What's the meaning of Superman's 'S' emblem? We show its evolution
Since the creation of the comic "Man of Steel" in the 1930s, "the core narrative in Superman has been and continues to be the values and belief about the U.S. experience being strong enough and good enough to address the troubles facing the generation engaged with the character," said Julian Chambliss, a retired Rollins College history professor, in an interview with USA TODAY in 2013. Chambliss specializes in superheroes and the American experience.
During the Great Depression, "Tarzan" and "Flash Gordon" were popular in comics because they transported Americans elsewhere, novelist Brad Meltzer told USA TODAY in 2023. When World War II began, though, "America starts getting scared, and here comes this giant, almost straight-from-the-flag character who's come to save us."
Eighty-seven years later, our hero is still fighting injustice. Superman's stylized red emblem has changed in design and meaning over the years. Here's a look at Superman's "S" and how it has changed since 1938.
More: 'Superman' flies into theaters soon: Release date, final trailer, how to get tickets
What does Superman's 'S' stand for?
On April 18, 1938, when the first "Man of Steel" comic was released, Superman's S initially stood for Superman.
But in the comic's early years, it was a young Superboy who officially created the design, saying, "I chose this symbol not only to stand for Superboy, and later Superman – it will also mean Saving lives, Stopping crime, and giving Super-aid wherever it's needed!," according to Screenrant.com.
It was 1978's "Superman," starring Christopher Reeves, that introduced the idea that the letter S represented the Krypton House of Kal-El, the family crest of Superman. And in 2013, "Man of Steel" built on that idea and reflected the hope that Superman embodies and provides for others.
In DC Comics' 2024 Absolute Universe, in "Absolute Superman #1," the emblem takes on a darker tone, known as the "mark of shame," stripping its history and optimism from our hero.
Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them.
The crest hasn't held the same meaning throughout its history, and that may be for the best. Even Superman − one of the iconic superheroes still in in circulation − might have died out decades ago if his story or message had remained unchanged, according to ScreenRant.com.
The evolution of Superman's emblem
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman's S is one of the most recognizable logos in the world. Here are some of examples of Superman's emblem through the years:
Watch the 2025 Superman trailer here
CONTRIBUTING Brian Truitt
SOURCE Warner Bros. Entertainment, DC Comics, MovieWeb.com, ScreenRant.com, Supermanhomepage.com and USA TODAY research
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
an hour ago
- Elle
Why Amaya Is the MVP of 'Love Island USA' This Season
Spoilers below. Season seven of Love Island USA has been rocky as feuds and halfhearted connections run amok in the villa. But there's a bright spot, and her name is Amaya Espinal. Endearingly known by fans as 'Amaya Papaya,' the 25-year-old cardiac nurse from New York City entered the show as a bombshell in episode 4. In the subsequent weeks, she explored romances with different islanders—namely Ace Greene, Austin Shepard, and Zak Srakaew—emerging as a fan favorite for her fervor, humor, and unabashed candor. Recently, viewers online rallied around Espinal after tensions came to a head in the July 1 episode. During a game called 'Stand on Business,' Greene, Shepard, and Srakaew lambasted Espina, accusing her of being too emotional and trying to move too fast. While Greene recalled her proclivity for calling him 'babe' early on, Shepard and Srakaew aired out similar grievances. 'When we speak, obviously, I let you be passionate with me. I let you kiss me. I let you touch me,' Srakaew said, as if he had done her a favor. 'Sometimes I feel like I have to take a step back.' Fellow islander Bryan Arenales was the only guy who spoke up for Espinal, offering insight from a cultural standpoint. 'One thing I got to add, though, coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone 'babe,' 'mi amor,' 'mi vida,' that's just how we talk,' he said, defending Espinal, who's Dominican-American. 'You're telling her meet you halfway—you got to meet her halfway, too.' Throughout her journey, Espinal has represented the credo that being passionate, vulnerable, and outspoken is OK and, better yet, a superpower. After taking criticism from Greene, Shepard, and Srakaew in front of all the islanders, she tearfully reaffirmed her own worth, saying, 'I'm just not your cup of tea to be drinking, so don't fucking drink it.' Embodying the name of the game, she stood on business. Her self-proclaimed 'sensitive gangster' epithet has become a rallying cry for fans who see parts of themselves in her. She hasn't had the easiest time finding love on the show, but she continues to lead with her heart and seems to have honest intentions—a refreshing foil to this season's contrived tone. Sure, the point of Love Island is to find love, and Espinal hasn't done that yet. But let's be real: The selection of men is slim. And at this point, with so few couples to root for, Espinal is unknowingly making the case to grant single contestants the show's $100,000 prize. With her unfeigned energy, heartfelt reactions, and comical commentary, Espinal has reminded viewers that being genuine is still the most compelling thing to watch. Ahead, look back at some of her funniest and most memorable moments that won over fans. Before things between Espinal and Greene turned sour, the two seemed to enjoy getting to know each other. In one conversation, Greene asked the bombshell if she had been exploring connections, to which she replied, 'I would