It’s Christmas morning, 1978. It’s 5am and you just can’t sleep another wink so you gingerly open your bedroom door and start down the stairs in your pyjamas. The welcoming smell of Turkey in the oven hits your nostrils and your excitement goes up another notch. In the kitchen, your mom spots you, smiles, rolls her eyes and whispers “Just wait for your Dad” before heading back up the stairs. And then its just you, staring at the tree in the lounge with its mesmerising coloured lights and at its base, two small mountains of wrapped presents.
There’s thumping down the stairs as now your sister is awake, with Dad following close behind. You wait patiently while sis tears past you, diving right into her pile. “Okay, go ahead” says Mom. Dad takes a seat on the armchair while you kneel down next to the tree and grab the first one, tearing at it in a frenzy. You draw breath when you see its a Dinky Eagle Transporter from Space 1999. You grab another, bigger this time – seconds later the paper’s off and you’re holding the Star Wars Escape From the Death Star board game with mouth agape. Then its three Star Wars figures wrapped together. Greedo, Hammerhead and Han Solo. Just when you think life couldn’t get any better, out pops the Palitoy Superman figure from the movie dad took you to see only a week ago…
Sadly, this is where I always wake up. It’s not as if we were completely deprived – the Mego Pocket Super Heroes Superman was a solid addition to the toybox at the time, (with its short cape and metallized ‘S’) pitched against assorted Star Wars aliens and winning every time. The 12″ Mego Worlds Greatest Super Heroes were, for me, much better, just because they looked more like their cinematic counterparts. But even as a kid, you got the sense these weren’t actually from the film in the same way the Star Wars toys undoubtedly were.
The reasons for this, of course, are well-known now, with litigation going back for decades only recently settled to the point where the above description may have been a reality. Indeed, many fans in the US are currently reliving their childhoods this Christmas courtesy of McFarlane Toys, who have just released their fully-licensed Superman: The Movie 6″ Action Figure (which I will be reviewing in a future post!). Back in ’79 though, this was only a minor issue as the Superman sequels, would surely present the opportunity for an official line of figures? Were it not for Kenner’s Super Powers line in 1984, fans would have been outraged, but as that line produced arguably the greatest Superman figure of all time, even die-hard fans of the movies were placated, but never truly satisfied.
No Surprise then, when us GenX kids came of age and means, that we sought to plug childhood gaps. A strange phenomenon to be sure, and while the psychology of this is best left to professionals, when talent yields results that make many people happy, it shouldn’t be underestimated or overlooked –
And that’s where my good friend Chris King comes in – and take it from me, he’s the personification of talent devoted to making people happy. In the 20+ years I’ve known him, he has endeavoured, time after time and project after project (and at great personal expense), to fulfil these childhood shortfalls and create the toys we were cheated out of as kids. A lifelong sci-fi fan and collector, Chris decided to make for himself the collectables he always wanted but never got – starting with Flash Gordon – another seriously under-merchandised movie. Where were the figures in 1980? How could there not be a toy of Flash’ iconic Rocket Cycle? Cue years of research culminating in both fully realised versions as if Palitoy and Corgi had released both a playset and die-cast model respectively – complete with accurate period style packaging. Want more? How about a set of Viewmaster reels indistinguishable from the tie-ins from the era?
The advance of 3D printing over the last decade or so presented no end of possibilities – now you could actually make things vintage toy companies never had the vision to produce. Chris idea was simple – take a long-expired manufacturer and revive it with not only the Star Wars toys they never made, but any franchise in the Kenner style. KennerByKing is now one of the most popular shops on Etsy with an enormous range of cardbacks available for figures either of your own creation, or more recent re-releases. The Superman figure shown above was a special, limited commission by Chris never intended for sale, just to offer a tantalising glimpse into an alternate universe for Christmas 1978…
Its been way too long since I posted in general, but what with the continued success of the YouTube Channel, Instagram account and Restore Superman IV campaign, its fair to say Capedwonder Europe has never been busier –
That said, SUPERMANIA is where it all started and its high time I got back to what made the site so unique in the first place, the showcasing of rare and unique artefacts exclusively from the Superman Motion Picture Series. And what a great little addition to the collection the above has proved to be –
While not the original prop, this UK made & sold TIMEX Gold Ladies dress watch is the exact make & model worn by Margot Kidder in her role as Lois Lane (see portrait above courtesy Jim Bowers) Notable for its few seconds of screentime in closeup, this prop opens the pivotal ‘Balcony scene’ where the intrepid journalist is poised to get the story of the century.
Presumably obtained by the Wardrobe Dept. in 1977, this tiny, elegant timepiece was a very popular style at the time, with its pearlescent face, windup feature and metal strap. While specific details are scarce about the watch itself, it seems plenty were manufactured back in the day and can still be obtained in good condition for a reasonable price.
I couldn’t resist the temptation to pair it with the awesome replica Library card replica w/envelope (beautifully rendered by Daniel Sanchez) for the perfect ‘I spent the night with Superman’ display (sans wine & Marlboro’s!). If you can get hold of one, it makes a superb addition to your Superman replica prop collection…
Although SUPERMANIA’s long-standing relationship with Propstore has been going on for some years now, after last years bumper offering of incredible artefacts from all four Superman Movies It seemed there was no chance such a feat could be repeated. Indeed, after 40+ years, how many loft finds and shed discoveries from various former crew and/or family could there possibly be? No, the 2021 auction was surely the pinnacle of what remains of available Superman ephemera. The exquisite miniatures. The hairpieces, the crystals. Even Valerie Perrine’s iconic dress. After the last visit, we all shook hands and drove home with a sense of finality – how lucky were we to see these wonderful pieces before they were scattered across the world to their new custodians?
