We believe that those in charge of Warner Bros Films have disrespected this icon that stands for justice and all that is good.


by RJ White

When I saw Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns in 2006 (Was it really that long ago? O, how the days pass, ever fleetingly!), I mainly remember walking out of the theater-plex, thinking, “Well, that was a film. Not the best I’ve ever seen, but not awful, either. It was OK.” Some, however, saw an affront to a beloved character, a call to action! (comics), an inspiration to found SaveSuperman.com.

SaveSuperman.com is a place for fans to come together as a unified group and be able to send a long overdue message to those who run Warner Bros Entertainment. Marvel has proven time and again that it is completely possible to turn a comic book into a film that both comic fans and the general public can enjoy. DC Comics has many heroes, not just Superman, that can be enjoyed the same way. For some unknown reason, Warner Bros just hasn’t figured out how to do it yet. But never fear, help is finally here.

Yes, help in the form of that grand internet tradition, the ineffective online petition-

In response to the interpretation of Superman created by Bryan Singer, that we perceive as portraying our beloved character as being selfish, a stalker, and a dead beat dad, we have joined together with this petition to plead our case that the Superman franchise be restarted from the beginning and placed in the hands of someone who cares about the character and the generations of fans which have supported him, rather than someone who has lucked out in the past on certain films, once and for all placing the character of Superman above corporate greed.

I don’t know about you, but I liked Singer’s luck-filled directing of The Usual Suspects. Luckily, the angry nerds’ demands are quite reasonable-

1. The writers, producers, and director must all have deep knowledge of the character prior to being hired. The writers should have experience in comic book storytelling specifically about Superman and the supporting characters of Superman comics.

AND NOT JUST TRADE PAPERBACK COLLECTIONS. WE’RE TALKING ORIGINAL RUNS, HERE, PEOPLE.

2. The franchise should be built around what made Superman great for generations. Comic films that are made solely for the general public, while forgetting the elements from the comics that fans have supported for decades, will only alienate longtime fans and cause angst…

Because, really, nothing expresses your love for a character like referring to it as a “franchise.”

3. The actors/actresses must not only have the talent to portray their character, but must also have the proper look of the character. As an example, Superman must look like he is in his mid to late 20′s, stand between 6′ 2″ and 6′ 5″ and have an obvious muscular build and wide frame, not the slim swimmer type Bryan Singer went for, with no need of padding or special effects. When looking at the actor, one should immediately think, “Now, that is Superman!”

When looking at that demand, one should immediately think, “Now that is really stupid!”

Perhaps they would be happy having Alex Ross art of the main character just digitally inserted into the scenes, interacting with real actors, with Clutch Cargo lips. Oh, right, though! I almost forgot- another windmill at which these folks tilt is the battle to get Smallville (Jesus, is that still on?) actor Tom Welling cast as the titular hero in the next Superman-based photoplay. Yes, it is another petition (with awesome art by “Mike”).

But if real, direct and measurable action is more to your liking, you also have the chance to send stuffed monkeys to entertainment executives-

For a donation of only $3, you can send a 6″ stuffed monkey to Alan Horn or Jeff Robinov. Each monkey will be tagged with the SaveSuperman.com logo and can be customized with a special message from the sender. There will be two versions giving senders a choice. A regular one with just the logo or one holding a sign that reads “Welling for Superman”.

Want to let the world know that you have grave concern for the issues in this world that really matter? Why not pick up a bumper sticker, complete with “Kryptonian” lettering that was created by some bored comic book writer/artist years ago and is the property of a multi-national entertainment content production company and not at all a REAL FREAKING LANGUAGE. Seriously- you start using this stuff and you’re one small step above those people who hold Klingon language camps in public parks, wearing their sad, sad costumes.

Something to keep checking for in the future- the upcoming promotional videos. Right now, it’s only a casting call and a dream.

Here are the specifications for each role.

Batman: caucasion [sic], dark hair, mid 20′s – 30′s, 6’0″ – 6’3″, well built

Wonder Woman: HAS BEEN CAST

Green Lantern: african american, mid 20′s – 30′s, 6’0″ – 6’3″, body builder

Supergirl: caucasion [sic], blonde, mid 20′s – 30′s, 5’5″ – 5’8, very fit

Flash: caucasion [sic], mid 20′s – 30′s, 5’10″ – 6’0″, well built

Lois Lane: caucasion [sic], dark hair, mid 20′s – 30′s, 5’5″ – 5’8, fit

Superman: caucasion [sic], dark hair, mid 20′s – 30′s, 6’3″ – 6’6″, body builder

Lex Luthor: caucasion [sic], bald/shaved head, mid 20′s – 30′s, 6’0″ – 6’3″, athletic build

Darkseid: any ethnicity, mid 20′s – 30′s, 6’5 – 6’10+, body builder

For more details, send an email with at least one head shot and one full body photo to: casting@savesuperman.com

***Please note this is a non-paying job that could lead to future paying roles.

Yes. The inevitable SaveTheIncredibleHulk.com Web site will be definitely be needing actors for videos after the first weekend that train wreck goes off the cliff.

