Comic Books
Locked in an epic battle between superhero and supervillian. Here are some of the colorful stories and popular characters that have been adored for generations.
Chudnow Collection at the Cedarburg History Museum
A sampling of the comic books found at the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear
Superman
Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. He made his debut in Action Comics #1 on April 18, 1938. Superman is considered the model of the superhero archetype and is the best-selling comic hero of all time. The character has appeared in comics, radio serials, films, and television shows.
Clark Kent
After being sent to Earth as a baby, Superman was adopted by farmers Martha and Jonathan Kent. The two raised him as Clark Kent in Smallville, Kansas. He keeps his two identities separate while working as a journalist for the Daily Planet in Metropolis.
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a photojournalist who works at the Daily Planet along side Superman/Clark Kent. He made his first appearance in Action Comics #6 in November 1938.
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is another journalist at the Daily Planet and is the primary love interest of Superman/Clark Kent. Her character was introduced in Action Comics #1 in June 1938. Since her debut, Lois Lane has become one of the most famous female comic book characters and has appeared in all Superman adaptations.
Bizarro
Bizarro is a super-villain created by writer Otto Binder and artist George Papp to be a "mirror image" of Superman. The character made his first appearance during the Silver Age of Comic Books in 1958.
Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane (c. 1961) by National Comics Publications Inc.Chudnow Collection at the Cedarburg History Museum
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is the main villain and archenemy of Superman/Clark Kent. The character first appeared in Action Comics #23 in April 1940. While Lex Luthor was originally portrayed as a mad scientist, he is now typically depicted as a wealthy businessman and engineer.
Aquaman
Aquaman is a superhero with various water-based abilities including the power to communicate and control fish. His first debut was in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941 The character was created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger.
Aqualad
Aqualad is the sidekick to superhero Aquaman created by writer Robert Berstein and artist Ramona Fradon. He first appeared in February 1960 as part of Adventure Comics #269.
The Flash
The Flash is a speedster superhero first created in 1940 by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. While numerous characters have been the Flash, the most famous is a forensic scientist named Barry Allen. The Flash continues to be one of DC Comics' most famous characters.
Daredevil
Daredevil is a Marvel Comics superhero created by artist Bill Everett and writers Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Daredevil #1 in April 1964. While blind, Daredevil is known as the "Man Without Fear" and fights crime in New York City using his other heightened senses.
Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear
Museum Associate:
Megan Holland
