Edition One of Merit Publications magazine is quite the enigma given that there were no subsequent issues and that it is arguably one of the finest pieces of vintage Superman items produced in conjunction with the movie.
Though it proclaims to showcase Warner Bros. New films, it is actually an elegant portfolio of photographs and accompanying text all from Superman: The Movie featuring the best publicity stills and some uncommon prints. Anybody seeking info on Clint Eastwood’s and Stanley Kubrick’s latest would’ve felt short-changed as coverage amounts to nothing more than ads for Every Which Way But Loose and The Shining inside the back cover.
As if the glorious layouts (above) were not enough, the centrefold is a pull-out poster of the iconic ‘Punch’ shot taken by Bob Penn in New York in 1977 – all of the above making this the ideal companion piece to the Collectors Album and SUPERMANIA’s recommendation for an inexpensive addition to the perfect Super-library…
Coming soon – The Japanese edition…
Regular visitors to SUPERMANIA could be forgiven for noticing a lack of posts in the last few weeks but now we are back, and with exclusive coverage of the most significant and personally gratifying event this site has ever hosted.
As the sun sets on this years Milton Keynes International Festival #IFMKFest, a wide ranging celebration of culture and history within the city, the 10 day celebration closes this very evening with the big screen premiere of Director Richard DeDomenici’s Superman IV: Redux – Thirty years to the date of the UK release of Superman IV back in 1987.
This latest addition to the Redux Project, a bold experimental attempt to remake selected scenes from Hollywood blockbusters brought DeDomenici to the infamous locations used in 1986 by Cannon Films to shoot there some thirty years later. Keen to celebrate their small but fondly remembered involvement in Superman cinematic history, Milton Keynes Council lent their full support to Superman IV: Redux.
With years of research dedicated to the making, marketing and mayhem of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace it was only natural that the project would eventually come to my attention where I would admit to initially being sceptical. However, as the casting call was open to all and the opportunity to access indoor locations was rare I decided to tag along for the audition process.
Never once did I anticipate or dream I would be cast as Superman/Clark Kent and embark on a short, but life-changing journey but that’s exactly what happened.
A full account of the events leading to, during and after the shoot will be uploaded to the site in the coming weeks. I can’t wait to share my dream come true with you all…
From the top – Martin Lakin as Superman alongside actor David John Waterman, reprising his role as the Hot Dog Vendor from Superman IV, one of the many props reproduced for the filming of Superman IV Redux, Martin Lakin as Clark Kent in the Avebury building, original location of the Daily Planet offices and Esther Webb exhibiting appropriate sass as Lois Lane…
Presenting the latest piece of vintage memorabilia to be added to the SUPERMANIA archive – this unique poster magazine was released exclusively in Spain and is so rare this is the first and only copy seen in decades of collecting.
The Superman Movies have a long and rich history with this most ’80’s of collecting staples. Most big genre movies of the decade were awarded with similar colourful fold-outs which would adorn many a childhood bedroom wall until, much like cinematic events themselves, their fade into obscurity.
Whereas the foldout format would be limited to European/UK shores (with II and III upcoming in future posts) Stateside offerings would be appropriately heftier affairs with the glossy magazines for Superman III and IV by Starlog Press emerging as arguably the best tie-in’s for each picture – both of which will also appear here soon..!
By 1987 the traditional bumper advertising manual was steadily being consigned to history. Indeed, what began as a series of grand ‘Exhibitor Campaign Books‘ concluded with the above basic four-page leaflet.
SUPERMANIA gets back to good old-fashioned vintage ephemera with the fine vintage example reproduced in its entirety above. For what was a modest campaign thanks to the low-key efforts made by Cannon Films, the poster and still sets made available by the National Screen Service are of immense quality (the UK Quad arguably the best variation of the poster with its bold silver title) and form a vital part of the SUPERMANIA collection. Enjoy..!
SUPERMANIA cuts the virtual ribbon and welcomes you to the newest wing of the SuperSebas gallery with these stunning brand new pieces above –
After you have feasted your eyes on these flawless new renders we further invite you to attend a conversation with the artist to hear all about what it takes to create such awesome likenesses and discover the inspiration behind them. Click here to go straight to the studio for an exclusive interview with SuperFan Sebastian Colombo where he talks about his techniques, breaking into the comics industry, his plans for the future and the moment he saw a genuine Superman costume for the first time.
The Colombo Portfolio has been thoroughly revised and updated and coverage of his upcoming art and costume projects will be showcased there. Meantime, enjoy the candid conversation with the SuperFan who thought the man he saw on screen at a young age was Superman for real and continues to apply his considerable talents to keeping the Reeve legacy alive…
