The Man of Steel famously hails from the fictional city of Metropolis, and in the early 1970s the leaders of this charming town of some 6,000 nestled along the picturesque Ohio River in the far south of Illinois decided to go all in on the name coincidence, launching "Project Superman" to create various sites and celebrations playing up the connection. Yes, it´s a bit gimmicky and contrived, but it´s also good clean fun, and no visit here would be complete without checking out the colorful statue of Superman (15 feet tall, and in bronze rather than steel) in front of the Massac County courthouse, as well as that of Lois Lane several blocks away. There´s also a Super Museum where visitors can explore exhibits showcasing rare comic books, movie memorabilia, and artefacts that highlight the superhero's evolution over the years. Interactive displays provide insights into Superman's creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and their inspiration behind the character. And why not pop by the offices of the Metropolis Planet, the real-life local weekly newspaper to learn about local journalism and history as well as pick up Superman-themed souvenirs and snap a photo with a replica of Clark Kent's iconic desk (fun fact: the paper was founded as the Metropolis News in 1865, later became the Daily Star, and in 1940 was finally renamed the Planet in 1940 coinciding with the release of Action Comics #23).
In addition, every second weekend of June (in 2026, the 12th to 14th), Metropolis stages the Superman Celebration, an extravaganza featuring a wide range of activities and events, from interactive exhibits and panel discussions to film screenings and comic book signings. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Superman through themed attractions, merchandise vendors, and special performances. Cosplay enthusiasts flock to the celebration to show off their best Superman costumes and compete in contests for prizes and bragging rights, and adding to the excitement are celebrity appearances by actors who have portrayed Superman characters in movies and on television (such as Dean Cain, Margot Kidder, and Brandon Routh), as well as comic book artists and writers; for fans, it´s meet-and-greets, autographs, and selfies galore! Finally, there´s also a fun fair with rides and the other usual trappings held to coincide with the celebration.
Replies