He flies through the air and leaps tall buildings in a single bound. Of course, we're talking about Superman. But there’s more reality in comic book superhero tales than you might think.
On Tuesday's Up to Date, we talk about how the comics have reflected contemporary life and historical events. Take a look at World War II-era comics, and you’ll see a caped crusader shilling for the war effort.
Skip ahead through the decades, and the attitudes at the Daily Planet are ripped from the real-life headlines of the day. We look from Metropolis to Gotham City and beyond to understand how reality shaped the fiction.
Guests:
- Larry Tye, author of Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero
- Michael Uslan, executive producer of Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight
HEAR MORE: Larry Tye speaks at 12:45 p.m. March 25 at the Jewish Community Center and at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library.