Yet another SUPERMANIA exclusive – these steel printing plates (measuring approx. 15 1/2 x 21cm) surfaced in Australia and featured in an auction of original art –
Showcasing previously unseen artwork by renowned poster artist Daniel Goozee, the influence of his famous James Bond posters is clearly evident in the sketches above. From the top – Amazing renderings of Christopher Reeve battling himself in the junkyard with Richard Pryor looking on; An obvious homage to Octopussy as Superman contends with Disco babes with Pryor clinging onto his ankles and a clear Ken Adam/Moonraker take on Ross Webster’s lair with Robert Vaughn and Pryor conspiring against a backdrop of even more Bond babes.
Although beautifully executed, alternate art (featuring Reeve and Pryor airborne) was utilised for the teaser poster for Superman III but Goozee would paint the final art used on the UK Quad poster and go on to complete the quartet by painting the poster for Superman IV…
From the pencil of Martin Asbury – this sequence on the balcony of Lex Luthor’s Penthouse made it more or less completely intact in the finished picture save for a Nuclearman gimmick or two.
Notice how Nuclearman himself is rendered as a featureless Golem as intended in the script back when Christopher Reeve was to portray both characters. Nuclearman was cloned from Superman’s DNA after all…
More exclusive photographs from the Superman hall in the Mostra de Valencia showing Marlon Brando’s Kryptonian robes from the Council scenes in Superman: The Movie.
This exhibit marks the very first time the costume has been available to view so intimately by the public – From the top; Note the complete ensemble (having been taken with a flash) showing off the properties of the 3M material exactly how it appeared in the movie – the fabric being composed of beaded glass to reflect light to great effect. A close-up of The ‘S’ insignia on Brando’s tunic – this feature initially confused audiences until it became apparent all Kryptonian society have crests emblazoned on their chests – These black velvet symbols were encrusted with rhinestones under costume designer Yvonne Blake’s instruction to further enhance their impact.
The costume shot without flash reveals the detail of the 3M material cut into uneven pieces and applied by hand to construct the garments. This had to be done with cotton gloves as the material was sensitive and would lose its reflective property when mis-handled…
In association with the amazing supermanjaviolivares.net I’m ecstatic to present the above photographs taken last week in from the Festival Internacional De Cine De Accion Y’Adventura in the Mostra de Valencia, Spain.
This venue is currently playing host to the largest archive of Warner Brothers original props and costumes from their Superhero franchises ever seen in public exhibition, with entire halls devoted to both Batman and Superman franchises.
On display in the Superman gallery are both Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh’s Superman costumes, and for the first time outside of the WB museum, Marlon Brando’s original Jor-El costume.
The exhibits are notable for the fact the pieces are totally accessible to the public as they are not behind barriers nor shielded by acrylic cases so these expensive garments can be researched as never before. My sincere thanks to SuperFan Javier Olivares Tolosa for providing what is the best photo reference of this most complex of costumes to date.
An exhaustive article written by me about the Reeve costume can be found here
This newest acquisition of genuine set-used crew-wear is notable for the fact it once belonged to somebody working on the ‘Flying Unit’ and would have been present during most if not all stunt/ flying scenes of Superman IV.
One suspects this blue satin Bomber jacket would have been most useful during the chilly November nights at Elstree Studios in 1986/7 and as the pictures demonstrate, it survived in pristine condition to this day and is a treasured addition to the collection..!
