By Anna Huntsman, Kent State-Ohio News Connection
COLUMBUS – If a Cleveland-area lawmaker is able to win approval for his bill in the Statehouse, June 12th could officially become Superman Day in Ohio.
House Bill 135 would create an annual holiday honoring Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who created the Man of Steel while attending Glenville High School in Cleveland in the 1930s.
State Rep. Bill Patmon (D-Cleveland) says he introduced the legislation after learning that Superman’s creators were from his district. He says the comic icon means a great deal to all Ohioans.
“To us, it’s another feather in our cap. We’ve had creativity and entrepreneurship in this state for a very long time, and done some very unique things. Superman is just one of them.”
Patmon sponsored additional Superman legislation in the past, such as funding the Superman Foundation through purchases of Ohio license plates that feature the Superman insignia.
Valentino Zullo, who runs the Cleveland Public Library’s Get Graphic! program, says those in the literary community should be celebrated. Aside from recognizing the comic character’s creators, he suggests the holiday also could honor Superman’s legacy as a humanitarian.
“I think it would be a really interesting thing to turn Superman Day into a giving day,” she said. “That is really what Superman did. He was invested in uplifting people. He was invested into making the world more just. ”
The bill, which passed the House in April, is currently waiting for its first hearing in the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee.
The superhero has transformed over the past 80 years, fans say. When Superman first rose to popularity, the comics were based upon patriotism and supporting troops in World War II but, year later, the character tackled current issues such as drug use in the T-V series “Smallville,” says Neil Cole, creator of the “Superman Super Site.”
“It’s like there’s a Superman for every generation. There’s always changes that are made to the character based on what society and current events and everything are,” he said.
“But at the core, he always stands for truth, justice and the American way.”