Part 1 of 3. The story of comic-book superheroes starts during the Depression and WWII years, when star-spangled heroes were in demand. The 1950s saw comic books come under government scrutiny, however, due to their popularity with kids. Though under attack, the industry survived and thrived thanks to the success of the "Adventures of Superman" TV series, which premiered in 1952. Liev Schreiber hosts and narrates.