How Cleveland’s Icons Fest Bridge-Built Pop Culture from Glenville to Saudi Arabia
By Son of Jeddah
When Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first envisioned a champion of the oppressed in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1930s, they could not have predicted that their creation would become a universal lexicon of hope spanning continents. Today, the foundational legacy of Superman is not just being remembered; it is being actively celebrated across the globe.
At the Maltz Museum’s recent Icons Fest, industry titans, historians, and international fan communities converged to honor the architects of modern mythology. From legendary comic creators Brian Michael Bendis and Phillip Kennedy Johnson to exhibition co-curator and pop-culture historian Roy Schwartz (Author of Is Superman Circumcised), the event provided a profound platform for acknowledging Siegel and Shuster’s enduring contribution to global culture.
Simultaneously, the hybrid event featured a landmark virtual panel, "Glenville Goes Global: How Superman Inspires the World," bringing voices from the Saudi fandom directly into Cleveland's cultural epicenter.
Here is how Icons Fest paid homage to the original creators of the superhero genre—and why the global reach of Superman is stronger than ever.
Giving Siegel and Shuster Their Due: Comic Royalty Reflects on Cleveland’s Pioneers
The narrative of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster is as poignant as it is legendary. Two high school students in Glenville, Cleveland, created a cultural phenomenon that launched a billion-dollar global industry, often without receiving the recognition or compensation they deserved during their lifetimes.
At Icons Fest, modern visionary writers Brian Michael Bendis (Action Comics, Ultimate Spider-Man) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Action Comics, The Last God) joined forces to reflect on the legacy left behind by Siegel and Shuster.
Photo Credit: Maltz Museum
Bendis, who famously steered Superman through milestone issues like Action Comics #1000, emphasized the sheer revolutionary nature of Siegel and Shuster's work. To create something out of nothing—a hero that transcends nationality, ethnicity, and language—remains one of the greatest artistic feats of the 20th century.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, whose critically acclaimed run on Action Comics re-centered the Man of Steel’s core compassion, echoed these sentiments. For Johnson, Siegel and Shuster’s superhero was fundamentally about taking care of one another—a virtue that speaks universally to every human culture.
"Glenville Goes Global": Connecting Cleveland to the Saudi Fandom
The true highlight of Icons Fest was its international reach. In the hybrid panel "Glenville Goes Global: How Superman Inspires the World," I had the immense privilege of participating alongside dedicated creators and fans to discuss how Superman's message resonates in the Middle East—specifically in Saudi Arabia.
Watch the full panel discussion above: "Glenville Goes Global: How Superman Inspires the World" at the Maltz Museum.
Why Does Superman Resonate in Saudi Arabia?
Universal Virtues Over Regional Limits: Superman’s core values—truth, justice, empathy, and protection of the vulnerable—are universal human principles that align seamlessly with Middle Eastern values.
A Flourishing Local Ecosystem: As Saudi Arabia's creative economy expands rapidly through initiatives supported by the Ministry of Culture, local creators look to foundational storytellers like Siegel and Shuster as the ultimate blueprint for character design and world-building.
Cross-Cultural Fan Gatherings: From organizing annual Superman Day celebrations in Jeddah to hosting local collector meetups, the Middle Eastern fan community has built a thriving home for superhero culture.
During the panel, Roy Schwartz—pop-culture historian, author, and guest co-curator of the Icons in Ink exhibition—alongside scholars and guests, expertly bridged the geographic and cultural gap between Glenville and Jeddah. The discussion made one thing abundantly clear: while Superman's roots are firmly planted in Cleveland, his cape stretches across the entire world.
The Role of Museums in Preserving Pop Culture History
The Maltz Museum’s dedication to celebrating Siegel and Shuster highlights an important evolution in mainstream media literacy. Superheroes are no longer dismissed as mere pulp entertainment; they are recognized as modern folklore and vital historical artifacts.
Photo Credit: Maltz Museum
By bringing together comic book creators, historians, cosplayers, and international fans, Icons Fest set a new standard for how institutions can preserve pop culture history while actively engaging with global fandoms.
Frequently Asked Questions Who created Superman? Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in Cleveland, Ohio. The character first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938. What was the "Glenville Goes Global" panel at Icons Fest? "Glenville Goes Global: How Superman Inspires the World" was an international hybrid panel hosted by the Maltz Museum during Icons Fest. It explored how Siegel and Shuster’s creation inspires comic book fans and creators around the world, featuring perspectives from Saudi Arabian pop-culture creators and international fans. Which creators and historians presented at Icons Fest? Featured guests included acclaimed comic creators Brian Michael Bendis (Action Comics, Miles Morales) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Action Comics, Alien), alongside pop-culture historian and exhibition co-curator Roy Schwartz.
Final Thoughts: The Unbroken Thread
Nearly nine decades after two teenagers in Glenville sat down with pencil and paper, their legacy continues to unite people across continents. Icons Fest proved that whether you are reading Action Comics in Ohio or hosting a fan meetup in Jeddah, the spirit of Siegel and Shuster’s creation remains an unmatched beacon of hope.
Special thanks to the Maltz Museum team for hosting this historical event and granting full permissions to share these moments with our global audience!
