Spirit of America Bookstore
Superheroes
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short history
classic superheroes
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Superheroes have magical attributes that humans do not: flying and speed, flaming, breathing underwater, indestructability, reading minds,
shrinking & gigantism, time travel, prophecy – wish fulfillment for youngsters and for the child in otherwise reality-bound adults . . .
s h o r t
h i s t o r y
t e x t
h e r e
Superhero Fiction Portal at Wikipedia
browse books
xxx catalog at Amazon.com
somebody credits [] at Internet Movie Database
Spirit of America Bookstore's Cartoonists of America Pages
Pre-Classic Superheroes
Not included here are the reality-based pre-classical superheroes – Lone Ranger, Tarzan, The Phantom, Flash Gordon – who were just non-magical humans
with extraordinary talents. The guys in this section are 'caped crusaders' and 'masked avengers' using secret identities to fight injustice with swords and fists,
and outsmarting dim-witted but lethal oppressors - the original examples for most later superhero comics and manga.
legendary The Scarlet Pimpernel
created in 1905 by by Baroness Emma Orczy [1865-1947]
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" stageplay & novel [1905]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Pimpernel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Pimpernel%22_Smith
legendary El Zorro
created in 1919 by pulp author Johnston McCulley [1883-1958]
details on the El Zorro Page at 'Readers of The Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
Classic Superheroes
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"Superman" comics [est. 1938 by D.C.]
browse books • DC Comics official site • Wikipedia • Toonopedia page "Superman" movies & tv shows videos/DVDs • Superman character listing at IMDb |
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"The Complete Superman Cartoons" [2000] Image Ent color DVD [8/2000] for $26.99 |
"Wonder Woman" comics [est. 1941]
Super-heroine Wonder Woman debuted in All-Star Comics issue #8 (October 1941), published by All-American Comics in New York City.
"Wonder Woman" feature film [Warner Bros. - opening June 2017] 
watch 11/2016 official trailer [2:30] online at YouTube
watch 3/2017 official origin trailer [2:29] online at YouTube
"Wonder Woman (1942-1986) #1" [6/2011] 56-page Kindle Edition
by William Marston & Alice Marble, Illustrated by Sheldon Moldoff & Harry Peter
http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Woman-1942-1986-William-Marston-ebook/dp/B014NJW66E/
DC Comics Universe
Founded as National Allied Publications in Autumn 1934; financial troubles brought in new investor-partners in early 1937; renamed company released Detective Comics issue #1 in March 1937. Superman debuted in Action Comics issue #1 (June 1938); crimefighter Batman debuted in Detective Comics issue #27 (May 1939). Several mergers in the 1940s became National Periodical Publications, which went public in 1961. In 1967, Kinney purchased National, then purchased Warner-Seven Arts, creating Warner Communications. Warner merged with Time, Inc. in 1989, making D.C. Entertainment a subsidiary of Warner Bros.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics
"Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics" documentary film []
two volumes entitled The History of the DC Universe set out the revised history of the major DC characters.
