| Type | Newspaper |
| Location | Metropolis |
| Owner(s) | Burt Mason (1st Publisher), John W. Grayson (2nd Publisher), Perry White (Editor-in-Chief) |
| Featured in | Superman |
- “It's always been the Planet's policy to print the truth― and we'll continue doing so!”
- ― Daily Planet publisher, Burt Mason
The Daily Planet (formerly known as the Daily Star) is the most successful newspaper outlet in the city of Metropolis and is best known for its association with the famous superhero known as Superman. The company first appeared in 1938 under the name of the "Daily Star" in Action Comics #1 as part of the Superman stories by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and published in Detective Comics, but its name would later be changed to the "Daily Planet" starting with the comic's 1940 radio adaptation The Adventures of Superman, with this new name later being integrated into the comics two months after its radio debut starting with Action Comics issue #23 and it would remain a permanent part of the character's origins.
Overview
The Daily Planet is one of the oldest and most esteemed newspaper publications in Metropolis and maintains an honest reputation as one of the most trustworthy papers in the state, with the Daily Planet's staff going to great lengths to bring to light corruption, crime, and secrets within the city, as well more unbelievable but all too true stories concerning the mysterious, otherworldly, supernatural, and super heroic activities that go on in and outside of Metropolis, and because of this, the Daily Planet has gone on to become one of the most successful newspapers in its world of strange superheroes.
The Daily Planet regards itself as a champion against injustices, regularly aiding the Metropolis Police Department and the company is even an official promoter for the World Peace Federation. The Daily Planet regularly uses its influence to help improve their community, with many of its stories being focused on uncovering private organizations or even government officials that seek to take advantage of the less fortunate and the oppressed, such as the homeless, foreigners and war veterans.
Many of the Daily Planet's stories have resulted in the end to several unlawful business practices in their state, such as the inclusion of slot machines and punch boards in stores frequented by minors, as well as the disbandment of corrupt groups that promoted such practices or encouraged violence, such as the Slug Gang, the Clan of the Fiery Cross, the Solitaire Gambling Enterprise, or even spies from tyrannical enemy nations. Several Daily Planet stories have even ended the careers of influential and government figures, such as corrupt publishers of rival newspapers like the Daily Blaze, corrupt Metropolis mayors and officials, and one story even led to the resignation of state governor Frank C. Wheeler and his aid George Latimer.
Unknown to some and even the Daily Planet at times, many of their stories and the downfall of the criminals who their stories helped to put behind bars were made possible thanks to the efforts of the heroic being known as Superman, the superhero protector of Metropolis who has a strong attachment to the Daily Planet, and whose great powers were able to subdue or intimidate many of the Planet's enemies into confessing their crimes. However, this has made the Daily Planet a target of several vengeful criminal elements, some mundane, some superhuman, and some super cunning, including the notorious criminal mastermind known as Lex Luthor, who has made it his life's mission to destroy Superman and all that he cares for.
Trivia
Early concept art for the Daily Planet from Fleischer Studios
The first comic book appearance of the Daily Planet globe in Superman #19
- The company was originally referred to as the Daily Star in its debut from Action Comics #1 and in subsequent issues up until issue #23. Its chief editor was also a man by the name of "George Taylor" who oversaw editing for the Daily Star/Daily Planet in both Action Comics and the main Superman comics up until Superman #7 where he was officially replaced by Perry White.
- These changes came about due to the Superman 1940 radio serial, which introduced both the Daily Planet and Perry White, as well as many other key elements, such as Jimmy Olsen and Superman's ability to fly. The radio show's success at the time resulted in the comic adopting these elements as well.
- The Daily Star was initially named after the "Toronto Daily Star" (formerly the Evening Star), a newspaper company from the hometown of Superman's co-creator, Joseph Shuster. Shuster would even use the Evening Star on occasions as one of many rival newspapers featured alongside the Daily Planet, as well as in other comics he worked on.
- The Daily Planet was initially going to be called "The Daily Globe", named after another Toronto newspaper company known as the "The Globe and Mail", however, to avoid any further confusion with any real newspaper companies, the writers instead opted to go with the more fictional "Daily Planet".
- The iconic giant bronze globe that rests atop the Daily Planet building first appeared in the Superman animated short film by Fleischer Studios titled "The Arctic Giant" on February 27, 1942, with the globe then making its official comic debut on August 30th of that same year with issue #19 of the main Superman comics.
- Oddly enough, its first comic book appearance was actually in an in-universe movie that was a direct sequel to Fleischer's Mad Scientist short. Stranger still, the short was being watched by Lois and Clark who were completely bewildered as to how the story's writers knew so much about them, with Clark theorizing that Siegel and Shuster must either be clairvoyant or subscribers to the Daily Planet.
- When Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were unable to secure the rights for Superman back from Detective Comics after leaving the company, they tried to recreate their success over at Magazine Enterprises with a new superhero comic titled "Funnyman", a clown-themed superhero who parodied what Siegel and Shuster regarded as "Superman clones", however, the comic proved unsuccessful and was cancelled after only six issues and a short-lived Sunday strip run.
- Although the clown did not work for a newspaper company, the Daily Graphic was frequently featured throughout the comic's short run.
- Due to the Superman franchise's advanced age and the frequent changes in writers and editors within the comic book industry, many revisions, retcons, and discrepancies tended to arise among storylines, with several fantastical attempts being made to try and explain inconsistencies over the years. For the sake of consistency, this article covers the history of the Daily Planet during the tenure of its original creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. For other versions of the Daily Planet under different writers, see the links below.