Superman Through the Ages! Forum

I have started a superhero project taking place in Great Britain. the story begins in 1939 or '40 with the superheroes first appearing to the public circa 1940.

my research has not managed to find out:

* When did Superman debut in the UK?
* In what form? (Comic strip, comic book, radio, giant robot, Virtual Reality hologram, other)
* Did any knockoff characters perhaps reach the UK before Superman? (International Hero hasn't definitively said either way, though I do notice a number of gloriously cheesy imitations througout the '40's.)

as of yet, I think I will have the characters referred to as "wonder men" (obviously they didn't call them superheroes back then) and avoid the term "superpowers".

I do want to have a brief scene taking place at Superman Day at the World's Fair in which "Superman" gives his opionion about a person with strange powers in England. however cowardice might make me shy away from this, even if I didn't plan to have the actor in the suit call himself "Superman". basically, I wouldn't want to get sued, because DC might consider this an un-authorized use of their trademark. or something.

thanks in advance for any help.

As far as I know, Superman first appeared in Britain in Triumph Comics in 1939, but I don't know how much more than that; I don't think he lasted very long, for some reason. I don't know that there was a direct Superman knock-off, at least not at first; there don't really seem to have been many British superhero comics until the late 40s, when characters like Ace Hart, Wonderman and Marvelman (the latter two created by Mick Anglo) appeared, owing much of their appearance and powers to Superman and Captain Marvel.