2004 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
May 10, 2004: TIME Magazine Says “Superman Is Not Cool”
In the Arts/Comics section of the latest issue of TIME Magazine (May 17, 2004 Vol. 163 No. 20), there's an article titled "The Problem with Superman". This article delves into the creative changes taking place on the Superman comic books, and looks at the up-coming movie, the Seinfeld American Express commercials, and why they think Superman needs a makeover.Personally I don't think the point of view taken by this article is correct... I think it's an example, once more, of the media putting a bleak spin on something they don't understand. If anything, this article is a sad reflection on today's society... the problem isn't with Superman, the problem is with the world...
Here's an excerpt from the article...
- In the boardroom at DC Comics, a life-size statue of Clark Kent sits in a chair reading the Daily Planet. Lately the talk is probably making him a little nervous. Superman is still the company's flagship icon, but Batman outsells him, and the original superhero hasn't starred in a movie for 17 years. But help may be on the way. DC is installing new creative talent on all three main monthly Superman comics, starting with the June issues. "Periodically there's just a moment that happens when a new generation of talent steps in, and you get some fresh points of view," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC, which, like this magazine, is owned by Time Warner. In other words, the Man of Steel is getting a makeover. Now, how do you improve a guy who has super-everything?
For America's multimillion-dollar Superman industry, it's a serious problem. This is a guy who's from outer space - he was born on the planet Krypton, let's not forget - but he's also from another time. He debuted in the 1930s, when Americans liked their heroes like they liked their steaks: tough, thick and all-American. Nowadays we prefer our heroes dark and flawed and tragic. Look at the Punisher (wife and kids dead), or Hellboy (born a demon), or Spider-Man (secretly a nerd). Look at Batman: his parents were killed in front of him, and he dresses like a Cure fan. Now look at the big blue Boy Scout, with his cleft chin and his spit curl. He's just not cool.
2004 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2004.- January 8, 2004: Art Asylum to Create Justice League MiniMates
- January 11, 2004: Superman in “Wizard #148”
- January 27, 2004: Vote for Superman Lovemark
- January 29, 2004: Superman Homepage Featured at WB Website
- February 2, 2004: Superman News in “Wizard #149”
- February 15, 2004: Mattel Announces New Justice League Playset
- February 16, 2004: Best-Selling Superman Novel Returns in New Edition
- February 17, 2004: DC Direct Reveal New Superman Merchandise at Toy Fair 2004
- February 17, 2004: Justice League Trading Cards in Post Cereals
- February 26, 2004: DC Comics at Toy Fair 2004
- February 27, 2004: Signed DC Comics for April from Dynamic Forces
- March 1, 2004: Roger Stern Talks “Death and Life of Superman” Novel
- March 4, 2004: Announcing the New Superman Superstore!
- March 14, 2004: Superman Homepage Staff Shave Their Heads! See Photos!
- March 16, 2004: DC Offers New Daily Planet Interactive Screensaver
- March 29, 2004: American Express Launch Seinfeld/Superman Website
- April 11, 2004: Postopia Launch “Justice League” Interactive Website
- April 13, 2004: New DC Comics Trading Card Game
- April 19, 2004: Superman Mentioned in “Kill Bill: Vol. 2” Movie
- April 22, 2004: 1940s Superman Sweater Sells for US$1,747.00
- April 24, 2004: Justice League Team Up with Hot Wheels and NASCAR in August
- May 2, 2004: Man Dies After Falling Off Superman Roller Coaster
- May 9, 2004: Six Flags to Modify Superman Roller Coaster
- May 10, 2004: TIME Magazine Says “Superman Is Not Cool”
- May 12, 2004: Seinfeld and Superman: Online Sequel
- May 17, 2004: Superman Fan Makes Custom Superman Guitar
- May 20, 2004: Seinfeld/Superman Second Webisode “Hindsight” Online
- May 23, 2004: BBC News Hour Interviews Superman Homepage
- May 27, 2004: Superman Bike Wins 1st Place at Daytona Beach Bike Week
- May 28, 2004: Win $1000 in Metropolis Illinois Superhero Costume Contest!
- May 28, 2004: Comic Book Idol Launches, Open Call for Submissions begins
- June 4, 2004: Superman Homepage ToyFan Giveaway Winner!
- June 7, 2004: Scott Cranford - Metropolis' Official Superman
- June 7, 2004: Kellogg's Australian Cartoon DVD Competition
- June 8, 2004: JAKKS Pacific to Produce Superman TV Game
- June 17, 2004: Roger Stern Superman Book Signing
- June 29, 2004: UDE Launches Superpowered Action Card Game
- July 5, 2004: Superman Fan & Collectors Convention of Hawaii
- July 18, 2004: Superman TV and Movie Props on Auction at Cooper Owen
- July 18, 2004: Justice League Jollibee Kids Meals Promotion in Philippines
- July 20, 2004: New Justice League Promotion at Jack in the Box Restaurants
- July 21, 2004: Man in Superman Costume Attacks Motorists
- July 23, 2004: Inkworks Announces Smallville Season 3 Premium Trading Cards
- August 9, 2004: Reminder - “Superheroes on Television” Symposium
- August 30, 2004: The Flash Beats Superman in Race
- September 22, 2004: DC Comics Goes to Court over Kryptonite
- September 23, 2004: Celebrity Appearances & Autograph Signings
- September 28, 2004: Tax Authorities not Kryptonite Defeat Superman
- October 12, 2004: Metropolis Illinois to Honor Christopher Reeve
- October 14, 2004: Superman Homepage mentioned in Australian Newspaper
- October 15, 2004: CapedWonder Christopher Reeve Tribute Wallpapers
- October 16, 2004: Hawaii Fans to Pay Tribute to Christopher Reeve
- October 20, 2004: Superman Homepage in East Bay Express
- November 1, 2004: Superman Homepage 10th Anniversary Celebrations!
- November 1, 2004: Superman Homepage Mentioned in Reeve Tribute Article
- November 1, 2004: Smallville Season 3 Trading Cards Competition Winners!
- November 5, 2004: Fan Made Superman Movie Teaser Trailer
- November 7, 2004: “Tomorrow's Memoir” Fan Film Obvious Tribute to Superman
- November 9, 2004: Cleveland Looking to Pay Tribute to Superman
- November 18, 2004: Muncie Symphony Orchestra to Perform 'Super' Concert
- November 19, 2004: Is Superman Too Super a Role Model?
- November 22, 2004: Fossil Releases New Superman “Pop Art” Watch
- November 24, 2004: A Look at the Smallville Season 3 Premium Trading Cards
- December 2, 2004: RetroVision CD-Rom Magazine #1
- December 12, 2004: Superman Voted Most Popular Superhero of All Time
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