2006 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
June 19, 2006: Real Superheroes in a Real World
As "Superman Returns" fever goes supernova, let's not forget what real heroism is. Superman is a fictional character. He provides many of us with escape, entertainment, a moral compass, a male ideal, and so much more. But it's the heroism of little girls like the one in this Associated Press story below, and of the people who helped make her wish come true, that shows the bravery in just living. Click "Read More" below to read on about the secret origin of "Star", a real Supergirl.BOISE, Idaho - Most days, 6-year-old Aubrey Matthews spends her energy fighting a brain tumor growing behind her eyes. But the first-grader managed to foil crimes and chase an arch-nemesis through Boise on Friday, serving the city as the superhero "Star" with assistance from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho, The Idaho Statesman reported.
When she donned her blue and metallic superhero costume, Star took on the super-powers of X-ray vision, superhuman strength, speed and blowing power - and a mission: To capture the villain who had stolen a golden star from the Idaho Historical Museum.
After Star was alerted by authorities, she hopped on a Life Flight helicopter to reach the crime scene, where she found a clue linking the crime to a kjnown evildoer.
The chase was on, with plenty of opportunities for Star to use her superpowers along the way.
Before catching the bad guy, she rescued people from a "smoke"-filled building, saved a citizen from drowning in ParkCenter Pond, and vindicated ferrets at Zoo Boise who had been framed for stealing the golden star.
It was a busy day for Aubrey, a little girl with an incredible imagination whose biggest foe is the inoperable optic glioma tumor growing in the center of her brain. The tumor was diagnosed when Aubrey was 6 months old.
"I try to enjoy every day with her," said her mother, Elisa Matthews. "Life is just precious, and you can't blow it away. You have to take it for what it is, no matter what it is."
The tumor is inoperable because of its location and the way it grew into her optic nerve and against her hypothalamus, said her father, Dave Matthews.
Aubrey began chemotherapy when she was 15 months old. The tumor was stabilized for three and a half years but started to grow again last summer. A second round of chemotherapy began in August and was completed in January, her father said.
So far the news is good - the tumor has shrunk some, and Aubrey isn't as ill as doctors expected her to be after the chemotherapy. She has not lost her hair and her white blood cell count is stable, representing a small victory over the toxic chemotherapy drugs.
Most kids making a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho wish to go someplace, to meet someone or to have something special.
Aubrey's request - to "be" something - is the rarest kind of wish, said executive director Marcia Karakas. It's the first time in at least 10 years that a "be" wish has been received in the Idaho office, which serves the state's lower 35 counties.
Windermere Real Estate's 150 employees took part in scripted superhero scenes, and the caper was filmed by Area 02, a local production company, for a special premiere this fall.
"I'm overwhelmed with all the time that people have put into this," Dave Matthews said. "The whole day is centered around her, and it's just awesome. This is truly a dream come true for her."
Aubrey came up with other superhero characters to help her fight crime - Lion Lady, Frog Lady, Dog Man, House Lifter, Sky Girl, Martian Manhunter and Tree Girl - all played by volunteers. She also helped design the costumes.
"I think she's brought out the child in all of us," said Jessie Gillingham, volunteer coordinator for the foundation.
By noon on Friday, Star had rescued a hostage from the villain's grip and tied the miscreant to the replica Liberty Bell in front of the Statehouse, cheered by hundreds of fans.
"I'd like to thank you for your extreme bravery," Mayor David Bieter said when the bad guy was in custody. He swore Aubrey in as an honorary police officer and proclaimed June 15 as Make-A-Wish Day and Star Day.
"You have shown extraordinary crime-fighting skills," Boise Police Mike Masterson said before presenting her with an Aubrey-sized police uniform.
For the little girl whose strength helps her fight cancer, it was all in a day's work.
2006 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2006.- January 6, 2006: A Rare Superman Kiddy Ride
- January 11, 2006: Fossil Superman Tattoo Watch Review
- January 19, 2006: Superman iPod Case Available
- February 5, 2006: Superman Helps Children Understand Religion
- February 6, 2006: New Phone Wallpapers From Verizon
- February 10, 2006: Nestle Superman Sticks Ice Pops
- February 16, 2006: Warner Bros. Launches Super Fashions
- February 16, 2006: Six Flags St. Louis Announces New Superman Ride
- February 20, 2006: Superman Merchandise Update
- February 25, 2006: Jim Lee Talks DCU Massively Multiplayer Online Game
- February 28, 2006: Superman Escape Competition for Aussie Fans
- March 8, 2006: Kelloggs Superman Fruit Flavored Snacks
- March 10, 2006: Who Wants To Be A Superhero?!?
