S U P E R M A N I A ‘7 8
W E L C O M E S Y O U T O 2 0 1 6 !
After a two-month hiatus, SUPERMANIA returns from the confines of the Xeno Galaxy with the long-overdue result of a fantastic collaboration in hand…
The product of years of diligent research, design and copy writing, this fan project has finally come to fruition and fulfilled its original brief – to plug a big hole in Superman collectable history.
Never officially produced for reasons still unknown, this Topps style Superman IV: The Quest For Peace Movie Picture Card series has been created from scratch using rare images compiled from the SUPERMANIA, Capedwonder.com and A Tribute To Christopher Reeve‘s joint collections to fill the void and illustrate the story of the longest, uncut version of the film as originally intended over 99 cards.
Considerable effort was made to give this set as authentically vintage appearance as possible to compliment the prior collections in the series perfectly and be indistinguishable in presentation and quality from any official release from the era (second pic) from the traditional title card (top pic) to the accompanying story breakdown on the reverse (incorporating all deleted scenes).
This full base set (Note: Stickers will be a future project) concludes with a special hand-numbered preview card (note; ‘AP’ Artists Proof) of the unmade feature Superman V (third pic, for fun as if the movie series were to continue) for this strictly-limited run of 50 sets (to tie in with Superman’s 50th anniversary at the time).
SUPERMANIA highlights that this is simply a wish fulfilment fan-art project and does not intend to infringe copyright in any way. However, should you wish to learn more about the collection, feel free to leave comments below and an email address should you require more information…
At arguably the height of his fame and looking cool on the cover (top) of the UK Observer Sunday magazine, Christopher Reeve gives a great candid interview to Lesley Thornton on the week of the British release of Superman III.
Clearly enamoured with the then 30-year old superstar, the interviewer manages to record Reeve’s career and insights economically and with charm – highlighting that though a big part of his success to may have been attributed to something he despised (youth marketing and sequels) the Superman films were kept to a good standard, even though this would allegedly be his last…
Despite repeated denials on the subject when the question of the possibility of a smaller scale Reeve Superman figure was posed by SUPERMANIA on Twitter, NECA have surpassed expectations by not only producing this all-new 7″ figure but having in the shelves already.
Part of an exclusive promotion (similar to their Keaton Batman figure DVD tie-in a few years back) by Warner Bros. to boost DVD sales, this limited-edition figure is one of three (Adam West Batman and Heath Ledger Joker scaled down from their respective 1/4 scale versions) available online and selected branches of TRU.
Famed for their constant interaction with fans it would appear NECA have heeded some criticism from fans regarding some of the inaccuracies of their recent quarter-scale release (especially the headsculpt) and have delivered a superb package worthy of any collectors inventory.
While the likeness is improved beyond measure by the flattening of the hair and broader face, the figure appears skinny overall and the chest shield (bottom pic) is still an embarrassing afterthought. Minor quibbles with what is the most elegantly presented figure in any scale to date with a beautiful box (top pic) and sporting a fabulous cloth cape (third pic) this is a serious contender for the best Superman action figure to date.
Due to restrictions of the promotion this figure is frustratingly limited to the USA at present with no word from NECA on whether or not the run will be extended or indeed make it overseas. The apparent indifference from NECA regarding availability paired with QC issues reportedly arising from the first batch (breakable limbs and poor paint apps) may have left a poor first impression but overall this release should be cause for celebration for fans of the classic Superman Movies…
Thanks to TOYARK for the quality pics – read their review here…
An unprecedented success with many lots outperforming their estimates by thousands, the Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction made headlines across the prop world while making many a collectors dream come true.
Luckily, SUPERMANIA managed a last-minute pilgrimage to The ODEON BFI IMAX in London to photograph the Superman items on display only hours before they went live. Below are the highlights of the Super-sales along with the astonishing prices realised –
424. Contact Sheets – £1,100
425. Shooting Scripts – £4,750
426. Autographed Still – £700
427. Underwater Tunic – £25,000
429. Large Kryptonian Crystal – £1,700
431. Promotional Ephemera – £1,600
432. Autographed Stills – £700
433. Muscle Tunic – £20,000
436. IV Script – £350
437. Pod Prop – £4000
As expected, the well-publicised underwater tunic (second pic) stole the show with the Muscle tunic (third pic) nipping at its shorts at only five grand less. Less expected were the amounts achieved by some of the smaller lots, with a single autographed still of Christopher Reeve going well above estimate at £700 and a folder full of essentially promotional clippings fetching £1,600 – most of which already present in the SUPERMANIA collection.
While many of these fabulous relics of movie history will take pride of place in private collections, The Starship Pod prop (bottom pic) was bought by Stateside SuperFan and Broadcaster Jay Towers, a prominent figure in Superman collecting and vocal supporter of the classic films. SUPERMANIA wishes Jay all the best with his his purchase and hope he enjoys it for years to come..!
Today would’ve been the late Christopher Reeve’s 63rd birthday. To celebrate his life and career SUPERMANIA presents some of the newest additions to the archive along with some classics shown previously.
Look no further than the Entertainment Memorabilia Live auction held by Propstore only last night to see how highly regarded, sorely missed and totally definitive Reeve’s portrayal of Superman was/is by the fact an autographed 10×8 (similar to those above) sold for an unprecedented £700.
Whereas the lot in question featured a dedication simply from ‘Chris’ all the above feature his full signature and have stories to tell all their own. From the top – colour 8×10 obtained from Amanda as named – only a young girl when her father had this picture signed and recently salvaged after a tree smashed through their property. Shannon’s loss, from the Dixie Trek Convention of 1994 (the only appearance Chris ever made) is documented here.
Sandra is the daughter of Edward Jaffery, a camera grip who worked on the first three Superman Movies –
“I am the Sandra in the photo!
My dad worked as part of the crew, working on this film at Pinewood Studios.
I was only a child at the time and didn’t get to meet Superman myself, but my dad worked alongside him daily and asked if he would sign this photograph for me, which he was very happy to do…”
And finally Mark was a fan and friend of a technician working on Superman II that had Chris sign in between takes.
All the above are great examples of how Chris’ portrayal touched people’s lives and his great dedications reflect what a great custodian and Super man he really was.
Rest in peace, ‘Toph…
