Ray middleton superman 1939 comic book

Christopher reeve superman i 1978, superman ii 1980, superman iii 1983, superman iv and superman ii 2006. In 1975, dc comic book historian allan asherman reported that this event occurred in 1939, at the 1939 worlds fair. On that day you could see actor ray middleton in his superman costume and watch a live superman radio serial broadcast. Jun 24, 20 with the 75 th anniversary of supermans first appearance in comics and the release of the new movie man of steel, this first entry into the scrapbook would seem to be appropriate. Superman day at the 1940 new york worlds fair the 19391940 new york worlds fair opened on april 30 1939 and was located in flushing meadows in queens. The word superman was written over the shield so people would know who the new superhero was. Ray middleton, who played superman at the fair, was the first live actor to play superman. Charles atlas on superman day at new york worlds fair 1939. Ray middleton was the man in the costume and is often credited as being the first actor. Actor and singer ray middleton is often credited with the role, but. This highly desirable superman run is a representation of one of the most sought after collectibles in the comic book market.

Superman 1939 comic book by dc 488 issues, 590 covers jun 1939 to oct 2011. Celebrate superman month historical timeline 1930s to. The complete history the life and times of the man of steel by les daniels. The original superman comic book series is the most popular series. But the main problem is action comics 1 from 1938, for superman did not get his own title until 1939, has been reprinted many times in different formats, hence those seriously vary by size as well. Comic books in 1938 were definitely of a different size than they are today. He holds the honor of being the first actor to portray superman in costume. Based on comic book 15 based on comic 11 character name as series title 10 cult tv 9 dc comics 9 good versus evil 9. Feb 12, 20 on july 4, 1939 the fair hosted superman day. Characters ray middleton as superman superman, as he appeared in the 1939 worlds fair. Ray middleton as superman from the 1939 worlds fair. Raymond earl middleton february 8, 1907 april 10, 1984, known and billed as ray middleton, was an american singer and stage, tv, and movie actor. Lucy monroe, ray middleton, frank buck, morris gest and charles atlas.

This superman shield had the triangular shape from the early days. The man chosen to portray superman was an actor named ray middleton whose. The highflying history of americas most enduring hero by larry tye. Superman day 1939 at worlds fair nyc footage on dvd. Superman, batman, lana and lewis lang, morgan edge written by craig boldman yes, lowell, there is a superman superman, perry white written by bob rozakis view. Superman was featured at the world of tomorrow exhibit as the man of. Branigan, who was blinded during a tussel with mobsters as well as being dismissed from the police force for accidently killing a woman. At a time of international conflict and tragedy, superman was more than just a comic book character, he also gave hope to adults and children alike. The fair was also the first liveaction appearance of superman, played by an unidentified actor thought to be ray middleton. Scientific explanation of superman s amazing strength. Superman, who first appeared in action comics in june 1938, was easily distinguishable with his blue costume featuring a red and yellow s emblem on the chest, as well as the iconic red cape. Notable was the crowning of the superboy and supergirl of the day, and a public appearance by superman, played by actor ray middleton, the first. In the summer of 1939, superman became the first ever comic book publication of a single character. Buy superman comic books at newkadia and they all have a 100% moneyback guaranted.

Scientific explanation of supermans amazing strength. This was also done to promote the new yorks worlds fair comic that was over the standard 10 cent comic price. Nov 11, 20 ray middleton as superman from the 1939 worlds fair. If you have never seen the very first superman ray middleton up close in color wearing the superman costume then is your chance. Superman was featured at the world of tomorrow exhibit as the man of tomorrow, where ray middleton donned the costume and served as the first actor to portray superman in public. Mar 19, 2009 comic books in 1938 were definitely of a different size than they are today. Since his first comic book appearance in 1938, superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games each on multiple occasions, and his name, symbol, and image have appeared on products and merchandise.

You can find out values of action issues by clicking here. The american comic book character superman has appeared in many types of media. Ray middleton, worlds fair, 1939 kirk alyn, superman serials, 19481950 george reeves, adventures of superman, 19521958 bob holiday, its a bird, its a. Mar 20, 2020 ray middleton 1940 okay, youre probably sitting there saying, ray who. Jun 28, 2016 the actor who has the distinction of being the first to ever bring superman to life is ray middleton, who donned the characters red and blue costume for superman day as part of the 1939 new. Superman day 1939 worlds fair the world first got to meet the man of steel on july 3, 1940 at the new york worlds fair.