- March 11, 2006: Superman Musical Returns to the Stage
- March 11, 2006: MonSFFA to Examine Superman Mythos
- March 11, 2006: Justice League Showbag at Sydney Easter Show
- March 14, 2006: More Superman Merchandise Revealed
- March 20, 2006: Superman Homepage at the Emerald City Comic Con
- March 21, 2006: Justice League: Heroes Videogame Announced
- March 22, 2006: Ovo Surpresa Superman from Nestle Brazil
- April 3, 2006: Justice League: Heroes Game Trailer
- April 8, 2006: Justice League: Heroes Site Launches
- April 9, 2006: Showtunes Theatre Puts On Superman Musical
- April 10, 2006: Bridge Tech Customs Superman Wheels
- April 14, 2006: Jakk's Announces Superman and Justice League Consoles
- April 15, 2006: SuperGuy - Behind The Cape Review
- April 18, 2006: Superman, Superman Everywhere - So What Exactly Are You Going to Buy?
- April 26, 2006: Kurt Adler Unveils Superman 2006 Holiday Collection
- April 28, 2006: Justice League Video Game Interview
- April 28, 2006: In A Single Bound at Tribeca Film Festival
- May 3, 2006: 2006 Superman Celebration in Metropolis Illinois
- May 4, 2006: Justice League: Heroes Video Game Agreement Announced
- May 6, 2006: Join The AMF Superman Bowling Club
- May 6, 2006: Justice League: Heroes Video Game Voice Talent
- May 10, 2006: Alienware Superman Edition Computer Chassis
- May 11, 2006: New Justice League: Heroes Video Trailer
- May 12, 2006: One-on-One Interview with Stephen Skelton
- May 12, 2006: The Man from Krypton Returns!
- May 14, 2006: Superman Bowling Club Information
- May 16, 2006: Justice League: Heroes Website Updated
- May 16, 2006: DC Direct at ToyFair 2006
- May 18, 2006: Kotobukiya Announce Up-Coming Superman Statue
- May 18, 2006: Superman Tower of Power Ride Opens at Six Flags St Louis
- June 1, 2006: Superman Father's Day Promotion at Wal Mart
- June 2, 2006: Exclusive Interview with Crispin Freeman
- June 4, 2006: Build-A-Bear Superman Weekend
- June 5, 2006: Superman Products from Creative Tops
- June 5, 2006: Superman Effervescent Multivitamin for Children
- June 5, 2006: Superman Colgate Toothpaste Promotion
- June 5, 2006: Elliot S! Maggin Opinion Column in LA Times
- June 6, 2006: Alienware's Superman Systems Take Flight
- June 7, 2006: INHD to Feature Metropolis Illinois
- June 8, 2006: Creative Tops Reveals Superman Merchandise
- June 13, 2006: MTV on Superman Movie Merchandise
- June 14, 2006: Metropolis Illinois Superman Celebration Report
- June 19, 2006: Real Superheroes in a Real World
- June 20, 2006: Superman Bottled Water
- June 20, 2006: Superman and Supergirl Microman Figures
- June 22, 2006: Download a 3D Superman Returns Screensaver
- June 26, 2006: Press Mixer at Superman Celebration
- June 30, 2006: Geraldo Looks at the Superman Legacy
- July 12, 2006: Superman - The Man of Butter
- July 18, 2006: DC Comics Superhero Stamps
- July 18, 2006: Jason Ades Talks Justice League: Heroes Video Game
- July 27, 2006: Is Lex Luthor the Best Literary Villain of All Time?
