» Blog Archive Superman is Jewish? -
Amanda Harvey Books, Comic Book News, Reviews

To say that some of our most beloved super icons may be shown in a religious light is the understatement of the century. Larger than life sub humans scaling buildings and battling foes all for the greater good of mankind sounds a bit christ like. However, in a book published by Harry Brod entitled “Superman Is Jewish?” we dive into the details of how this individual firmly believes, and has the proof to back it, that some of our most beloved are in fact of the Jewish persuasion.
It should come as no surprise to readers that the golden age of comics is well respected as the beautiful beginning of some of the greatest names to ever hit the world of pictured books in the hands of children and adults alike. With war emerging and many needing to read something inspirational to tear their minds away from the atrocity happening in the real world, they turned to stories of hope. In 1938 two individuals from Cleveland decided to step in and create arguably to most renowned comic character of all times, Superman. Joe Schuster and Jerry Siegel were both Jewish. Bob Kane, creator of Batman was also Jewish. Stan Lee, also a Jew. Most notable named creators from this age of comics were Jewish. You might be asking yourself, “so what? Just because these men had a specific faith, it doesn’t mean that it’s translated to their stories.” Think again.
In Brod’s account we find multiple relations between Superman, formerly Kal-El, and the persecution that his writer’s people suffered for hundreds of years. For example, Superman is sent to Earth from his parents to save him from the massacre of his planet and all of it’s inhabitants, culture, and existence. Does this sound familiar? OH RIGHT, HITLER! It being that this particular character was created in the most infamous time of Jewish persecution it lives out metaphorically in this tale.
The book also taps on a lot of stereotype similarities between the typical and average jewish nebbish, or nerd, and Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent. There’s also a lot of tapping into the differences between Batman and Superman and how they play a very ying and yang role in each others lives, referencing specifically Frank Millers novels from the ’80s.
With a lot of valid and informative points given in the first couple chapters, the book starts to become redundant at some point. Yes, there is definitely a correlation, and readers are subjected to the relations with quotation from renowned comic names that back up points. However, I feel as though this book would have been better published off as an article. Most of the content is just repetitive comparison. Granted, it sways readers to completely agree with the authors point of view with very little room for argument. If you’re interested, the book is extremely informative. It’s a nerd fest exploring ideas that you probably never thought of.

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