crimefighter "Batman" debuted in Detective Comics issue #27 (May 1939)
"Lobo" [began 1983] from D.C. Comics
greasy, long-haired, interstellar type created by Roger Slifer & Keith Giffen; first appeared in the pages of "Omega Men" issue #3
"Suicide Squad" [began 1959, reboot 1987] from D.C. Comics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Squad
https://www.amazon.com/Suicide-Squad-Official-Movie-Novelization-ebook/dp/B01CBLR0QW/
"Superman" debuted in Action Comics issue #1 (June 1938) {see above}
"Swamp Thing" [created 1971]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_Thing
"Swamp Thing" [1982] /tt0084745/
"Swamp Thing" TV series [1990] /tt0098919/
"Swamp Thing" TV series [1991] /tt0408427/
"The Return of Swamp Thing" [1989] /tt0098193/
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"D.C. Comics Ultimate Character Guide" [ages 7-10; 2011] by Brandon T. Snider D.K. Children 9½x7½ hardcover [7/2011] for $9.52 |
 | "D.C. Comics Encyclopedia All-New Edition: The Definitive Guide To The Characters of The D.C. Universe" [2016] by Matthew K. Manning & Alex Irvine
Dorling Kindersley 12¼x10½ hardcover [10/2016] for $30.20 "The D.C. Comics Encyclopedia, Updated & Expanded Edition" [2008] Dorling Kindersley 12x10½ hardcover [9/2008] for $22.97 |
Marvel Comics Universe
Founded in 1939 as Timely Publications, launching Marvel Comics issue #1 in October; superhero comics were a tough sell after the war, and Timely expanded into horror, Westerns, and children's stories; by the early 1950s the company had generally become known as Atlas Comics. The success of D.C. Comics in reviving their superhero characters led Atlas to follow suit. The company name Marvel was officially adopted in 1961; they launched The Fantastic Four (in November) and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and many others. Spider-Man first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy issue #15 (August 1962)
Marvel Entertainment Group (M.E.G.) was sold in 1986 to New World Entertainment, which within three years sold it to MacAndrews and Forbes. Owner Ronald Perelman (Andrews Group) took the company public in 1991, then issued a series of junk bonds that he used to acquire other entertainment companies, secured by M.E.G. stock. The comics industry, however, went into a slump and in December 1996 Marvel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Marvel Enterprises was formed in 1997 by merging Toy Biz and M.E.G., allowing the company to terminate the bankruptcy. In 2009, The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel for $4 billion; it has been a limited liability company (LLC) since then.
Marvel Entertainment Page
at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Comics-Untold-Sean-Howe-ebook/dp/B00DG292XK/
https://www.amazon.com/Virtues-Captain-America-Modern-Day-Character/dp/1118619269/
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-History-Wonder-Woman/dp/0804173400/
https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Woman-Unbound-Curious-History/dp/1613749090/
https://www.amazon.com/Captain-America-Nationalist-Superhero-Geopolitics-ebook/dp/B00AATCSD8/
"Ant-Man" [est. 1962]
Ant-Man entry at Wikipedia
Ant-Man page at Marvel Database wikia fansite
Marvel's "Ant-Man" [Marvel Studios/Disney July 2015]
![poster for Marvel's 'Ant-Man' movie [2015]](covers2/pMarvelAntMan2015.jpg) | An ethical thief just released from prison is asked to use the Ant-Man suit and shrink himself to get past security and steal stuff; a Thomas the Tank Engine HO-scale electric train has a significant role in the film. • Directed by Peyton Reed; original story by Stan Lee; starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Anthony Mackie, Judy Greer, Abby Ryder Fortson, Michael Peña, David Dastmalchian, 'T.I.' Harris, Hayley Atwell, Wood Harris, John Slattery, Martin Donovan & "Thomas the Tank Engine"; location filming in Atlanta, Georgia & in San Francisco, California
Walt Disney Studios widescreen color Blu-ray [12/2015] for $20.99 Walt Disney Studios widescreen color DVD [12/2015] for $18.99 full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia watch 4/2015 official trailer [2:29] at YouTube watch clip of Thomas from the "Ant-Man" movie trailer {24MB .gif animation} |
"Captain America" launched in Captain America Comics issue #1 (March 1941)
"The Fantastic Four" superhero team launched in The Fantastic Four issue #1 (November 1961)
"Spider-Man" first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy issue #15 (August 1962)
"Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" Broadway musical [2011–2014]
Post-WWII Superheroes
Power Rangers Franchise [est. 1993]
franchise entry at Wikipedia
"Saban's Power Rangers" live-action feature [March 2017]
starring Dacre Montgomery {as Jason/Red Ranger}, Naomi Scott {as Kimberly/Pink Ranger}, R.J. Cyler {as Billy/Blue Ranger}, Becky G {as Trini/Yellow Ranger},
Ludi Lin {as Zack/Black Ranger}, Bryan Cranston {as Zordon}, Elizabeth Banks {as Rita Repulsa}, Bill Hader {as Alpha 5}
latest info at IMDb •
official movie website {'best on Chrome'} •
movie entry at Wikipedia
watch 10/2016 official trailer #1 [2:30] online at YouTube
watch 1/2017 official trailer #2 [2:21] online at YouTube
"The Rocketeer" [Disney June 1991]
 | Thugs steal a rocket backpack device from Howard Hughes, and conceal it before being arrested. Howard burns the blueprints, but a struggling biplane pilot finds the device and re-invents himself as superhero Rocketeer. • Directed by Joe Johnston; based on the graphic novel by Dave Stevens; starring Bill Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino, Terry O'Quinn {as Howard Hughes}, Ed Lauter, James Handy & Tiny Ron
Walt Disney Video widescreen color DVD [8/99] for $12.49 Walt Disney Video color VHS [12/96] out of prodn/many used Hollywood Records soundtrack CD [3/96] 10 tracks for $15.68 full credits from IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
sequel "The Rocketeers" [Disney - in development for release in 2018?]
