The Super Heroes Monthly...

from Wikia.com;

The Super Heroes Monthly was a black & white monthly anthology published from September 1980 (Vol 1 number 1) to April 1982 (Vol 2 number 7) by London Editions Magazines, running 19 issues in total. It reprinted stories from a number of American DC Comics titles, with most issues including at least one Superman and/or Batman story. There were also Super Heroes Annuals published from 1982-1984. The 1983 Annual features a two page British originated text story, Wonder Woman in 'The Eye of the Eagle', by Kelvin Gosnell. There was also a Special published as an offshoot of the series, the card covered, full colour 'Superman Spectacular #1'.

Distinguished by their awesome (for the time) painted covers, this UK series was let down by its dated content. Shown above is the fantastic cover and article from the 'Superman II Special Movie Issue' with part one of a six-page feature on the upcoming Movie - Part two to follow..!

Asbury's IV Storyboards Cont'd...

More pages of Martin Asbury sketched action from the global clash between Superman and Nuclearman II. Of note are omitted scenes where Superman freezes his nemesis hands with Super-Breath in defence against being clawed. The theatrical cut picks up as Nuclearman retaliates by freezing Superman in a block of ice...

Recortable Animado...

While not exactly Hot Toys quality, please nonetheless enjoy this vintage do-it-yourself paper marionette from Super POP magazine. Though the text is in Spanish I had a bash at it myself (bottom pic) but at over 15" tall decided to dispense with the primitive pull-string mechanism to animate the arms & legs...

Original clippings from my collection.

All 'New' Picture Card Series Updated...

SUPERMANIA is pleased to report that progress continues on the Superman IV trading card project now that designs have been refined by SuperFan Alexei Lambley-Steel to better match cards from the era (In the late '80's card numbers were relegated to the rear and titles were changed to uppercase!) while the descriptive card backs telling the story (written by myself) are currently at the halfway point.
As we are presenting the set based on an idealized version of the the film in its complete, uncut form, the story is being adapted using both the DC Comics Special and the novelisation by B.B Hiller. This presents the opportunity to use images from cut scenes while filling in the gaping plot holes from the theatrical version in an attempt to make it a coherent whole. While my archive of quality stills is used in its entirety, Alex and I agreed the only way to convey the story properly was to use screengrabs, the first excellent results of which we present above. Stay tuned for further updates of this exciting project..!

The Gospel According To Byrne...

Despite his own legendary status, British artist/writer John Byrne was all-too aware of the responsibility of revamping Superman's origin story to the point where he likened the assignment to being handed the bible and told to 'fix this'.
In 1986, however, fixing was exactly what it needed. By the late eighties comic audiences had grown more sophisticated and though he'd entertained for almost fifty years, Superman was starting to show his age. Once again it seems ironic that the Man of Tommorow's four-color regeneration would borrow so heavily from its cinematic adaptation first screened almost a decade before. Indeed, ill-advised midway appearance from Batman notwithstanding, structure-wise the six-part Man Of Steel series could easily pass for another draft of Superman: The Movie. Far from denying the film's influence, however, Byrne openly embraces by admittedly rendering his hero in the perfect likeness of the film's star. Among these beautifully crafted pages there are re-tellings of both Krypton and Smallville segments at once touching and economical by ousting any mention of SuperBoy and allowing the Kents to survive as a continuing influence. These, among other narrative touches (like the feisty character of Lois Lane and the introduction of Lex Luthor as a corporate vulture) in turn clearly had an impact on the producers of Lois & Clark where they were retained for television. The Movie sequels are acknowledged too with Byrne showing us in Part 5 what Superman III should have been in considerable style.
Ultimately though, Man Of Steel remains a solid milestone in the continuing journey of Superman's fight to stay contemporary. So tight was Byrne's re-imagining it survived as canon right up until last year, but that's another story...

From the top, select examples of John Byrne's Man of Steel mini-series paying clear tributes to the the Donner films, second in a series of recommended reading trade paperbacks for fans of the Movies. Comments welcome!

Far East Finds...

Hot from SuperFan Alex Serpa comes these pristine vintage Japanese VHS video tapes in original cases. Though in NTSC format Alex reliably informs me "The picture quality on the tapes is amazing ... for VHS that is. Surpassing any of the British/U.S. VHS. The print is so clear and the colors vibrant". Many thanks to Alex for sharing this find and be sure to check out his incredible quartet of websites devoted to the Superman Movie series...
(Links located in sidebar).

A Dynamic Duo...

For a comic collection heralded by Variety as 'An invigorating, entertaining and modern take on the Man of Steel' its ironic how many elements of the fantastic 'Superman, Brainiac' story are a clear throwback to 1978. Indeed, writer Geoff Johns, fresh from a successful collaboration with director Richard Donner for 'Superman, Last Son' continued to evoke the style and spirit of the Superman Movies by next teaming up with influential artist Gary Frank. In a tale that could so easily be the basis for a fifth movie set in that continuity, Johns integrates tribute after homage to the first two movies with similar verisimilitude and drama contrasted by tongue-in-cheek. With Frank's pencils unashamedly bringing both Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder back to life on the page seemingly picking up where the films left off the result is a satisfying tale and a rare treat in the current DC continuity...
SUPERMANIA presents the first graphic novel in a series of recommended reading tailored purely for fans of the movies with accompanying images. Comments welcome...!