Interview with William Bernhardt, Author of The Superman Wars

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

This is the story of Jerry Siegel, the Depression-era teenager who came up with the idea for Superman, wrote it, and got his best pal, Joe Shuster, to draw it. Unfortunately, they lost control of the character and eventually were fired by the comic company. Jerry Siegel became the first American author to sue his publisher. That launched litigation that spanned almost seventy years and became the most important creator-rights battle of modern times. The Siegel family’s fight established precedents that have benefited creators ever since, not just in the comic world, but everywhere.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

For Jerry Siegel, R.E.M.’s “I Am Superman.” For Jack Liebowitz, “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

No. I tend to read the classics, books that I can see have stood the test of time, though I sometimes read newer books too, just to see what’s going on in the publishing world. And since I started researching this book, I have read a whole lot of comic books.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Citizens, Simon Schama’s work on the French Revolution. Ovid’s Metamorphoses. P. G. Wodehouse’s Heavy Weather.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Jerry Siegel finally seeing his credit restored in his character’s first big-budget release, Superman: The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Not really, although my cat Bustopher does sometimes end up in my lap. I get up early, feed the cats, water the plants, take out the trash, and sit down to work. I typically work for many hours, then at some point in the afternoon, turn to other projects, like WriterCon!