Superman was created by two Jewish immigrants by the names of Stiegal and Shuster. In 1933 the United States was swarming with immigrants. Everyone was moving from the frontier to the cities. Urban life was the new way to live. The question is, was Superman an American character? First we must discuss what it is to be American. Technically to be American is to be born in the US. Superman was born on a planet called Krypton and was sent to Earth by his parents. On earth he was raised on a farm by people that found him. He then moved to the city, where he fought crime. So technically, Superman is an immigrant who moved to the city from the frontier. Stiegal and Shuster created Superman as they saw the American people. Everyone in the United States is an immigrant. We all came from another country to settle here and make a living. Everyone wanted to obtain the American Dream. Superman was an immigrant who came to earth and made a living for himself in the United States. But, is he an American character? I would say yes. He portrays the American people significantly. An immigrant and living in a city, Superman is living just as his fellow Americans live. He is an American Character because of how he portrays the American people.
A blog for and about the intersection of comic books and American history.
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