that he will pursue a job that will keep him close to world events, so he can be aware of emergencies immediately. Martha gives Clark a uniform made from the blankets they found him in and he decides to take on the secret identity Superman. The Kents die shortly after this conversation and Clark moves to Metropolis.
In later chapters, Clark applies for a job at the Daily Planet,[63] and is hired after delivering a story on a mining accident from which Superman rescues Lois Lane.[64]
Adventures of Superman[edit]
Main article: Adventures of Superman (TV series)
Jor-El and Lara send baby Kal-El to Earth in the first episode of Adventures of Superman.
The 1950s TV series Adventures of Superman explored Superman's origin in the first episode, titled "Superman on Earth."[65] The destruction of Krypton and Clark's upbringing by the Kents are largely identical to the version presented in the 1948 film serial. In this version, Clark decides to move to Metropolis after Eben dies. He is hired by the Daily Planet after getting an exclusive interview with a man rescued by Superman in his first public appearance.
Superman: The Movie[edit]
Main article: Superman (1978 film)
Jor-El and baby Kal-El.
The origin presented in Richard Donner's 1978 Superman film is considered to be the definitive origin story not only for Superman, but a template for origins stories in the super hero movie genre.[66] The film keeps the classic components intact, but explores more of Clark's boyhood in Smallville. Much of the film's groundwork is laid during the film's first sequences on the planet Krypton, with actor Marlon Brando portraying Superman's Kryptonian father, Jor-El. In this film, Jonathan Kent dies but Martha survives to see her adopted son become Superman.
Superman is divided into three basic sections, each with three distinct themes and visual styles. The first segment, set on Krypton, is meant to be typical of science fiction films, but also lays the groundwork for the Jesus Christ analogy that emerges in the relationship between Jor-El and Kal-El. The second segment, set in Smallville, is reminiscent of 1950s films, and its small-town atmosphere is meant to evoke a Norman Rockwell painting. The third (and largest) segment was an attempt to present the superhero story with as much realism as possible (what Donner called "verisimilitude"), relying on traditional cinematic drama and using only subtle humor instead of a campy approach.[67]
Lois & Clark[edit]
Main article: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
In the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, more inspiration was taken from Byrne's work on Man of Steel. Feeling it was a more relatable version of the story, the show's producers and main developer also kept around Superman's adoptive parents as regular cast members, giving the main protagonist people to confide in. The series pilot begins with Clark's arrival in Metropolis. Clark and his mother develop his uniform in a musical montage set against Bonnie Tyler's single "Holding Out for a Hero." Superman makes his public debut saving a space station mission from sabotage by Lex Luthor, who is initially portrayed in his corporate tycoon incarnation.
Clark's adoptive parents explain how they found him in a spacecraft in the second episode "Strange Visitor (From Another Planet)" and how they initially believed that he was part of an experiment when investigators ask them about debris from a Russian space station. Clark later learns that he is from Krypton after finding the spacecraft in the custody of the secret government agency Bureau 39. Clark questions why he was abandoned, but later learns of Krypton's destruction through a series of messages left for him by Jor-El in the episode "Foundling." The series explored more of the history and culture of Krypton in a story arc that spanned the final episodes of the third season and the first episodes of the fourth.
Superman: The Animated Series[edit]