have to say that this is like a bags of Skittles. There's different flavors, different backgrounds, different connections.' (For what it's worth, according to Peacock's subtitles, Espinal said 'box of Skittles,' but fans are having more fun with the former.) Espinal and Greene's rift started forming after the latter expressed discomfort with pet names. Espinal defended using the word 'babe,' and to no avail, tried to explain that it's just a part of her vernacular. When she blurted out 'babe' yet again, she corrected herself, quipping, 'Oh, sorry…sir.' During a recoupling, Espinal and her castmates were forced to decide which islander to dump. As several people burst into tears, Espinal cut through the sound of muffled cries, shouting, 'No! No, we don't want to do that. We don't want to do that, though!' The moment went viral online, with one TikTok user writing, 'THIS IS CINEMA.' During an 'Aftersun' segment, viewers saw a clip of Espinal singing an impromptu song that became an instant anthem. 'I never said I was perfect,' she improvised. 'I never said I didn't have any flaws. But at least I'm pretty, and at least I'm a little funny. And at least I'm my own best friend.' That wasn't the only wholesome singing moment, either. Can we expect an Amaya Papaya album drop after the season wraps? Despite her lack of romantic connections, Espinal has kept a positive attitude. In a confessional, she hoisted one of her feet up to the camera, declaring, 'My best foot is forward, and right now, we have some gold motherfucking heels on, and gold is my lucky color, so we're hoping for the best.' During 'Stand on Business,' Greene blasted Shepard for being dishonest with Espinal. Shepard, who denied leading her on, then had a heated exchange with Espinal. At one point, he seemed to question her intelligence. 'This was a chance to air stuff out, Amaya. Do you not understand what a chance to air stuff out is? It doesn't seem like you do,' Shepard, a pool boy, said to Espinal, a registered nurse. Fans called out Shepard online, saying his comments exemplified the types of microaggressions that women of color often experience. Espinal stood her ground, and when Shepard insinuated that her reaction was over the top, she fired back, 'You're the one with the neck veins popping out of your neck right now.' And that was the end of that. After reading Shepard's harsh 'Stand on Business' letter, which said she cries too much, Espinal reminded the islanders that she's a 'sensitive gangster.' Refusing to apologize for wearing her heart on her sleeve, she added, 'You know, sometimes I'm not the book that someone should be reading, and that's OK.'
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
What, to Black people, is the Fourth of July?
Our flag has been used and abused by insurrectionists and the far right to equate greatness to hate and autocracy. Our flag is never free of 1976 when Is this the land of the free? To evoke Frederick Douglass, what to the American slave, is the Fourth of July? Advertisement What to the Indigenous, to the immigrant and migrant, to the queer and trans, to the women and poor, or the descendants of those once enslaved in America is Independence Day? This nation has continually claimed freedom while practicing oppression. 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is never without blood. What did slave owner and advocate of slavery Advertisement No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. And yet, my spirit climbs outside my body and up my arms at the mere memory of Whitney Houston singing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' decked out in her white tracksuit with red and blue accents at the 1991 Super Bowl. Her rendition is both negro spiritual and national anthem. It beckons the promises made that have yet to be fulfilled. It stirs a proud and courageous claim of citizenship that reminds us of our privilege and duty to make American liberty true. Landsmark, in spite of it all, did not let that flag disrupt his American pride. The flag, Beyoncé is taking an American stand on stages and places Black women haven't always been welcome to sing and be free. The show gleams with red, white, and blue. The flag flashes on screens. She wears it as gowns and custom tees alike. She belts out with a very American pride and call to action: Advertisement Can we stand for somethin'? Now is the time to face the wind (now is the time to face the wind) Now ain't the time to pretend Now is the time to let love in (to let love in) Together, can we stand? The Fourth of July, like the flag, and this country is yours and mine even if its originators never wanted us to have it. The Read What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? Frederick Douglass. Engraving by J.C. Buttre Now is the exact time to revisit the 1852 speech by Frederick Douglass, 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July.' 'For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.' The Watch For me, this behind-the-scenes video is not so much about The Met and Vogue as it is about the beautiful Black people, dressed in the clothes that make them feel good, and feeling good together freely that makes me want to watch it on repeat. Black parade BOSTON, MA - 02/20/2019 Farrah Belizaire, left, laughs with Devon Austrie at the Toast to Black Excellence hosted by LiteWork Events. Erin Clark Joy pushas FILE - Singer Cassie Ventura (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File) Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press This week, we celebrate Cassie. We saw the footage. Diddy beat her and beat her some more. It is indisputable that the relationship was violent. His defense lawyers conceded to abuse – and despite that admission, the defense called the relationship 'a great, modern love story.' Advertisement No. It was a