10922652_10207071854138680_1261602305773483829_n 11406811_10207071862338885_7752517445679748569_n
I recently realized that when I posted about my trip to this year’s Superman Celebration in Metropolis, I pretty much just talked about me adopting my new kitty Lex. Although he’s pretty \S/uper, there was a lot more that happened over the weekend in the official home town of Superman.

11535717_10207042124795465_5630995508511887805_n

Metropolis is a small town in southern Illinois- in fact, you can’t go any further south without driving into the Ohio River– which my friend Kevin Williams and I almost did one night thanks to a dark and deserted downtown Cairo, IL and bad on-line directions…but that’s another story.
11391676_10207034464443961_5494630666373312644_n
This year I drove up on a Thursday morning and came in the old back way on US-45 S instead of driving across the river on 1-24 from Paducah, KY. 45 turns into 10th Street once you get into Metropolis, and Superman Square and the main part of the Superman Celebration is on Market Street, about a mile or so up from this welcome sign.

11088353_10207071916900249_6752769685190506063_n

If you come in on 24 and take the Metropolis exit you’ll see the bigger sign as you head into town on E 5th Street (which is also 45) and pass Fort Massac State Park.
10489871_10207058501764879_835308953518266363_n
The Superman Celebration is an annual festival celebrating the Man of Steel. This was the 37th Annual Metropolis Superman Celebration. It’s more of a small town “strawberry festival” with a Superman theme than a typical comic convention. Even though the majority of it takes place within a few city blocks, it truly is a city wide event- which makes it very unique. It’s also become a sort of family reunion for many. The town has it’s own official Superman of Metropolis Josh Boultinghouse. Nope- no padding on this 6’2″and 235lbs Kal-El, and he’s as nice and friendly as you’d expect a Kansas farm boy like Clark to be. This strange visitor from another planet is actually a Texas native, and has been Superman here each year since 2008.

10449895_10207071916100229_8908069724767466895_n 11393241_10207037882769417_7904061633811131510_n

There’s a sign as you enter Metropolis that states the town’s population as being 65oo– but it increases to several more thousand over the weekend- many of which have become honorary citizens of Metropolis, and I’m one of them. I was sworn in by Mayor Billy McDaniel and Superman a few years ago!

11390092_10207038061853894_6353844181113418107_n

The town was pretty quiet when I arrived with just a few vendors and volunteers setting up tents, food trucks, booths, and other temporary attractions up and down Market Street and in Superman Square.

11053432_10207046314860214_7928374792452568487_n

By the time the sun was going down the Metropolis midway was hopping. At earlier celebrations, things pretty much were over at sundown and the town seemed to roll up the sidewalks after dark. Not anymore. Things were still going on well into the evenings each night of the festival. More after hours events have been added to the schedule, so now people have more to do than just go back to the hotel or drive over to Paducah.

10665924_10207050624527953_5546126270952887005_n

Temporary sign and spot lights illuminated Market Street, and the aroma of fair food filled the air. Corndogs, funnel cakes, cheesesteaks, Mongolian BBQ, lemon shake-ups, ice cream, souvenirs, and more were available along the 3 block stretch from 8th Street to Superman Square and the giant Superman statue in front of the courthouse, Metropolis Chamber of Commerce, and Supermuseum.

11401011_10207040055743740_8354620461886869366_n 11425068_10207065998112283_5477064580161305199_n

I promised my wife I’d limit myself to one corndog a day– luckily she didn’t put a size limit on them so I got the footlong ones each time. Recent health issues have forced me to watch what I eat these days, and I loved watching them make those corndogs!

11148707_10207048287029517_8924443723213465292_n

There are dozens of events that occur during this four day festival- games, trivia contests, costume contests, celebrity Q&As and autograph sessions, mechanical bull riding, wrestling, BMX stunt show, live music, sketches, comic signings, and much more.

11412120_10207050624807960_6870522317079945765_n

And did I mention food..? Just making sure. I love all the other things happening in Metropolis that weekend, but for me foot long corndogs , cheese-stakes, and lemon shake-ups alone are worth the drive!

11425429_10207042129035571_1367763731829690025_n 11009135_10207065627703023_866994936096954457_n

On Thursday afternoon there are Opening Ceremonies, where the Superman Celebration Co-Chairs (and sisters) Lisa Gower and Karla Ogle along with Mayor Billy and Superman welcome visitors to their town.

