2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
September 20, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Brad Meltzer
By Barry FreimanI consider Brad Meltzer a friend and even I was a bit cynical at first regarding his efforts to restore and maintain the former home of Jerry Siegel at the time he co-created Superman. Meltzer visited the home while researching his novel "The Book of Lies" which, in the context of fiction, examines the connection between the biblical murder of Cain by Abel and the death of Jerry Siegel's father, Mitchell Siegel. Surely, I thought at first, an effort to restore the home of Jerry Siegel had to be shtick tied into the marketing of his new novel, didn't it?
Over the years prior to his 1996 death, Jerry Siegel had always told the tale of Superman's birth as occurring while he lay in bed and imagined into creation the Man of Tomorrow. He had been quoted as saying he ran over to the home of his friend Joe Shuster the next day and Shuster drew Siegel's inspiration into two-dimensional existence. Siegel's memory of that moment may be a bit of hyperbole given his first take on Superman was that of villain and the more recent revelation that Siegel may have consulted on his concept with a different artist prior to Shuster. Whatever the truth is, one thing is absolute: at the time Siegel conceived of Superman, he lived in the home located at 10622 Kimberly Avenue in the Glenwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.
Meltzer learned of the story of Mitchell Siegel's death from Jerry Siegel's niece at a book signing two years ago. When he eventually visited the former Siegel home to research "The Book of Lies", he was taken aback at its dilapidated condition. Others have tried to energize an effort to restore the former Siegel home, but it took Meltzer's celebrity to energize not only the comic book industry but to focus world-wide attention on maintaining the home where Superman was born.
With the help of the nonprofit 'Siegel and Shuster Society', organized to help spread the word about Cleveland's important connection to the birth of Superman, Meltzer formed the website OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com to auction off everything from Superman art to tickets to "The Colbert Report" and "Late Show with David Letterman" to help raise the $50,000 required to restore the home's exterior.
The Superman Homepage recently spoke with Meltzer about the status of this huge undertaking and its evolution into a movement.
Q: To those who might say "it's just a house", can you explain why it's important - not just to you but to history - to save the house where Jerry Siegel lived when he conceived of Superman?
A: We preserve Graceland, and Dr. Seuss's home, and so many others. This is the place where a seventeen year old sat up in bed and dreamed the impossible. How could we not want to remind people the importance of that?
Q: How did this go from something that occurred to you while researching a book into a veritable 'movement'?
A: The movement isn't my doing. It's everyone else. All I did was tell the story.
Q: How do you account for how huge this movement's become in such a short period?
A: Again, it's not me. It's Superman - and what he means to people. Never underestimate that.
Q: You're running auctions of not just Superman related items including scripts and original artwork, but things like tickets to the "Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Colbert Report" - how have you gained the interest of celebrities who have seemingly no ties to the comic book industry?
A: Thank all the other comic pros involved. Joe Quesada got Letterman. I got Colbert. Jeph Loeb got "Heroes". The dream lives everywhere.
Q: If a Superman fan wants to help but can't afford to bid on an auction item, what can they do to contribute to this effort?
A: Donate ten bucks to the Siegel & Shuster Society. Buy a shirt and wear your pride on your chest. Post the video on your Facebook page. We have one week to go. This is when we need the final push. And thanks to all for pushing.
Special thanks to Brad Meltzer for taking the time for this interview.
2008 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2008.- January 2, 2008: Heroes Alliance update... SUCCESS!
