BRAVO Magazine Super-Collage Pt.3…
The Quest For Rental…
1988 was a landmark year for the Superman character – his 50 year anniversary was intended by DC Comics to be a grand event celebrated across all mediums.
Beyond featuring on the cover of Time magazine it was instead a subdued occasion with only the best-forgotten TV special (hosted by Dana Carvey) to mark it. The film series had bowed out on a sour note with disappointing returns and poor critical and audience response to Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. Initiators of the Superman Film series, Alexander and Ilya Salkind would eventually buy the rights back from The Cannon Group Inc. after premiering their SuperBoy TV show to similarly lukewarm notices. Though the series would continue for three seasons, Superman would be noticeably absent from our screens for some time…
From the top – Vintage magazine ad, scarce A3 size pop-up promo card for video rental, an original copy in library case and the UK Laserdisc…
SuperLunchBox…
If you were of school age in the 70’s and 80’s, there is a strong possibility you will have carted your dinner around in a lunchbox from Aladdin industries. With licenses ranging from ‘Annie’ all the way through to ‘Zorro’ their sets (including matching thermos flask with one gulp capacity) were robust and distinctive, often adorned with exclusive artwork on the lid.
Though boxes had been produced by Aladdin for both Superman: The Movie and Superman II, shown above is the inexplicably scarce Superman III edition. As almost all of these were put to good use back in the day (I last saw one through envious eyes in possession of a school pal) it is also rare to find one in such good condition – a testimony to their resolve. Photograph’s by me with the exception of the graphic at bottom courtesy Jim Bowers.
Superman IV Storyboards Cont’d…
More entries from the Big Red Book of illustrations by Martin Asbury showing the tail-end of the Excised Tornado sequence and the continuation of the ‘Round The World’ battle moving to the Great Wall Of China…
Fortress Of Wax…
Both a labour of love and and a product of great expense and obsession, SuperFan Chris King has been responsible for commissioning and fabricating some of the greatest high-end Superman collectables ever made.
His dedication to the pursuit of the perfect Super costume lead to several differing versions before submitting definitive amendments to makers Action Costumes which are still in use by them today. The ambitious project shown above was a combination of said costume, (including belt made by yours truly) mannequin and a silicone headsculpt (featuring glass eyes and punched hair) by UK sculptor/artist Mike Hill.
If you notice more than a passing resemblance to the recently offered Cinemaquette 1/4 scale statue it is no coincidence as that was also crafted by Mike. Ever the perfectionist, Chris would do further revisions of the costume and eventually sold this piece to fund those and other projects…