2008 Comic Book News Archives
February 29, 2008: Happy Birthday Superman!
By Barry FreimanToday, February 29, 2008, is Superman's birthday -- depending on who you ask anyway. Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster designed the Man of Tomorrow around 1932 but it took six years of rejections for the pair to sell the character. Finally, in Action Comics #1, Superman debuted. The comic magazine, an anthology which included other stories including DC mage Zatara, was cover-dated June 1938. As anyone who reads comics today knows, comic books -- like magazines -- are post-dated several months so Action Comics #1 actually hit newsstands (remember there weren't any comic book stores back then) in April 1938. So naturally, with a first appearance in April of a comic dated June, we celebrate Superman's anniversary in February. Wait a second, that doesn't seem right.
The idea that Superman's birthday is February 29 initially began as a lark. DC editors explained tongue in cheek in comic book letter columns that Superman remained eternally youthful because he was born on Leap Day, February 29, which occurs only once every four years.
When DC celebrated Superman's 50th anniversary in 1988, they treated February 29 as the Man of Steel's birth date. Even a "TIME" magazine cover-story (March 14, 1988 cover dated magazine) commemorating the 50th anniversary (with a cover by John Byrne) declared for all of America that Superman's birthday is February 29.
DC even held a Leap Day birthday party for Superman's 50th in 1988 which I attended (and I cannot believe that was 20 years ago). The party was held at the Puck Building in downtown Manhattan. There were cheerleaders clad in Superman sweaters. Superman artist Curt Swan was there signing autographs. There was a Superman cake. Party goers got to walk through a room made of Kryptonite (actually green lights and cellophane). And of course there were truckloads of Superman merchandise for sale to those in attendance. I remember it well.
Except it was all a lie if comic book continuity had anything to say about it.
In 1950, Action Comics #149 claimed Superman was born on Krypton in October. However, in 1958's Action Comics #241, it's revealed that Superman celebrates both the date of his birth on Krypton and the date his rocket landed on Earth. The birth date given in this 1958 comic was June 10. Then in Superman #263, Clark Kent's birthday is revealed to be June 18 and it's explained that this is the day his rocket landed on Earth. Notwithstanding these stories, a 1976 calendar published by DC Comics listed February 29 as Superman's birthday.
None of these previous revelations mattered anymore after 1986. Writers John Byrne and Marv Wolfman rebooted Superman's continuity from scratch in the comics. In Byrne's "Man of Steel" miniseries, which introduced the rebooted Man of Tomorrow, Superman isn't born until he reaches Earth. His Kryptonian parents, Jor-El and Lara, grew baby Kal-El in a genetic incubator of sorts. The Kryptonian escape rocket was essentially built around the matrix. When the rocket landed on Earth, the matrix opened up and the infant Kal-El was technically born on Earth when the Kents removed the baby from the ship.
In this post-"Crisis on Infinite Earths" rebooted DC Universe, Clark Kent's birthday is in November. Shortly after the Kents brought the baby back to their Smallville farm, there was an early snow storm which kept them isolated from their rural neighbors for several months. When Spring came, the Kents told the neighbors that Clark was their natural born son.
To confuse matters more, on episodes of TV's "Smallville", Clark celebrated several birthdays in episodes that aired in early May (and a season five episode declared Clark's birthday to be May 3). Except the first meteor shower which brought Clark's rocket to Earth in the first episode of Smallville" took place on October 16, 1989. This makes sense as Smallville High School was celebrating its homecoming the day of the meteor shower. Kal-El emerged from his rocket looking like a three-year old toddler. He even walked from the rocket to the Kents' truck which was overturned by the meteor shower. This is consistent with the origin story as it was told in 1978's "Superman: The Movie" where it was revealed the trip from Krypton to Earth took three years. In "Superman", Kal-El is an infant when he leaves Krypton and a toddler able to walk on his own on his arrival. This continuity is also embraced by 2006's "Superman Returns".
Whenever Clark Kent and/or Superman were "born", Superman the fictional character celebrates 70 years of fictional existence in 2008. DC Comics has not made any official pronouncement of Supes' birthday being February 29 this year as they did back in 1988. The city of Cleveland, Ohio -- hometown to Superman's creators Siegel and Shuster -- plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary in June.
Absent any consensus on when Superman and/or Clark Kent were born, the Superman Homepage honors the Leap Day tradition. Happy Birthday Superman!