nightmare. The jury decided what they decided. Here in this space, we hold space for Cassie, who held space not just for herself, but for other survivors. We thank her for her courage. We lift her in her healing. Domestic violence is deadly. And this case has proven how we talk about violence, especially violence against women, is in itself violent. In America, boys and men are not taught to like girls and women. They are trained to attain them. So often, when we are on the receiving end of a man's rage, the suspicion is on us instead of the abuser. Even with a video of her abuse and witnesses who had also been abused or seen the abuse, domestic violence failed to become the issue it should have been. There are places in our mind where past abuse is always present. May Cassie persevere and continue to walk in love and cultivate her joy. If you or someone you know needs support, visit Fresh finds Be Rooted bundle for those of us who bossed to hard. Handout We knew Be Rooted for its journals and planners centering Black girls and women. We are tardy to the party in knowing about the full selection of cutesy gifts from beach towels and puzzles to candles and glassware. We know what we're getting our next birthday girl. What makes your life a beautiful resistance? Advertisement Jeneé Osterheldt can be reached at
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Superman' Fan Event: David Corenswet On Comic Book Film Renaissance, Rachel Brosnahan Talks Journalistic Integrity, Nicholas Hoult On Lex Luthor
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's the Superman fan event in London! The team behind the upcoming DC Studios movie stopped by London for a fan event last night, ahead of the film's official world premiere in LA next week. Fans dressed up as Superman and various other DCU characters descended on London's Leicester Square and competed for Superman-themed prizes. Deadline was on the red carpet and spoke to the Superman writer, director and producer James Gunn and stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. Producer Peter Safran was also in attendance. More from Deadline James Gunn On Adria Arjona As Wonder Woman: "She'd Be A Great Wonder Woman" Nicholas Hoult On Auditioning Against David Corenswet For Superman: "Very Awkward" David Corenswet Got "Claustrophobic" In 'Superman' Suit: "Intense Experience" Below, you can watch all of our top interview moments, which include Corenswet speaking about trying on the DC superhero costume for the first time and describing Superman as 'the renaissance of comic book films,' Brosnahan talking about her version of Lois Lane interviewing Corenswet's Superman, Hoult comparing his rendition of Lex Luthor to others like Gene Hackman and Jesse Eisenberg, and Gunn discussing the film's message about kindness and the possibility of reuniting Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman on the big screen. 'I appreciate that James made space in this film for the importance of journalistic integrity,' Brosnahan said. Superman is the first film of the DC Universe titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Corenswet dons the cape this time as Superman, who must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way, he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned. Superman will hit theaters July 11, 2025. David Corenswet greets #Superman co-star Rachel Brosnahan with 'hello darling' as she's being interviewed by Deadline at a fan event in London — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 David Corenswet talks trying on the #Superman suit for the first time and what makes his rendition of Superman different to others before him: "I think we're in for a renaissance of comic book films" — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 #Superman star Rachel Brosnahan on the significance of her Lois Lane interviewing David Corenswet's Superman in the movie: 'I appreciate that James [Gunn] made space in this film for the importance of journalistic integrity' — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult chatting on the red carpet for the #Superman fan event in London's Leicester Square — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 #Superman director James Gunn on what he wants audiences to take away from the film: 'Being kind is cool. Being kind is a rebellious act' — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 Nicholas Hoult discusses David Corenswet being cast as #Superman and working alongside him. 'I deeply, deeply hate him,' Hoult jokes — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 3, 2025 Rachel Brosnahan discusses working with David Corenswet in #Superman and comparing her version of Lois Lane with others: 'Comparison is the thief of joy. If I set out trying to differentiate in some way or compare myself to the other versions, I wouldn't have been able to find my… — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 James Gunn discusses a reunion between Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman on the big screen: 'Of course, yeah! But, not in the next movie' — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 #Superman star Nicholas Hoult discusses his rendition of Lex Luthor in comparison to others like Jesse Eisenberg and Gene Hackman: 'I wasn't consciously trying to do it differently… I was just trying to be true and honest to what I thought emotionally this character represented' — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 Fans dressed up as Superman and other DCU characters at a fan event for James Gunn's #Superman in London's Leicester Square — Deadline (@DEADLINE) July 2, 2025 Best of Deadline 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Justin Theroux To Jason Ritter Remembering Michael Madsen: A Career In Photos 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter
