2021 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
October 18, 2021: Superman Homepage - Welcome to a New Era!
[The following column was published in our recent "Big Blue Report" newsletter which was emailed out to subscribers on October 15. Response to the column was so positive that I felt it should be republished here on the website.]If you somehow missed it, the big news of last week was the announcement that in an upcoming issue of "Superman: Son of Kal-El" (issue #4) Jon Kent (Clark and Lois' son) would be coming out as bisexual. The news almost broke the internet.
I'll be honest. It wasn't a good week to be a Superman fan. Not because of the news, but because of the way people responded to the news. Being responsible for moderating comments across our website, Facebook accounts, Instagram and YouTube, it was a week I'd like to forget.
Unfortunately, being the internet, the trolls were out and the vitriol was rife. It was really disappointing to see just how many homophobic and bigoted comments there were. As fans of a character who is all about acceptance, friendship and hope, it really was terrible to see the hateful remarks.
Spiteful people aside, I'd like to respond to some of the common reactions I saw in response to the revelation.
"It's a gimmick! A cash grab by DC Comics."
DC aren't stupid. They're a business. Of course they want to sell comic books. They know this will be controversial, that it will make news, create conversation and, yes, ultimately, sell comic books. Just like the death of Superman, his marriage, his powers changing, renouncing his American citizenship, or any number of other stories. That doesn't mean it isn't an important story to tell or that it won't be well written. Tom Taylor is a great writer. I'm sure he has a really engaging story ready for us, not just a gimmick without substance.
"I don't want to know about the love life of superhero characters. I just want them to save people and punch robots."
That's an over-simplification of some of the comments I saw, but you get the gist of it. The fact is, sexual relationships have been part of Superman comic books since his very first issue of "Action Comics" back in 1938. The love triangle between Superman, Lois Lane and Clark Kent has been central to Superman comic books for over 80 years.
In more recent years his love life has been the main focus of many forms of the Superman story. In the Christopher Reeve films (especially "Superman II") the entire story was about Superman and Lois' relationship and the ramification and fallout of that. "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" was completely about the relationship between the two titular characters. In the comic books we've seen plenty of stories focusing on Lois and Clark's love for each other. In a recent issue of "Action Comics" (issue #1035) it was even implied the two had sex while flying above Metropolis.
When some people say that don't want to know about the love life of superheroes, what they're really saying is they don't want to know about the love life of superheroes unless it conforms to their ideas of what a love life should be, because they're uncomfortable with non-hetero relationships.
"I have no problem with this, but they should create new characters for this, not change already established characters."
This one surprised and confused me. Jon Kent IS a new character. Sure he's been around for a few years now, but up until recently he was a 10 year old boy. You don't tell stories about the sexuality of a 10 year old boy. Whatever you think of DC deciding to "age-up" Jon Kent to make him a teenager instead of a young boy, the fact is, Jon is at the age where it is normal for the character to be exploring his sexuality. They're not changing an already established character, they're exploring that character's identity at the age where it's appropriate.
If anything, DC have been really crafty about this. They know using the Superman brand for this type of story will garner lots of attention. However, they're not altering the original Superman character (Clark Kent). He's still the same heterosexual man, the love of Lois Lane's life, we've known for so many years. He remains unchanged. He continues his never-ending battle. You can still read the stories of that Superman over in "Action Comics". However, his son, Jon Kent, who has also taken on the mantle of Superman, his story is his own, and DC can explore a different path for this character. If his story doesn't interest you, you don't have to read it.
At the end of the day, for many people, Jon Kent's story is an important one. You don't have to like it. You don't have to read it.
My problem is this. The Superman Homepage is, and always has been, a place for Superman fans of all kinds to come together to have open and honest debate. To that end, we expect members to follow our basic rules and premises. People got very angry and took objection when we started deleting comments or banning people from participating in our forums. Your ability to comment - and remain - a member of our website, or indeed any of our social media forums, is a privilege, NOT your right. They are NOT public forums! If you violate our rules and expectations we will delete your comment and possibly ban you. It's not up for debate! If you want to post comments that are hurtful or hateful towards others, go do it on your own website or social media feed.
For too long the internet (especially social media) has allowed people to post hurtful comments without many (if any) repercussions. At the Superman Homepage, we've undoubtably fallen into that trap of allowing a similar pattern to take hold of our own forums. No more! As a collective we have drawn a line in the sand, and will be taking a much harsher stance when it comes to what we allow to be posted in our comments, whether it be on our website or any of our social media platforms. Far too many good people have been turned away because of the negativity of a vocal minority. It ends now!