2008 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2008.- January 7, 2008: Wizard Previews Superman and JLA Comics for 2008
- January 7, 2008: John Byrne Interview
- January 8, 2008: Jesus Merino Talks About Inking Superman
- January 12, 2008: Jim Lee Helps Hire Online Fan Colorist
- January 22, 2008: Roger Stern Talks JLA Classified
- January 26, 2008: No Chloe in Comics & News on Brainiac
- February 6, 2008: Phil Hester Talks Superman Confidential
- February 7, 2008: Kurt Busiek Talks About His Run on Superman
- February 7, 2008: Geoff Johns Staying at DC Comics
- February 8, 2008: James Robinson is the New Superman Writer
- February 8, 2008: Kelley Pucket Talks Supergirl
- February 9, 2008: Q&A with New Superman Writer James Robinson
- February 10, 2008: DC Unveils Trinity Plans
- February 10, 2008: A Look at DC Universe #0
- February 12, 2008: Keith Champagne Notes DC Comics Correction
- February 14, 2008: R.I.P. Steve Gerber
- February 15, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks Final Crisis
- February 17, 2008: Ande Parks on Inking Superman Confidential
- February 18, 2008: Exclusive J. Torres Interview
- February 20, 2008: Michael Green and Jeph Loeb Talk Superman/Batman
- February 22, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks About the Future of Superman
- February 22, 2008: B. Clay Moore Talks Superman Confidential
- February 24, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - Interview with Mark Bagley
- February 24, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - Interview with Kurt Busiek
- February 24, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - DC Nation Panel
- February 25, 2008: Dan Jurgens Talks Tangent Superman
- February 26, 2008: WonderCon 2008 - DCU: Countdown to Crisis Panel
- February 27, 2008: New Content for Superman #674
- February 29, 2008: Happy Birthday Superman!
- February 29, 2008: Celebrities Wish Superman a Happy Birthday!
- March 4, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks JSA and Kingdom Come
- March 4, 2008: Jerry Ordway Talks Brave and Bold
- March 6, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks All Star Superman
- March 12, 2008: Jerry Siegel - A Look Back in Time
- March 16, 2008: Wizard World LA - DC Panels
- March 19, 2008: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA 2008 Report
- March 22, 2008: Superman Items Included in Hollywood Auction
- March 22, 2008: JMS Comes to DC - Shows His Love of Superman
- March 23, 2008: Ottawa Citizen Celebrates Superman's 70th Anniversary
- March 26, 2008: Jerry Siegel Interview from 1975
- March 26, 2008: Neal Adams Audio Interview
- March 28, 2008: Siegel Heirs Reclaim Superman Copyright
- March 31, 2008: Warner Bros. Issues Statement on Court Ruling
- March 31, 2008: Explaining the Superman Copyright Decision
- April 2, 2008: Geoff Johns to Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds
- April 2, 2008: DC Statement on Death of Jim Mooney
- April 2, 2008: The Legends Behind The Comic Books Screening
- April 4, 2008: George Perez Talks Legion of 3 Worlds
- April 4, 2008: Action Comics #1 Listed on Ebay
- April 6, 2008: Judge Orders DC and Siegel Family to Mediate
- April 10, 2008: Kurt Busiek Talks About Trinity
- April 10, 2008: Golden Age of Comics Books Exhibition Photos
- April 10, 2008: Comic Geek Speak Superman on Trial Podcast
- April 11, 2008: Mark Waid Radio Interview on Superman
- April 12, 2008: DC Comics Reveals Cover for DC Universe #0
- April 12, 2008: Nominees For The 2008 Joe Shuster Awards
- April 13, 2008: Why Superman is Still Super
- April 14, 2008: Geoff Johns on Reshaping the DC Universe
- April 14, 2008: The Legends Behind The Comic Books Screening Report
- April 17, 2008: DC Announces Superman #676 Content Change
- April 17, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks Final Crisis
- April 19, 2008: Notes from DC Nation Panel at NY Comic Con
- April 22, 2008: Exclusive J. Torres Interview
- April 24, 2008: Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns Video Interviews
- May 1, 2008: Interview with Artist Gerry Alanguilan
- May 1, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Karl Kerschl
- May 3, 2008: Dan DiDio and Mike Carlin Talk Trinity
- May 6, 2008: Renato Guedes Talks Drawing Superman
- May 11, 2008: Dan Didio on Lateness of Last Son Conclusion
- May 13, 2008: Chip Kidd Talks Final Crisis and Trinity Covers
- May 13, 2008: Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade
- May 14, 2008: Emerald City Comic Con 2008 Report
- May 19, 2008: Exclusive Interview with JLU Writer Ken Pontac
- May 20, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Jack Briglio
- May 21, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Cary Bates
- May 23, 2008: James Robinson Talks Superman, JLA and Supergirl
- May 29, 2008: Robinson Talks Supergirl in Justice League
- June 2, 2008: Wizard World Philadelphia News
- June 7, 2008: Wizard Talks Superman with James Robinson and Geoff Johns
- June 7, 2008: Alex Ross to Appear at Wizard World Chicago
