2012 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
March 14, 2012: The Infamous Check That Purchased Superman on Auction
In October 2011 we reported on how the 1938 check DC wrote to purchase the rights to Superman from Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster had been located and would soon be sold at auction.ComicConnect.com has now published a page with an extensive description of the check, the history behind it, and how it was almost lost forever.
- On March 1, 1938, DC Comics gave two young men from Cleveland $130 for the rights to a comic character named Superman. That $130 check essentially created a billion dollar industry and set in motion nearly 70 years of legal battles that continue to this day. Without this check being written out by DC Comics, there would be no Superman, and thereby no Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, X-Men, and all the characters that came into existence after the concept of "the superhero" was born with Superman.
Much has been made of the original 1938 $130 payment to Jerome Siegel and Joe Shuster. Did DC Comics take advantage of two eager young men looking for their big break in the comic business, or was this an unequivocally fair business practice between comic book writers and publishers in 1938 America? Whatever you believe, the $130 check is the quintessential symbol of the debate.
The auction for this check will begin on Monday, March 26 and will end at 7:58pm EDT on Monday, April 16, 2012.
2012 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2012.- January 4, 2012: Shopping - Make Time for Superman
- January 5, 2012: Press Release - LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
- January 6, 2012: Family Legacy by Jack O'Halloran
- January 8, 2012: Politically Speaking... Superman is Still Number One
- January 9, 2012: Concept Art for Never-Made Superman Video Game
- January 10, 2012: Looking Ahead at 2012 - Poll Position
- January 10, 2012: “Represent the S” Music Project
- January 11, 2012: Superman Flies on LEGO TV
- January 11, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Music
- January 17, 2012: Are Superman Fans Batman Fans? - Poll Position
- January 18, 2012: Merchandise - Raise Your Glass
- January 20, 2012: DC Super-Pets: The Amazing Mini-Mutts
- January 23, 2012: Superman Statue Planned for Cleveland Airport
- January 23, 2012: Justice League to Help Fight Famine in Africa
- January 23, 2012: Superman Helps Highlight Immigrant Issues
- January 24, 2012: Metropolis Theater to be Restored
- January 25, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Hoodies
- January 31, 2012: Best Live-Action Superman - Poll Position
- February 1, 2012: Merchandise - Valentine's Day Gifts
- February 1, 2012: Superman Tribute Fence Repaired
- February 1, 2012: Superman on the Ice - Patrick Kane
- February 5, 2012: “The Ages of Superman” Collects Essays on Man of Steel
- February 5, 2012: Superman and Batman Discuss Social Media
- February 7, 2012: Iran Bans Simpsons but Superman is Allowed
- February 7, 2012: Superman Protestor Climbs George Washington Statue
- February 7, 2012: Best Live-Action Clark Kent - Poll Position
- February 8, 2012: Mattel Updates DC Fans on 2012 Action Figures
- February 8, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Rings
- February 9, 2012: Rare 1938 “Action Comics #1” Sells on Ebay
- February 10, 2012: Superman versus the Ku Klux Klan
- February 12, 2012: Super Mr. Potato Head
- February 12, 2012: Update on Superman Legal Battle
- February 14, 2012: DC Direct Display at Toy Fair 2012
- February 15, 2012: Merchandise - Just Released Superman Items
- February 16, 2012: Coca Cola Mexico Superhero Promotion
- February 20, 2012: Justice League Tots at Sonic
- February 21, 2012: Little Orbit Announces “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game
- February 21, 2012: Valentines Day Gifts - Poll Position
- February 22, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Posters
- February 22, 2012: Man's Uncle Leaves Him Rare Comic Collection
- February 23, 2012: SAVVi Announces Release of Warner Brothers Licensed Temporary Tattoos
- February 29, 2012: Happy Birthday Superman!
