When he debuted in 1939, not only were his features not defined, but his powers weren't as strong as they are now. The first Superman could only leap an eighth of a mile at one shot.
Superman debuted on radio February 12, 1940. He was voiced by Clayton "Bud" Collyer, who would also provide the vocals of Supes in the Paramount cartoons from 1941-1943 and in 1966 on TV's animated THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN. Collyer went on to host TV's TO TELL THE TRUTH in 1956 and BEAT THE CLOCK in 1950.
Fleischer Studios Paramount Cartoons. "Faster than a speeding bullet..." Voice: Clayton "Bud" Collyer.
Superman as he appeared in a 1943 Sunday newspaper comic strip.
Kirk Alyn played him in the 1948 serial SUPERMAN and again in 1950's ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN.
George Reeves with Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane, starred in the feature length, SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN (1951).
George Reeves went on to star in TV's THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN from 1953 until his mysterious death in 1957. To many, there is no other.
SUPERMAN comic #111, 1957.
New powers were introduced throughout the fifties.
Patriotic themes continued to grace the pages of SUPERMAN. This one issue 133 in 1959.
In 1960, John Rockwell played a young Clark Kent and Superboy in an unaired TV pilot, THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY. It was lost for 25 years.
Always throughout the years Superman and Jimmy remained close, thru thick and thin. JIMMY OLSEN #59.
In 1966, Bob Holiday appeared as Superman on the Broadway stage in the musical IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN.
Also in 1966, Filmation produced the TV cartoon THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, with our hero voiced again by Bud Collyer.
On the Saturday morning cartoons in the sixties, former radio voice Clayton "Bud" Collyer returned as the voice of our hero in THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, produced by Filmation.
On January 21, 1972, Metropolis, Illinois had "Superman Day" officially named. For the festivities, Superman was played by Reverend Charles Chandler, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Metropolis, and he wore an original George Reeves Superman costume. He was given the key to the city. Chandler also taped an episode of "To Tell The Truth" where he had to "stand-up" as the real Superman in front of panelists Nipsey Russell, Kitty Carlisle, Gene Rayburn, Peggy Cass and host Gary Moore.
In 1973, a Saturday morning cartoon called THE SUPERFRIENDS debuted, in which the traditional Justice League was tailored for the younger crowd. The team consisted of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman & Robin, Aquaman, and two kids Wendy and Marvin and their dog. Most of the stories contained morals and lessons for the kids. For the series, Superman's voice was provided by Danny Dark.
Superman got his first toothache in this issue of action comics (#434) IN 1974.
In 1975, a television special tried to rework the sixties Broadway musical. It, too, was titled IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN! It starred David Wilson as Supes and the ratings were less than super.
Christopher Reeve in SUPERMAN THE MOVIE brought back the All-American hero.
Christopher Reeve in 1981 in SUPERMAN II
Wax figure at Orlando Florida's Stars Hall Of Fame Wax Museum & California's Movieland Wax Museum. The wax figure in each location actually utilized one of Christopher Reeve's costumes from the first film.
Reeve continued to bulk up for the role. Here he is in the second sequel SUPERMAN III in 1983.
In 1986, the Superman legend was retold and revamped a little with the mini-series MAN OF STEEL. But no matter which legend you prefer, bullets still bounce off of him.
Christopher Reeve in SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE. One things for sure, Reeve was in super shape for his fourth portrayal.
As he appears in a 1988 comic book
A very short-lived TV cartoon on CBS in 1988 featured Superman voiced by Beau Weaver and Lois Lane by Ginny McSwain.
In 1989, Superman movie producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind went to the small screen with THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY. They filmed the series at Universal Studios in Florida and Clark Kent / Superboy was played by John Haymes Newton for the first season.
Newton was, apparently, not easy to get along with, so the producers replaced him with Gerard Christopher. His tenure as the "Boy of Steel" lasted three years and the series ran a total of 4 seasons. Interestingly, Christopher was 30 years old in real life, and Christopher Reeve was 28 when he played the "Man of Steel" in the 1978 film. Also, Gerard Christopher was a producer created stage name for actor Jerry Dinome.
Man In Black! After returning from the dead, Superman, for a short time, wore an awesome black costume. Here he is, still a little weak from his ordeal, with friends Steel and Superboy in a September 1993 issue of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN.
Dean Cain played Superman for four seasons, starting in 1993, on TV's LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN and did a fabulous job. His Superman shared his secret, eventually, with Lois and the two also got engaged.
In the comics in the 90's Superman was killed and resurrected. The returned Superman had a black costume for a short time and a new hair style. Here is the long-haired Superman.
Superman on a 1994 TOPPS Trading Card in a brilliant painting.
And yet another series, THE MAN OF TOMORROW. Issue #1, 1995.
For the two-part Season 3 Finale of TV's LOIS AND CLARK, Superman (played by Dean Cain) had to leave Earth with another Kryptonian, played by Justine Bateman, to fight a war. He returned for the two-part Season 4 openers LORD OF THE FLYS (9/22/96) and BATTLEGROUND EARTH (9/29/96) wearing a black battle uniform.
Going through changes in 1997 and trying new looks as he becomes the "man of energy." Red or blue or both, we still love him.
One of the greatest comedians of all-time, Jerry Seinfeld, is a tremendous Superman fan. In his series SEINFELD, a figurine of Supes always appeared in Jerry's apartment. He did this commercial with the animated hero in 1998.
On the Warner Brothers' animated TV series, THE SUPERMAN ADVENTURES, the world's mightest mortal was voiced by Tim Daly.
On the Warner Brothers' animated TV series, BATMAN BEYOND, we see 5 decades into the future of Gotham. An elderly Bruce Wayne teaches and mentors a new younger Batman. In one episode Batman meets the Justice League, headed by Superman. His costume may have changed, but his powers are the same. He also looks pretty darn good for his age.
Now, more than ever, fighting for "Truth, Justice And The American Way." Superman in Issue #600 of SUPERMAN in March 2002.
A most excellent Superman portrayal, in my opinion, is within the confines of Director, Writer, Producer and Star John Fiorella's film GRAYSON. Director and creator Fiorella has done the impossible... made the perfect screen incarnation of our DC heroes. An older Superman is played by Paul Hasenyager.
In Sandy Collora's wonderful 2004 Fan Film, Michael O'Hearn plays the buff Superman in THE WORLD'S FINEST.
Brandon Routh gave an outstanding performance as The Man Of Steel in SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006).