Thu 9/21 @ noon
Sat 9/23 @ 1:30-3PM
Sat 9/23 @ 4-6PM
Sun 9/24 @ 11AM-2PM
Tue 9/26 @ 4-5PM
Wed 9/27 @ noon
For two months, which started in early September, multiple organizations — educational institutions, arts groups, museums, businesses — are marking the 85th anniversary of a Cleveland icon: Superman. Superman’s Cleveland: Lineage and Legacy features more than 20 events, including talks, informal conversations, book signings, a superhero trivia session, comic-making workshops and a daylong Superman conference at the downtown Cleveland Public Library.
Superman was created by a pair of Glenville High School students, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, both of whose parents were Jewish immigrants from Europe, in 1938. Their creation grew into a character know worldwide, a symbol of power and care for humanity known to almost everyone, even those who never read the comics that established his initial popularity. And Superman, like so many immigrant Jews, was a refugee — from another planet.
“There have been so many blockbuster movies based on comic book series,” says graphic novels scholar Dr. Valentino Zullo, PhD. Dr. Zullo who co-organized the event with Don Boozer, Cleveland Public Library’s manager of the Ohio Center for the Book. “People often forget all those films can trace their roots to Superman and Cleveland. This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate our city and its unique contribution to pop culture.”
This week is especially heavy with Superman-related events. In Thursday September 21 Brad Ricci, author of Super Boys, will give a talk at Ursuline College. On Saturday September 23 as part of the Inkubator Conference at the downtown Cleveland Public Library, there’ll be a conversation with Philip Kennedy Johnson on “Superman: the Future of a Legend.” Later than day, Carol and John’s Comics will host an author signing with Johnson.
Sunday September 24, you can join Chad Bilyeu, author of Chad in Amsterdam, for a drop-in comic-making workshop at the West Side Market, where Dan Gorman, who designed the poster for the Superman event (seen above), will sign free posters while supplies last.
On Tuesday September 26, Tom Taylor and John Timms, who wrote Superman Son of Kal-El The Truth, will hold a book discussion at the Tri-C Western campus. And on Wednesday September 27, Ricci will host another Super Boys book discussion, again at Ursuline College.
Find more details and a full schedule of events at supermanscleveland.com. Mostevents are free.