Posted By Dan Greenfield on Oct 17, 2025 | 1 comment

A FRANCO FRIDAYS birthday salute to the Man of Steel’s original writer…

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We’ve got a three-fer for you! It’s both Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and Lois Lane actress Margot Kidder’s birthday! So dig this piece — and check out two others, here and here. Far out! — Dan

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By FRANCO

Jerry Siegel.  

One half of the team that created Superman.

Never had the pleasure of meeting either Jerry — who was born Oct. 17, 1914 — or artist Joe Shuster, but I am pretty acquainted with their creation. I’ve always loved Superman but I did have a greater affinity for other characters until John Byrne came along with his run in the 1980s, and I really took notice of the Man of Steel in comics. Byrne was at the top of his game, and there was a real emphasis on Clark Kent as a human that gave Superman the relatability that resonated with me.

When I worked on Superman the first time, I was a bit unnerved. I didn’t know if I could write a Man of Tomorrow that would be fitting of his past and at the same time forge something new for the kids who would be reading that character for the first time.

My frequent collaborator Art Baltazar and I had some discussions and it was made clear that we knew how to do this. I know how to write a Superman. Heck, I’ve been influenced by him my entire life.

Hard-working guy trying to do the right thing from another planet mirrored what my parents went through to get to this country and make a better life. Superman was someone who fought injustice, stood up for the little guy. My parents instilled in me the values of trying to do the best I could and stand up for what’s right. Superman is about truth, justice and a better tomorrow. That’s how I try to live my life.

Also, it helped that I’ve been drawing Superman my entire life too — pretty much on any surface I could imagine!

Happy birthday to Jerry Siegel.

Thanks for giving us something to look up to.

Happy Friday.

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Want more FRANCO’S FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAYS? Come back next week!

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MORE

— NEW YORK COMIC CON: From an Artist’s Point of View. Click here.

— Marvel’s EQUINOX: An Obscure Villain Who Helped Me Pass Science Class. Click here.

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Franco and his forehead have traveled the world and he writes and draws stuff. Franco is the creator, artist and writer of Patrick the Wolf Boy and Aw Yeah Comics! Franco has worked on books/comics, including Tiny Titans and Superman Family Adventures. Franco was also a high-school teacher and is one of the principal owners of Aw Yeah Comics retail stores. Dan made Franco add that he has won three Eisners.