Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and Brainiac have all tried—and failed—to bring downSupermanfor good. But one villain came closer than any of them, and chances are, you’ve never even heard his name. So who is this mysterious figure, and how did he nearly erase the Man of Steel from existence before his legend even began?
…Superman was once deemed too “ridiculous” to appear on the cover of Action Comics…
Created by artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel,Superman first appeared inAction Comics#1(1938) and has since built an almost 87-year legacy as one of the most iconic fictional characters in pop culture. However, some fans may be shocked to learn thatthe Man of Steel’s legacy nearly ended before it even truly began—when he met his ultimate match, Harry Donenfeld.
Even die-hard Superman fans may find themselves unfamiliar with this name, yetDonenfeld played a crucial role in the hero’s history. In fact, he came closer than Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and countless others to doing what they never could—bringing an end to Superman.
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Harry Donenfeld: The Man Who Nearly Ended Superman Before the DC Legend Even Began
Main Cover by Joe Shuster forAction Comics#1 (1938)
Harry Donenfeld is best known as thepublisher ofAction Comics#1(1938), the comic that started it all for Superman, and later became the head of Detective Comics, Inc. and National Allied Publications—companies that eventually merged into what is now DC Comics. WhileDonenfeld played a crucial role in bringing Superman to a wider audience through his business acumen, he also nearly brought an early end to the Man of Steel. This close call can be traced back to Superman’s first appearance on the cover ofAction Comics#1, where he was depicted in all his spandex glory, hoisting a car over his head.
Though this cover is now regarded as one of the most iconic in comic book history, Donenfeld was initially put off by the character’s seemingly absurd fantasy. According to Fred Van Lente’sThe Comic Book History of Comics(2012),he ordered that Superman never appear on the cover again. As a result, the Man of Steel was absent from the covers of the next five issues ofAction Comics, abruptly cutting short his time in the spotlight. However, Superman’s overwhelming popularity quickly changed Donenfeld’s mind. By issue #7, he was officially made the title’s leading feature, narrowly escaping the fate of being axed before he had the chance to shine.
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Donenfeld’s Creative Call Could Have Been Catastrophic for the Man of Steel
Main Cover by Fred Guardineer forAction Comics#15 (1939)
It’s hard to believe that Superman, one of the most iconic characters ever created, was once deemed too“ridiculous”to appear on thecover ofAction Comics, which continues to be headlined by the Man of Steel to this day and has published over a thousand issues. Although Donenfeld’s decision to exclude Superman was limited to the covers and not the entire narrative, it could have had catastrophic consequences for the Kryptonian’s rise to popularity. After all, the cover is the first thing that captures a reader’s attention, andwithout Superman featured prominently, the Man of Steel may have fallen into obscurity.
Harry Donenfeld Was the Villain in Joe Shuster and Bob Siegel’s Story
Main Cover by Joe Shuster forAction Comics#17 (1939)
However, Donenfeld’s decision to remove Superman from the covers ofAction Comicsisn’t the only perceived sin he committed against the Man of Steel’s legacy. Following the surge in comic booksales driven by Superman, Donenfeld also capitalized on the character’s popularity through merchandising, including toys, costumes, and even a radio show featuring the hero. By the end of 1941, Donenfeld’s comic businesses had raked in $2.6 million. Yet,the creators of Superman, Shuster and Siegel, did not share in these spoils, as they had sold the rights to the character to National Allied Publications.
Consequently, while Donenfeld became wealthy, Shuster and Siegel continued to receive only flat employee fees. In response, Shuster and Siegel took legal action against National Allied Publications, suing for appropriate compensation. However, this would lead to a long and drawn-out battle that continued for decades. Their struggleserves as a prime example of why protecting the property rights of creators is essential. Such rights not only safeguard their creative control over their characters and work but also ensure they receive proper compensation. As we can see, the beginnings ofSupermanwere filled with much more conflict than one might initially believe.
Superman
Source: Van Lente, Fred (2012). The Comic Book History of Comics. IDW.
