Back Festung der Einsamkeit German Fortaleza de la Soledad Spanish Bakardadearen Gotorlekua Basque Forteresse de la Solitude French Fortezza della solitudine Italian Fortress of Solitude Dutch Forteca Samotności Polish Fortaleza da Solidão Portuguese Крепость Одиночества Russian Fortress of Solitude SIMPLE
| Fortress of Solitude | |
|---|---|
| Superman location | |
 The Fortress of Solitude in Action Comics #846 (February 2007), art by Adam Kubert. | |
| First appearance | Action Comics #241 (June 1958) |
| Created by |
|
| Genre | Superhero comics |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | Fortress |
| Locations | Arctic |
| Characters | Superman |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
The Fortress of Solitude is a fictional fortress appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. It is the place where Superman first learned about his true identity, heritage, and purpose on Earth. The fortress functions as a place of solace/occasional headquarters for Superman and is typically depicted as being in frozen tundra, away from civilization.[1] Its predecessor, Superman's "Secret Citadel", first appeared in Superman #17, where it was said to be built into a mountain on the outskirts of Metropolis. By issue #58 (May–June 1949) it is referred to as the Fortress of Solitude, seems at a glance to be a freestanding castle, and is said to be located in a "polar waste".[2] When the Fortress reappears in 1958 and for the first time takes center stage in a story ("The Super-Key to Fort Superman", Action Comics #241), it is again an underground complex in a mountainous cliffside.
Traditionally, the Fortress of Solitude is located in the Arctic,[1] though more recent versions have been in other locations, including the Antarctic, the Andes, and Amazon rainforest. The general public is either unaware or at best only vaguely aware of the existence of the Fortress, and its location is kept secret from all but Superman's closest friends and allies (such as Lois Lane and Batman). A trademark of the Fortress is that it contains a memorial statue of Jor-El and Lara, Superman's Kryptonian parents, holding a large globe of Krypton.[3] Although Superman has living quarters at the Fortress, his main residence is still Clark Kent's apartment in Metropolis. The arctic Fortress of Solitude concept was first created for pulp hero Doc Savage during the 1930s.
- ^ a b Jimenez, Phil (2008). "The Fortress of Solitude". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC 213309017.
- ^ Schelly, William (2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 186–187. ISBN 9781605490540.
- ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 98–102. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.