Re-Constructing the Man of Steel
Superman 1938–1941, Jewish American History, and the Invention of the Jewish–Comics Connection
In this work, Martin Lund critically examines contemporary claims regarding the original Superman's alleged Jewishness, offering a re-evaluation of the earliest Superman comics. He argues that much of the recent discourse surrounding Superman as a Jewish character stems from an ethnic revival rather than rigorous historical analysis, failing to hold up under scrutiny. Lund presents a nuanced understanding of the Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in the mid-1930s, portraying him as an authentically Jewish American character reflective of his time, for better or worse. This analysis challenges popular assertions that Superman embodies a golem, a Moses-figure, or possesses a Hebrew name. Instead, Lund provides contextual readings of Superman's initial appearances, exploring themes such as Jewish American connections to the Roosevelt White House, the whitening effects of popular culture, Jewish gender stereotypes, and the challenges faced by Jewish Americans amid rising anti-Semitism. He emphasizes the need to counter the spread of myth as accepted truth, highlighting the importance of contextualizing the Jewish heritage of Superman's creators. By incorporating historical perspectives on Jewishness and the comics' creative environments, Lund challenges prevailing assumptions about Superman and other superheroes, contributing to the fields of Jewish studies, American studies, cultural studies, and comics studies.