- February 29, 2012: Merchandise - Fridge Magnets
- February 29, 2012: Melting Superman at Singapore Art Museum
- March 1, 2012: Announcing the Superman Homepage iPhone App
- March 1, 2012: Rare Superman Items in Latest Hakes Auction
- March 4, 2012: Superman Fan Wins Mid-South Spelling Bee
- March 5, 2012: Superman vs Hulk - The Fight (Part 2)
- March 6, 2012: Des Taylor's Retro Superheroes
- March 6, 2012: Fundraising Continues for Cleveland Airport Superman Display
- March 7, 2012: Around the World with Superman (Take 2)
- March 7, 2012: Merchandise - Statues and Figurines
- March 13, 2012: Superman Homepage Features - Poll Position
- March 14, 2012: New LEGO Batman 2 Game Image
- March 14, 2012: Merchandise - St. Patrick's Day
- March 14, 2012: The Infamous Check That Purchased Superman on Auction
- March 15, 2012: Stan Lee Puts Down Superman's Flight
- March 15, 2012: “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” Video Trailer
- March 20, 2012: Superman Homepage Features - Poll Position
- March 21, 2012: Merchandise - Blankets & Fleece Throws
- March 21, 2012: Justice League Showbags at Sydney Royal Easter Show
- March 21, 2012: Pop Pilgrims Visit Jerry Siegel's House in Cleveland, Ohio
- March 25, 2012: Fundraising Details for Cleveland Airport Superman Display
- March 26, 2012: WB Wants Superman Case Decided in Open Court Trial
- March 27, 2012: “Young Justice” Action Figures
- March 28, 2012: Cleveland's Push for a Superhero Museum
- March 28, 2012: Superman Canstruction Pays Tribute to Community Heroes
- March 28, 2012: Ebay Weirdness - Super Squirrel For Sale
- March 28, 2012: Merchandise - “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes”
- March 29, 2012: “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” Box Art
- March 29, 2012: Warner Bros. Bath & Body Products Coming to Australia
- March 31, 2012: Examining the Latest Development in Superman Copyright Battle
- April 1, 2012: Our April Fools Day Pranks
- April 2, 2012: Villains for “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game
- April 2, 2012: Superman Canstructions in Cleveland
- April 3, 2012: Images from Never-Made “Justice League: Mortal” Video Game
- April 3, 2012: “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” - Poll Position
- April 4, 2012: Merchandise - New & Upcoming Releases
- April 6, 2012: Superman iOS Game Updated
- April 6, 2012: Lin Workman Designs 2012 Superman Celebration T-Shirt
- April 7, 2012: Turn Yourself into a Superman Action Figure
- April 10, 2012: April Fools Day Pranks - Poll Position
- April 11, 2012: DC Direct Relaunches as DC Collectibles
- April 11, 2012: Katherine Bradford Exhibition Focuses on Superman
- April 11, 2012: Help Superman get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- April 11, 2012: Merchandise - Bath and Beauty Products
- April 15, 2012: LA Times Interviews Broadway's Superman - Bob Holiday
- April 15, 2012: Superman's Spit Curl a Pop Culture Icon
- April 17, 2012: Lawyer for Superman Heirs Loses Privilege Claim
- April 17, 2012: Internet Wierdness - Inflatable Superman Costume
- April 17, 2012: Superman Check Sold at Auction
- April 18, 2012: LEGO Release DCU Super Hero Movie Maker App
- April 18, 2012: Merchandise - Mr. Mxyzptlk
- April 18, 2012: Larry Tye Talks History of Superman
- April 19, 2012: Animated Music Video Uses Superman and Lois Lane
- April 19, 2012: Superman Sketch Saved Joe Shuster From Jail in 1940
- April 24, 2012: Animaserra 2012 - Brazilian Festival of Comics
- April 25, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Chairs and Seats
- April 30, 2012: More Characters Revealed for “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game
- May 2, 2012: “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” Interview
- May 2, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Caps
- May 3, 2012: RIP Barry Freiman - Superman Homepage Contributor
- May 4, 2012: John Glover and Gerard Christopher at 2012 Superman Celebration
- May 5, 2012: Final Heroes Revealed for “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game
- May 6, 2012: Super Cafe - Bat Phone
- May 7, 2012: Superman/Howard Cosell/Bill Murray Anecdote
- May 9, 2012: Cassidy Freeman Joins 2012 Superman Celebration
- May 9, 2012: Merchandise - Latest Products & New Releases
- May 10, 2012: Connect to the Superman Homepage with Facebook
- May 10, 2012: Superman Proposes to Girlfriend in China
- May 15, 2012: “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game Images
- May 16, 2012: Ohio House Passes Superman License Plate Bill
- May 16, 2012: Merchandise - Lex Luthor Figures & Shirts
- May 17, 2012: Superman in Songs
- May 21, 2012: Johnny Rockwell and Sandra Taylor Join 2012 Superman Celebration
- May 21, 2012: “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” Open World
- May 21, 2012: Superman's 21st Century Redesigns
- May 22, 2012: Facebook Inter-Connectivity - Poll Position
- May 23, 2012: Merchandise - Lois Lane
- May 23, 2012: Superman Collectors Wanted for New TV Show
- May 24, 2012: Original Fine Art Inspired by DC Superheroes
- May 25, 2012: Superman Homepage “Meet & Greet” in Metropolis, Illinois
- May 25, 2012: Jamie Kelley to Perform at Superman Celebration
- May 29, 2012: “Mr. Mxyzptlk/Bizarro World” Song
- May 30, 2012: Krypton Discovered on This Day in 1898
- May 30, 2012: Merchandise - Lamps and Lights
- May 31, 2012: “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Video Game Announced
- June 2, 2012: “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” Game Footage and Supergirl
- June 3, 2012: GeekSummit's First Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Metropolis
- June 3, 2012: Holy Musical B@man!