latest info at IMDb
XXIst Century Superheroes
"Tick, The Big Blue Bug of Justice" [est. 1986]
Created in 1986 as a satirical mascot for the Boston-area New England Comics chain of seven stores; the comic books drawn by Ben Edlund ran for twelve issues
from March 1988 to August 1996, with many special issues & reprints; Fox TV broadcast an animated series of 36 episodes from September 1994 to November 1996; Fox TV
also broadcast a 9-episode live-action series from Columbia-TriStar TV from November 2001 to January 2002; Sony & Amazon Studios made a live-action half-hour pilot
available online in August 2016, and in September announced orders for a 'full season' to air in 2017.
 | "The Tick" animated TV series [Fox 1994-96] 36 half-hour episodes over three seasons, with voices of Townsend Coleman {as The Tick}, Rob Paulsen & Micky Dolenz {as Arthur}, Cam Clarke {as Die Fledermaus}, Kay Lenz {as American Maid}, Ed Gilbert {as El Seed}, Bobcat Goldthwait {as Uncle Creamy}, Laraine Newman {as The Flying Squirrel} Season 1, 12 episodes (of 13): Buena Vista Home Ent. color DVD [8/2006] for $17.59 Season 2, 12 episodes (of 13): Buena Vista Home Ent. color DVD [8/2007] for $17.59 Season 3 is not available on Region 1 DVD full credits at IMDb • series entry at Wikipedia watch 35 (of 36) episodes [uploaded 3/2016] online at YouTube |
  | "The Tick" live-action TV series [Fox 2001] Nine live action episodes produced by Sony-Columbia-TriStar TV that ran on Thursday evenings on Fox TV from November 2001 to January 2002; N2Toys produced a line of action figures; the live-action series failed to recapture the success of its animated predecessor and further episodes were not ordered; released on DVD in 2003 • Co-produced by Ben Edlund; starring Patrick Warburton {as The Tick}, David Burke {as Arthur}, Liz Vassey {as Captain Liberty}, Nestor Carbonell {as Batmanuel}, William Newman, Ron Perlman, Jack Armstrong, Armin Shimerman Complete Series: Mill Creek Ent. color DVD [2/2014] for $5.75 Entire Series: Sony Pictures Home Ent. widescreen color DVD [9/2003] 2 disks for $37.89 full credits at IMDb • series entry at Wikipedia watch official trailer [7/2010 upload; 4:27] online at YouTube |
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"Tick" webcast series [Sony Pictures TV/Amazon Studios Aug 2016] Based on the comic books by Ben Edlund; half-hour pilot episode available online in August 2016; season order September 2016 for webcast in 2017 • Pilot co-produced & directed by Wally Pfister; co-produced & written by Ben Edlund; starring Peter Serafinowicz, Griffin Newman, Valorie Curry, Brendan Hines, Jackie Earle Haley, Yara Martinez, Joanna Adler, Whoopi Goldberg DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • Amazon Instant Video [8/2016] - watch pilot free with signup/login full credits at IMDb • no separate entry at Wikipedia |
Works About Superheroes & Comic Books
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"The Great Comic Book Heroes" [1977] by Jules Feiffer Fantagraphics 9¼x6 pb [3/2003] for $8.95 Sagebrush hardcover [1/2003] out of print/used |
 | "Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and The Socratic Way" [2005] Edited by Tom Morris & Matt Morris Kindle Edition from Open Court [5/2005] for $9.99 Open Court 8¾x5¾ pb [5/2005] for $14.41 |