- January 8, 2008: Superman in the Mass Media and Marketing
- January 9, 2008: Indianapolis Super Heroes Museum Closes
- January 12, 2008: Artist Scott Stewart Soars with Superman
- January 31, 2008: Cleveland to Celebrate Superman
- February 1, 2008: Boys of Steel Book Illustrates Superman's Creation
- February 9, 2008: Second Annual Metropolis Comic Show
- February 9, 2008: Cleveland Gearing Up for Superman Celebration
- February 10, 2008: Mattel to Release More JLU Action Figures
- February 13, 2008: Writers Vote to End Strike
- February 13, 2008: Who Wants To Create A Super-Heroine Contest
- February 14, 2008: Superman vs. The Abomination Fan Animation
- February 17, 2008: DC Direct on Display at Toyfair 2008
- February 17, 2008: Howard Soars as Superman in Dunk Contest
- February 19, 2008: Exclusive Superman vs Hollywood Interview with Jake Rossen
- February 21, 2008: Superman vs Hollywood Exclusive Excerpt
- February 22, 2008: Mattel Reveal DC Figures at Toyfair 2008
- February 22, 2008: Modern-Day Athletes Emulate Superman
- February 22, 2008: Superman Featured in New Movie Museum
- February 22, 2008: Podcast on Superman in the Golden Age
- February 25, 2008: Book Preview: Guess Who's Adopted?
- February 25, 2008: Metropolitan Museum Salutes Superhero Fashion
- February 27, 2008: Otis, Chloe & Lois at Metropolis Superman Celebration
- March 2, 2008: Alex Ross Age of TV Heroes Book Cover
- March 5, 2008: Superman Exhibits in New Movie Museum
- March 5, 2008: Press Release for 2008 Superman Celebration
- March 11, 2008: Superman Rollercoaster Takes Top Spot Again!
- March 13, 2008: The Search For Superman in Metropolis, IL Begins
- March 13, 2008: Superman Celebration Fan Film Contest
- March 13, 2008: 15th Annual Superman Auction & Dinner
- March 28, 2008: Superman Homepage on Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- April 1, 2008: Superman Items Sold in Hollywood Auction
- April 1, 2008: Superman Homepage Pranks for April Fools Day 2008
- April 2, 2008: New Speeding Bulletin Logo
- April 2, 2008: Superman Related Names in America
- April 4, 2008: Superman Homepage Merchandise Now Available
- April 7, 2008: Superman Theme to Up-Coming Funky Winkerbean Comic Strip
- April 17, 2008: Radio's Lois Lane Accuses Money Adviser of Fraud
- April 19, 2008: Batman & Superman Invade Mortal Kombat's Outworld
- April 23, 2008: Mattel and DC Direct at New York Comic Con
- April 24, 2008: Superman vs. Attax Fan Animation
- April 28, 2008: Bob Holiday Recovering From Heart Surgery
- May 1, 2008: Calgary Comic Con 2008 Report
- May 2, 2008: A Review of Michael Daugherty's Metropolis Symphony
- May 3, 2008: Giorgio Armani Joins Forces With Superman
- May 3, 2008: House That Superman Was Created In To Be Restored
- May 5, 2008: Superman Exhibit at Summer of Superman Event in Cleveland
- May 5, 2008: Kevin J. Anderson Working on Second Superman Novel
- May 6, 2008: Stylish Superheroes at NY's Metropolitan Museum of Art
- May 7, 2008: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy Exhibition Opens Today
- May 7, 2008: Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre
- May 9, 2008: City of Metropolis, Illinois Attempts Superman-Themed World Record
- May 12, 2008: Five Finalists Revealed in Metropolis' Search for Superman
- May 13, 2008: Brad Meltzer Writes Book on Jerry Siegel's Father's Murder
- May 13, 2008: Superman Exhibit at Summer of Superman Event in Cleveland
- May 14, 2008: Schedule of Events for Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois
- May 15, 2008: New Superman Checks and Accessories
- May 18, 2008: Josh Boultinghouse Wins Metropolis' Search for Superman
