Files Magazine Spotlight on the Superheroes File: Superman and Spider-Man On Screen SC (1986) comic books

Volume 1 - 1st printing. By Ed Gross. Comic book super heroes first came into their own at the beginning of World War II, when America felt overwhelmed both at home and overseas. It somehow seemed that more than a mere man was needed to fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Superman was the first and greatest of those heroes. Fittingly, he was also one of the first, and most successful heroes to hit the silver screen and television. Two decades later a revival took place in the ranks of the super hero. Again America seemed to be floundering, our international enemies racing ahead of us in the sciences and turmoil filling our hearts at home. This time a small publisher of horror comics tried their hand at creating a guardian who believed that with great power came great responsibility. He was a hero with human foibles, not really more than human, just gifted with great power. Spider-Man had arrived and he would help to make Marvel Comics the largest publisher of its kind in the country. SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN, flagships for the two largest publishers of four color fantasies in America. Both of them have had interesting careers in celluloid as well as on newsprint. In this book, Edward Gross, a contributing columnist to the nation's largest magazine about comics, COMICS FEATURE, as well as to a variety of publications about film, begins to tell the story. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 58 pages, B&W. Cover price $5.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. By Ed Gross. SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN are two American folk heroes, as classic in their own way as Robin Hood or William Tell. In fact, when a poll was conducted on the American people, Superman was better known than most of the folk heroes of the Old World and certainly better than our own of an earlier day such as Pecos Bill and Old Stormalong! Though they were originally created for the four color comic book page, both have been reincarnated in virtually every modern medium: comic strip, television, and movies. This book continues the tale of the Web-Spinner and the Man of Steel as they made their ventures onto film, both for the small and the large screen. For the fan of the comic book, television or film medium, we have an invaluable reference, and even the casual reader will find a cornucopia of wonders both old and new! Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 66 pages, B&W. Cover price $5.95.

Volume 3 - 1st printing. By Ed Gross. SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN are two American folk heroes, cut from the same cloth as the more traditional Robin Hood and William Tell. This volume continues the tale of the Web-Spinner and the Man of Steel as they made their ventures onto film, both for the small screen and large. This is volume is jam-packed with interviews and information on Superman IV, a whole section looking back on Superman II and Ted Newsom discusses his script he wrote for the Spider-Man movie that was going to be released by Cannon. Softcover, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 58 pages, B&W. Cover price $7.95.