Standing tall among twentieth century cartoonists, Jack Hamm is seen by many as a titan of the industry. Across magazines and anthologies, his unique influence is clear to see – from the Superman comics of the 1950s that he co-created with Curt Swan, to iconic adaptations of his characters into film, TV and video games. He has also been pivotal in the celebration of characters such as Batman, Green Lantern and the Flash.

In 1923, Hamm opened his eyes into the world in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. His journey as an artist started in the late 1930s when he managed to sell some of his cartoon work to esteemed magazines such as Life and The Saturday Evening Post. Through his talent and hard work, he found himself employed at DC Comics in 1941, where he crossed paths with Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel. This meeting was of great importance for Hamm, as it transformed into a strong friendship and collaboration that lead to a series of creative Superman stories.

Back in the 1950s, Hamm and Swan entered the mythical realm of Superman, reimagining the character for the fresh minds of modern readers. From “The Super-Key to Fort Superman” to “The Bizarro Supermen of America,” the dynamic duo graced both the written page and airwaves with a dazzling array of stories intertwined with Superman. Not only did they work on the comics series but also on the iconic radio and television programs as well.

Even after the decades had passed, Hamm spanned over his time at DC Comics through the 1960s up until the 1980s, constructing masterpieces of famous characters including Batman, The Flash, and Green Lantern. And although he finally decided to depart from the comic world in the early ’80s, his unparalleled work still resonates with countless cartoonists today.