Man of Steel Still Going Strong

06/29/2013

Hello again, and welcome. I’m June Simms in Washington.

Today on As It Is, we celebrate the life and times of one of world’s most beloved superheroes. We’ll hear the story of how Superman came to be and why the “Man of Steel” has lasted so long. We will also take a trip to a town that played a role in the new Superman movie.

“Man of Steel” Still Going Strong

Seventy-five years ago, on June first, 1938, the American superhero “Superman” first appeared in a comic book.

The book told the story of Superman's birth on his home planet, Krypton. His father, a scientist, sent the boy to Earth in a rocket to save his life when Krypton exploded. On Earth, Superman was able to fly. He had super-strength and X-ray eyesight. He was untouchable.

“Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! 'Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! - it's Superman!' Yes, it's Superman…”

Over the years, Superman has become as much a part of Americana as many real-life folk heroes. A multi-billion-dollar industry has been built on sales and promotion of the character. With the release of the latest film, the “Man of Steel” is still going strong.

“You just have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be, Clark. Whoever that man is, he's going to change the world.”