Mayo Kaan
Encyclopedia
Mayo Kaan was a bodybuilder who claimed to be the original model for Superman
. Mayo is also the father of millionaire Valerie Kaan.
and Joe Shuster
, the creators of the Superman series. The publishers of the Superman comic, DC Comics
, stated that Shuster and Siegel were the sole creators of Superman and that this was established years before Kaan's claims. Superman collector Danny Fuchs believes it was possible Kaan had "history confused", and that he had modeled for the Fleischer Studios
animations based on Superman. An astute observer spotted an apparent inconsistency with Kaan’s photos – one shows him on the steps Hatch Shell in the Boston Esplanade but this structure wasn’t built in 1940, four years after he allegedly modeled for Shuster.
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. Mayo is also the father of millionaire Valerie Kaan.
Superman Controversy
In November 1997 Mayo Kaan placed advertisements in several newspapers and magazines claiming that he was the first person to don the Superman costume and was the model for the Superman character. His claims were denied by Jerry SiegelJerry Siegel
Jerome "Jerry" Siegel , who also used pseudonyms including Joe Carter, Jerry Ess, and Herbert S...
and Joe Shuster
Joe Shuster
Joseph "Joe" Shuster was a Canadian-born American comic book artist. He was best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, first published in Action Comics #1...
, the creators of the Superman series. The publishers of the Superman comic, DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, stated that Shuster and Siegel were the sole creators of Superman and that this was established years before Kaan's claims. Superman collector Danny Fuchs believes it was possible Kaan had "history confused", and that he had modeled for the Fleischer Studios
Fleischer Studios
Fleischer Studios, Inc., was an American corporation which originated as an Animation studio located at 1600 Broadway, New York City, New York...
animations based on Superman. An astute observer spotted an apparent inconsistency with Kaan’s photos – one shows him on the steps Hatch Shell in the Boston Esplanade but this structure wasn’t built in 1940, four years after he allegedly modeled for Shuster.