- June 4, 2012: Superman Celebration Hosts a Super Book Launch!
- June 5, 2012: “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Game Footage and Interview
- June 5, 2012: Photo Memories Project at Superman Celebration
- June 5, 2012: Superman Homepage “Meet & Greet” - Poll Position
- June 5, 2012: Super-Con 2012 at Superman Celebration
- June 6, 2012: Noel Neill Comes Home to Metropolis
- June 6, 2012: Mimoco Announces Superman USB Drive
- June 6, 2012: Merchandise - 74 Years of Superman
- June 7, 2012: Josh Boultinghouse Talks Superman Celebration
- June 8, 2012: Superman Ride in Vallejo Almost Ready
- June 10, 2012: Noel Neill Makes Surprise Appearance at Superman Celebration
- June 12, 2012: Supanova Comic Expo in Sydney, Australia
- June 12, 2012: Plano Smallville Superfest Seeking Volunteers
- June 12, 2012: Superman Celebration Photos
- June 12, 2012: Superman Celebration - Poll Position
- June 13, 2012: Photos from Superman Homepage “Meet & Greet”
- June 13, 2012: Launch of Larry Tye's “Superman” Book Draws a Crowd
- June 13, 2012: “Lucy Meets Superman” in Metropolis, Illinois
- June 13, 2012: Meet Superman at Children's Museum of Houston
- June 13, 2012: Mimoco Launches DC Comics X Mimobot USB Flash Drives
- June 15, 2012: Winner of 5th Annual Superman Celebration Fan Film Contest
- June 17, 2012: Gerard Christopher and John Rockwell Q&A
- June 17, 2012: Wording Change Needed for Ohio Superman License Plates
- June 18, 2012: Final “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” Trailer
- June 18, 2012: Meet South America's Superman
- June 19, 2012: Tiny LEGO Superman Flies Over London
- June 20, 2012: Merchandise - Brainiac
- June 23, 2012: Review - “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” (XBOX 360)
- June 25, 2012: Sideshow Collectibles Forging a Man of Steel
- June 25, 2012: A Photo Project for Superman Sam
- June 26, 2012: DC & Cryptozoic Partner for New 52 Trading Cards & Game
- June 27, 2012: Toberoff Wins Small Victory in Superman Legal Battle
- June 27, 2012: Merchandise - LEGO DC Super Heroes
- June 29, 2012: Superman Featured in Cleveland Horeseshoe Casino
- June 30, 2012: Superman Ultimate Flight Opens at Six Flags Vallejo
- July 1, 2012: Superman and Iveco Partner for MotoGP
- July 2, 2012: Bizarro Classic 3D
- July 3, 2012: Sideshow Collectibles Life-Size Superman Bust
- July 3, 2012: Warner Bros. and TV Guide Team for SDCC 2012 Themed Edition
- July 4, 2012: Merchandise - New 52
- July 6, 2012: A DC Collectibles Tour with Geoff Johns
- July 8, 2012: Rosenbaum Opens “Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom” Ride
- July 8, 2012: Superman Conquers “The New York Times Book Review”... Again
- July 10, 2012: Aristocrat Releases New “Superman: The Movie” Slot Game
- July 10, 2012: “Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D” Coming to Australia's Movie World
- July 10, 2012: Rare Superman Items on Auction at Hakes.com
- July 10, 2012: Comic-Con International - Poll Position
- July 11, 2012: Justice League to Join Batman in Next “Arkham” Video Game
- July 11, 2012: Merchandise - Audio Books and Radio CDs
- July 12, 2012: Preview Night at the San Diego Comic-Con
- July 13, 2012: Nightwing and Cyborg “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Trailer
- July 14, 2012: Plano “Smallville SuperFest” Taking Shape
- July 18, 2012: DC Argues Against Shuster Copyright Claim
- July 18, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Patches
- July 22, 2012: “Justice League: Earth's Final Defense” iOS Game
- July 22, 2012: Kotobukiya's New 52 Superman Statue