 | "War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda In Comics and Film" [2011] by Marc DiPaolo featured superheroes include Batman, the Fantastic Four, the Punisher, Spider-Man, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the X-Men Kindle Edition from McFarland & Co. [4/2011] for $16.19 McFarland & Co. 10x7 pb [3/2011] for $42.75 |
 | "Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture" for Kindle [2011] by Series Editor William Irwin free superhero sampler featuring characters from both the D.C. and Marvel universes: Captain America, the Avengers, Batman, Green Lantern, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Superman, Thor, Watchmen, and the X-Men – includes a sneak peek at upcoming books: "Avengers and Philosophy", "Spider-Man and Philosophy", and "Superman and Philosophy" Kindle Edition from Blackwell/Wiley [6/2011] for FREE {sic} |
 | "Super Heroes" anthology [2013] Edited by Rich Horton
Kindle Edition from Prime Books [3/2013] for $6.99 Prime Books 9x6 pb [2/2013] for $15.95 sixteen stories, listed by author: “Dirae” by Peter S. Beagle; “The Strange Desserts of Professor Natalie Doom” by Kat Beyer; “Wild Card” by Leah Bobet; “Grandma” by Carol Emshwiller; “The Los Angeles Women’s Auxiliary Superhero League” by Elana Fortin “The Illustrated Biography of Lord Grimm” by Daryl Gregory; “Heroic Measures” by Matthew Johnson; “Super. Family.” by Ian Donald Keeling; “The Biggest” by James Patrick Kelly; “Superhero Girl” by Jessica J. Lee; “Secret Identity” by Kelly Link; “Tonight We Fly” by Ian McDonald; “Downfall” by Joseph Mallozzi; “Sunlight Society” by Margaret Ronald; “Dr. Death vs. The Vampire” by Aaron Schutz; and “Wonjiang and The Madman of Pyongyang” by Gord Sellar |
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"The Superhero Reader" [2013] Edited by Charles Hatfield, Jeet Heer & Kent Worcester
A full exploration of the history, politics, and aesthetics of the superhero genre: essays and book excerpts by major writers on comics and popular culture. The contributing authors are: Will Booker, Jeffrey Brown, Scott Bukatman, John G. Cawelti, Peter Coogan, Jules Feiffer, editor Hatfield, Henry Jenkins, Robert Jewett & John Shelton Lawrence, Gerard Jones, Geoff Klock, Karin Kukkonen, Andy Medhurst, Adilifu Nama, Walter Ong, Lorrie Palmer, Richard Reynolds, Trina Robbins, Lillian Robinson, Roger B. Rollin, Gloria Steinem, Jennifer Stuller, Fredric Werthem, and Philip Wylie Kindle Edition from Univ Press Mississippi [6/2013] for $17.49 Univ Press Mississippi 9x6 pb [6/2013] for $30.00 Univ Press Mississippi 9x6 hardcover [6/2013] for $65.00 {sic} |
 | "SUPER Stories of HEROES & Villains" [2013] Edited & Introduction by Claude Lalumiere
Twenty-eight astounding Super Stories of the never-ending battle of good versus evil! - the exploits, machinations, and epic mêlées of superpowered aliens, undead crusaders, costumed crime fighters, unholy cabals, Amazon warriors, demon hunters, cyberpunk luchadores, nefarious megalomaniacs, daredevil sidekicks, atavistic avatars, adventuring aviators, gunslinging outlaws, love-struck adversaries, and supernatural detectives. The 30 authors are: Camille Alexa (Pinktastic); Steven Barnes & Tananarive Due; Leah Bobet; Kurt Busiek; Will Clarke; A.M. Dellamonica; Paul Di Filippo; Cory Doctorow; Win Scott Eckert; Carol Emshwiller ("Grandma"); Christopher Golden & Mike Mignola (Hellboy); Ernest Hogan; James Patrick Kelly; J. Robert Lennon; Jonathan Lethem (The Dystopianist); Kelly Link; James Lowder; George R.R. Martin; Jess Nevins; Kim Newman; Jack Pendarvis; Rachel Pollack; Tim Pratt (Rangergirl); Chris Roberson; Benjamin Rosenbaum; George Singleton; Carrie Vaughn; and Gene Wolfe Kindle Edition from Tachyon Publns [7/2013] for $7.96 Tachyon Publns 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $15.95 |