Steve Younis
2021 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2021.- January 6, 2021: Get Your Superman Hero Box
- January 6, 2021: Superman “Return of Superman” MAFEX Action Figure
- January 6, 2021: Superman Blankets
- January 7, 2021: Best Superman Shirt Rip - Poll Results
- January 7, 2021: Top 10 Live-Action or Animated Superman Shirt Rips of All Time
- January 12, 2021: Be Part of Galaxy Con's Superman Virtual Experience
- January 12, 2021: Superman Shoelace Tags
- January 19, 2021: Superman Face Masks from MaskClub.com
- January 21, 2021: Superman Parody Merchandise Available at RIPT
- January 24, 2021: Limited Edition Swarovski Superman Crystal Collectibles
- January 25, 2021: XM Studios Announces Recovery Suit Superman Rebirth Statue
- January 26, 2021: Superman Valentines Day Gifts
- January 29, 2021: Funko Announces Justice League Superman Large Enamel Pop! Pin
- January 29, 2021: Funko Pop! Vinyl Comic Cover: DC Superman Action Comic Vinyl Figure
- January 31, 2021: Cybeart Justice League Gaming Chairs
- February 9, 2021: Superman Bracelets and Wrist Bands
- February 16, 2021: Superman Drink Coasters
- February 17, 2021: Tweeterhead Unveils New Superman Maquette
- February 18, 2021: What Are Superman Fans Most Looking Forward To? - Poll Results
- February 19, 2021: Pre-Order the Superman Maquette by Tweeterhead
- February 23, 2021: Exclusive DC Comics Podcasts on Spotify
- February 23, 2021: Lois Lane T-Shirts
- February 24, 2021: Mezco Announces Superman One:12 Collective Figure
- February 27, 2021: Limited Edition “Zack Snyder's Justice League” Funko! Pop 4-Pack Collection
- March 2, 2021: Lex Luthor Collectibles
- March 4, 2021: Read Vladimir Nabokov's Unpublished Superman Poem From 1942
- March 8, 2021: Iron Studios Clark Kent Deluxe Statue
- March 9, 2021: Metropolis, Illinois Superman Celebration 2021 Dates
- March 9, 2021: Superman Bathrobes
- March 17, 2021: Superman Themed Water Splash Park in Metropolis, Illinois
- March 22, 2021: First Look at Upcoming Puma Superman Shoes
- March 22, 2021: Justice League Toys with Burger King/Hungry Jacks Kids Meals
- March 23, 2021: “Zack Snyder's Justice League” Black Suit Superman PUMA Suede Sneakers
- March 23, 2021: Superman Slippers
- March 25, 2021: DC Gallery Superman Ascendant PVC Statue
- March 26, 2021: Hallmark's Mini Superman “You Make the World Better” Card
- March 28, 2021: San Diego Comic-Con 2021 Dates Announced
- March 30, 2021: Superman Phone Holders
- March 31, 2021: DC Super Friends “Rotten to the Core” Kids Commentary
- April 1, 2021: Our 2021 April Fools Day Fake News Stories
- April 3, 2021: Biion Footwear's Limited Edition Batman and Superman Collection
- April 6, 2021: Superman Notebooks and Journals
- April 7, 2021: Superman - The Mechanical Monsters (1941): Deluxe Boxed Set
- April 13, 2021: Superman Mother's Day Gifts
- April 15, 2021: Superman's Best Nickname - Poll Results
- April 15, 2021: XM Studios Lex Luthor - Rebirth 1/6 Premium Collectibles Statue
- April 17, 2021: Collector of Worlds Superman Gameplay Debut for “Injustice 2” Mobile Game
- April 18, 2021: Hallmark Announces DC Comics “Zack Snyder's Justice League” Superman Ornament
- April 20, 2021: Justice League Mother's Day Cards to Print and Color
- April 22, 2021: Superman's Greatest Enemies - Poll Results
- April 28, 2021: DC FanDome Returns for 2021!
- April 28, 2021: DC Super Friends “Gotham City Deep Freeze” Kids Commentary
- May 4, 2021: Video - DC All-Villains Panel from DC FanDome 2020
- May 4, 2021: Superman Jigsaw Puzzles
- May 5, 2021: McDonalds Australia DC Super Heroes Happy Meal Toys
- May 11, 2021: Superman Shorts
- May 18, 2021: Nintendo Announces “DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power” Video Game
- May 18, 2021: Superman Cars and Trucks
- May 20, 2021: “Support Metropolis: Saturn to Super Run” Fundraiser
- May 24, 2021: 2021 Superman Celebration Celebrity Guests Announced
- May 25, 2021: Superman and Justice League Bead Craft
- June 1, 2021: Superman Board Games
- June 3, 2021: Fan Interest in Upcoming Superman Projects - Poll Results
- June 7, 2021: Is Superman Joining Fortnite?
- June 8, 2021: Superman Officially Available in “Fortnite”
- June 8, 2021: Superman Gift Wrapping Paper
- June 9, 2021: DC Super Friends “Sinister Suit” Kids Commentary
- June 9, 2021: Superman Homepage “Meet & Greet” at 2021 Superman Celebration
- June 12, 2021: Happy Superman Day!
