In 1934, four years before the superhero finally found a home at National Allied Publications, Jerry Siegel desperately needed an artist to work on his as-yet-unsuccessful Superman strip as a result of Joe Shuster‘s temporary departure. In an effort to secure his services, Siegel wrote the following letter to Buck Rogers artist Russell Keaton. Ultimately he turned the offer down, but what’s fascinating about this letter is the tantalising glimpse of a Superman that could’ve been had Keaton agreed, as Siegel detailed an origin story unlike the extra-terrestrial version we actually grew to know.

The Man of Tomorrow indeed.

Transcript follows.

(Source: Newsarama; Image above via Comicvine.)

Transcript

10622 Kimberley Avenue,

Cleveland, Ohio,

June 12, 1934.

Dear Mr. Keaton:

You will find enclosed the first week’s script for the cartoon strip, SUPERMAN. While the idea is a trifle fantastic — a man with “infinite strength” — I think it will follow the lines you like. We begin with “Superman” as a child and follow his history all the way up to maturity when the real story begins: of his adventures in helping those in need. Since Clark Kent possesses incredible strength there are great possibilities for humor and adventure in his experiences as a child and youth. The story of his youth will run a great length before we detail his adventures as an adult. Early, he will find that his great strength, instead of making friends for him, cause people to fear him. Mothers will not permit their children to associate with him, he will be hated in school sports because he never loses, etc. We can weave a very human story about him.

Here is the script for a possible sunday strip. It will acquaint you with the secret of Clark Kent’s origin.

1. In his laboratory, the last man on earth worked furiously. He had only a few moments left.

2. Giant cataclysms were shaking the reeling planet, destroying mankind. It was in its last days, dying…

3. The last man placed his infant babe within a small time-machine he had completed, launching it as —

4. — the laboratory walls caved-in upon him.

5. The time-vehicle flashed back thru the centuries, alighting in the primitive year, 1935 A. D. A passing motorist sighted the metal cylinder…

6. …and upon investigating discovered the sleeping babe within.

7. The infant was placed in an orphanage. The first day, it playfully bent its metal bed out of shape. The astounded attendants, of course, did not realize they were caring for a child whose physical structure was millions of years advanced from their own.

8. The babe, named Clark Kent, was a physical wonder. At the age of five, when an older boy sought to bully him, Clark sent him flying thru the air.

9. Clark’s colossal strength was a source of wonder and pleasure to him. He found, at twelve, that he could easily shatter the world’s high jump and dash records.

10. His powers increased unbelievably. When maturity had been attained, Kent discovered he could leap over a ten story building, raise unheard-of weights, run as fast as an express train, and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his tough skin.

11. & 12. Early, Kent decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!

Let me know if you would care to work with me upon this strip. I’ll be glad to receive suggestions. The idea, incidently, is liked by the General Manager of Bell Syndicate. Awaiting your reply….

Sincerely,

(Signed, ‘Jerome Siegel’)