- May 20, 2008: Superman Image from Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- May 21, 2008: More DC Character Checks Available
- May 22, 2008: Bizarro on Cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine
- May 26, 2008: Joe Shuster Heritage Minutes Video
- May 30, 2008: Superman Celebrations in Spain and Costa Rica
- June 2, 2008: U.K. DC Comics Super Hero Collection Magazine
- June 2, 2008: Monthly Update for Superman Bob Holiday Website
- June 4, 2008: MSN Rates Superhero Costumes
- June 4, 2008: Redesign Superman's Costume and Win Prizes
- June 6, 2008: Licensing Expo to Expand Supergirl Products for Girls
- June 10, 2008: TONNER Expands Superman Figure Line
- June 10, 2008: Mattel Coy on Superman Movie Action Figures
- June 11, 2008: Spokane Comic Con 2008 Report (from June 7)
- June 12, 2008: DC Comics Postal Stamps in Singapore
- June 13, 2008: Comic Book Rabbi Making Florida Personal Appearance
- June 14, 2008: Video News Report from Metropolis Superman Celebration
- June 14, 2008: Florida Recruits Superman to Combat Smoking
- June 14, 2008: AFP Looks at Superman's 70 Year Legacy
- June 15, 2008: Site Owner Steve Younis Honored in Metropolis
- June 17, 2008: JLU Action Figure Line Continues with New Look
- June 20, 2008: Mattel Could Release Superboy Action Figure
- June 25, 2008: Director Peter Segal Talks Captain Marvel and Superman
- June 26, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe at San Diego Comic Con
- June 28, 2008: Exclusive DC Cartoon Tumbler available at Wizard World Chicago
- June 28, 2008: Details on DC Universe Online Emerge
- June 28, 2008: Seinfeld and Superman Interview
- June 28, 2008: Bob Holiday Updates Broadway Memories
- June 28, 2008: The Heroic Life Story of Scott Cranford
- July 1, 2008: Update on the Superboy Legal Debate
- July 2, 2008: The Other Building Where Superman Was Created
- July 2, 2008: Honda Accord Euro Commercial Shows How It's Done
- July 7, 2008: Redesign Superman's Costume Winner
- July 8, 2008: RedEye's Best Superhero Tournament
- July 9, 2008: Midway Reveals Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe Game Play
- July 9, 2008: DC Universe Online - Artwork Trailer
- July 10, 2008: Tonner Announces Comic-Con International Exclusives
- July 11, 2008: Comic-Con International 2008 Schedule
- July 13, 2008: Comic-Con International Friday and Saturday Schedules
- July 13, 2008: Superman 70th Anniversary Celebration in Chile
- July 15, 2008: Steve Younis Interviewed on Perth Radio
- July 16, 2008: DC Universe Online and MK vs DC Trailers
- July 17, 2008: Alter Ego #79 Special Superman Edition
- July 17, 2008: The Homepage Jamboree on Views From The Longbox
- July 21, 2008: Superman World Record Attempt
- July 23, 2008: Jim Lee Talks DC Universe Online
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - DC Universe Online Panel
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Panel
- July 25, 2008: Comic-Con - Mattel & DC Direct Panels
- July 25, 2008: Glu to Bring Superman/Batman Game to Mobile Phones
- July 25, 2008: A Report on Toledo's Superman Celebration
- July 29, 2008: Fans Visit Jerry Siegel's Home
- July 31, 2008: Comic-Con - Part 1: DC Universe Online MMO RPG
- July 31, 2008: Al Gore is Jor-El
- August 1, 2008: Comic-Con International Report: Part 2
- August 2, 2008: Sales of Fake Superman Suits on the Rise
- August 8, 2008: More Documents from the Superman/Superboy Lawsuit
- August 19, 2008: Marc Nobleman Talks Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman
- August 19, 2008: The Book of Lies Trailer Released
- August 20, 2008: A Videogame Examination - Superman III and Atari
- August 27, 2008: USA Today Examines Mitchell Siegel's Death
- August 28, 2008: Meltzer's Novel Weak on Actual Facts?
