Here in Metropolis things are taking shape for the 32nd Annual Superman Celebration. The smells of kryptonite rock candy and funnel cakes are in the air. For the small group of people that are die hard Superman fans year round, June also means… time to paint the statue.
Throughout the year more than 60,000 people stop in Metropolis, Illinois and visit our world famous Superman statue. When the winter weather leaves, it’s time for Superman to get a fresh coat of paint. Our crew (pictured below) has been working very hard the past few days to get the statue ready for the celebration, even fighting off a thunderstorm or two along the way.
May
31
May
31
Mild Mannered Reviews – Super Friends #27
Scheduled to arrive in stores: May 26, 2010
Cover date: July 2010
“Double Trouble”
Writer: Sholly Fisch
Penciller: J. Bone
Inker: J. Bone
Cover: J. Bone
Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
May
31
John Schneider, speaking at this weekend’s Pheonix Comicon, recalls a scene from “Smallville” Season 5’s “Hidden” episode which he had major problems with…
May
31
Hey Source readers. As most of you know, today is Memorial Day, a time to think back on those brave men and women who gave their lives serving in our armed forces. While we won’t have any new posts today, we ask that you take a moment to reflect on the many heroic individuals who [...]
May
30
A Guinness World Record was smashed in Melbourne today!
1,245 loyal followers of DC Comics and Kids WB braved the cold to create history, breaking the DC Superhero World Record attempt for the most number of people in Superhero costumes in one location. And it was all in the name of celebrating 75 years of DC Comics.
Previous record holders, UK, managed an honest 1,091 last Saturday beating the US who had just past the 1,000 mark. But today was Australia’s turn and the crowd were impressive and lively.
Kids and adults donned their favourite DC Superhero costumes and gathered at Melbourne’s Federation Square for the two-hour event which was hosted by a cheeky Catwoman who acknowledged the crowd and their efforts and encouraged all to register. She also took us through some Superhero facts pointing out Superman as the very first comic book hero and the benchmark of all heroes.
The event also included a 20-minute live Justice League show which had Batman and Wonder Woman pitted against the evil Joker and what seemed to be Harlequin. It was a classic battle of good versus evil, unfortunately without the help of the Man of Steel. But although we didn’t get to see Superman in action, support for the world’s greatest hero was strong. There was an overwhelming sea of red capes – men, women and children dressed as Superman and Supergirl respectively stole the limelight and the O’Brien family won best dressed Superhero family and scored themselves an all expenses paid trip to Waren Bros. Movie World in Queensland.
By the end of the event, the votes were in. ‘Pam’ from Guinness presented Preston Kevin Lewis, the Australia and New Zealand Managing Director of Warner Bros. Consumer Products with the Guinness World Record Certificate.
It was a great morning all round. Glad I decided to go!
Cheers,
Antonella Sposito aka Ant-03.
Images courtesy of Nadia Sposito. More available via Facebook.
May
30
Sony Online Entertainment has released another episode in their “Inside the Studio” video reports on the up-coming “DC Universe Online” MMO video game.
May
30
Alan Kistler at Newsarama.com has delved into 70 years of Superman stories to write an expose on the history of fashion on the planet Krypton.
- Superman’s debut in 1938 set the standard of how superhero costumes should look. And now, years later, readers were shown that his design actually emulates how the people of his home world dressed. And all of a sudden, Superman’s uniform is no longer just a suit loosely based on a circus strongman outfit. Now it’s something that advertises and recognizes his alien heritage. This idea would not only stay with Superman for some time to come, it would be taken to new levels in later years.
May
29
Metropolis, IL’s biggest week of the year is drawing near. From Thursday, June 10, through Sunday, June 13 the town of fewer than 7000 people will become a real metropolis, or at least close to it, as thousands of visitors from around the country, and even around the world, visit for the 32nd annual Superman Celebration.
“It’s a chance for people of all ages to come together and just enjoy a weekend of fun,” explained Metropolis Tourism Director Angie Shelton. “You never know who you’ll meet… and you never know what you’ll see!”
As always, a big draw for Superman enthusiasts is the lineup of celebrities. Special guests at this year’s festival include Laura Vandervoort and Sam Witwer from television’s Smallville; Noel Neill, Lois Lane from The Adventures of Superman; Ilya Salkind, producer of Superman I, II and III; and the legendary comic book artist, Carmine Infantino.
May
29
The Guinness World Record for most number of people wearing superhero costumes in one location has been set in Australia.
A total of 1245 people wearing their favourite DC Comics Super Hero costumes converged on Melbourne, Australia’s Federation Square on Saturday, May 29th to break the world record. The former record was 1091 people and was previously held by the United Kingdom.
May
28
Noel Neill to be honored with statue, unveiling is June 11 in Metropolis
Construction is underway on the brick base which will serve as the foundation for a bronze statue of yet another famous super hero icon in Metropolis, Illinois. The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that it will be unveiling a statue of Noel Neill during the 32nd annual Superman Celebration. Neill is well known for her portrayal of Lois Lane in the memorable television series, The Adventures of Superman.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, June 11 at the corner of Eighth and Market streets. Neill will be traveling from California for the special honor, and will meet the artist who sculpted her likeness, Gary Ernest Smith, in Metropolis. Smith, and Kevin Maag, from Metal Art Foundry, will make the journey from Utah for the ceremony. Mayor Billy McDaniel and other local officials will also be a part of the unveiling ceremony.
The statue idea was presented to Neil as a gift during her 85th birthday party celebration in California a couple years ago. The statue will be the focus of a corner setting just two blocks from the town’s famous 15-foot tall Superman statue.
Smith began sculpting the slightly-larger-than-life statue in his studio in Utah several months ago. The bronze casting was done in mid-May and the patina process was completed last week.
Construction began last week on the base which will contain over 300 engraved bricks. During the last few years, Metropolis residents and fans from across the United States, and even from other countries, have purchased personalized bricks to help fund the $65,000 project.
Neill, also known as “The First Lady of Metropolis,” has been a frequent guest of the Superman Celebration.
“Noel has been such a wonderful promoter and supporter of the City of Metropolis, that the Chamber wants to honor her with statue,” said Clyde Wills, chairman of the statue project.
Though she first played Lois Lane in the 1948 movie serial, Superman, with Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill is best known for playing the iconic character on television in The Adventures of Superman with legendary actor George Reeves from 1953 to 1957. So identified is she with this role, that her portrayal of the “girl reporter” set the standard for all Lois Lanes yet to come.
For more information about the Noel Neil statue project, contact the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce at 800-949-5740. Engraved bricks may still be ordered for placement in the future.
A complete schedule of events for the Superman Celebration can be found at www.supermancelebration.net and www.metropolistourism.com.