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 Mayo Kaan; the missing "Superman"? 
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Comic Book Super Heroes Forum / Super Heroes / General Discussion / Mayo Kaan; the missing "Superman"?
Posted:  03 Sep 2009 13:20
Huckman's recent posting of the very nice Supermen collage image got me thinking of another "Superman" who I saw in a trade paper back in the late 90's. His name was Mayo Kaan, and he claimed to have posed as Superman for Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster back in 1936 as they were fleshing out the character that would eventually become Superman. His photos look like convincing evidence, but apparently there is a building in the background of one that wasn't built till 1940. That would be a major flaw in his story. I personally think Mr. Kaan was simply mistaken by the dates after 30+ years had passed (apparently according to a web search he had made this claim of being Superman as early as the 70s). I think he took the photos closer to 1940 and that they were actually used as a model for the Fleischer Superman cartoons that were made in 41-42. He has one pose that is either a direct knock-off of the classic Fleischer Superman pose from the cartoon intro, or else it was the basis that the image was created from. Who really knows, but I suspect the latter. Check it out on the web and give your thoughts.

Kaan Superman
Posted:  03 Sep 2009 13:51
I suspect your right, the 40's cartoon Superman does use some model or 'rotoscopic' drawing in places, Judging by most early comicbooks artwork they never seem to use any life models to draw upon, it would take up too much time and money.
Posted:  03 Sep 2009 14:20
Fascinating stuff! Picture does look like it could have been used for the cartoon.

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