Well. Turn’s out joke’s on me.
Not content with having just as enviable a selection as last year, Propstore have gone one better by presenting a catalogue of fresh items in this years Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction with a complete costume from the Salkind Superman trilogy as their premiere lot. While Propstore has seen many a Super-garment pass through their hands, rarely does a complete costume (below, on a finished display, no less) become available. And quite the example it is too, with the description revealing it to be a composition of screenworn items from all 3 films, presenting a unique opportunity to own a piece from each in the franchise.
Also for Reeve fans there is the 1:1 in flight model from Superman II, an autographed still and my personal favourite lot, the two Leather-bound scripts personally signed by Reeve and donated as a prize to UK TV show Multicoloured Swapshop, where the provenance on offer is about as comprehensive as can be.
Enjoy the preview video (top) courtesy of the Capedwonder Podcast where Jay Towers and I interview Propstore CEO Stephen Lane and look out for the upcoming video on the SUPERMANIA YouTube channel as we prepare to visit the Propstore office once again at the end of this month. Until then, I will keep any predictions about next years auction firmly in check…
Now that the site has been rebranded and revamped (thank you all so much for your support..!) its time to get back to what SUPERMANIA does best, showcasing rare and obscure collectables –
And they don’t come much better than this amazing curio from the Netherlands – a Superman – The Movie Promotional poster in four parts and over two metres long – making the figure of Christopher Reeve life-sized. This package was only available as a mail-away for collectors of the Monty Gum Superman Trading Cards – where ten empty packets plus 50p in postage would also enlist you in the Monty Superman Club.
In absence of the Topps trading card sets in some European Territories, local confectionary companies like Monty Fabrieken (of Leiden, Holland) picked up the licence and produced packets containing 3 cards and the obligatory stick of bubble-gum.
Whereas the cards and wrappers (produced in two sizes) occasionally pop up on auction sites, this particular piece of ephemera (complete with card cover and four postcards) is notable for its rarity and few complete examples are known to exist –
The copy above came to be in the SUPERMANIA collection from a folder of Dutch/German clippings, its previous owner obviously passionate Superman devotee from childhood. This set was pieced back together from the scrapbook with the posters in pristine condition tucked between the (mostly water damaged) pages. Until recently I had no idea what its origin was until another collector proudly posted his copy on Instagram…
Like so many of us only last year, life as we knew it had changed and not for the better. In the worst cases, we lost loved ones and for the rest of us – the world was on indefinite hold. While I don’t pretend my situation was any worse than anybody else’s, by September of 2021 I was unemployed for the first time in over 20 years, bored and miserable with no motivation.
It was one of those days in the endless weeks staring into the abyss and avoiding job websites that the phone rang. It was an International number. My first instinct was simply to reject the call but something told me to pick up. A booming voice with a broad US accent greeted me on the line, the kind that raises your spirits when you listen to the radio, for example.
“Hey Martin! Its Jay. How are ‘ya!?”
“Jay? Wow. Hello. To what do I owe the pleasure??
“So Jim and I are thinking of doing a thing at Motor City Comic-Con this year. A little Superman IV reunion.”
“Well. What a fantastic idea. Would you like me to contribute or something?”
“Actually yes – we want you to come over.”
“Come over?”
“Ya! To Detroit for the event. It’ll be great. Jim & I are dying to meet you”
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. We want you there. You’re gonna love it”
“Ah…you know I don’t think I’ve ever been so flattered to be asked about anything more. I’m overwhelmed, but…”
“But what?”
“I’m really not a good flier. I don’t like it at all. ironically…”
“Hey, I don’t like it either but what the hell. Talk with your family and let me know by end of day”
“Wow. Are you sure about this??”
“Absolutely. Talk later”
And so months of intense planning ensued, and for my part there was little I could offer but I’ve watched and listened in awe at how Jay & Jim have turned what was planned as a modest celebration into probably the ultimate (and maybe final?) unique gathering of celebrities from the classic Superman Movie series to date. And I will be part of it. In what capacity yet I still don’t really know beyond representing Capedwonder Europe but I’m so honoured to have been asked that it didn’t seem real. Then a few weeks ago, I was sent this –
Which not only made the whole thing real but is also in my opinion, one of the best Reeve tribute videos ever made. Then there’s this –
Where, unbelievably, I get a mention.
I can’t begin to express my gratitude to these guys for everything they’ve given me – both previously with the guest spots on the Capedwonder Podcast and in advance of this event. Its hard to express just how the invite alone back then went a long way to pull me out of the mire and I’m glad to report everything has gotten better for me since then. Hopefully that goes for the rest of you too. Just like the guys say, I can talk about this stuff all day so if you do attend (and you really should!!) come seek me out, it will be my pleasure to speak with you and maybe help do for you what’s already been done for me. I plan to document the whole trip and upload several YouTube videos on my channel but be sure to watch for live coverage during the event. Details are all below and updates will follow but for right now as Jim would say – Stay Super.
– Martin Lakin, Feb 2022.
35 Years after his Final Flight in Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, the Love and Admiration For Christopher Reeve, both on Screen and in Life, are Stronger and more Inspiring than ever!
Plus, Superman ’78 comic book series writer Robert Venditti and artist Wilfredo Torres will be at the CapedWonder booths to meet you and sign autographs!
The celebrities, Jay, and Jim are so excited to meet you at The Christopher Reeve Legacy Reunion at Motor City Comic Con, May 13-15, 2022! Make plans to be there! Tickets are available now…click here!
This is the Superman Celebration you’ve been waiting for!