With buster crabbe, jean rogers, charles middleton, frank shannon. This marks the first known creation of a superman costume. Notably, max gaines and harry donenfeld were among those who attended. As an adult, superman became the protector of earth, working at the daily planet as clark kent alongside his partner and wife lois lane. Genre nonfiction synopsis the fantastic facts illustrated here include. Article with photos and biographies of jerry siegel and joe shuster. Middleton was born in chicago, illinois, and he attended the university of illinois. In the summer of 1939, superman became the first ever comic book. As an added bonus you will also see a brief appearance of jerry siege. Previously confined to comic books and radio shows, it was on 3 july 1940. A comic book scrapbook page 4 golden age comic books. Superman suited for greatness 1940s tyranny of style. But the main problem is action comics 1 from 1938, for superman.

On that day you could see actor ray middleton in his superman costume and watch a live. Superman stops an erroneous execution, then rescues lois lane from. Celebrate superman month historical timeline 1930s to 1960s. Clark kent lands a job at the daily star with the help of superman, of course. Superman day was the brainchild of publicist allen duke ducovny, held in part to promote the sales of dcs new york worlds fair comics, a 100page special edition sold exclusively at the worlds fair. The idea has long been that actor ray middleton had played the iconic. Superman is a superhero published by dc comics since 1938. Since his first comic book appearance in 1938, superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games. Dec, 2018 the fair was also the first liveaction appearance of superman, played by an unidentified actor thought to be ray middleton. Superman 1939 2011 from dc comics league of comic geeks. The actor who has the distinction of being the first to ever bring superman to life is ray middleton, who donned the characters red and blue costume for superman day as part of the 1939. When a deadly nitron ray strikes earth, flash gordon and. Superman began as one of several anthology features in the national periodical. This page lists prices for the first 100 issues of superman s appearances in his solo series, which began in 1939.

Ray middleton, who played superman at the fair, was the first live actor to play. The man chosen to portray superman was an actor named ray middleton whose costume was unlike anything you would see superman wear today. Soon after he graduated from college, middleton sang with the detroit civic opera company. Shop for superman 1939 comics on, your friendly online comic book store. In the early 70s a series of filler blurbs started appearing in various publications, occasionally. This was also done to promote the new yorks worlds fair comic that was over. Most comic fans know that superman actually began life in action comics. Notable was the crowning of the superboy and supergirl of the day, and a public appearance by superman, played by actor ray. Ray middleton 1940 okay, youre probably sitting there saying, ray who. Superman day at the new york worlds fair was not 1939, but july 3, 1940. When a deadly nitron ray strikes earth, flash gordon and his friends travel to mars to battle ming the merciless and his new ally queen azura.

The first time superman was depicted by a live actor was for the new york worlds fair in 1940 by ray middleton. Superman is an ongoing american comic book series featuring the dc comics superhero superman as its main protagonist. Back cover features the first pinup of superman with is also the 1st ever pinup page to appear in a comic book. Ray middleton was the first actor to portray superman in public superman day occurred on july 3, 1940 at the new york worlds fair. First line of dialogue or text humuhumunukunkuapuaa is the name given by natives to hawaiis smallest fish. Shuster cut and pasted the four weeks of superman daily strips he had drawn to fit into the required 8panel, page comic book format and sent the artwork to the publisher. This superman shield had the triangular shape from the early days but one big difference. Some superman series are just one issue oneshots and others are longer series, such as adventures of superman. The superman super site superman in the real world. The 1939 worlds fair was a 1939 event which superman attended. An alien named kalel from the destroyed planet krypton. Based on comic book 15 based on comic 11 character name as series title 10 cult tv 9 dc comics 9 good versus evil 9 secret identity 9 supernatural power 9 violence 8 based on comic strip 7 cigarette smoking 7 damsel in distress 7 father son relationship 7 cliffhanger 6 deception 6 henchman 6 husband wife.

Article with photos and biographies of jerry siegel and joe. Once they were sure it was superman kids were clamoring for dc starting making supermans cover. Dc also published a special edition worlds fair comics for sale exclusively at the. This was the characters first appearance outside the comic pages. In the midseventies when dc comics ran a photo feature showing pics from that day, it was alleged that the name of the actor playing superman. Some superman series are just one issue oneshots and others are longer series, such. Between 1986 and 2006 it was retitled the adventures of superman while a new s. The strip proved so popular that national launched superman into his own selftitled comic book, the first for any superhero, premiering with the cover date summer 1939. Active in tv commercials into the 1970s, ray middleton. Of course youll mention that superman, torchsubby and captain marvel are still all viable concerns today and youd be right. Untitled superman story, script by jerry siegel, art by leo nowak as joe shuster. Superman first appeared in the flesh at the 1940 new york worlds fair, portrayed by actor ray middleton. Jun 10, 20 the first time superman was depicted by a live actor was for the new york worlds fair in 1940 by ray middleton. Comic books, superman, comic book podcast, superman podcast ray middleton was born on february 8, 1907.