- July 24, 2012: Superman Celebration - Costume Contest
- July 24, 2012: New Expensive Fan Film - “Superman/Batman: Hail The Chief”
- July 25, 2012: Superman Homepage - Beyond the Website
- July 25, 2012: Merchandise - Busts
- July 26, 2012: Superman Collection on Display at Bradford Library
- July 30, 2012: Twelve Riders Get Stuck on New Superman Rollercoaster
- July 31, 2012: Schedule of Events for Plano “Smallville SuperFest”
- August 1, 2012: “Justice League: Earth's Final Defense” iOS Game Now Available
- August 1, 2012: Mike Kelley's “Kandor” Series on Display in New York
- August 1, 2012: Merchandise - Superman for the Kindle
- August 7, 2012: Superman Fan Wish List - Poll Position
- August 8, 2012: Merchandise - Cups, Glasses and Tumblers
- August 13, 2012: Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
- August 14, 2012: Wizard World Chicago Comic Con - More Photos
- August 15, 2012: Ruling on Shuster Copyright Claim Looms
- August 15, 2012: Payne's Toys and Comics Open for Business in Plano
- August 15, 2012: Merchandise - Latest Releases and Upcoming Items
- August 16, 2012: Feral Bring “LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” to the Mac
- August 21, 2012: Smallville SuperFest Celebrates the Values of the “Man of Steel”
- August 21, 2012: Superman Homepage Social Media - Poll Position
- August 21, 2012: Smallville SuperFest Photos from Plano, Illinois
- August 22, 2012: Play as Superman and Zod in “DC Universe Online”
- August 22, 2012: Merchandise - Surgical Jewelry and Body Piercing
- August 23, 2012: “Illegal Super Heroes” Interactive Posters
- August 24, 2012: Mattel's “New 52” Superman Action Figure Now Available
- August 27, 2012: Superman is World's Most Kissable Superhero
- August 29, 2012: Ed Boon Talks About “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Video Game
- August 29, 2012: Merchandise - Latest Superman T-Shirts
- September 2, 2012: “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Superman vs Wonder Woman
- September 5, 2012: Hutchinson Wants to be Real Life Smallville
- September 5, 2012: Merchandise - Superman and Wonder Woman
- September 11, 2012: Favorite Superman Family Character - Poll Position
- September 12, 2012: Funky Winkerbean Tackles “Superman: Grounded”
- September 14, 2012: “Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D” Almost Ready
- September 17, 2012: “Justice League Unlimited” 3-Pack Action Figure Set
- September 19, 2012: Superman vs Doctor Wertham
- September 19, 2012: Merchandise - Supergirl
- September 20, 2012: “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Coming April 2013
- September 21, 2012: Superman's Bad Day
- September 23, 2012: Cleveland Airport Superman Exhibit Opens October 11
- September 26, 2012: “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Collector's Edition
- September 26, 2012: Merchandise - Babies and Toddlers
- September 27, 2012: Work Progresses on Metropolis Massac Theatre
- September 30, 2012: DC Comics Sues Barber Shop Over Superman Logo
- October 2, 2012: Favorite Lana Lang - Poll Position
- October 2, 2012: Top Tips to Become the Supergirl of Halloween
- October 3, 2012: Kia and DC to Create Justice League Vehicles for Charity
- October 3, 2012: Merchandise - Halloween
- October 5, 2012: Nominate the Superman Homepage for the Podcast Awards
- October 9, 2012: DC Collectibles Reveals Frank Miller Superman Statue
- October 10, 2012: Box Art for “Injustice: Gods Among Us”
- October 10, 2012: 35th Annual Superman Celebration Dates Announced
- October 11, 2012: New Twist in Superman Copyright Battle from WB
