For years I drew caricatures at the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL. I was fortunate enough to enjoy a prime location right out front of the Super Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Superman memorabilia.
I was also fortunate to be asked by the Super Museum owners/managers Adam and Morgan (shoutout) to recreate and update the comic page mural that composed a corner panel of their building. As you can see, it definitely needed some love.
The page was based on a script for an un-produced made-for-TV movie that was part of the old George Reeves series. I loved the old black and white episodes as a kid, so getting this right was important to me.
Here are some character studies I did of the cast to make sure I could get the likenesses right.
Then with that pinned down, I moved on to compose and letter the page writ large.
After that I proceeded to the inking stage. I had to work extra big. Usually when making comics I draw about 33% bigger than what will actually get printed which makes the artwork look tighter and hide any errors, but I didn’t have that advantage here.
Then I colored it all up!
It was definitely more work than my usual comic page, and probably the closest I will ever get to drawing Supes professionally. It was also a lot of fun, pushed my nostalgia buttons, and an honor to make my small contribution to the great canon of Superman. I’m very proud of the results.
Should you ever find yourself in Southern Illinois, I highly recommend checking out the Super Museum, the giant Superman statue in the town square, and the Superman Celebration the second weekend of June every year.
In case you haven’t notices, I have a warm place in my heart for the town, its people, and the celebration. It’s half street fair, half comic convention. Metropolis has been foundational to me and my career, and I’m pleased to have left my small mark on the town.
Hope you’re enjoying your summer. More soon.
Till next time, be good.
But not too good 😉
-Nathan
Chapter 5