Main article: Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series premiered with a three-part episode titled "The Last Son of Krypton." The series creators felt that focusing on the alien civilization of Krypton in the premiere episode would help differentiate the series from their earlier work Batman: The Animated Series.[68] They intended to mirror the structure of the origin presented in the 1978 film, but they felt that it would seem stale unless they added some new dimension to it.[69]
This version's major difference is Brainiac's role in Krypton's destruction. Brainiac is portrayed as the supercomputer that monitors Krypton and advises the planetary council on scientific matters. He senses the imminent destruction of the planet, but denies it so he can avoid the council's order to organize the planet's evacuation and instead focus on saving himself. Brainiac reasons that the loss of the planet itself and all its living inhabitants is part of the natural order, but his own survival would ensure the preservation of Krypton's history and achievements. Because he goes against Brainiac and the Kryptonian Council, Jor-El becomes an outlaw in their eyes as he works to save his son. After the destruction of Krypton and Kal-El's arrival on Earth, Brainiac eventually becomes an enemy of Superman.[70]
Smallville[edit]
Main article: Smallville
A slightly older Kal-El just out of his Kryptonian ship in the pilot episode of Smallville.
The television series Smallville is a reimagining of the Superman mythology, starting from Clark Kent's teenage years.[71] The series is named after Clark Kent's home town and focuses on the challenges he faces growing up in the rural midwest, while also discovering his super powers and the details of his alien origins.[72] The series creators and cast have specified that the series is about Clark Kent and not Superman,[73] and that the character will not appear in costume or fly in the series.[74] However, by series end, at least one of these rules was broken.[75]
The series begins with the arrival of Kal-El's spacecraft in Smallville during a massive meteor shower that affects the rural town for years to come. Jonathan and Martha Kent find the child and adopt him with the help of Lionel Luthor. The Kents raise Clark and instruct him that he must not reveal his powers to anyone. Clark initially becomes friends with Lex Luthor, but Lex's obsession with learning Clark's secret drives them to become enemies.
Clark is aware of his super-speed, super-strength and invulnerability in the series pilot. In subsequent episodes and seasons, he discovers other abilities, including X-ray vision, heat vision, super hearing and super breath. Clark has demonstrated his ability to fly while under Jor-El's control, but does not know how to use this ability at will.
Details about the planet Krypton are revealed slowly over the course of the series.[76] Clark learns of the planet and his alien origins from Dr. Virgil Swann. He later discovers that Jor-El had programmed his memory and will into the spacecraft that carried Clark to Earth. Through Jor-El, Clark learns that Zod's ambition to conquer Krypton led to the planet's destruction. Clark's journey is completed in the last episode of the series, when he dons the costume and becomes Superman to stop Apokolips from colliding with Earth.[75]
Superman Returns[edit]
Main article: Superman Returns
Director Bryan Singer felt that most people were familiar with Superman's origin[77] and wanted to make Superman Returns as a semi-sequel to Richard Donner's Superman, with the two films sharing the same origin story.[78] The movie opens with a very brief summary of the origin story that reads, "On the doomed planet Krypton, a wise scientist placed his infant son into a spacecraft and launched him to Earth. Raised by a kind farmer and his wife, the boy grew up to become our greatest protector...Superman." Otherwise, the film portrays only a few scenes related to Superman's origin. The destruction of Krypton is seen before the opening credits, Lex Luthor invades the Fortress of Solitude and views the recordings that Jor-El had sent to Earth with Kal-El, and Clark Kent discovers his ability to fly in a flashback.[79]
