SUPERMAN VERSUS THE KU KLUX KLAN The True Story of How the Iconic Superhero Battled the Men of Hate

Rick Bowers recounts the compelling, if sprawling, story of the connections between Superman, WWII, the rise of comics, hate crimes, and the eventual use of Superman as a champion against racism and bigotry in the U.S. Bower doesn’t romanticize the past or soften the grit of early pulp fiction, prohibition, and racism. Neither does Johnny Heller’s performance. He narrates in a masterful voice with an old-fashioned clip that resonates with the portrayal of this period in history. The pacing, too, seems a throwback to a bygone era, though it’s voiced with an immediacy that makes the historical revelations sound contemporary and relevant. A.M.P. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2012]