It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No! It’s Superman!
Superman’s origin story begins in Cleveland so he has been a favorite son in that city for decades. The popular comic book hero was created when writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster were in high school together in 1933.
That’s right! One of the world’s coolest super heroes was the brainchild of a couple of teenagers over ninety years ago. Superman has been the man of the hour around Ohio this summer because so much of the new blockbuster was shot in and near Cleveland.
If you’re a fan, know that the main library in downtown Cleveland has a really nice collection of Superman memorabilia and artifacts in a well done exhibit. The thing I geeked out over the most was Jerry Siegel’s writing desk.
He bought it for his home in 1940 and sat here to write scripts for Superman comics and other comic strip characters. He mainly used a typewriter to do this work and I could almost hear the clickity clack of an old Underwood as I studied the desk and considered the creative mind it would require to create a character with such staying power.
The library exhibit features items like comics, clocks, valentines, pajamas and lunch boxes. Many things are quite old and a few are from my own childhood – also, quite old – but at least I could feel a nostalgic connection to those old things.
This exhibit includes a snapshot of Jolan Kovacs who was the original model for Lois Lane. She would later marry Jerry Siegel. The museum card tells just enough of her story to make me want to learn more but I thought it was interesting she spent years campaigning for author’s rights and seeking wider recognition for the artists who gave us the Man of Steel.
It’s not an enormous exhibit but it’s quality and worth your time if you’re in the neighborhood. Also, it’s just across the street from The Arcade where they shot an iconic scene for this new movie and there are other Superman movie landmarks in the general vicinity. It’s all worth a visit if you’re a fan. The library and the Arcade are worth a visit even if you’re not a Superman fan!
The lending library also has an impressive wall of books about Superman and the comics. Remember, before he was a movie/tv show/ icon/merchandising gold mine, Superman was just a good old fashioned comic book hero!
By the way, Union Terminal in Cincinnati also got a nice chunk of time in the movie. I wrote about that art deco masterpiece last year. See it here!
If you stop by the library, be sure to ask the security guard for a map. It’s useful as you nose around and points out some interesting assets.