Superman Returns utilized footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El, and nearly identical set design for Kryptonian structures as the 1978 film. Subtle similarities were also purposefully created, such as modeling the "new" Kent farmhouse after the "old" one, and having Eva Marie Saint's Martha Kent drive the same make and color of pickup truck as driven by the Kents in the original film. Certain scenes in the Kent farm also showed pictures of Brandon Routh's Clark Kent inserted into photos with Glenn Ford's Jonathan Kent.[80][81][82]
Man of Steel[edit]
In 2010, Warner Bros announced that Christopher Nolan, who had previously directed Batman's origin story in Batman Begins, was to be the producer on a reboot of the Superman film franchise. Director Zack Snyder stated that the film was to focus on Superman's early days and not be based on any particular comic book.[83] For the most part, the film keeps classic elements intact but explores Clark's life before becoming Superman. Much like previous versions, Jonathan dies but Martha survives to see her son become Superman.
Man of Steel depicts Kal-El as Krypton's first naturally conceived child; most Kryptonians were artificially engineered newborns meant to fill predetermined roles in Krypton's society. Before sending Kal-El to Earth, Jor-El infuses Krypton's genetic Codex into Kal-El's cells in order to preserve Kryptonian civilization. As Kal-El arrives at Earth, he is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent. When he reaches adulthood, Clark develops his abilities and becomes a nomad, saving people in secret. Later, Clark joins an investigation led by Lois Lane of a Kryptonian spaceship, where learns about his alien legacy. Lois, who had followed Clark into the ship, investigates Clark's life and decides to not to reveal his secret. Superman has his first major battle with General Zod, who wants to terraform Earth into a new Krypton. During their final battle, Superman is forced to kill Zod to prevent him from killing civilians. Clark later decides to become a reporter alongside Lois at the Daily Planet in order to continue his superhero activities.
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b c Siegel, Jerry (w), Shuster, Joe (a). "Superman" Action Comics 1 (June 1938), Detective Comics, Inc.
^ Jump up to: a b Siegel, Jerry (w), Shuster, Joe (a). "Superboy" More Fun Comics 101 (January – February 1945), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "Epilogue: The Super-Hero" The Man of Steel 1 (October 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Johns, Geoff and Donner, Richard (w), Wight, Eric (a). "Who is Clark Kent's Big Brother?" Action Comics Annual 10 (March 2007), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Johns, Geoff and Busiek, Kurt (w), Woods, Pete (a). "Up, Up, and Away! Chapter One: Mortal Men" Superman 650 (May 2006), DC Comics
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Andrae, Tom; Blum, Geoffrey; Coddington, Gary (August 1983). Marschall, Richard, ed. "The Birth of Superman". Nemo, the Classic Comics Library. Fantagraphics Books (2): 6–19.
Jump up ^ Daniels, Les (1999). Superman: The Complete History. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-4231-2.
Jump up ^ Schwartz, Julius; Thomsen, Brian M. (2000). Man of Two Worlds: My Life in Science Fiction and Comics. HarperEntertainment. ISBN 0-380-81051-4.
Jump up ^ Wylie, Philip (1930). "Gladiator". Alfred A. Knopf
Jump up ^ Jones, Gerard (2005). Men Of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book. Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-03657-0.
Jump up ^ Jacobson, Howard (March 5, 2005). "Up, up and oy vey". The Times. p. 5.
Jump up ^ The Mythology of Superman (DVD). Warner Bros. 2006.
^ Jump up to: a b c Roberson, Chris (2006). "Jewel Mountains and Fire Falls". In Yeffeth, Glenn. The Man from Krypton. Benbella Books Inc. ISBN 1-932100-77-6.
Jump up ^ Siegel, Jerry (w), Shuster, Joe (a). "Superman" Superman 1 (Summer 1939), Detective Comics, Inc.
