Help Save The Home Of Superman's Dad!
Writer Brad Meltzer and The Siegel & Shuster Society are auctioning off a treasure trove of comic-industry goodies to finance the restoration of Jerry Siegel's childhood home.
While conducting extensive research for his latest novel, The Book of Lies, New York Times bestselling novelist (and author of the critically acclaimed DC miniseries Identity Crisis) Brad Meltzer visited the boyhood home of Superman creator Jerry Siegel. Much to his dismay, the house, located in one of the tougher neighborhoods of Cleveland, Ohio, was in extreme disrepair.
"When I saw that the house where Superman was created was in disrepair, it just seemed wrong," explained Meltzer. "The house where Google was created is saved. The farm where Hewlett Packard was founded is preserved. The Superman house deserves the same respect."
The current owners of the house, a couple who have lived there for approximately 20 years, don't have the money for repairs. So Meltzer immediately called up a few of his famous friends.
In commemoration of Superman's 70th birthday (celebrated as June 1938), Meltzer and The Siegel & Shuster Society have teamed up to fund the restoration of the house where Superman was created by hosting a star-studded, comic industry-fueled online auction, which starts today (September 2nd) and runs through 11:59 p.m. on September 30.
"We've always relied on Superman to be there when we needed him," said Meltzer. "This is our chance to be there for him."
Meltzer collected one-of-a-kind art and memorabilia, which is available now for bidding on his new philanthropic website, www.OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com.
A veritable who's who of comic royalty is participating including Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Jim Lee, Tim Sale, Jeph Loeb, Geoff Johns, Frank Cho, Amanda Conner, Mike Mignola, Eric Powell, Alex Ross, Walt Simonson, Joe Staton, Judd Winick, and even the late Michael Turner. You could earn a walk-on part on an upcoming episode of Heroes or a VIP visit to The Stephen Colbert Show, and you even could have a character named after you in a comic by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka or Brian Michael Bendis.
"I think sometimes people take things like this for granted because it started in cartoon form, but this is a house where modern mythology was created," said Bendis. "Mythology that will never die away or disappear. There is no difference, to me, between this house and Mark Twain's house. We have to honor and exalt such creation."
The family of Jerry Siegel was so moved by the event, they revealed the existence of six Superman IV: The Quest for Peace t-shirts that Jerry Siegel signed before his death, and donated one of them to the auction.
"This is the house where a young man dreamed of a hero that could lift the spirits of a world in turmoil and give hope to the hopeless," said Laura Siegel Larson. "He created a great American icon inside these walls. That young man was my father, writer Jerry Siegel, and I am thrilled that so many people are working together to honor him and preserve this very special place."
To view a complete list of the auction items, visit this page.
Visitors can also donate money or purchase a Siegel & Shuster Society t-shirt designed by legendary graphic designer, Chip Kidd (Final Crisis).
Meltzer said the long-term goal is still being decided. "And that's why you're invited to join The Siegel & Shuster Society and help us with those plans. Meetings are held monthly in Cleveland, when you buy a shirt, they'll have your name." He added that, in return for financing and implementing the repairs, The Siegel & Shuster Society has the right to buy the house when it eventually goes up for sale.
"We are thrilled to have Brad Meltzer champion this cause and are so thankful to the generosity of those who have contributed to saving the house," said Dick Pace, President of The Siegel & Shuster Society. "It's a great tribute to Siegel and [co-creator Joe] Shuster and the creativity of Superman."
[Original article by CBR News's JEFFREY RENAUD.]