11401152_10207065626783000_5982289231212115154_n

The Superman Celebration is put on by a group of volunteers who work all year long in preparation for the 4 day event. But they can’t prepare for everything…

11406669_10207042128395555_3626577851514312699_n 11401308_10207042128155549_3902425508405583428_n

It never fails, just as things get underway and are going well some super villains always try to crash the party and spoil the fun. This year Darkseid and some of his underlings invaded Metropolis. Each year Superman is called upon to foil their evil plans to take over Metropolis, and this year he had some help from Uncle Sam.

11351161_10207042127315528_3834125201641322307_n 11391606_10207042127835541_5459666067825822473_n

After order was restored to the proceedings and the invaders agreed to play nice, Superman and Uncle Sam agreed to pose for a souvenir group photo with them before they left via a boom tube. Superman later posed for photos with attendees in front of the statue as well. If you get to visit Metropolis you have to have your photo taken in front of the statue. Even the president has- google it!
11428037_10207040056543760_5443099152146622675_n 11391364_10207050035833236_8839569900927728869_n
This year I was in town not only to run around as a fanboy and eat myself silly, but to help my buddy Tim Brown set up the outdoor movie screen and help run the boards for the Superman Celebration Fan Film Festival Awards, or as they are now known- the Superman Celebration Film Festival Awards. The first fan films were shown outdoors in Superman Square back in 2007, and the first annual Superman Celebration Fan Film Competition was held the following year in 2008.

11406916_10207049475939239_1860556261611439248_n

Animation, live action, superheroes, sci-fi, humor, drama- many different types of entries with varying skill levels were entered this year from all over the world. Some of my favorites were A Special Day, Captcha, Monkaa, Lapwing, Batman and Jimbo, Breakfast With Clark, Comic Potential, Dark Therapy, Fallen Heroes, Light Games, Grayson: Earth One, Little Heroes, This Is JoeWonder Woman fan film trailer, and Boy Wonder. Some winners were in attendance, and others sent in a video acceptance speech- and some were funny themselves. I was upstairs in the sound booth running the program that cued up each video while Tim hosted the awards.

11252594_10207050035673232_4168066544292818232_n

One new category was added this year- “Super Grab Bag”. Entrants had to make a short film that included a mop, avocados, and a dentist. Doctor Guacamole by Thomas Hayes won this honor. I’ve liked his Villains Day Off films, and I really dug this one, too. Thomas was there to accept his award, which looked amazing this year.

10352884_10207058470564099_732427991539751533_n

The outdoor movies took place at night on 8th Street next to Artists Alley/Writers Way and across from the Noel Neill/Lois Lane statue. After helping Tim get it up and running, I hung out and kept an eye on Artists Alley/Writers Way Thursday night while some of the artists and writers set up early. I worked on a sketchcover while listening to some tunes and enjoying the A/C- a precious and treasured thing in Metropolis in June. Earlier in the day I ended up painting a direction sign for it. It can be a bit hard to find the entrance if you don’t know where to look.

10624555_10207055155001212_2239557827333257914_n 11422040_10207047228203047_7860764946569658842_n

Karla offered me a table to hang out at there, so since I had my markers and some sketchcovers with me to work on back at the hotel at night I set up shop the next morning. Had fun and even sold one- thanks, Jim! (You can see more about my adventures in Artists Alley here.)

11035683_10207047227923040_180001105772679512_n 11406918_10207067099939828_7978532389287160805_n

Over the weekend I ended up chatting with Mama Wanda and Papa Cliff Helm (Lisa and Karla’s parents who watch over AA/WW), artist buds Ben Glendenning and former Memphian Mike Norton, a few of my other fellow MSCA/Memphis Mafia like Lonnie Easterling and Jim Hall, as well as several of the usual suspects that visit each year. Also enjoyed meeting and talking to Ben’s dad Joe and some of Ben’s on-line gaming friends that met up for the first time in Metropolis.
10450139_10207054682509400_7828052166110325809_n
This year writers Kurt Busiek and another former Memphian John Jackson Miller and artist Alex Saviuk were comics guests at the Celebration, too.

10454294_10207058499844831_1347034318166651446_n
Speaking of guests, Arrow‘s Caity Lots (Black Canary/White Canary) was there (along with The Flash‘s Candice Patton/Iris West).