What else is there? Oh, yes, the forums- You know, I just don’t have the energy to comb through those. You kids go on ahead.



…Does anyone really support reparations? This is the same thing.


by Sluggo, Agent of N.A.N.C.Y.

One of the great screwings in the history of the comic book industry is that of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman. Selling their creation for a pittance in 1938, the two lived in near-poverty for decades while watching their brainchild rake in millions for the publisher, DC Comics. It wasn’t until the late ’70s, when the big-budget Superman movie was about to be released, that DC, afraid of a public backlash against the film if it were found out how Superman’s creators had been treated, finally was shamed into paying both Siegel and Shuster a yearly sum.

Recently, after many a hearing and court session, the copyright to the very first Superman story in Action Comics #1 was awarded to Siegel’s surviving family, which will likely lead to even more money going in the direction of the creator, or at least his estate. This is a Good Thing, another step in redressing the treatment of the men who essentially created the modern comic book industry.

Of course, some fans think otherwise. Like this fella:

…Oh boy. Another disaster brought on by Siegel heir greed. The last money grab they pulled off resulted in Superboy getting axed, now I can see DC panicking and start monkeying around with the Big Red S to change him enough so that he’s no longer anything that resembles Superman.

Enough is enough. Get a judge in on this mess that understands a) copyright law, and b) the fans are more important than a couple of greedy grandkids!

And there are a few folks in this comics blog discussion who also believe those two guys got more than enough from their creation, and should certainly not have been concerned about providing for their families:

Why they sold the rights they shouldnt get anything.

They shouldnt even get royalties they gave up that when they signed over the rights.

THEY SIGNED THE RIGHTS AWAY NOT WITH A GUN TO THEIR HEAD AND NOT ONCE BUT TWICE WHEN THEY SETTLED IN COURT IN 1948. ENOUGH ALREADY.

Gimme a break. They were paid in 1938. They were paid off in 1968. Again in 1978. They kept taking the money and suing again, Time Warner will keep this tied up for decades and that’s good.

As the end consumers.. we will be the ones paying for this. Keep this in mind next time comics prices rise, or your favorite book gets cancelled because it’s not selling well enough (less profit = less flexibility), or when they decide that making a Superman Movie or cartoon is not financially viable because of ‘licensing’ fees.

Superman
Created by Siegel and Shuster
Raised by DC
Killed by the Siegels

How greedy are the Siegels anyway. What they’re doing is killing the character that their father co-created. Yes, Siegel and Shuster should have been taken care of WHEN THEY WERE ALIVE. They’re not. Why should their kids be profiting off of their deceased parents?

Someone threw out the ‘slave argument’ but at the risk of getting politically incorrect, does anyone really support reparations? This is the same thing.



“Pony, actually,” Whizzer corrected. “My name’s Whizzer and I’m looking for Mr. Kent! It’s an emergency!”


by evilolive

That’s right. We’re back and unafraid to give you the pure, uncut genius of fanfiction. This time around, we focus on Hasbro’s most popular toy line based on pastel-colored mammals. First up is the sure-to-be-classic Superman in Ponyland, which…uh, well…

Whizzer made it down to Metropolis in record time. She spotted the Daily Planet building, and flew for it, flapping her wings as hard as she could. She found and open window, and flew right into it. It happened to be Mr. White’s office, and he, Clark Kent, and Lois Lane were in the office when she flew in.

“What the . . . .” Clark said, a little dumbfounded.

“Great Caesar’s ghost!” Mr. White shouted. “Another one!”

“It’s . . . . it’s a flying horse!” Lois shouted.

“Pony, actually,” Whizzer corrected. “My name’s Whizzer and I’m looking for Mr. Kent! It’s an emergency!”

“I’m Mr. Kent,” Clark said, walking over to the pink Twinkle Eyed Pegasus. “What’s the emergency?”

“We need Superman to come to Ponyland, and Jimmy said that you were the only one who could contact Superman. We really need you to contact him now, Mr. Kent. Julie, Tommy, and Jimmy are trapped inside a cave and a big, mean dragon is trying to get them!”

“I can’t understand a word she says,” Mr. White said. “Slow down! You’re going too fast! What am I saying?! I’m talking to a pony!”

In case that was a little too pure for your tastes, we offer up My Little Psycho: The Butterfly Island Massacre

“YOU WILL BE THE FIRST TO TASTE MY HATRED!” bellowed Waterfire with a maniacal gleam in her eye.

Waterfire took her beach umbrella, shook it free of sand, closed it, and then rammed it’s point into Seascape’s eye socket.

The whole beach was silent except for Seascape’s screams echoing off of the water, and the ripping and tearing noises that were being made by Waterfire rotating and grinding the umbrella around Seascape’s eye cavity.

The silence was broken as Seascape fell to the ground and stopped moving. The Pony Police would classify her death as ‘heart attack brought on by stress, fear, and pain’, but Seascape really died because she was a little bitch.

Every single pony screamed, and ran for their lives. Waterfire smiled grimly, and knew that she had to hurry and catch them all. After all, she couldn’t afford if one of them escaped and told the Pony Police.