Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and Brainiac have all tried—and failed—to bring down Superman for good. But one villain came closer than any of them, and chances are, you’ve never even heard his name. So who is this mysterious figure, and how did he nearly erase the Man of Steel from existence before his legend even began?

...Superman was once deemed too “ridiculous” to appear on the cover of Action Comics...

Created by artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (1938) and has since built an almost 87-year legacy as one of the most iconic fictional characters in pop culture. However, some fans may be shocked to learn that the Man of Steel’s legacy nearly ended before it even truly began—when he met his ultimate match, Harry Donenfeld.

Even die-hard Superman fans may find themselves unfamiliar with this name, yet Donenfeld played a crucial role in the hero’s history. In fact, he came closer than Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and countless others to doing what they never could—bringing an end to Superman.

Harry Donenfeld: The Man Who Nearly Ended Superman Before the DC Legend Even Began

Main Cover by Joe Shuster for Action Comics #1 (1938)

Harry Donenfeld is best known as the publisher of Action Comics #1 (1938), the comic that started it all for Superman, and later became the head of Detective Comics, Inc. and National Allied Publications—companies that eventually merged into what is now DC Comics. While Donenfeld played a crucial role in bringing Superman to a wider audience through his business acumen, he also nearly brought an early end to the Man of Steel. This close call can be traced back to Superman’s first appearance on the cover of Action Comics #1, where he was depicted in all his spandex glory, hoisting a car over his head.

Though this cover is now regarded as one of the most iconic in comic book history, Donenfeld was initially put off by the character's seemingly absurd fantasy. According to Fred Van Lente’s The Comic Book History of Comics (2012), he ordered that Superman never appear on the cover again. As a result, the Man of Steel was absent from the covers of the next five issues of Action Comics, abruptly cutting short his time in the spotlight. However, Superman's overwhelming popularity quickly changed Donenfeld’s mind. By issue #7, he was officially made the title’s leading feature, narrowly escaping the fate of being axed before he had the chance to shine.

Donenfeld’s Creative Call Could Have Been Catastrophic for the Man of Steel

Main Cover by Fred Guardineer for Action Comics #15 (1939)

It’s hard to believe that Superman, one of the most iconic characters ever created, was once deemed too “ridiculous” to appear on the cover of Action Comics, which continues to be headlined by the Man of Steel to this day and has published over a thousand issues. Although Donenfeld's decision to exclude Superman was limited to the covers and not the entire narrative, it could have had catastrophic consequences for the Kryptonian's rise to popularity. After all, the cover is the first thing that captures a reader's attention, and without Superman featured prominently, the Man of Steel may have fallen into obscurity.

Harry Donenfeld Was the Villain in Joe Shuster and Bob Siegel’s Story

Main Cover by Joe Shuster for Action Comics #17 (1939)

However, Donenfeld's decision to remove Superman from the covers of Action Comics isn’t the only perceived sin he committed against the Man of Steel’s legacy. Following the surge in comic book sales driven by Superman, Donenfeld also capitalized on the character’s popularity through merchandising, including toys, costumes, and even a radio show featuring the hero. By the end of 1941, Donenfeld's comic businesses had raked in $2.6 million. Yet, the creators of Superman, Shuster and Siegel, did not share in these spoils, as they had sold the rights to the character to National Allied Publications.

Consequently, while Donenfeld became wealthy, Shuster and Siegel continued to receive only flat employee fees. In response, Shuster and Siegel took legal action against National Allied Publications, suing for appropriate compensation. However, this would lead to a long and drawn-out battle that continued for decades. Their struggle serves as a prime example of why protecting the property rights of creators is essential. Such rights not only safeguard their creative control over their characters and work but also ensure they receive proper compensation. As we can see, the beginnings of Superman were filled with much more conflict than one might initially believe.

Source: Van Lente, Fred (2012). The Comic Book History of Comics. IDW.