 | "The League of Regrettable Superheroes: Half-Baked Heroes From Comic Book History" [2015] by Jon Morris — one hundred of the strangest superheroes ever to see print, complete with backstories, vintage art, and colorful commentary Kindle Edition from Quirk Books [6/2015] for $18.99 Quirk Books Loot Crate Edition ABRIDGED 5x8 hardcover [2015] out of print/40+ used Quirk Books 9¼x7¼ hardcover [6/2015] for $17.96 Quirk Books hardcover [6/2015] out of print/used |
 | "Last Night, A Superhero Saved My Life: Neil Gaiman!! Jodi Picoult!! Brad Meltzer!! . . . and An All-Star Roster On The Caped Crusaders That Changed Their Lives" [2016] Edited by Liesa Mignogna Contributors include Leigh Bardugo, Karina Cooper, Ron Currie Jr., Jamie Ford, Neil Gaiman, Christopher Golden, Joe R. Lansdale, Brad Meltzer, Jodi Picoult, Carrie Vaughn, and many others Kindle Edition from Thomas Dunne/Macmillan [6/2016] for $12.99 Thomas Dunne Books 8½x5¾ hardcover [6/2016] for $17.76 |
 | "Super Weird Heroes: Outrageous But Real!" [2016] Edited by Eisner Award winner Craig Yoe 65 wierd superheroes in over 500 pages filled with rare, full-color, never-before-reprinted comics I.D.W. Publng hardcover [11/2016] for $30.54 |
 | "The Legion of Regrettable Super Villains: Oddball Criminals From Comic Book History" [2017] by Jon Morris Kindle Edition from Quirk Books/Penguin/Random House [DUE March 2017] for $15.99 Quirk Books hardcover [DUE March 2017] for $17.29 |
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Wear-Capes-Spirituality-Superheroes/dp/082644198X/
https://www.amazon.com/How-Superhero-Little-Golden-Book-ebook/dp/B00I1ZJNV8/
https://www.amazon.com/League-Regrettable-Superheroes-Half-Baked-History-ebook/dp/B00NEUI19K/
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Superhero-Marco-Arnaudo/dp/1421409534/
https://www.amazon.com/Mythology-Superhero-Andrew-R-Bahlmann/dp/1476662487/
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Superheroes-Unauthorized-Exploration-Popular/dp/1933771313/
https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Being-Superhero-Christy-Ottaviano-ebook/dp/B00NS3TEI0/
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Heroes-Mythology-Studies-Paperback/dp/0878056947/
https://www.amazon.com/Super-history-Superheroes-American-Society-Present/dp/0786465646/
https://www.amazon.com/SuperHero-ABC-Bob-McLeod-ebook/dp/B007TC8I42/
https://www.amazon.com/Superhero-Secret-Origin-Peter-Coogan/dp/193226518X/
https://www.amazon.com/Superheroes-Analysis-Popular-Cultures-Modern-ebook/dp/B004URV0ZI/
https://www.amazon.com/Superheroes-Best-Philosophy-Culture-Blackwell-ebook/dp/B005CDYQOQ/
https://www.amazon.com/Superheroes-Capes-Cowls-Creation-Culture-ebook/dp/B00C8S9XLO/
https://www.amazon.com/Superman-Couch-Superheroes-Ourselves-Society/dp/0826415407/
· ·
