SUPERMAN The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero

The history of Superman is the history of American popular culture since the 1930s, not just in commercial entertainment but in social, ethnic, and racial values as well. Scott Brick is not, thankfully, a vintage voice, and this is not some campy romp through the history of a commercial brand. As a brand, however, Superman has a long, complicated, and, it turns out, interesting history as a mirror of the times and an exemplar of the rigors of appealing to—and keeping up with—popular taste. Brick’s even-tempered delivery matches the focused informality of Larry Tye’s text, capturing in the language and tone of the narrative its various social nuances and implications while resisting underscoring. This excellent production will engage a general audience as well as fans of comics and pop history. D.A.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2012]