- June 15, 2021: Superman Father's Day Gift Ideas
- June 22, 2021: Superman Motorcycle Accessories
- June 27, 2021: XM Studios Previews Supergirl 1:4 Scale Statue
- June 28, 2021: Photos From “The Art of DC - The Dawn of Super Heroes” in Tokyo
- June 29, 2021: Superman Neck Ties and Bow Ties
- June 30, 2021: Pre-Order the Supergirl 1:4 Scale Statue from XM Studios
- July 1, 2021: Collecting Physical Media - Poll Results
- July 2, 2021: DC Comics Superman Dynamic 8-ction Heroes Action Figure
- July 6, 2021: Ultimate Museum Masterline - Superman VS Doomsday Statue
- July 6, 2021: Superman Coffee Mugs
- July 7, 2021: DC Announces Comic-Con@Home 2021 Panel Line-Up
- July 7, 2021: New Book “Adapting Superman: Essays on the Transmedia Man of Steel”
- July 7, 2021: DC Super Friends “Batman & Superman the Dream Team” Kids Commentary
- July 10, 2021: Stacy Haiduk Joins Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois
- July 13, 2021: Superman Shot Glasses
- July 14, 2021: New Book - “The DC Book: A Vast and Vibrant Multiverse Simply Explained”
- July 15, 2021: McFarlane Toys Superman vs Devastator Action Figure Multipack
- July 20, 2021: Videos and Artwork From Never Released Superman Video Game
- July 20, 2021: McFarlane Toys Superman Action Figures
- July 22, 2021: Superman Garage Door Mural in St. Paul, Minnesota
- July 23, 2021: “Justice League: The World's Greatest Super Heroes” Fine Art Print
- July 27, 2021: The Return of Superman - Cyborg Superman Mafex Action Figure
- July 27, 2021: Superman on Vinyl
- July 28, 2021: DC Comics Imperial Palace Superman Pop! Vinyl Figure
- July 29, 2021: Best Superman Action Figure Manufacturer - Poll Results
- July 31, 2021: Fan-Made Superman Song “Your Superman, You Are Superman” by Lou Black
- August 2, 2021: Video from the Metropolis, Illinois 2021 Superman Celebration
- August 3, 2021: Win a Superman: Action Comics Fine Art Print by Francis Manapul
- August 3, 2021: Smallville Comicon - Celebrating 10 Years of the Smallville Museum
- August 3, 2021: Superman Chairs
- August 7, 2021: Get Your Justice League Stampers
- August 10, 2021: Superman Party Balloons
- August 11, 2021: Superman: Man of Steel Edition One:12 Collective Action Figure
- August 11, 2021: Westminster Justice League Commemorative Coin
- August 11, 2021: Video - “DC Super Friends” - Lex on the Loose
- August 11, 2021: Unlock Superman Skins for Fortnite
- August 17, 2021: New Superman Collectibles
- August 18, 2021: Get Your DC Multiverse Superboy Prime Infinite Crisis 7-Inch Scale Action Figure
- August 18, 2021: DC Bombshells Supergirl Breast Cancer Awareness Pop! Vinyl Figure
- August 21, 2021: Superman and “Smallville” Panels at DragonCon 2021
- August 22, 2021: Justice League Team Classic Variant Fine Art Print
- August 22, 2021: Rare Superman Items in Heritage Auctions Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction
- August 22, 2021: Funables DC Comics Fruit Snacks
- August 24, 2021: Superman Tie Dye Clothing
- August 25, 2021: Black Suit Superman and The Flash “Superman: The Animated Series” 7-Inch Scale Action Figures
- August 26, 2021: Superman Alter Ego Lenticular Wood Wall Decor
- August 26, 2021: Superman Fans and Social Media - Poll Results
- August 28, 2021: Superman Homepage Crew Discuss the Legacy of “Superman: The Movie”
- August 28, 2021: Brazilian Festival of Comics 2021
- August 31, 2021: Full Details on 2021 DC FanDome!
- August 31, 2021: Superman Light Switch Covers
- September 2, 2021: DC FanDome Friday Announcement
- September 2, 2021: Royal Mail Unveils DC Stamp Collection
- September 7, 2021: Video - “Superman: Battle Royale of Media Supermen” (Dragon Con 2021)
- September 14, 2021: DC Comics x Kaskade Superman Collection
- September 14, 2021: Superman Men's Halloween Costumes
- September 16, 2021: HAPPY FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY, STEVE!