11825977_10207505018807526_2697344604274103943_n

They were signing autographs at the Baymont Theater (same location as the Film Festival and auction). I got a signed Black Canary photo for my wife Nicki.
10403036_10207058500124838_7478909919627388497_n
Ben got a photo, too- but it’s for charity. Caity signed it and one of Ben’s hand drawn Black Canary/White Canary art cards for the charity, too.
11392934_10207058499044811_507794285207605374_n
Ben also got guest Jerry “The King” Lawler to sign an art card for the charity, too. Jerry was at the former Chamber of Commerce location signing autographs with other guests John Shea (Lex Luthor/Adventures of Lois and Clark), Stacy Haiduk (Lana Lang/Superboy), Diane Sherry Case (Lana Lang/Superman: The Movie).
11163855_10207058499484822_7410360470830189315_n 11407223_10207058498884807_7056871751428746431_n

Got to talk a bit to Stacy and John while we there. John seemed to be having a lot of fun meeting the fans. Saw Jerry again later that weekend at our hotel and in Artists Alley when he stopped by. The King is a big comic fan and artist himself.

11193421_10207058574926708_8118304217834880230_n
Oh, and Jerry brought his ’60s TV Batmobile to Metropolis! It was parked in Superman Square over the weekend.

11150905_10207042148516058_7374192935595511512_n

Jerry’s Batmobile had some classic car company in Superman Square.
11425567_10207058574006685_3983747591791447867_n 11426720_10207058574246691_4185678784122327728_n

One was a 1950 Nash Rambler– which was used as Lois Lane‘s car in the 1950’s TV series.
11203001_10207058498724803_7588381325237041802_n
To tell the truth, even the Metropolis Police cars are pretty cool!

11427717_10207058498484797_6991263700226647849_n 00policepatch
Seriously- how geeky cool is the Metropolis Police Department..?!! I had to pick up one of the police patches on an earlier visit to Metropolis.

10988324_10207042124635461_1660869721902418104_n

The Batmobile was not the only bat-vehicle in Metropolis- the Bat-Boat was on display at the Americana Hollywood Museum just up the street. Unfortunately it has seen better days. Being outdoors in the Metropolis elements has taken it’s toll on the replica boat over time. “Holy-Rusted-Metal, Batman!” 🙁

11831780_10207505086249212_1583566859816872437_n 11811464_10207505084609171_4403098326952726006_n

On Sunday I took a quick drive over to the car show being held at the Fort Massac State Park. Joe and Papa Cliff rode over with me in my Batmobile (okay- it’s a Dodge Caliber– hey, I’m not a millionaire like Bruce Wayne).

11825628_10207505085089183_121074862359643853_n

There was a great variety of cars- old and new, custom and classic, finished and works in progress. We even saw the Lois Lane Nash Rambler! Papa Cliff stopped and talked to the owners before they hit the road back to New York. And yes, they were driving the Nash back. Apparently that little car can scoot!

11855877_10207505085929204_4788413551078168711_n

I hadn’t been able to check out the car show before, and will definitely not miss it the next time I get the chance.

11866246_10207505087369240_4028941564941335465_n

I had several folks tell me they passed on it because it looked like it was just newer cars.

11817229_10207505087009231_3258654203233079103_n

Nope- the newer ones were towards the front, and as you traveled through the park more and more older cars were parked- mostly under the shady trees which sort of made them hard to see from the main road. I do recommend stopping in for at least a few minutes if you’re at the celebration next year.

11202588_10207058501364869_6722732971212647712_n 1484126_10207066953456166_4716321903691630067_n

Cosplayers are all around Metropolis, and the official Superman- or his cousin Supergirl, aren’t the only ones to wear a costume while in the M-town. Some days the supers outnumbered the non-costumed visitors.

11229686_10207065997632271_2251056492509212962_n

Capes are optional while visiting Metropolis, but strongly encouraged. French Maid costumes..? Well, if you’re brave enough.

11401482_10207055219562826_2267678004034531867_n 11108353_10207048598557305_5275986741985445244_n

11401015_10207055220242843_5404704102941129388_n

Over the weekend I saw all ages of cosplayers getting on on the fun- including whole families.
11406948_10207067091179609_6854096624537437734_n
Even the dogs don capes and super-suits…talk about super-pets! Hey- anyone remember “Superpup“..?!

11147158_10207067089259561_865359582075006383_n 11407188_10207067049458566_7849429065460687032_n

On Sunday there’s even a whole parade of costumed supers taking it to the mean streets of Metropolis.

11425131_10207067048778549_3418922960309366549_n
Some DC characters are represented, some Marvel

11535920_10207067049258561_2936151608986593430_n 10427306_10207067088619545_7593393645022582540_n

…some are green…

 11401510_10207067088979554_5316312324294029439_n 11252561_10207067049658571_4162130634306144045_n

…but all were having fun as they made their way past the waving to the crowds gathered up and down the 3 block parade route along Market Street.
10400059_10207065625382965_2197457804176412033_n 11017676_10207067047978529_2291072404178599582_n
The parade ended up stopping in front of the Superman statue for a group photo before the big costume contest. Not everyone in the parade participated in the contest, but there were still several entries again this year. Moving the costume contest to Sunday has really helped keep people in town and the celebration party going.