- June 9, 2008: Kurt Busiek Interview About Trinity
- June 9, 2008: Grant Morrison Interview About Final Crisis #1
- June 10, 2008: Interview with Kurt Busiek on Trinity #1
- June 12, 2008: Warren Ellis Guest of Honor at Wizard World Chicago
- June 15, 2008: Pa Kent Named Best Comic Book Dad
- June 15, 2008: Wizard Q&A with Kurt Busiek
- June 16, 2008: New Co-Artist Joining Final Crisis
- June 16, 2008: Interview with Kurt Busiek on Trinity #2
- June 17, 2008: Interview with Action Artist Gary Frank
- June 18, 2008: Interview with Superman/Batman Writing Team
- June 21, 2008: Superman News From Charlotte Heroes Con
- June 22, 2008: DC Creators Attending Wizard World Chicago
- June 26, 2008: Superman Featured in Harvey Award Nominations for 2008
- June 28, 2008: Comic Book Creator Michael Turner Dies
- June 28, 2008: New Supergirl Creative Team Revealed
- June 30, 2008: Wizard World Chicago Report
- June 30, 2008: Wizard World Chicago DC Comics Panels
- July 9, 2008: Jon Sibal Talks Inking Superman
- July 9, 2008: Empire Rates Superman #1 Comic Book Character
- July 16, 2008: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster 1981 TV Interview
- July 17, 2008: Green and Johnson Talk Superman/Batman #50
- July 21, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks About Supergirl
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - DC Nation Panel
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - Superman: Man of Tomorrow Panel
- July 27, 2008: Comic-Con - DC: A Guide to Your Universe Panel
- July 30, 2008: JG Jones Talks Supergirl in Final Crisis
- August 10, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
- August 13, 2008: New Krypton 3-Part Alex Ross Cover Artwork Revealed
- August 18, 2008: J. Torres Talks Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century
- August 21, 2008: Russell Keaton - Superman's Almost Co-Creator
- August 22, 2008: Alex Ross Talks Kingdom Come Superman in JSA
- September 2, 2008: Grant Morrison DC Universe Interview
- September 3, 2008: Hero-ic Sale Flies in to Fan Expo
- September 4, 2008: DCU Elementary Kid's Comic Book Series
- September 6, 2008: Gray and Palmiotti Talk Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom
- September 10, 2008: Comics Now! Magazine Celebrates 70 Years of Superman
- September 10, 2008: Wes Craig Talks Tangent: Superman's Reign
- September 10, 2008: Grant Morrson Nominated in Spike TV 2008 Scream Awards
- September 18, 2008: All Star Supermen - Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison
- September 20, 2008: Jamal Igle on Drawing Supergirl
- September 23, 2008: Kevin VanHook Talks Superman & Batman vs Vampires & Werewolves
- September 27, 2008: DC Nation Panel at Baltimore Comic Con
- September 29, 2008: All Star Superman Sweeps Harvey Awards
- September 29, 2008: Baltimore Comic Con - Superman Panel
- October 2, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks Supergirl Comics
- October 8, 2008: Superman: Red Son Motion Comic Announced
- October 8, 2008: Major Superman Supporting Character Dead - SPOILER ALERT
- October 15, 2008: Name Change for Guardians of Metropolis Special
- October 17, 2008: Rags Morales Talks Superman/Batman
- October 22, 2008: Grant Morrison's In-Depth Discussion of All Star Superman
- October 22, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks Supergirl
- October 23, 2008: Geoff Johns on Superman's Challenge in New Krypton
- October 23, 2008: Jim Lee Previews Cover for Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow
- October 28, 2008: Grant Morrison Talks All Star Superman
- October 28, 2008: Secrets of the Superman Bible
- October 30, 2008: Switching Powers in Superman/Batman
- October 30, 2008: Jamal Igle Talks Supergirl on Death Ray Weekly Podcast
- November 1, 2008: Artist Gary Frank on Jonathan Kent's Death
- November 2, 2008: Geoff Johns Talks About New Krypton and Superman's Future
- November 4, 2008: Grant Morrison Interview Marathon Concludes
- November 6, 2008: Phil Noto on Drawing Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom
- November 6, 2008: A Tribute to Jerry and Joe
- November 13, 2008: Landry Walker on Supergirl's Cosmic Adventures
- November 18, 2008: No More Action Comics for Superman?
- November 21, 2008: Frank Kasy, The Face of Superman
- November 25, 2008: Sterling Gates Talks Supergirl #35
- November 26, 2008: Dan DiDio Explains Plans for Superman Comics
- November 27, 2008: Greg Rucka Comments on Action Comics Without Superman
- November 29, 2008: Geoff Johns Explains Superman: Secret Origin
- December 2, 2008: More From Greg Rucka on Action Comics
- December 4, 2008: Wizard Magazine's Krypton Q&A Now Online
- December 4, 2008: Geoff Johns Thanks Superman Homepage Fans
- December 5, 2008: Walker Talks About Supergirl's Cosmic Adventures
- December 9, 2008: Gary Frank's Thoughts on Superman: Secret Origin
- December 14, 2008: Matt Idelson Talks Superman Comics in 2009
- December 18, 2008: Dwayne McDuffie Talks Justice League of America
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