Jump up ^ Siegel, Jerry (w), Shuster, Joe (a). "Scientific Explanation of Superman's Amazing Strength--!" Superman 1 (Summer 1939), Detective Comics, Inc.
Jump up ^ Siegel, Jerry (w), Shuster, Joe (a). "The Origin of Superman" Superman 53 (July August 1948), DC Comics
^ Jump up to: a b Finger, Bill (w), Plastino, Al (a). "Superman Returns To Krypton!" Superman 61 (November–December 1949), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Boring, Wayne (p), Kaye, Stan (i). "The Kid from Krypton" Action Comics 158 (July 1951), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Binder, Otto (w), Swan, Curt (p), Fischetti, John (i). "The Super-Dog of Krypton!" Adventure Comics 210 (March 1955), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Kevin Burns (2006). Look, Up in the Sky – The Amazing Story of Superman (Documentary)|format= requires |url= (help). Warner Bros. Pictures.
Jump up ^ Zeno, Eddy (2006). "The Plot Master and the Editor". In Eury, Michael. The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 1-893905-61-6.
Jump up ^ Binder, Otto (w), Plastino, Al (a). "The Story of Superman's Life!" Superman 146 (July 1961), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Wells, John (2006). "A History of Krypton". In Eury, Michael. The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 1-893905-61-6.
Jump up ^ Bridwell, E. Nelson (w). "Giant Metropolis Mailbag" Superman 239 (June–July 1971), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Bridwell, E. Nelson (w), Swan, Curt (p), Anderson, Murphy (i). "The Origin of Superman!" The Amazing World of Superman (Metropolis Edition) (1973), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Pasko, Martin (w), Swan, Curt (p), Chiaramonte, Frank (i). "The Life Story of Superman" Action Comics 500 (October 1979)
Jump up ^ Romero, Max (July 2012). "I'll Buy That For a Dollar! DC Comics' Dollar Comics". Back Issue!. TwoMorrows Publishing (57): 39–41.
Jump up ^ Kupperberg, Paul (w), Chaykin, Howard (p), Anderson, Murphy (i). "The Jor-El Story" The World of Krypton 1 (July 1979), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Kupperberg, Paul (w), Chaykin, Howard (p), Anderson, Murphy (i). "This Planet Is Doomed!" The World of Krypton 2 (August 1979), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Kupperberg, Paul (w), Chaykin, Howard (p), Anderson, Murphy (i). "The Last Days Of Krypton" The World of Krypton 3 (September 1979), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Rozakis, Bob (w), Swan, Curt (p), Schaffenberger, Kurt (i). "Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud!" Superman: The Secret Years 1 (February 1985), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Rozakis, Bob (w), Swan, Curt (p), Schaffenberger, Kurt (i). "Reach Out and Touch" Superman: The Secret Years 2 (March 1985), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Rozakis, Bob (w), Swan, Curt (p), Schaffenberger, Kurt (i). "Terminus" Superman: The Secret Years 3 (April 1985), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Rozakis, Bob (w), Swan, Curt (p), Schaffenberger, Kurt (i). "Beyond Terminus" Superman: The Secret Years 4 (May 1985), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Wolfman, Marv (2010). "Introduction". In Wolfman, Marv. Crisis on Infinite Earths. DC Comics. ISBN 1-56389-750-4.
Jump up ^ Wolfman, Marv (w), Pérez, George (p), Ordway, Jerry (i). "Aftershock" Crisis on Infinite Earths 11 (February, 1986), DC Comics
^ Jump up to: a b c d Sanderson, Peter (June 1986). "The Man of Steel". Amazing Heroes (96).
Jump up ^ Giordano, Dick (w). "Meanwhile..." The Man of Steel 2 (October 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Giordano, Dick (w). "Meanwhile..." The Man of Steel 1 (October 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "Prologue: From Out the Green Dawn..." The Man of Steel 1 (October 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "The Haunting" The Man of Steel 6 (December 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w). "Superman: A Personal View" The Man of Steel 1 (October 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "The Story of the Century!" The Man of Steel 2 (October 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "One Night in Gotham City" The Man of Steel 3 (November 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Freiman, Barry (11-15). "Marv Wolfman Talks "Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006"". Retrieved 2007-12-24. Check date values in: |date=, |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