- September 16, 2021: Favorite Superpowered Superman Family Character - Poll Results
- September 17, 2021: DarkSide Collectibles Christopher Reeve Superman 1:3 Legacy Statue
- September 21, 2021: Superman and Batman Collectibles, Movies and Comic Books
- September 23, 2021: Superman's Most Popular Era - Poll Results
- September 24, 2021: Batman vs Superman Wood Carved Statues for Sale
- September 28, 2021: Supergirl Halloween Costumes
- September 29, 2021: DC Partners with Palm NFT Studio for Digital Collectibles
- October 2, 2021: It All Started with Superman - DC FanDome
- October 4, 2021: DC FanDome 2021 All Star Talent Lineup Announced
- October 5, 2021: Superman Slippers
- October 7, 2021: New Teaser Videos for DC FanDome 2021
- October 10, 2021: DC FanDome Adds Exclusive “After Party” for Australia and New Zealand
- October 10, 2021: Secretlab DC Collection Gaming Chairs
- October 10, 2021: First Look at McFarlane Toys “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” Action Figures
- October 11, 2021: Cryptozoic Entertainment Announces “DC Dual Force” Digital Collectible Card Game
- October 13, 2021: Kismet Decals Launches New Superman Wall Stickers
- October 14, 2021: DC FanDome Official Spotify Soundtrack
- October 14, 2021: Behind-the-Scenes of Jim Lee's DC Heroes & Villains Experience
- October 14, 2021: DC FanDome Fan Participation - Poll Results
- October 15, 2021: DC FanDome - Talent Ensemble
- October 16, 2021: DC FanDome: Superman's Motto Changes
- October 16, 2021: “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” Video Game Official Story Trailer
- October 16, 2021: DC FanDome - DC Heroes & Villains Mobile Game Announced
- October 17, 2021: Meshika Hats Limited Edition Superman Designs
- October 18, 2021: Superman Homepage - Welcome to a New Era!
- October 19, 2021: Superman Mentioned in Marvel's “Eternals” Movie
- October 19, 2021: Squeeze Away Your Stress with Superman Squishy Figures
- October 21, 2021: The History of Superman's “Truth and Justice” Motto
- October 21, 2021: Centre Com DC Comics Gaming Chairs
- October 25, 2021: Video - Read Along with “DC Super Friends: Monster Madness”
- October 25, 2021: Unboxing Video - Superman Wall Sticker From Kismet Decals
- October 26, 2021: Superman Canvas Wall Art
- October 28, 2021: Changing SupermanÕs Motto - Poll Results
- October 29, 2021: Jewish-American Hall of Fame Medal Honors SupermanÕs Creators
- November 2, 2021: Superman Zip Hoodies
- November 8, 2021: Video - Read Along with “DC Super Friends: Battle in Space”
- November 10, 2021: Superman Black Suit Mini Co. Collectible Figure by Iron Studios
- November 10, 2021: Video - Secret Search “DC Super Friends: Lex on the Loose”
- November 15, 2021: DC Super Heroes Create Fun, Comforting COVID-19 Vaccine Sites
- November 16, 2021: Superman Beanies
- November 18, 2021: First Look at “MultiVersus” Video Game from Warner Bros. Games
- November 29, 2021: Cyber Monday Savings on Invicta Men's Superman Quartz Watches
- December 2, 2021: Fan Interest in “Multiversus” Video Game - Poll Results
- December 3, 2021: Superman Blue Pop! Vinyl Figure - 2021 Convention Exclusive
- December 5, 2021: Iron Studios Unveils Superboy Deluxe DC Comics Statue
- December 5, 2021: More Superman Statues Coming From Iron Studios
- December 7, 2021: Superman Christmas Decorations and Gift Ideas
- December 9, 2021: New “DC Universe Online” Video Game Episode - Legion of Doom
- December 9, 2021: Beast Kingdom Darkseid Action Figure
- December 10, 2021: Val-Zod Figure Coming with New LEGO Character Encyclopaedia
- December 10, 2021: “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” Gameplay Trailer
- December 13, 2021: Pre-Order the Daffy Duck Superman - “Space Jam: A New Legacy” - Art Scale 1/10 Statue
- December 14, 2021: Superman Face Masks
- December 15, 2021: Slugfest - DC vs Marvel 10-Part Docu-Series
- December 15, 2021: Superman Lights a 10 Hour Yule Log Fireplace from DC Comics
- December 19, 2021: Code and Create Your Own DC Super Hero Game
- December 21, 2021: New Solar Superman and General Zod McFarlane Action Figures
- December 21, 2021: Superman Coffee Mugs
- December 22, 2021: Superman Inspired “Fields of Gold” by Emmy Award-Winning Composer Julie Giroux
- December 23, 2021: DC Essentials DCeased Superman and Supergirl Action Figures
- December 28, 2021: 2022 Wall Calendars
- December 31, 2021: Kaiyodo Unveils Amazing Yamaguchi Revoltech Superman Action Figure
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