11214107_10207067087859526_1422072999987243357_n

The costume contest takes place under the main tent next to the Superman Statue. This year’s contest had 3 cosplayer judges. I’ve judged the contest before and didn’t envy them!

11817058_10207505004967180_3287238616266685785_n

The event was hosted by the official Superman and emceed by Brian K. Morris (far left)- one of the writer guests and a great cosplayer himself.
60683_10207067087739523_72156033060640484_n 11224424_10207505005007181_2729053319071211355_n

10509694_10207067047098507_5656881368031560813_n 11423845_10207067047618520_4790511561589355660_n

11011204_10207067047218510_1259621036656793202_n 11406992_10207067047458516_7776735164687212606_n

To be in costume, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer the Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune wearing tights and a cape, or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles with a Stark suit of armor…

11873425_10207505004927179_3367206262144586664_n 11181305_10207066953056156_6501035284677190157_n

The costume contest was great again this year, but after it I saw two of my favorite cosplayers- Superman and Batman from Superman: Red Sun. It’s a 3-issue comic series with the premise- “What if Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union?
11257936_10207066952576144_4287953571346854013_n 11822841_10207505005047182_8899026125860935091_n

10801558_10207066951416115_8441419068772977335_n 11427222_10207066952176134_5633984891458246801_n

I was супер впечатление (super impressed) with the attention to detail on the costumes- real Russian patches and medals, but I think I was even more impressed that anyone would/could wear wool in the summer heat of Metropolis! I mean, just look at that fur cap/cowl- unreal. When I got back home I had to track down and order some of the patches and medals for my bat-collection.
11111128_10207058472604150_2703400637955889318_n 11401057_10207058472364144_2434443087987185288_n

Backtracking a bit- on Saturday night comedian Scott Long performed at the Baymont Theater. It was a benefit for the Save The Massac Theatre, which is a non-profit organization raising money to restore the historic Massac Theatre in Metropolis. Scott was selling tees and CDs and donating a portion of the sales to the Massac, so I bought a CD for me and a tee for Timmy. There was a silent auction going on as well.

10311770_10207058554206190_5023451573234963978_n

After Scott’s performance was alive auction to also benefit the Massac Theatre. Over 100 items were up for auction, including a signed Superman alarm clock from Noel Neill‘s personal collection. It went for BIG bucks at the end of the auction.

10982404_10207059142220890_3112314909282556980_n 17677_10207058935015710_376965539555952842_n

I donated my Lex painting (signed by Michael Rosenbaum) and did a Superpup sketchcover. I ended up winning a few signed items- a Batman and Robin movie serials DVD and an 8″x10″ B/W photo signed by John “Robin” Duncan from the serials. Timmy ended up winning the “George Award“- given each year to the Superman Celebration Volunteer of the Year! He’s been working hard to grow the film festival, and also does the celebration’s website, as well as taking on events like the outdoor movies.

11665664_10207167578491729_1570317855039871687_n

To give you a little history on the Massac Theatre– it was built in 1938 (the year of Superman’s first publication), was one of the first buildings in Metropolis to have A/C, had 727 seats with 542 on the main floor and 185 in the balcony, housed a stage, a movie screen, and state of the art projectors. When owner and former manager Eddie Clark passed away the theatre was closed in 1977 and never used as a theatre again- only briefly was it home to a radio station before finally abandoned. The city of Metropolis placed the building on its condemned property list in 2009 and the Save the Massac committee was formed to help save the former jewel of Metropolis. In 2010 the building was named to Landmarks Illinois’ annual Ten Most Endangered Historic Places list.

IMG_4375

It didn’t look good, even when the city won the property by imminent domain after a lengthy court battle. I mean, a few stray cats had taken up residence and there was a tree growing in the middle of it! The good news was the bones of the building and its foundation were still solid.

11050642_10207167579411752_7161115420800366181_n 11138502_10207167578211722_831632588184882864_n

Then Larry Ward (Noel’s manager/agent and biographer) stepped in, purchased the property, cleaned out the debris that had been collected since the roof collapsed years before, put a new roof on it, and then made a fantastic deal for the Save The Massac Theatre group to buy the property from him. The group now owns it and fundraisers and restorations continue. I’ve got to say that I am ecstatic to see work being done on this old building. I’ve been hoping it could be saved since I first saw it in 1999, and can’t wait for the day when I get to sit and enjoy a movie and other events there. It reminds me of several old theaters in Memphis I went to as a kid that aren’t around these days- many of the buildings either standing in ruins or completely demolished.

