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| Copyright DC COMICS |
Before CURT SWAN came to be regarded as the 'definitive' SUPERMAN artist for a generation or two, he had competition - in the form of WAYNE BORING. The main MAN Of STEEL figure on the above cover is probably one of the most iconic images of the LAST SON Of KRYPTON known to comics fandom, and is probably as famous as anything Curt Swan (or any other artist) ever drew of KAL-EL, being used on a million items of merchandise since it was first drawn to the present day.
The figure first appeared on the 10th Anniversary issue of Superman #53, but was clearly inspired by JOE SHUSTER's drawing on #6, nearly a decade before. There had probably been other variants of the heroic stance in between, but these two versions represent the first and the best of them, respectively. Boring's is clearly the latter example - with Superman striking a confident pose (cape billowing out behind him), as opposed to the somewhat cocky one that Shuster portrays.
Finally, facing the other way perhaps, but undoubtedly the finest personification of any superhero on the silver screen - the late CHRISTOPHER REEVE as the magnificent MAN Of TOMORROW. Talking of whom, did you know that writer JERRY SIEGEL's original concept for the character, prior to the 'finished' version, involved Superman being sent back in time from a far-flung future Earth on the point of destruction, rather than the doomed planet KRYPTON? Personally, I think I'd have preferred it that way. What do the rest of you think?
And below is a cold-cast porcelain statue of this iconic image, produced in 2006. Rather nifty, eh? Wish I had one.
