The issuance of a stamp by Canada Post to honour the comic book figure Superman is an occasion to recall the careers of the Canadian and U.S. creators of the much-loved Man of Steel. The stamp (at right) will be on display at Fan Expo Canada now on at the Metro Convention Centre. The creators of Superman were two shy artists, Joseph “Joe” Shuster (right) and Jerry Siegel (left). They are seen in an undated picture aping the assertive arms akimbo stance of their fictional character (centre). Joe Shuster was born in Toronto in 1914 of immigrant parents. In his early years he spent his spare time scrounging Bathurst St. and other locales in the garment district to help his poor parents make a living. He delivered the Toronto Star and when it came time, many years later, he modelled “Metropolis” and “The Daily Planet” after his hometown and the Star. His rendering of the Planet building bore a distinct resemblance to the 20s-era skyscraper occupied by the Star on King St West. Shuster used to tell of using anything he could find as drawing paper. His greatest strike was rolls of discarded wallpaper that kept him in paper for years. When he was nine, the family moved to Cleveland where Shuster met Siegel in high school. His life-long collaborator was to say: “When Joe and I met it was like the right chemicals coming together”. Siegel was the story teller and script writer, Shuster the artist. They broke in at the fledgling DC comics and in 1938 the first Superman publication came out. The success of Superman was bittersweet for the two artists because they had sold their rights to the Man of Steel to the publisher and in later life they fought legals battles to be able to profit from their work. In 1975 they were each granted a life pension of $20,000 a year. Shuster died in 1992 in California.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was in his own special world Friday, hamming it up in an arm wrestling contest against Hulk Hogan that somehow or other, the mayor actually won. How did that possibly happen? Mr Ford could not contain himself as he told the crowd at Fan Expo Canada: “I own this town, man!” Before the tilt, the mayor played into the idea that this was a real contest. “I don’t know if I’m going to win the arm-wrestle, but we’ll see,” he told reporters. “I haven’t lifted too many weights lately. We’ll see what happens.” Hogan entered to applause and theme music. Mr. Ford came in wearing a suit and tie, but took off his jacket and tie in a show of getting ready. On winning (inset) Ford raised his arms in victory as Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger played a victory salute. Ever the booster, the mayor then said: “It encourages people to come to this city, creates jobs and stimulates the economy. I’d like to thank the Hulkster for coming to town.” Mayor Ford beats Hulk Hogan. So be it. 