 | "Legends of The Super Heroes" [Hanna-Barbera Jan 1979] 2-part TV event: live-action version of "Challenge of The Superfriends" episode of 1978, then a 'roast' of the superheroes hosted by Ed McMahon Directed by Bill Carruthers & Chris Darley; narrated by Gary Owens; starring Burt Ward {as Robin}, Adam West {as Batman}, Frank Gorshin (as The Riddler}, Jeff Altman {as Weather Wizard}, Charlie Callas {as Sinestro}, Gabriel Dell {as Mordru}, Howard Morris {as Dr. Sivana}, Mickey Morton {as Solomon Grundy}, William Schallert {as Retired Man}, A'leisha Brevard {as Giganta}, Garrett Craig {as Captain Marvel}, Howard Murphy {as Green Lantern}, Danuta Rylko Soderman {as Black Canary}, Bill Nuckols {as Hawkman}, Rod Haase {as The Flash}, Barbara Joyce {as Huntress}, Ruth Buzzi, Pat Carroll, June Gable, Brad Sanders, Alfie Wise D.C. / Warner Bros. Archive color DVD [10/2010] for $12.49 full credits at IMDb • show entry at Wikipedia |
 | "Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked" [History Channel July 2003] Featured artists include Avi Arad, Michael Chabon, Will Eisner, Neil Gaiman, Stan Lee, Paul Levitz, Frank Miller, Denny O'Neil, Joe Quesada, Mike Richardson, Kevin Smith, Jim Steranko, and Bradford Wright • Co-produced & written by James Grant Goldin; co-produced & directed by Steve Kroopnick; hosted by Peta Wilson, narrated by Keith David A&E Home Video color DVD [9/2005] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb |
 | "Superheroes" documentary [HBO Jan 2011] 90-minute live action documentary (with animated sequences) about real-life citizens who patrol urban neigHborhoods and intervene to bring street criminals to justice; co-produced & co-written by Theodore James; co-written & directed by Michael Barnett Docurama color DVD [11/2011] for $16.10 full credits at IMDb • watch 2/2013 full movie [1:21:05] online at YouTube |
"Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle"
documentary TV mini-series [P.B.S. Oct 2013]
 | 3 hour-long episodes co-produced & directed by Michael Kantor; hosted/narrated by Liev Schreiber; featuring Danny Fingeroth, Mark Waid, Stan Lee, Neal Adams, Bradford Wright, Adam West, Ed Catto, Phil Jimenez, Jenette Kahn {president, DC Comics}, Jim Steranko, Arlen Schumer, Carmine Infantino, Michael Chabon, Len Wein, cartoonist Jules Feiffer, Joe Quesada {Marvel Ent.}, Ramona Fradon, Gerry Conway, Denny O'Neil, William H. Foster III, Grant Morrison, Lynda Carter, Trina Robbins, Marc Damon Johnson, Adriane Lenox, Vincent Zurzolo, Gerard Jones, Gary Phillips, Jeph Loeb, J. Michael Straczynski, Geoff Johns {DC Comics}, Jerry Robinson, Walter Simonson, Ashley Miller, Paul Dini, Irwin Hasen, director Zack Snyder, Chris Claremont, Mark Evanier, Larry Hama, Christina Strain, Jim Lee, Mike Malve {Atomic Comics}, Todd McFarlane, Louise Simonson, Andrea Romano, Marv Wolfman, Tim Daly, John Hamilton, Edward Herrmann •
series credits at IMDb
P.B.S. Direct widescreen color Blu-ray [10/2013] for $12.87 P.B.S. Direct widescreen color DVD [10/2013] for $9.17 "Truth, Justice and the American Way" episode 1 [2013] • episode credits at IMDb "Great Power, Great Responsibility" episode 2 [2013] • episode credits at IMDb "A Hero Can Be Anyone" episode 3 [2013] • episode credits at IMDb |
Movies & Television, Stageplays, Other Media
· ·
"Black Scorpion"
started as a movie produced by Roger Corman for the Showtime network in the 1990s; ran a single season on Sci-Fi in 2001
"Electra Woman and Dyna Girl" [1976]
kiddie TV moguls Sid and Marty Kroft decided to try their luck at the superhero genre
"Shazam!" live-action TV series [CBS-TV 1974-77] /tt0071050/
popularity Saturday morning adventure series that ran for three seasons on CBS
"Shazam!" animated TV mini-series [Warner Bros./Cartoon Network 2013]
only three episodes produced /tt3081532/
"Shazam!" live-action feature [Warner Bros./DC Comics April 2019?]
