The Night They Burned Superman in West Virginia

The Night They Burned Superman in West Virginia

Published: May 9, 2026

Duration: 18:29

In 1948, a small town in West Virginia became the center of a growing national fear over the perceived evil influence of comic books.  There, in the town of Spencer, a schoolteacher and her students gathered thousands of comic books and set them ablaze in a bonfire, starting with one featuring the Man of Steel, Superman. 

What led to this dramatic moment? In this episode, Rod and Steve tell the story of the time a national panic reached into the heart of Appalachia, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. 

If you enjoy stories like this, be sur...