The orignial incarnation of Superman could "leap tall buildings in a single bound", when did this become the ability to fly?
2006-09-04 07:48:37 · 24 answers · asked by juicy_wishun 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Comics & Animation
In the 40's, they started to give him new powers...Superman's powers develop during the 1940s, including vast increases in strength and gaining the ability to fly — the earliest comics depict Superman able to leap an eighth of a mile at a time.
Source(s):
As originally conceived and presented in his early stories, Superman's powers were relatively limited, consisting of superhuman strength that allowed him to lift a car over his head, run at amazing speeds, and leap one-eighth of a mile; and incredibly tough skin that could be pierced by nothing less than an exploding artillery shell. Writers slowly increased his powers over time until by the Silver Age, he was effectively omnipotent.Superman possesses extraordinary powers, traditionally described as, "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound", a phrase first used in the Superman radio serials of the 1940s and the TV series of the 1950s. Although contemporary media still reference Superman that way, the character's powers are much more vast and complex. For most of his existence, Superman's famous arsenal of powers include flight, super strength, invulnerability, super speed, vision powers (including x-ray, heat, telescopic, infra-red, and microscopic vision), super photographic memory, super hearing, and super breath, which enables him to freeze objects by blowing on them.
2006-09-04 07:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth 2 Superman was still being shown as leaping tall buildings in a single bound in the 1970's in All Star Comics. He was also shown this way in All Star Squadron.
A little golden age information from Wiki.
In the early stories, Superman himself is the only science-fiction element. He is described as the champion of the helpless and the oppressed, and he combats real-world social evils: munitions manufacturers, dangerous conditions in mines, a hit-and-run drunk driver (Superman #1); rigged prize fights and corrupt businessmen (Superman #2); child abuse and wife beating (Superman #3); and crooked cops and politicians (Superman #7). By 1940, other fantastic elements began to appear in the stories, as the stories depict Superman battling mad scientists, giants, dinosaurs, and other science-fiction antagonists.
Superman's powers also developed during the 1940s, including vast increases in strength and gaining the ability to fly — the earliest comics depict Superman able to leap an eighth of a mile at a time. In Superman (Vol. 1) #61 (1949), Superman finally learns of the existence of Krypton. Also in this decade, Superman becomes an honorary member of the Justice Society of America, although he is only shown participating in two cases in the original Golden Age stories (All-Star Comics #8 and #36).
2006-09-04 08:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by David Y 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the very beginning, his powers were very simple compared to today. He could only jump about an eighth of a mile, and while he could play star quarterback and be his own receiver, competing against an entire football team, he couldn't do more than pick up occasional cars and stuff.
He started actually flying in the early 1940s. He'd jump, and then glide on the air currents. And then he got strong enough to help troubled passenger jets. Then later he could fly out into space without breathing or having his body implode for lack of air pressure.
2006-09-04 07:56:16 · answer #3 · answered by Sean B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When superman went to Radio he started flying. The windy sound effect made him seem to be flying. The flying power of the radio superman was so popular it was adopted by all the other superman incarnates i.e. comic, movie, tv...
My source for this info was a documentary on Superman I saw on cable.
2006-09-04 07:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by BOISE_DD 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That was just in the intro I have one of the old 1940's cartoons and he does fly. Because you have to remember "Its a bird Its a plane Its SUPERMAN" was always associated with him.
2006-09-04 07:51:51 · answer #5 · answered by sondra j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you heard about the new movie "Hollywoodland", about George Reeves who played the movies original Superman? Seems it all started around 1938. Maybe he got tired of pole vaulting , decided it was too much work? In those days the athletes shoes were lousy anyhow.
2006-09-04 07:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When he was broadcast over radio stations in the forties.
Remember the old radio stories? I used to lay in bed at 2AM Sunday night waiting for the old mystery shows to come on. I'd listen to the advertisements for the strangest things. LOL I miss the radio.
2006-09-04 07:53:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When he was born he was normal but as he grew he became a superman by drinking a famous energy drink everyday. He use to drink it everyday till he started flying and one day he said this drink is cool it gives u wing...
2006-09-04 07:53:06 · answer #8 · answered by The Hawk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the late 1950's they allowed him to fly.
2006-09-04 07:56:22 · answer #9 · answered by naveh4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when he went to earth, actually its not flying. Back where he was born the gravity there was so high that human would be crushed the gravity thus when superman he can "fly" as our gravity was much much lower
2006-09-04 07:56:31 · answer #10 · answered by GDay 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