The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has officially honored its most famous creators with the unveiling of the Siegel & Shuster Superman Plaza, a stunning tribute to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman. The new plaza, located in front of the Huntington Convention Center at the corner of Ontario Street and St.
Clair Avenue, features a breathtaking 9.5-foot statue of Superman flying high above, mounted on an 18.5-foot pillar. This dedication, held on August 2, also includes life-sized sculptures of Siegel, Shuster, and Joanne Siegel, the original model for Lois Lane.
Superman was born in Cleveland in 1934, the brainchild of two high schoolers, Siegel and Shuster, who created the world’s first superhero. While Superman’s adventures might have taken him to Metropolis, his true roots lie in the streets of Cleveland, a city now commemorating this legacy with the new plaza. This marks a long-awaited recognition for Siegel and Shuster, whose work has inspired generations of readers and creators alike.
The unveiling comes at a time when Superman is experiencing a renaissance. The character’s recent movie success and the popular “Summer of Superman” initiative by DC Comics have rekindled interest in the Man of Steel. The plaza’s timing couldn’t be more perfect, aligning with the new Superman movie’s release and an upcoming Krypto the Superdog series on HBO Max.
Siegel and Shuster’s journey to success was not without its struggles. The two faced years of hardship, from being paid only $130 for the rights to Superman, to being removed from the credits of their own creation. Yet, despite their battles with the industry, they persevered. It wasn’t until the 1978 Superman movie that they finally received recognition, with DC Comics awarding them an annuity and restoring their byline, acknowledging them as the creators of Superman.
The road to the creation of the plaza was also filled with obstacles. In 2007, Cleveland journalist Michael Sangiacomo and the Siegel & Shuster Society began advocating for a monument to honor the creators. Through crowdfunding, the campaign raised $2.2 million to make this tribute a reality. The design of the plaza, led by architect Nick Slaughterbeck, features the Superman statue crafted by renowned sculptor David Deming, a piece that’s unique among the many Superman statues around the world. It’s the first statue to depict Superman in flight, embodying the spirit of the character in a way never seen before.
The unveiling ceremony, attended by over 400 people, included Siegel and Shuster’s family members, as well as fans who donned Superman capes. The emotional atmosphere was heightened by the live orchestra playing John Williams’ iconic Superman theme. It was a moment of pure joy, a fitting tribute to two men whose names are now forever intertwined with the world’s most iconic superhero.
As Laura Siegel Larson, Jerry Siegel’s daughter, said, “These three extraordinary real-life heroes… on the outside looked like everybody else, but on the inside had real strength and courage.” The new plaza stands as a reminder of their enduring legacy and their contribution to popular culture, and serves as a beacon for future generations to believe in the power of imagination and perseverance.