Perry White

Revision as of 03:17, 6 December 2005

Editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, a great metropolitan newspaper where Clark Kent (Superman), Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen work as reporters.

The "gruff" (Act No.302, July 1963:"The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!"), "irrascible" (S No.49.2, Ced 1947: "Clark Kent's Most Dangerous Assignment!"), "Hard-boiled" (S No.16/1, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man"; and others), "tough" (S No.72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"), "dynamic" (S No.73/3. Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs Clark Kent!"), "sentimental" (S No.16/1, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man"), warm-hearted (Act No.269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirrir!"; and others), "two-fisted crusading editor" (S No.72/2. Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!") who has been the editor of the Daily Planet for nearly 6 full decades (S No.7/1, Nov/Dec 1940; and many others).

An implacable foe of censorship and defender of press freedom (S No.11/1, Jul/Aug 1941; and others) whose hard-hitting crime reporting once earned him a Pulitzer Prize, he is a giant of Amrican journalism (S No.72/2. Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"; see also Act No.297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), "the best editor in the business," a man whose unique "brand of slam-bang, no-holds-barred journalism has made the Daily Planet the biggest paper in Metropolis!" (S No.73/3, Nov.Dec 1951: "Perry White v. Clark Kent!").

Perry White first appears in the chronicles in November-December 1940, although, in his initial appearances, he is referred to only by his last name (S. No.7/1; and others). In May-June 1941 editor White is referred to by his full name --Perry White-- for the first time in the chronicles (S No.10/2).

Perry White lives with his attractive white-haired wife, Alice White (SF No.175, Feb/Mar 1976) in a one-story ranch-style house "on the outskirts of Metropolis" (Act No.278, July 1961: "The Three Super-Powers of Perry White!"). The couple have three sons: Will White, Perry White, Jr., and Hank White, the youngest of the three (SF No.175).

Perry White is one of Superman's "best friends" (Act No.243, Aug 1958: "The Lady nd the Lion"; and others). The Man of Steel has dedicated a room to Perry White in his Fortress of Solitude (Act No.268, July 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!"; S No.152/1, Apr 1962: "The Robot Master!").

Early Career

Perry White's background is treated inconsitently in the chronicles. According to Superman No.151/1, White spent his bouhood in Metropolis, where he attended Public School No. 84 (Feb 1962: "The Three Tough Teenagers!"). However, two other texts dealing with Perry White portray him as living with his grandfather, steamboat captain Josaiah White, in 1906 San Francisco (S No.168, APr 1964: pts I-II --"Luthor --Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!") and as the operator of a shoeshine stand in 1920s Chicago (S No.142/2, Jan 1961: "Superman Meets Al Capone!"). All accounts agree, however, that even as a youngster, Perry White had a burning desire to pursue a career in journalism (S No.142/2, Jan 1961: "Superman Meets Al Capone!"; and others).

Significant Adventures

In spite of the fact that Perry White appears in the chronicles more often than any other character besides Superman and Lois Lane, the overwhelming majority of his appearances are inconsequential. Therefore, the article that follows deals only with those adventures in which Perry Whiteplays at least a minimally significnt role.

In November-December 1940 Perry White --referred to in his initial appearance only by his last name-- makes his textual debut as editor of the Daily Planet (S No.7/1; and others).

In May-June 1941 editor White is referred to by his full name --Perry White-- for the first time in the chronicles (S No.10/2).

In July-August 1941 Perry White punches Rolf Zimba in the jaw when the terrorist leader barges into the offices of the Daily Planet and demands the right to censor all forthcoming news stories concerning his Gold Badge Organization (S No.11/1).

(See also Anti-Superman)