11058571_10207167577931715_7053945655603855124_n

There’s a lot of great architecture in Metropolis, but unfortunately many like this old bank are falling into disrepair. It’s happening all over, and I’ve seen it in other southern Illinois cities- especially other river cities like Cairo. That town looks almost post-apocalyptic. Even in my small town there are buildings that need a face-lift because of neglect. Luckily for Metropolis there are folks that have restored many of the old properties (there’s a cool bed and breakfast in town I want to stay at), and the Save The Massac Theatre group that are working hard to preserve pieces of their local history brick by brick.

11147227_10207046316060244_162611867042195426_n

One fun local place you should stop in at is the Metropolis Planet. Unlike it’s namesake “The Daily Planet“, it’s a weekly newspaper and only one story tall. It’s located just up from the Massac Theatre and Metropolis Post Office on East 5th Street (American Way) and is within walking distance of Superman Square.

11148762_10207046316220248_3790169542480229361_n

I’ve always driven by, but never gone into their offices. If you do they will give you a set of three free business cards- Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Jimmy Olsen. You can also pick up a free souvenir copy of The Daily PlanetSometimes during previous celebrations some of the guests like original Lois Lane Noel Neill have done signings there. I stopped by there before heading out on Monday.
11825883_10207505005647197_2846948064308363558_n
Finally late Sunday after the costume contest the celebration came to a close with the last event of the weekend- the closing skit. Like the opening skit, it’s become a traditional part of the opening/closing ceremonies.
11204938_10207505006567220_8801198493344459774_n
After some laughs, it was then time for Superman, Lisa, Karla, and Mayor Billy to thank the crowd of attendees and wish everyone safe travels back to their hometowns.

1511079_10207066645208460_7811114114401530514_n

We wrapped up the weekend upstairs at Fat Edd’s Roadhouse on Sunday night. It’s just up the street from the Superman Square as you head towards the river and casino. The Chamber and celebration staff threw a wedding reception for Josh and his wife Kelley and invited everyone to come celebrate.

11258219_10207066644768449_4929233673796700361_n 11846788_10207505006527219_7048666409360951891_n

The two were recently married and had Metropolis as a honeymoon vacation- even though it was a working one for Josh. “This looks like a job for SUPERMAN!
10389482_10207066644448441_885665860922649019_n

Food, drinks, and laughs were enjoyed by everyone.

10606225_10207066643288412_1634297284769137673_n

Some more than others!

11147160_10207066643608420_1337140521681802803_n

It was a great way to wind down after a long weekend, and day goodbyes to many of our Metro friends and family. Won’t see many of them until next June. The weekend was another successful Superman Celebration– the only big hitch was a city wide power outage for a couple hours on Thursday night.

11059690_10207043572031645_4088558795190998638_n

I was in Artists Alley drawing when the lights went out. I opened the door and it was almost just as dark outside as in! Timmy and I headed across the Ohio River to Paducah, KY for dinner during the black out, and power had been restored by the time we got back to town.

11425154_10207042126355504_1209026204806643930_n 11428034_10207042126675512_4805780901269954522_n

I’m not exactly sure what plunged Metropolis into darkness that night, but I’m guessing Darkseid was behind it! 😉

11393208_10207037882969422_7070309553541351851_n 10606231_10207072083904424_282402565700201468_n

Once Timmy and I got his sound equipment and lights packed up and out of the Baymont on Monday morning it was time for us to fly. We stopped by the chamber’s new location to do some last minute shopping and so longs, and went by Lisa and Karla’s Creations The Florist shop to say goodbye to them as well. There we were introduced to my new kitten Lex (see photos and link at the top of this blog for that part of the story). We had planned on stopping to eat on the way home, so Timmy called ahead to Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston, MO to see if it was okay to bring my rescue kitty with us.

11053414_10207072020222832_4352687849833976118_n

They were happy to keep Lex in one of their offices while we ate. Lambert’s has become a tradition, too. We try to stop in any time we’re that way on I-55 heading to Metropolis, Cape Girardeau, Chester, or St. Louis. Just look for the green signs for the Home of the Throwed Rolls.

11402948_10207046315140221_2532259246693240311_n

Lots of great memories were made again this year in Metropolis. Hope you get a chance someday to make ones there, too.

Stay \S/uper!

Lin