Jump up ^ Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "Enemy Mine..." The Man of Steel 4 (November 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Epstein, Daniel Robert. "Mark Waid interview about Superman: Birthright – UGO.com Comics". Retrieved 2007-12-25.
^ Jump up to: a b Singh, Arune. "Comic Book Resources – Super-Stars (Part 1): Mark Waid's "Birthright," The Official Origin". Retrieved 2007-12-25.
Jump up ^ Seagle, Steven T. (w), McDaniel, Scott (p), Owens, Andy (i). "The Last Superman Story" Superman v2, 200 (February 2004), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Waid, Mark (w), Yu, Leinil Francis (p), Alanguilan, Gerry (i). "In the Beginning..." Superman: Birthright 1 (September 2003), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Waid, Mark (w), Yu, Leinil Francis (p), Alanguilan, Gerry (i). "A Legacy Reborn" Superman: Birthright 3 (November 2003), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Waid, Mark (w), Yu, Leinil Francis (p), Alanguilan, Gerry (i). "Every Town Has a Secret... Lex Luthor in Smallville" Superman: Birthright 8 (May 2004), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Johns, Geoff (w), Frank, Gary (a). "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes Part 1 – Alien World" Action Comics 858 (December 2007), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Brady, Matt. "Newsarama.com: Geoff Johns: Telling Superman's Secret Origin". Retrieved 2009-01-20.
Jump up ^ Hyde, David (May 31, 2011). "DC Comics Announces Historic Renumbering of All Superhero Titles and Landmark Day-and-Date Digital Distribution". DC Comics. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
Jump up ^ Morrison, Grant (w), Kubert, Andy (p), Delperdang, Jesse (i). "Rocket Song" Action Comics v2, 5 (March 2012), DC Comics
Jump up ^ http://kotaku.com/dc-comics-handling-of-superman-just-got-more-convoluted-1736468072
Jump up ^ Thomas, Roy (w), Boring, Wayne (p), Ordway, Jerry (i). "The Secret Origin of the Golden Age Superman" DC Comics Presents v3, 1 (April 1986), DC Comics
Jump up ^ Maggin, Elliot S! (w), Swan, Curt (p), Williamson, Al (i). "The Origin of Superboy-Prime!" DC Comics Presents 87 (November 1985), DC Comics
Jump up ^ "The Baby From Krypton". The Adventures of Superman. Episode 1. 1940-02-12.
Jump up ^ "Clark Kent, Reporter". The Adventures of Superman. Episode 2. 1940-02-14.
Jump up ^ Superman Comes to Earth. Superman.
Jump up ^ Depths of the Earth. Superman.
Jump up ^ The Reducer Ray. Superman.
Jump up ^ "Superman on Earth". Adventures of Superman. Season 1. Episode 1. September 19, 1952.
Jump up ^ Milam, Matthew (March 11, 2010). "No Superhero Movie Will Ever Beat The Original Superman Film". ChicagoNow. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
Jump up ^ Richard Donner, Tom Mankiewicz, DVD audio commentary, 2001, Warner Home Video
Jump up ^ Superman: The Animated Series, Volume One; Special Feature: Superman: Learning to Fly (DVD). Warner Home Video. 2005-01-25.
Jump up ^ Superman: The Animated Series, Volume One; Special Feature: Commentary on "Last Son of Krypton – Part I" (DVD). Warner Home Video. 2005-01-25.
Jump up ^ "Last Son of Krypton – Part I". Superman: The Animated Series. Season 1. Episode 1. 1996-09-06.
Jump up ^ "Shows – About Smallville". Retrieved 2007-12-17.
Jump up ^ Byrne, Craig (2001-04-06). "KryptonSite Interview #1 With Smallville Executive Producer Alfred Gough". Retrieved 2007-12-27.
Jump up ^ Ausiello, Michael (2001-05-24). "Smallville's Big Hunk". Retrieved 2009-01-20.
Jump up ^ "TVGuide.com: Your Burning Smallville Questions Answered! (Part 1)". 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
^ Jump up to: a b Smallville Season 10 Episode 21–22, "Finale"
