Has anyone ever read the novel Gladiator (1930) by Philip Wylie?
The main character is Hugo Danner, a man born with super strength, super speed, and nigh-invulnerable skin with a super healing factor thanks to the prenatal chemical experiments conducted by his scientist father. The majority of the story follows him from his childhood in the late 1800s to his adult years in the early 1900s, with occasional superhuman feats thrown in. Danner spends most of the narrative striving to live a normal life, while also trying to keep his powers a secret. At the same time, he looks for some noble outlet for his abilities but somehow feels unsatisfied when the odd opportunity arises.
The novel was way ahead of its time, practically inventing the modern superhero. In fact, it likely influenced Superman, which first premiered in 1938. Upon learning this fact around 2007, I purchased my own copy and gave it a read. [1] I remember thinking at the time that it was badly written, but upon a second read through (currently taking place as I type this), I now realize that I'm just an impatient idiot. It's wonderfully written; I was just wrong to think that super hero stuff would happen on every single page. Most of his feats happen in tiny spirts, during his childhood, his college years, and his time as a sailor, WWI French Foreign Legion soldier (my favorite part), laborer, banker, politician, etc. I don't want to spoil the story, so I won't write anymore.
For those interested in reading the book, here is a PDF for a 1974 reprint.
Lasty, here is the blurb from the original 1930 dust jacket:
When Hugo Danner was seven he lifted two tons; At ten he jumped over a house. With ease this superman, strange creation by formula that he was, overcame the obstacles of ordinary men and towered high above the life about him. In the Pacific he dove tremendous depths for pearls and gained immediate fortune; at the front, singlehanded, he captured a German regiment in a trice. Yet he could not find a task worthy of this gigantic power that would satisfy his capacity for achievement. Nor could he avoid the fear and jealousy of those with whom he came in contact. In this world of ours, this world of little men, there seemed no place for the strength of a god .... How this superman met this problem that taxed his supreme powers constitutes the climax of a novel certain to be hailed unique in the realm of modern fiction.
The original Gladiator dust jacket. Image found here.
1) I originally intended to do an in depth study comparing early Superman comics to the novel, but my attentions were drawn elsewhere at the time. I might do this in the future.