- September 1, 2008: Superman Krypto-Collectibles at Jollibee in the Philippines
- September 1, 2008: New Content Now Online at SupermanBobHoliday.com
- September 1, 2008: Brad Meltzer Explains Why He Loves Superman
- September 2, 2008: Charity Auction to Save House Where Superman Was Created
- September 3, 2008: Exclusive Artwork Images for Siegel House Fundraiser
- September 9, 2008: DC Super Heroes Shoes
- September 11, 2008: Over $34,000 Already Raised For Siegel House
- September 14, 2008: Full Roster Released for Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
- September 16, 2008: Geoff Johns Writing for DC Universe Online
- September 16, 2008: Kevin J. Anderson Talks About First Encounter
- September 17, 2008: Second Week of Auctions Raises $50,000 for Siegel House
- September 17, 2008: Six Flags Makes Superman: Ride of Steel Even Better
- September 19, 2008: Pre-Order Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- September 19, 2008: A Chat with Brad Meltzer
- September 20, 2008: A Report from Dragon Con '08
- September 20, 2008: Exclusive Interview with Brad Meltzer
- September 22, 2008: A Chat with Brad Meltzer
- September 24, 2008: Part 2 - Kevin J. Anderson on First Encounter
- September 24, 2008: Northeast Ohio Volunteers Join National Day of Action
- September 25, 2008: Top Trumps DC Super Heroes 2
- September 25, 2008: Superman Visits Trinity Church
- September 25, 2008: Neal Bailey Writes Hillary Clinton Comic for Bluewater
- September 29, 2008: Superman/Superboy Lawsuit in WB Quarterly Report
- September 30, 2008: Hallmark Celebrates Superman
- October 1, 2008: $117,222 Raised to Save Siegel House
- October 2, 2008: Dwight Howard to Wear Superman Shoes
- October 4, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Box Art Revealed
- October 5, 2008: Superman/Batman Painting Sells For Record Price
- October 7, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Kollector's Edition Details
- October 9, 2008: Internet Blog Becomes Part of Superman Lawsuit
- October 13, 2008: Robert Erwin Helps Save Siegel House
- October 13, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Updates
- October 14, 2008: DC Universe Wave 6 Action Figures
- October 14, 2008: Historic Lost Superman Footage Now Online
- October 17, 2008: I was born on Krypton Jokes Barack Obama
- October 21, 2008: Screaming Tiki Con Report
- October 22, 2008: First Ever Superman Toy Listed on Ebay
- October 22, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Video - Alex Ross Paints Cover
- October 22, 2008: Prepaid Superman Visa Card in Australia
- October 25, 2008: Two Superman Stories in This American Life Podcast
- October 27, 2008: Superman Joins David's Cookies
- October 27, 2008: The Dark Knight Meets Superman
- October 28, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Super Moves & Pro Moves
- October 28, 2008: Senior Producer Yanagi Talks DC Universe Online
- October 29, 2008: Noel Neill Statue Website Launched
- October 30, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Story Trailer
- October 31, 2008: T-Shirts Show Superman's Universal Appeal
- October 31, 2008: DC Universe Online Website
- November 6, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Kombat Modes
- November 6, 2008: Superman Court Case Dates Set
- November 7, 2008: Superman Wall Calendars for 2009
- November 7, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Holofoil Postcards
- November 8, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Ultimate Mash-Ups
- November 10, 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Rage Trailer
- November 12, 2008: More Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Videos
- November 14, 2008: The Superman Orchestra - Tonight!
- November 14, 2008: The Joker in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- November 17, 2008: Beethoven & Superman
- November 18, 2008: DC Universe Battle for Metropolis Action Figures
- November 19, 2008: New Superman Video Game Stalls?
- November 19, 2008: More Videos Added to SupermanBobHoliday.com
- November 22, 2008: Super Bricks Available from Siegel House
- November 26, 2008: Jim Lee Discusses DC Universe Online
- November 27, 2008: Superman at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
- November 27, 2008: Superman Movie & TV Costumes on Auction
- November 28, 2008: Supermen of America Member Ring on Ebay
- November 29, 2008: Patricia Marand - Broadway's Lois Lane - Dies
- December 3, 2008: All-New Superfriends Hour - Season One, Volume Two
- December 4, 2008: Superman During World War II Lecture
- December 5, 2008: Gray and Palmiotti Talk Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
- December 9, 2008: DC Universe Online Austin Studio Tour
- December 10, 2008: Superman Defeats the Ku Klux Klan
- December 27, 2008: Superman Be@rBrick in Japan
- December 29, 2008: DC Universe Action Figures in 2009
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