- July 31, 2006: Superman Promotion in Rite Aid Stores
- August 1, 2006: Wizard World Chicago - August 3-6
- August 1, 2006: Joey Fatone's Superman Collection
- August 9, 2006: Superman Musical at the Historic Hoover Theatre
- August 10, 2006: Thousands of Fake Superman T-Shirts Seized
- August 11, 2006: Dark Horse Deluxe announces DC Comics Statuette Series
- August 17, 2006: Review - Superman: The Musical
- August 18, 2006: Atomic Comics Holds Special DC Stamp Event
- September 1, 2006: Aquaman Joins Justice League: Heroes Video Game
- September 5, 2006: Superman Exercise Flash Cards for Kids
- September 5, 2006: Superman Sketch TV Investigation
- September 6, 2006: Superman Features in Baltimore Entertainment Museum
- September 13, 2006: Playing the Justice League: Heroes Video Game
- September 15, 2006: More Superman Returns Videogame Screenshots
- September 17, 2006: Superman Costumes on Display in Indianapolis
- September 21, 2006: Superman Musical Performance in Utah
- September 27, 2006: EA Shows Off Superman Returns Videogame at Microsoft's X06
- September 29, 2006: Unlockable Costumes in Justice League Heroes Game
- October 4, 2006: Getting an Inside Look at Superman Returns: The Videogame
- October 5, 2006: Superman Toy Sale at Toys R Us
- October 8, 2006: Superman TV/DVD at Toys R Us
- October 9, 2006: Sociology of Superman Poll Preliminary Results
- October 10, 2006: EA Ships Superman Returns: The Videogame on November 20
- October 10, 2006: EA Concept Art Team Talk Superman Returns Videogame
- October 11, 2006: Superman Returns: The Videogame Hands-On Report
- October 11, 2006: Toyota Yaris Superman Limited Edition Car
- October 17, 2006: Fossil Ion Blue Superman Watch
- October 18, 2006: GamePro Reviews Justice League Heroes for PS2
- October 23, 2006: The History of Superman Video Games
- October 26, 2006: Justice League Heroes Podcast Online
- October 26, 2006: Fighting Examined in Superman Returns Videogame
- October 26, 2006: New DC Comics Super Hero Tonner Character Figures
- October 29, 2006: More Superman Returns Videogame Images
- October 31, 2006: EA Games Wallpaper Contest - Win an Alienware Superman Notebook
- October 31, 2006: Fans Celebrating a Super Halloween
- October 31, 2006: Review - Fossil Ion Blue Superman Watch
- November 1, 2006: Superman Returns Videogame Audio Talk
- November 1, 2006: Superman Musical at Alex Theatre, California
- November 2, 2006: Superman Returns Videogame - Bizarro and In-Store Ads
- November 2, 2006: Justice League Heroes Unlockable Heroes and Outfits
- November 3, 2006: Review - Superman on Broadway
- November 4, 2006: Superman Returns Videogame Goes Gold
- November 8, 2006: Review - Justice League Heroes for PS2
- November 9, 2006: Superman & Justice League Jigsaw Puzzles at Shop.com
- November 9, 2006: Superman Returns Videogame Bizarro Mode
- November 12, 2006: Firefly to Sell Superman and Supergirl Phones
- November 13, 2006: Superman Returns: The Videogame - Flight Online Video
- November 15, 2006: Superman Returns Videogame Demo on Xbox Live Marketplace
- November 15, 2006: Firefly Superman Mobile Phone
- November 15, 2006: HotToys to Release Clark Kent Figure
- November 15, 2006: Superman Returns: The Videogame TV Commercial
- November 15, 2006: Noble Collection Releases Superman Merchandise Range
- November 18, 2006: Anderson to Write Last Days of Krypton Novel
- November 20, 2006: Superman Returns: The Videogame Hits Stores
- November 20, 2006: Superman Returns DVD & Videogame Launch Party Report
- November 21, 2006: Bizarro Cheat Mode for Superman Returns Videogame
- November 22, 2006: Brandon Routh Talks Superman Returns Videogame
- November 23, 2006: NY Theatre Group Puts On Superman Play
- November 23, 2006: Superman on Thanksgiving Day
- November 26, 2006: New Superman Returns Videogame Trailer Online
- November 29, 2006: Kevin J Anderson Talks The Last Days of Krypton Novel
- December 4, 2006: Winners Announced for the 2006 SHIELD Awards!
- December 4, 2006: Superman Returns Videogame Cheat Codes
- December 6, 2006: Noel Neill & Other Superman Guests at Phoenix Comicon
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