Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
Check out Premier Collectible Auctions for your chance to own an amazing assortment of high-end collectibles.
For a great selection of superhero action figures and collectibles, check out fine retailers BigBadToyStore.com, CornerStoreComics.com, WhiteWizardToys.com, ToyWiz.com, ToyRocket.com, Alter Ego Comics, HobbyLinkJapan.com, StatueToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, and Elm Street Online.
For a great selection of superhero and pop culture apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.
Each year, Metropolis, Illinois plays host to a weekend-long Superman Celebration in which fans from around the nation – and world! – come to this town of less than 7,000 to commemorate one of fandom’s favorite superheroes – Superman.
Unlike years past, this year’s celebration played host to a number of anniversaries, including the 30th Anniversary of both the Superman Celebration itself and the classic Richard Donner film starring actor Christopher Reeve. This year was also the 15th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Superman statue, the 60th Anniversary of actress Noel Neil’s portrayal of the spunky Ace Reporter Lois Lane in the 1948 film serial (and later in the classic George Reeves series), and the 70th Anniversary of the Big Boy Scout himself!
If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend this party before, I’ll do my best to describe it to you: imagine being surrounded by thousands of Superman fans in an atmosphere that’s one part street carnival and two parts comic book convention. Vendors sell everything from food and snacks to purses and sunglasses. Likewise, everyone everywhere carries with them their favorite Superman collectibles; from comic books and action figures to posters and DVDs. Add to this numerous special guests the Metropolis celebration brings to town every year and you’ve got yourself the only place a die-hard Superman fan would find themselves on this seemingly normal weekend in June.
This year’s special guests included actress Noel Neil, character actor Ned Beatty (who portrayed bumbling Otis in Superman 1 and 2), and actress Allison Mack (who portrays Chloe Sullivan in the CW TV series Smallville). After a short Q&A session with these fine guests, fans lucky enough to snatch up tickets handed out earlier in the day were able to gain their autographs.
However, snack foods and autographs aren’t the main draw of this amazing celebration; the crown jewel of Metropolis, Illinois and the Superman Celebration is none other than Jim Hambrick’s spectacular Superman Museum!
What began with a gift from his mother – a Superman lunch box – at the tender age of 5 has become what many consider the largest Superman collection in the world. Made up of over 100,000 items and everything and anything Superman related , Hambrick’s collection used to travel from town to town until Hambrick moved his massive collection from sunny Southern California to the superhero’s home town and set up shop in 1993.
For only $3.00, any toy geek, movie nerd, or comic fan can tour this superhero Mecca and find an awe-inspiring place unlike any other. Once one walks through the swinging gate and enters the museum, the awesomeness of Superman truly takes hold. To be honest, a fan could easily spend all day – and more than a day! – walking the aisles admiring the unique and one-of-a-kind collectibles, including not only one of the original suits worn by George Reeves and one of the largest collections of Superman toys anywhere, but also the wig worn by Marlon Brando in the first Superman film and a pair of Superman boots worn by the first man to portray the man of steel on film, Kirk Alyn.
If you missed it this year, the Superman Celebration will of course take place again next year, June 11 – 14, 2009 and I for one would recommend anyone who grew up dreaming of flying faster than a speeding bullet or being more powerful than a locomotive to attend.
Check out the full Superman Celebration Gallery HERE !
- article and photos by Jason Devall