starring Dwayne Johnson {as Black Adam}
"Super" [IFC Films/IFC Midnight April 2011]
 | Title role originally intended for John C. Reilly; extremely low-budget sendup of all the superhero cliches: When his wife dumps him for a drug dealer, a hapless short-order cook tries to get her back by reporting her kidnapped; after watching Christian TV and having a vision, he becomes a superhero to fight evil. He sews a costume, finds a weapon, and transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, but lacking in heroic skills. But his pipe-wrench inflicts real injury, so the police want him for being a vigilante, and the drug dealer's gang has real guns. Then a manic girl clerk at a comic book store becomes his sidekick, and it's time to go save Sarah . . . • Written & directed by James Gunn; co-produced by & starring Rainn Wilson; music by Tyler Bates
also starring Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Gregg Henry, Michael Rooker, Andre Royo, Sean Gunn, Stephen Blackehart, Don Mac, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, Gerardo Davila, Grant Goodman, Paul T. Taylor, Connor Day, James Gunn, Mikaela Hoover, Nick Holmes, Matt Moore, Rob Zombie {as voice of God}, Steve Agee, Laurel Whitsett, James Lentzsch, Nate Rubin, Edrick Browne, Danny Cosmo, Krystal Mayo, Russell Towery, Mario Jimenez, Jonathan Winkler, Mollie Milligan, Gerry May, Valentine Miele, Michelle Gunn, Darcel White Moreno, Greg Ingram, Lindsay Soileau, Brandon Belknap, Zach Gilford, Lloyd Kaufman, Tim J. Smith, Mark De Alessandro, Cole S. McKay, Dominick LaBanca, John W. Lawson, William Katt, Dale Beasley
M.P.I. Media Group widescreen color Blu-ray [8/2011] 2 disks - out of prodn/used M.P.I. Home Video widescreen color DVD [8/2011] for $7.87 full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • watch official trailer [6/2017 upload; 2:14] online at YouTube |
Major Artists
Stan Lee [1922-2018]
browse books •
Wikipedia
long-time head of Marvel Comics [est. 1933, renamed 1939]
corporate website •
Wikipedia •
Toonopedia page
Stan Lee is listed as tied for #26 on Atlantic Monthly's "Top 30 Influential Living Americans" (12/2006)
Marvel Comics Super Heroes 20-stamp set from U.S.P.S. [2007] {opens in new window}
Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment and Vuguru (Michael Eisner’s independent studio) operate
a YouTube original channel called "Stan Lee’s World of Heroes"
Marvel Entertainment Page at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
Kindle Editions
Nordell Bookstores Group Kindle Hardware & Content Page
with FREE Kindle Apps for PC, Mac, iPhone/iPod, iPad, Android & BlackBerry
 | "Adventure Comics, 1938 (48 Book Series)" for Kindle [July-Oct 2015]
Kindle Edition from DC Comics [10/2015] 48 comics for $1.99 each not a true Amazon bundle link, but a list of 48 issues of 1938 "Adventure Comics" on Kindle/ComiXology, from #278 to #423 for $1.99 each; stories include Superman, Supergirl, the Legion of Super-Heroes, and villains Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Starfire |
Image Gallery
Superheroes Merchandise
[ Coming Soon ] **
Superheroes Links
Superhero Fiction Portal at Wikipedia
search on keyword 'superheros' for children's books {returns 3,000+ titles} at Amazon
Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. [est. 2004], 372 Fifth Avenue (btwn. 5th & 6th Street) in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York
here on the Superheroes Page at Spirit of America Bookstore
top of page • short history • classic superheroes • DC Comics Universe • Marvel Comics Universe • post-WWII superheroes • XXIst Century superheroes •
works about comic superheroes • movies & TV, plays, other media • Kindle Editions • major artists • image gallery • merchandise • links
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