2002 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

September 26, 2002: Superman Fan Making a Difference

The Seattle Times published an article on Sunday September 22nd about a Superman fan who is making a difference in the world. Here's an excerpt from the article...

A life-changing event prompted a mild-mannered Auburn man to become a superhero

Mark Wyzenbeek and his stepson glide through the shopping-mall doors, a trio of villainous teenage girls hot on their trail and ogling the man with the big "S" on his chest. The tight bright-blue bodysuit. The red shorts and boots. The flowing cape.

Wyzenbeek turns and confronts the girls, who giggle and whisper to themselves until one of them crows, "Are you doing a dare?"

"Naw, he likes it," says stepson Rick Stewart.

Wyzenbeek smiles. "People would have to dare me not to do it."

The girls consider this. "I dare you not to do it," one finally says.

Kapow! A zinger for the Man of Steel! Go on: Take your best shot. Plenty have already. "Yo, Spandex-Man!" they shout. Or: "Halloween's next month, dude." Such comments are mere marshmallows rained on the Metropolis Marvel.

Not that Superman doesn't feel pain. He's felt it in a big way. But he's also a guy who grew up believing in heroes, because, to paraphrase a popular saying, bad stuff happens, and someone's got to come to the rescue.

Four years ago, Wyzenbeek's estranged wife died in a car accident. The longtime pop-culture collector decided then that it was time to stop putting off his life's fantasy: Now, when the urge strikes, he hits the town as his favorite superhero. So bring on the bad stuff. He can take it.

Read the complete article at the Seattle Times website.



2002 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News

Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2002.


Back to the News Archive Contents page.

Back to the Latest News page.