HAPPY SUPERMAN DAY 2025, 1 OF 2 (4/18)

Collectible Time: LIFE's Superman (The Comics, The Films, The Cape/The Man of Steel at 85)

I reviewed amedia360's The Story of Superman magazine in April; now, LIFE has released its own edition, Superman: The Comics, The Films, The Cape (The Man of Steel at 85), which emphasizes the significant phases of Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster's brainchild, with extra-special attention to Richard Donner's 1978 Superman: The Movie, with Christopher Reeve as DC's titular hero and Margot Kidder as his spunky galfriend, Lois Lane. 

In addition to the Donner blockbuster, Superman II - IV are reviewed, along with Bryan Singer's homage, Superman Returns, with Brandon Routh; the radio show; the animated incarnations; the cliffhangers with Kirk Alyn; The Adventures of Superman with George Reeves; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher; Superman & Lois with Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch; Jeannot Szwarc's Supergirl with Helen Slater and Faye Dunaway; the Broadway musical, It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman with Bob Holiday; and Zack Snyder's somber, cinematic retelling with Henry Cavill as The Man of Steel, along with Batman v Superman and the Justice League offshoots. Unfortunately, the Superboy series, led by John Newton and Gerard Christopher, gets the cold shoulder, but at least Smallville and its headliner, Tom Welling, are spotlighted. 

The supporting performers who made (and yet make) the aforementioned adaptations so memorable are referenced, too: Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, Valerie Perrine, Marc McClure, Glenn Ford, Marlon Brando, Tommy Bond, Jack Larson, Jackie Cooper, John Hamilton, Phyliss Coates, Noelle Neill, Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas, Jack O'Halloran, Richard Pryor, Robert Vaughn, Mark Pillow, Mariel Hemingway, Amy Adams, John Shea, Lyle Talbot, Michael Rosenbaum, Annette O'Toole, Kristin Kreuk, Erica Durance and many more!

As a appealing buffer, the issue delves into classic, comic storylines, which helped shape Superman into a perennial icon. 

And as a further treat, the edition bursts with stunning stills, comic-book covers, posters and behind-the-scenes outtakes (particularly from Superman: The Movie and The Adventures of Superman), certain to leave fans in utter delight. 

LIFE's Superman: The Comics, The Films, The Cape is a gratifying collectible for both Earthlings and Kryptonians alike. Purchase it at your local supermarket or drugstore before supplies go up, up and away! 

HAPPY SUPERMAN DAY 2020!!!

HAVE A SUPER VALENTINE'S DAY 2017!!!

Supergirl Soars to TV...

Supergirl has gone through various incarnations from comics to the screen over the decades. She's now portrayed by Melissa Benoist in a CBS television series of her own, with Helen Slater (the original movie Supergirl) and Dean Cain ("Lois and Clark'"s Man of Steel), as Kara Zor-El/Kara Danvers' surrogate parents.

Jimmy/James Olsen (Mechad Brooks) is a regular, though no longer employed by the Daily Planet. He now works with young Danvers for Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart), owner of Catco, a massive media corporation, located in National City. Lucy Lane (Jenna Dewan-Tatum), Lois' little sister (and in this instance, Olsen's ex), will make occasional appearances. On the other hand, Danver's surrogate sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh) will act as her inspirational constant.

There seems to be some debate, based on those I've conversed with these past months, as to whether the Girl of Steel should be portrayed in her more recent, sultry mode or in a traditional, golly-gee manner. Personally, I fancy both extremes, but see nothing wrong with the wholesome approach, which the trailer certainly conveys. Playing it by the heartfelt straight-and-narrow is good for family viewing, and really, when all's said and done, that's the most respectful way to depict the character, regardless of the lurid fantasies some of us may harbor for her. (Besides, there's always plenty of Laura Vandervoort "Smallville" footage to savor.)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the premiere. As I've been doing with DC's live-action Flash, Green Arrow and "Gotham", I'll offer my occasional reflections on the continuing adventures of Kal-El's caring cousin. 

(The only thing is: how will the producers continue to handle Superman's indirect presence in the grand scheme of the show? To me, that'll be tricky, but even if they stumble in the attempt, such shouldn't make the ride too less enjoyable.)