2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

May 3, 2008: House That Superman Was Created In To Be Restored

Michael San Giacomo reports via Newsarama.com that the house where Jerry Siegel lived at the time he and Joe Shuster created Superman is finally being restored, with a plaque acknowledging this place's importance in the history of an American icon.

    Jefferson and Hattie Gray have owned the building on Kimberly Street in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland for decades, but the building, like the neighborhood, has fallen on some hard times.

    Tracey Kirksey, Executive Director of the Glenville Neighborhood Development Corporation, is spearheading the effort, and expects that the home will be restored this summer, in compliance with historic preservation standards. Upgrades will include a new roof, siding repair, new exterior paint and fresh landscaping. In addition, an historic plaque will be placed in front of the home.

This, amongst a list of other events to take place during 2008 (Superman's 70th anniversary) were announced in the following press release:

    FROM KRYPTON TO CLEVELAND: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FORMING TO CELEBRATE CITY'S SUPERHERO HERITAGE

    Partnering with DC Comics Key to Success

    CLEVELAND, OH - A group of Cleveland leaders met in New York City with executives at DC Comics, the owners of all Superman property rights, on Monday, April 28, 2008. The purpose was to launch collaboration on a series of events and legacy projects to celebrate Cleveland as the birthplace of Superman. The Man of Steel was created in 1933 by writer Jerome "Jerry" Siegel (1914-1996) and artist Joe Shuster (1914-1992), who both lived in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood. Superman's first appearance in a comic book was in 1938 in Action Comics #1.

    The organizing committee determined that the best course to follow would be to form a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization to work with DC Comics in planning events for the summer of 2009 and, if successful, for many years to follow. Mr. Richard Pace, the principal of Cumberland Development LLC, was selected to lead the organizing efforts, and he will be supported by staff at Positively Cleveland. His primary charge in these early stages is to consult with DC Comics about every aspect of the planned festivals and to assure compliance with all legal and creative requirements for the use of images of the legendary super hero.

    "The only way this effort can succeed to the greatest benefit for our committee is to apply the demanding standards prescribed by DC Comics - the very standards that made Superman the best known comic superhero of them all", Pace said. "We will do this right, or we will not do this at all!"

    Detailed planning and long-term collaboration promise to reap benefits both for Cleveland as the home of Superman's creators, and for DC Comics as a way to give continued and consistent visibility to Superman.



2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News

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