This most recent addition to the SUPERMANIA collection is this incredibly rare set of three complete jigsaws with accompanying full-colour prints in original box –
Released in 1978 by FX Schmid, these three iconic shots are a fantastic representation of scenes from Superman: The Movie and were found languishing at a local toyfair before being snapped up for a song and added to the archive…
Following up on this month’s Trading Card theme, SUPERMANIA presents the very first collectables that resonated at such a young age and became the basis of the collection –
The amazing colourful images adorning each pack of cards (In the UK they came without stickers!) instantly captured the imagination. The favourites were the solo publicity shots of Christopher Reeve with the New York backdrop, of which there were many (see the complete sets here) where you could really believe the Man of Steel was real and among us.
Besides the nostalgia there is much to enjoy with the Topps series 1&2 including a glimpse of what we now know as deleted scenes and even cards dedicated to the creative team including Director Richard Donner. For genuine fanatics its notable the Canadian set ran for 132 cards and included French subtitles while the US set ran for 77 and the shortchanged UK for 66!
The trend would continue for the sequels (with the exception of Superman IV, see post below) but nothing came close to capturing the magic of the original white-border set and the anticipation of completing the picture puzzle on the card backs..!
From the top – Original countertop boxes for US Series 1&2 with unopened UK packs, scans of Series 1&2 wrappers advertising the option of purchasing a ‘Press Sheet’ of uncut cards and the Topps Special Offer poster…
Was there ever a more striking iconic image to help define pop-culture of the 1970’s?
The only images that spring to mind are Farah Fawcett’s smiling poster and the cover of the ‘Grease’ album. There had been long speculation in the press at the time that ‘newcomer’ Christopher Reeve was ‘too skinny’ for the role so the Producers response was to send Reeve on special photo shoots in New York to pose on the banks of the East River and overlooking Central Park to prove the Man Of Steel was indeed real. The first hint that the production was a serious take on the legend is the fact Superman is presented here without a hint of irony in a contemporary setting in broad daylight looking as if he’s just walked off of the front page of his own comic book. Reeve’s steely gaze in the spectacular new Superman costume is the kind of cover editors dream of and so was used repeatedly all over the world to announce his arrival on the big screen…
Another SUPERMANIA exclusive courtesy of SuperFan Chris King – Presenting the long-thought lost or destroyed ORIGINAL Baby Kal-El Starship prop!
Only recently discovered in storage at the site of The London Film Museum, this artefact was sat waiting to be identified for the purposes of exhibition until spotted and confirmed to be from Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie by veteran K-9 Operator and author Steve Cambden on a tour of the facility. It has been on public display ever since for all to enjoy…
A fantastic feature from last month’s Total Film magazine dedicated to analysing some of the greatest scenes in Cinematic history – Yet another testimony to all the talented craftsmen involved in the creation of Superman: The Movie and still as breathtaking after more than thirty years..!