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On this episode of Our American Stories, long before superheroes saturated movie screens and Halloween aisles, they lived quietly on pulp pages shaped by the anxieties and ambitions of 20th-century America. Industrial cities were growing, families were struggling, and people craved symbols of justice that felt larger than life but still recognizably human. World War II historian and author of Super-History, Jeffrey K. Johnson, helps us understand why the superhero is, at heart, a distinctly American invention.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before superheroes saturated movie screens and Halloween aisles, they lived quietly on pulp pages shaped by the anxieties and ambitions of 20th-century America. Industrial cities were growing, families were struggling, and people craved symbols of justice that felt larger than life but still recognizably human. World War II historian and author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSuper-history-Superheroes-American-Society-Present%2Fdp%2F0786465646&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C2f4e69100a664a6e1fa108de2cf459b0%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638997625162884762%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=M4pxymJ4uHsWu5D9MGMhuiCkgOqvfuOzgfkM0wvAHL4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Super-History</a>, Jeffrey K. Johnson, helps us understand why the superhero is, at heart, a distinctly American invention.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

The Superhero: An American Invention

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7b602ba8-2925-4ea6-8789-b3a1016b6c42/transcript

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