Pictured above is the vital first component I managed to secure that would initiate my pursuit of the perfect replica Superman costume –
As most fan-made efforts throughout the nineties would demonstrate, the lack of correct belt and buckle would be the undoing of the most valiant attempts, but after a long search a small set of perfect resin casts taken from one of Christopher Reeve’s original belts finally found me. Developing a matching belt would be almost as difficult a proposition in my research stage as at the time the only reference was a clip from TV documentary ‘The Making Of Superman’. From that footage I ascertained the belt itself was a fabric-backed vinyl, however locating such a thing in mustard yellow proved impossible.
Instead I sought to improvise and so in true prop style I concocted a belt made from kitchen lino covered in yellow sticky-back plastic. While the results were good the plastic would eventually weaken and split due to its inflexibility. Many attempts later I came across more pliable plastic and have made numerous belts since then for fans and professionals alike, chances are you’ve seen one of my belts on display on many a full-size replica either online or in-person.
Pictured above are two of the last belts I have – a ‘Hero’ version made from genuine Patent leather and a ‘Stunt’ version built using my method. Over the years costumiers and fans have caught up and developed credible versions of their own but for such a minor accessory, there is no substitute for the genuine buckle cast to complete a replica. Further information on the real costume belts and how they were constructed can be found here
Hot from the Hard Drive of SuperFan Chris King, these stunning latest shots of the 1/3 scale Superman costume show the incredible level of detail achieved in this first completed piece.
Uncompromising as ever, Chris has insisted on every nuance of the suit to be replicated exactly which meant having a perfect 1/3 scale belt buckle sculpted from scratch (2nd pic down) and added to the patent yellow belt. Also note the cape patch has been embroidered rather than printed for a more authentic look.
The boots are absent at present because they form part of the finished figure by Bobby C. (pics upcoming) and used as the means to seal the costume onto the figure. More to follow on this exciting project as it develops…
Yet another hot-off-the-press SUPERMANIA exclusive – while the images above at first glance would arguably pass as an authentic, full size Christopher Reeve costume, what you are seeing in fact is the development and fitting stages of an outfit for a premiere ONE THIRD scale statue. (click on pics for larger images).
Standing at an incredible 25 inches when finished, (note the the fingers in the 3rd pic down for scale) this latest of sculptures by US SuperArtist Bob Causey is a variation of his 1:1 project and will be produced in a very limited run.
Among the lucky recipients of these will be SuperFan Chris King, who has served as consultant for many Superman model projects (including mine) and has commissioned this costume to be constructed in miniature using exactly the same techniques as the full-size counterpart. (including the S/shield painstakingly drafted by Sebastian Columbo and sewn into, not onto the tunic!) Stay tuned for more updates as this impressive project develops…
Excised from the Dovemead vaults and acquired by the Propstore Of London, this one-of-a-kind set of continuity Polaroids and costume design sketch from Superman III were used by the wardrobe dept. to keep track of an actors’ appearance scene to scene.
Pictured above; Robert Vaughn, Annie Ross and Pamela Stephenson model their uniquely tasteless 80’s supervillain garb…
The Superman exhibit in the Six Flags Movieland Wax Museum Of Buena Park, CA. had the distinction of being the first (and most expensive) installation in the Stars Hall Of Fame for the blockbuster movie of 1978. Christopher Reeve himself attended sittings with renowned sculptor Logan Fleming (second pic) to capture his likeness and the finished figure would stand proudly atop an elaborate custom-made Fortress Of Solitude set in an original costume gifted by Warner Bros.
A top attraction for many years, time and dwindling numbers meant the Museum would close its doors forever in 2005, by which time the Superman figure (in similar fashion to the waxwork figure from London’s Madame Tussauds) had been stripped of its original costume (Bottom pic) before being sold in auction for $16,000 just days after the untimely death of Dana Reeve…
