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dc - Why was the Superman's symbol an *English* letter "S"?


As far as I recall, Superman's logo (Letter "S") originated from Krypton (at least in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" TV series), from the space capsule that delivered the baby Superman to Earth.


If that's the case, how come it was an English letter "S" instead of a Kryptonian alphabet letter which presumably would be different than English letters?



Answer




According to the Superman Homepage, depending on the era, the writer, and the medium:




  • When he was created by Siegel and Shuster, it was a letter "S" for Superman.




  • As depicted in More Fun Comics #101 in 1945, it was designed by Clark Kent when he began his career as Superboy.




  • According to the episode "Superman on Earth" from the Adventures of Superman TV show in 1952, it was designed by Ma Kent in a fortuitous coincidence from the blankets he had been wrapped in as an infant.





  • In the 1978 movie, it was the Kryptonian symbol for the House of El and Lois Lane took it to be an "S" for Superman.




  • According to Action Comics #500 published in 1979, it was created by Pa Kent.




  • In John Byrne's 1987 "Man of Steel" miniseries, it was again created by Clark Kent.





  • In "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman", Ma Kent designs the costume but the "S" symbol comes from the blankets Clark was wrapped in as a baby. The symbol is also on the rocket that brought him to earth.




  • In 1996's "Superman: the Animated Series", it was a Kryptonian symbol that morphed into the "S" shape and tells Clark telepathically about his Kryptonian heritage.




  • In John Ostrander's 1999 mini-series "The Kents", the symbol came from a blanket that had been passed down through the family. The "S" was a snake and the five sides of the shield represented the five surviving Iroquois tribes.





  • In 2001's "Smallville" TV series, there are two origins:



    • One is Lex Luthor telling Clark that Alexander the Great wore a breast plate with a jeweled "S" on it.

    • Later in the series a Kryptonian key shows up in caves outside of Smallville and it burns the symbol onto Clark's chest.




  • Finally, in "Superman: Birthright" published in 2002, the symbol is Kryptonian, a family crest, and a symbol of hope to the people of Krypton.





All that being said, I have no idea how they are going to change it in the new continuity.


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