- October 12, 2012: Superman Exhibit Unveiled in Cleveland Airport
- October 13, 2012: Laura Siegel Speaks Out About Superman Case
- October 13, 2012: More on Superman Exhibit in Cleveland Airport
- October 17, 2012: Warner Bros. Wins Legal Case Against Shuster Estate
- October 17, 2012: Superman Apparel Coming from TV Mania
- October 17, 2012: DC Characters Join HeroClix App
- October 18, 2012: New High-End Prints Added to DC's Online Store
- October 18, 2012: Shuster Estate Set to Appeal Court Ruling
- October 19, 2012: “Justice League: Earth's Final Defense” Game Now on Google Play
- October 23, 2012: Taking Sides in the Copyright Legal Battle - Poll Position
- October 24, 2012: RIP Superman Homepage Staff Member - Peter T. McDermott
- October 24, 2012: Merchandise - Latest Releases
- October 25, 2012: Laura Siegel Larson Appearing on Applause TV
- October 30, 2012: Superman - Bad Days - Animated Short
- October 30, 2012: The Science Behind the Superheroes
- October 31, 2012: Play as Lex Luthor and Steel in “DC Universe Online”
- October 31, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Bathrobes
- October 31, 2012: Rare Superman Items in Latest Hakes Auction
- November 1, 2012: Discovery Channel Examines Hollywood's Superman
- November 1, 2012: Superman Drops in on Sick Kids in Hospital
- November 4, 2012: McDonalds Young Justice Happy Meal Toys
- November 5, 2012: Superman Copyright Case in Court Today
- November 6, 2012: DC Appeals Siegel 50% Ownership of Superman Rights
- November 6, 2012: Behind The Scenes of “Injustice: Gods Among Us”
- November 7, 2012: Merchandise - Stone Arch Kids Books
- November 9, 2012: Superman Tops Sci-Fi Character Poll
- November 13, 2012: “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game Screenshots
- November 14, 2012: Merchandise - Holiday, Maggin and Death of Superman
- November 15, 2012: GraphicAudio Releasing “Enemies & Allies” in 2013
- November 15, 2012: HeroClix TabApp DC Characters Now Available
- November 21, 2012: Merchandise - Black Friday Deals
- November 21, 2012: Superman Statues by Hobby Sculptor David James
- November 27, 2012: Superman - The Comic Series Slot Machine
- November 27, 2012: Pinoy Superman in Guinness World Records
- November 27, 2012: Superman Websites - Poll Position
- November 28, 2012: Deathstroke Announced for “Injustice: Gods Among Us”
- November 28, 2012: Merchandise - Christmas Shopping
- December 1, 2012: “Young Justice: Legacy” Video Game Teaser Trailer
- December 3, 2012: Interview with Ben Torres on “Superman Lives” Toy Concepts
- December 3, 2012: Announcing the Death Battle - Superman vs. Goku
- December 4, 2012: The 2012 SHIELD Awards Winners Revealed!
- December 4, 2012: Save Christmas with DC Super Friends
- December 5, 2012: Superman Homepage 2012 Survey
- December 5, 2012: Merchandise - Winter Warmers
- December 6, 2012: Update Available for the Superman Homepage iOS App
- December 6, 2012: New Superman Homepage Theme
- December 6, 2012: New 52 Superman Toy Figure from Imaginext
- December 11, 2012: “Superman vs. Lex Luthor” LEGO Stop Motion Animation
- December 12, 2012: Merchandise - Superman Footwear
- December 13, 2012: DC Comics Wins Lawsuit Against Toberoff
- December 18, 2012: New Superman Homepage Design - Poll Position
- December 19, 2012: Merchandise - New Years Party Supplies
- December 20, 2012: “Man of Steel” Figures and Statues Coming
- December 27, 2012: Comic Shop Renames Street to Lois Lane
- December 30, 2012: Superman vs Thor - Super Power Beat Down
- December 30, 2012: Superman Soars Over California Coast
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