I talk a lot here about books created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but what if you are interested in reading a book about them and their work? As recently as a decade ago, options were limited both in number and information. But thankfully, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of books that fit that bill.
So if you are wanting to read up on Jerry and Joe’s lives or take a deeper look into the stories behind the stories, here are some recommendations:
‘Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman’
Published: 2008
Writer: Marc Tyler Nobleman
Illustrator: Ross McDonald
The first standalone biography of Jerry and Joe, this well-researched book is great for readers of all ages but especially recommended for younger readers. Quotes in the book all are taken from interviews Siegel and Shuster gave throughout the years.
‘Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster — the Creators of Superman’
Published: 2013
Writer: Brad Ricca
Meticulously researched and highly detailed, you will not currently find a more thorough biography on the two. The book gives a comprehensive overview of Jerry’s and Joe’s lives, their work, their successes and their trials, putting it all into context and weaving it into a narrative that helps inform their creative output.
‘The Joe Shuster Story: The Artist Behind Superman’
Published: 2018
Writer: Julian Voloj
Illustator: Thomas Campi
While Joe’s story is inextricably linked with Jerry Siegel’s, this graphic novel (read: comic book) puts the soft-spoken artist front and center.
‘The Secret Origins of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster: The Creators of Superman’
Published: (2013)
Writer: Jon Judy
Illustrator: Onofrio Orlando
I have not had the pleasure to read this biographical comic, but I look forward to doing so. I believe it is only available digitally.
‘Siegel and Shuster’s Funnyman: The First Jewish Superhero’
Published: 2010
Writers: Thomas Andrae and Mel Gordon
This volume offers background, cultural history and analysis of Jerry and Joe’s final co-creation — Funnyman. It also reprints a selection of stories from the comic book and samples from the daily and Sunday newspaper strip.
‘Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-Creator Joe Shuster’
Published: 2009
Writer: Craig Yoe
This book takes a look at a darker part of Shuster’s career, including historical background and cultural context. As the title and cover might suggest, this one’s not for kids.
‘Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero’
Published: 2012
Writer: Larry Tye
While focusing more on the Man of Steel’s history over more than seven decades, the book also include a substantial amount on Jerry and Joe’s story and deep background on their creation of the character. It also touches briefly on other parts of their early careers.
‘DC Comics Before Superman: Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s Pulp Comics’
Published: 2018
Writer: Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson
The book puts Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, founder of the company now known as DC Comics, in the spotlight and as such does not focus directly on Jerry and Joe. However, along with a deep profile of the Major, who hired Siegel and Shuster, it gives critical background on their early comics work before the Man of Steel changed everything. It also includes reprints and exerpts of early stories.
But, wait, there’s more
And lastly, I would be remiss not to mention “The Great Comic Book Heroes” (1965) by Jules Feiffer, “The Steranko History of Comics“ (1971) by Jim Steranko and “Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters & the Birth of the Comic Book” (2004) by Gerard Jones, three seminal works in the documenting of comic book history.
So, hey, go read a book!
Editor’s note: This post was adapted and expanded from the original Twitter thread posted on Sept. 6, 2019, observed annually as “National Read a Book Day.”
