2013 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

August 22, 2013: The Superman Theme Park That Never Happened

Superman Land Gizmodo delves into the history behind the never-made Superman Theme Park that was to be known as "The Amazing World of Superman". A theme park that was set to be built in Metropolis, Illinois with a 200 foot-tall Superman statue at its entrance.

    Comic artist Neal Adams was commissioned to draw up a tentative design, starting with a 200-foot-tall statue of Superman that would serve as an entryway into the park. Published in 2008 on Comic Coverage, Adams' plans show a Googie-esque red roof sheltering an assortment of attractions, ranging from a Bucky Fuller-style Dymaxion Dome (the Bottle City of Kandor) to the main street of Smallville. There was also a supermarket and a playground, hinting at the unspoken hope that Superman Land would benefit Metropolis' citizens as well as tourists.

    There would also be a massive Fortress of Solitude, topped by a stained glass roof. Plus, a gallery devoted to the villains. All in all, the plan would have cost the city $50 million, or roughly $270,000,000 in today's dollars. It's hard to say who was pushing harder for the scheme - city officials or DC Comics - but the same year, DC published a special edition comic devoted to the Amazing World of Superman, hyping up the forthcoming theme park with fans. A small exhibition center was opened, where models of the park and memorabilia, like bumper stickers, were sold.

    And then it all fell apart.

Read why and see more images at the Gizmodo website.



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