Jump up ^ "Interview with "Smallville" Executive Producer Alfred Gough". Retrieved 2007-12-27.
Jump up ^ Newgen, Heather (06-16). "Superman Returns Director Bryan Singer – Superhero Hype!". Retrieved 2007-12-11. Check date values in: |date=, |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
Jump up ^ Singer, Bryan (06-22). "Bryan's Journals: Video Journal #17 – Untitled". Retrieved 2010-11-11. Check date values in: |date=, |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
Jump up ^ Singer, Bryan (2006). Superman Returns (Motion picture).
Jump up ^ Making Superman Returns: From Script to Screen on the Superman Returns DVD
Jump up ^ Designing Superman: From Art and Costume Design to Set Construction on the Superman Returns DVD
Jump up ^ Resurrecting Jor-El featurette on the Superman Returns DVD
Jump up ^ Delorme, Pierre. "Exclusif: Zack Snyder parle de Superman !". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
[show]
v
t
e
Superman
Jerry Siegel
Joe Shuster
Other writers and artists
Superman family
Superman
Clark Kent
Superboy
Kal-El
Kon-El
Jonathan Samuel Kent
Krypto
Supergirl
Kara Zor-El
Matrix
Linda Danvers
Power Girl
Superwoman
Mon-El
Nightwing
Chris Kent/Lor-Zod
Flamebird
Thara Ak-Var
The Eradicator
Steel (John Henry Irons)
Natasha Irons
Supporting characters
Bibbo Bibbowski
Cat Grant
David Corporon
Emil Hamilton
Inspector Henderson
Jimmy Olsen
Jor-El
Jonathan and Martha Kent
Lois Lane
Lucy Lane
Sam Lane
Lana Lang
Lara
Lori Lemaris
Steve Lombard
Lena Luthor
Maxima
Chief Parker
Professor Potter
Pete Ross
Maggie Sawyer
George Taylor
Ron Troupe
Dan Turpin
Perry White
Zor-El
Antagonists
Atomic Skull
Bizarro
Brainiac
Codename: Assassin
Conduit
Cyborg Superman
Hank Henshaw
Darkseid
Doomsday
Faora
General Zod
Mercy Graves
Hector Hammond
Imperiex
Intergang
Morgan Edge
Bruno Mannheim
Jax-Ur
Kryptonite Man
Lex Luthor
Livewire
Metallo
Mister Mxyzptlk
Mongul
Neutron
Non
Parasite
Prankster
Silver Banshee
Titano
Toyman
Ultra-Humanite
Ursa
Locations
Metropolis
Ace o' Clubs
Daily Planet
Daily Star
Galaxy Communications
LexCorp
Project Cadmus
Suicide Slum
List of areas, landmarks, institutions and businesses
Krypton
Argo City
Kandor
Kryptonopolis
Vathlo Island
Apokolips
Bizarro World
Colu
Daxam
Fortress of Solitude
Phantom Zone
S.T.A.R. Labs
Smallville
Stryker's Island
Warworld
Objects and material
Kryptonite
Superman robots
Supermobile
History and themes
Character and cast
Dynasty
Kryptonian
Origin
Powers and abilities
Publication history
Action Comics #1
Superman and Lois Lane
Symbol
Ongoing publications
Action Comics
Batman/Superman
Superboy
Supergirl
Superman
Superman/Wonder Woman
Alternative versions
Superman
Earth-One version
Earth-Two version
Earth-Three version (Ultraman)
Earth Prime version (Superboy-Prime)
Kingdom Come version
Superman Red/Superman Blue
Clark Kent (Smallville)
Alternative versions of Lex Luthor
Alternative versions of Supergirl
In other media
In film
Miscellanea
Superwoman
Beppo
Streaky
Comet
Superman (gene)
Joanne Siegel
Category
[show]
v
t
e
1978–1987 Superman film series
Superman Superman II Superman III Superman IV:
The Quest for Peace
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
The Richard Donner Cut
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Adapted characters
General Zod
Jor-El
Jonathan Kent
Martha Kent
Lara
Lois Lane
Lucy Lane
Lana Lang
Lex Luthor
Jimmy Olsen
Supergirl/Kara Zor-El
Superman/Clark Kent
Perry White
Locations
Smallville
Daily Planet
Fortress of Solitude
Phantom Zone
Metropolis
Krypton
Argo City
Kryptonopolis
Related articles
Supergirl
Superman Returns
Kryptonite
Relationship of Clark Kent and Lois Lane
Origin of Superman
Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Origin_of_Superman&oldid=799836699"
Categories:
Superman
Hidden categories:
Articles with inconsistent citation formats
Pages using citations with format and no URL
CS1 errors: dates
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
Languages
Español
Edit links
This page was last edited on 10 September 2017, at 04:14.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view

