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How Superman saved my life

Joe Straczynski is a lifelong fan of the comic superhero. As a kid he dreamt that Superman would swoop in and rescue him from his violently abusive father and loveless childhood.

Joe Michael Straczynski is an award-winning writer responsible for creating TV shows like Babylon 5, Sense8 and the movie Changeling, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angeline Jolie. But Joe had an abusive, loveless and deprived childhood. It can make for uncomfortable listening at times. He would find escape in the world of comics and science fiction. He credits one superhero in particular for forming his own moral character and steering him to a better life.

He’s written a book about his life and love of fiction, it’s called Becoming Superman.

All Superman material is copyright of DC Comics Inc.

This programme was first broadcast in October 2019.

If you are affected by issues raised in this episode there is confidential support on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Action Line website, or at Befrienders.org

Presenter: Andrea Kennedy
Producer: Tom Harding Assinder

(Photo: Superman float in the Mardi Gras Parade. Credit: Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 23 Jan 2022 22:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 22 Jan 2022 09:32GMT
  • Sun 23 Jan 2022 00:32GMT
  • Sun 23 Jan 2022 09:32GMT
  • Sun 23 Jan 2022 22:32GMT

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