More Superpaperbacks…

Further selections from the Superman novel back-catalogue include possibly the finest of them all – from top – ‘The Making Of Superman: The Movie’ by David Michael Petrou is a disarmingly honest account of the largest and most expensive production of its day.  Aside from the thorough coverage of everything from casting to Special Effects, Petrou manages also to convey the sheer excitement and magic of bringing the Man of Steel to life.

Despite its fun tagline ‘Once upon a time-warp’ the novelization of Supergirl by Norma Fox Mazer is standard Movie Tie-In fare built almost word for word around the screenplay by David Odell (made even less appealing by its lack of picture gallery in the centre!)

Before its shoe-in as the novelization of Superman: The Movie (offered among the glut of other glossy offerings from Warner Books) Elliot S! Maggin’s origin story ‘Last Son of Krypton’ was first published by Arrow in 1978. As the events depicted within (although well-executed) bear little resemblance to the final film the comic-book style cover was far more appropriate.

Lastly, the ‘Man of Steel’ by Andrew Helfer was released in 1983 under the banner of the popular ‘Super Powers’ toy line by Kenner. This ‘which way’ book (where the reader has the option to choose the story’s outcome as he reads) was popular in the ’80’s and is written in the style of pure comic-book fodder…

 

Another Open Letter To Hot Toys…

 

Dear Hot Toys

As your Superman: The Movie figure is landing on the doorsteps of many grateful fans the world over and pictures of your latest creation are flying up all over the ‘net it would seem that any concerns anybody may have had about the finished product were not only unfounded but instead addressed with considerable style.

While SUPERMANIA and community of SuperFans take no credit whatsoever for any changes that may or may not have been implemented to this piece of 1/6 art we nevertheless salute your team’s dedication to making this possibly the ultimate Superman collectible and perhaps more importantly, a fitting tribute to our hero Christopher Reeve.

For many collectors this was their ‘grail’ figure, and in an age where Superheroes saturate Movie screens our love for the first and best of them all remains undiminished. Finally after a thirty year wait you have rewarded us with the toy we all wanted as kids back when we all left cinemas believing a man could fly.

It is important to remember that a portion of the sale of this figure goes to the Christopher & Dana Reeve paralysis Foundation and by purchasing it you honour a cause the man himself was so passionate about. Thanks to your attention to detail we can continue to remember him exactly as he was in his most iconic role for decades to come.

Best regards,
SUPERMANIA & Friends.

Pictures above used with kind permission by OMG – Bottom comparison pic by Sebastian Columbo (click for larger version)

 

Still Him…

Seven years ago today we lost the actor who made us believe a Man Could Fly. In a celebration of the man and his achievements I present four of the best volumes chronicling his rise to stardom through to his tragic accident and finally to leaving a legacy –

The first of these is a vintage paperback Christopher Reeve charting the actor’s meteoric rise to fame by Margery Steinberg. While this is composed mainly of gossip-magazine style trash it still has some nice pictures in the centre and is fairly rare today.

Sadly the larger biographies would come as a result of renewed interest in Reeve due to his paralysis, the first, ‘Man Of Steel’ competently written by Adrian Havill nonetheless portrays Reeve as an ambitious but charismatic individual, concentrating on his acting career. The third volume, ‘Superhero’ by music journalist Chris Nickson is a more straightforward but well-researched bio spliced with decent b&w photos.

Reeve himself set the record straight in 1998 with his powerful autobiography Still Me, a touching reflection of his new life in a wheelchair with long flashbacks of a glittering career. Reeve pulls no punches with his views of both politics and his work to portray a humble family man refusing to accept his fate lightly while providing hope for others well beyond his years.

Rest In Peace, Toph…