key: html

type: local

value: div

attrs: id class

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

attrs: id class style

value: a

attrs: id class lang

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

value: img

attrs: alt src width height class data-file-width data-file-height

attrs: href class

attrs: href class title

attrs: href title

value: i

attrs: class style

value: b

values:
/wiki/Comic_books
mw-redirect
Comic books

values:
/wiki/Superman_in_popular_culture
mw-redirect
Superman in popular culture

values: List of supporting characters in Superman

values:
/wiki/Krypton_(planet)
mw-redirect
Krypton (planet)

values:
/wiki/Superhuman_powers
mw-redirect
Superhuman powers

values:
/wiki/Pulp_magazines
mw-redirect
Pulp magazines

values:
/wiki/John_Carter_(character)
mw-redirect
John Carter (character)

values:
/wiki/McClure_Syndicate
mw-redirect
McClure Syndicate

values:
/wiki/County_jail
mw-redirect
County jail

values:
/wiki/Ma_and_Pa_Kent
mw-redirect
Ma and Pa Kent

values:
/wiki/Smallville_(TV_series)
mw-redirect
Smallville (TV series)

values:
/wiki/Legion_of_Super_Heroes
mw-redirect
Legion of Super Heroes

values:
/wiki/JLA:_The_Nail
mw-redirect
JLA: The Nail

values:
/wiki/Radio_serial
mw-redirect
Radio serial

values:
/wiki/Counter_Earth
mw-redirect
Counter Earth

values:
/wiki/Superman_(animated_short)
mw-redirect
Superman (animated short)

values:
/wiki/Film_serial
mw-redirect
Film serial

values:
/wiki/Volcanic_eruptions
mw-redirect
Volcanic eruptions

values:
/wiki/Tidal_surge
mw-redirect
Tidal surge

attrs: alt src width height class srcset data-file-width data-file-height

values:
/wiki/Jesus_Christ
mw-redirect
Jesus Christ

values: Edit section: Superman: The Animated Series

values:
/wiki/Television_series
mw-redirect
Television series

values:
/wiki/The_Man_of_Steel_(comic_book)
mw-redirect
The Man of Steel (comic book)

values:
/wiki/Nemo,_the_Classic_Comics_Library
mw-redirect
Nemo, the Classic Comics Library

values: The World of Krypton (page does not exist)

values: Superman: The Secret Years (page does not exist)

values:
nofollow
external text
http://superman.nu/a/ges/steel.php

values:
/wiki/Elliot_S!_Maggin
mw-redirect
Elliot S! Maggin

values:
nofollow
external text
http://cwtv.com/shows/smallville/about

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.kryptonsite.com/gough.htm

values: -moz-column-width: 30em; -webkit-column-width: 30em; column-width: 30em; list-style-type: decimal;

values:
col
navbox-title
2
background-color: #DEDDE2;

values:
navbox-abovebelow
2
background-color: #DEDDE2;

values:
row
navbox-group
background-color: #DEDDE2;;width:1%

values: List of DC Comics characters named Superman

values: List of areas, landmarks, institutions and businesses of Metropolis (comics)

attrs: alt src title width height srcset data-file-width data-file-height

values: nowraplinks hlist collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: Template talk:1978–1987 Superman film series

values: Relationship of Clark Kent and Lois Lane

values: nowraplinks collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: Category:Articles with inconsistent citation formats

values: Category:Pages using citations with format and no URL

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/Origin_of_Superman
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia

values: About the project, what you can do, where to find things

values: A list of recent changes in the wiki [ctrl-alt-r]

values: portal navigation p-interaction p-interaction-label

values: List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [ctrl-alt-j]

values: Recent changes in pages linked from this page [ctrl-alt-k]

values:
/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard
Upload files [ctrl-alt-u]
u

values: A list of all special pages [ctrl-alt-q]

values: Permanent link to this revision of the page

values: Link to connected data repository item [ctrl-alt-g]

values: Printable version of this page [ctrl-alt-p]

values:
uls-settings-trigger
Language settings
0
button
true

values: /static/images/wikimedia-button-1.5x.png 1.5x, /static/images/wikimedia-button-2x.png 2x

values: /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_132x47.png 1.5x, /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_176x62.png 2x

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Origin_of_Superman rootpage-Origin_of_Superman skin-vector action-view