First the good news: 71 years ago today, DC Comics introduced Superman to the world in the pages of Action Comics #1. The character was an immediate sensation, capturing the imaginations of millions of people and creating a phenomenon that continues to this day. A phenomenon that has brought the character to life in a wide variety of incarnations, including, of course, the 1950s television series The Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves.
Which is the segue, of course, to the previously mentioned disheartening news. Fifty years ago June 16th, the media reported to the world that Reeves, beloved icons to millions (and millions more who hadn't even been born yet, but would discover his TV adventures), had committed suicide. Reportedly disheartened by the way he felt Superman had limited his career, he turned a gun on himself (and did not, as so many still somehow believe, jump out a window, believing he could fly). To this day, there are those who believe that the actor was actually murdered.
At this moment, Voices From Krypton offers sincere thanks to Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster and DC Comics for giving birth to the legend, and heartfelt affection for the late George Reeves, who deserved better.