Stump the Superman Expert Chris Brockow chronicles his "Super Adventures" at Metropolis Illinois annual Superman Celebration
By Heroic World Guest Reporter: Chris Brockow
Chris Brockow and Helen Brockow (3rd and 4th in from the left) host Stump The Superman Expert: One of the Superman Celebration's most anticipated events! Winners 1st to 5th place in order include Jack Canterbury, Brad, Lee, Patrick James O’Neal and Zach Curtis.
The Superman Celebration celebrated it's 50th Anniversary with celebrities friends and fun.The Superman Celebration was great again! My wife Helen and I look forward to the celebration every year and find that every year is better than the last. We got into Metropolis Illinois Tuesday June 7 and left Monday June 13. Our first night we had a nice dinner with The Super Museum's Morgan and Adam Siebert and Super Museum owner Jim Hambrick. It's always more than a pleasure seeing and being with them. Wednesday we had a relaxing visit with Ericca Keyes Arthur, owner of Bliss Body Works. We have been friends with Ericca for many years now and look forward to seeing her every year also.
I went through The Superman Museum and could see that Morgan and Adam Siebert had put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make the Museum and Gift Store something extra special. If you did not visit the store or museum you don't know what you are missing. I encourage everyone to see the biggest collection of Superman items in the world.The best night for us was Thursday night. Helen and I had the opportunity to have dinner with Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers (Lex Luthors' sidekick Leo and Bizzaro from the Superboy TV series) and Superboy Legacy's Sam Rizzo. This was a geek's dream come true. I strongly believe we made life long friends with those two.
The Superman Celebration kicked off Friday morning with the first event being ours,"Stump the Superman Expert Trivia Show" .
We'll never get use to the fact that people like the show and I'd like to thank everyone who makes the show the success that it is. Your enthusiasm and willingness to participate means a lot to both Helen and myself. After our event we went to Fat Ed's to help our good friends Neil and Jennifer Cole with their amazing Superman SuperSite Meet and Greet. This is a staple of the Celebration and Neil and Jennifer do more than a great job with their fun filled event.
After the Meet and Greet we walked over to the Artist Alley to see Animated Superman Voice Actor George Newbern. He was a nice and pleasant man whom I had the pleasure to talk with for a long while. While at the Artist Alley we met up with the brilliant author Brian K. Morris and his lovely wife Cookie Morris. Two of our life long friends we have made at the Celebration. We also saw the talented artist Trevor Hawkins, whom is another life long friend.
After that was my favorite event...Superman Jeopardy. This has to be the biggest staple of the Superman Celebration. It's hosted by John Rinaldi, Metropolis's own Alex Trebek and my best friend who I met at The Superman Celebration 20 years ago. This year I was an honorary Rinaldi. John let me ask the children's questions out to the audience. That was a great privilege and Helen is always the score keeper for the show. After that it was time for dinner and then back to the room to rest up for Saturday.
Saturday morning started off with Jim Hambrick and his daughter Morgan Hambrick doing their own Question and Answer event discussing The 50th Anniversary Celebration . I am so glad we went to support our friends. They did a wonderful job answering questions and telling their stories about 50 years of celebrating Superman and the Museum. After the Q&A, we went back to Artist Alley and Hidden Gems to talk with Michael Manno, and Douglas Meyers and Superman the Movies, Jack O'Halloran. Another great time. After that The Rinadi's pleased the crowd with another Superman Jeopardy. “We finished up the night with the Superboy Q& A event with Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers hosted by Sam Rizzo.
Every year the Superman Celebration offers something big and different. This year was that, The Big Events this year was Tom Welling and Michael Rossenbaum. They had an event “Smallville Nights” and their Question and Answer event was more than crowded under the Main Tent.
Sunday was the last day and it started off with the final Superman Jeopardy of the event. We said our “Good-Byes” to The Rinaldi's and walked down Market Street for our last event, The Costume Contest.The Costume Contest is another Celebration crowd pleaser. People put a lot of effort into their costumes and their presentation for this event. After the Costume Contest it was time to go back to the hotel, pack up and get ready to leave the next morning. Karla Ogle and Lisa Gower do an outstanding job putting together the Superman Celebration along with the rest of The Chamber of Commerce. I feel that without Karla and Lisa, the Celebration wouldn't be as special as it is right now.
My personal problem was that it was too expensive for the V.I.P. Tickets, and then another charge for the Smallville Nights and the price for autograph pictures was way out of our price range.It use to be $20.00 for an autograph picture, now it's between $60,00 to $80.00. The Daily Planet used to be free for the Celebrities to sign but not now I had to choose, I could either pay for my insulin and supplies or get the V.I.P. Tickets. I chose my insulin and supplies. That is my ONLY complaint about the Celebration.
It was sad saying goodbye to all my Super Friends but I know we will see each other again for more Super Adventures!
I went through The Superman Museum and could see that Morgan and Adam Siebert had put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make the Museum and Gift Store something extra special. If you did not visit the store or museum you don't know what you are missing. I encourage everyone to see the biggest collection of Superman items in the world.The best night for us was Thursday night. Helen and I had the opportunity to have dinner with Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers (Lex Luthors' sidekick Leo and Bizzaro from the Superboy TV series) and Superboy Legacy's Sam Rizzo. This was a geek's dream come true. I strongly believe we made life long friends with those two.
The Superman Celebration kicked off Friday morning with the first event being ours,"Stump the Superman Expert Trivia Show" .
We'll never get use to the fact that people like the show and I'd like to thank everyone who makes the show the success that it is. Your enthusiasm and willingness to participate means a lot to both Helen and myself. After our event we went to Fat Ed's to help our good friends Neil and Jennifer Cole with their amazing Superman SuperSite Meet and Greet. This is a staple of the Celebration and Neil and Jennifer do more than a great job with their fun filled event.
After the Meet and Greet we walked over to the Artist Alley to see Animated Superman Voice Actor George Newbern. He was a nice and pleasant man whom I had the pleasure to talk with for a long while. While at the Artist Alley we met up with the brilliant author Brian K. Morris and his lovely wife Cookie Morris. Two of our life long friends we have made at the Celebration. We also saw the talented artist Trevor Hawkins, whom is another life long friend.
After that was my favorite event...Superman Jeopardy. This has to be the biggest staple of the Superman Celebration. It's hosted by John Rinaldi, Metropolis's own Alex Trebek and my best friend who I met at The Superman Celebration 20 years ago. This year I was an honorary Rinaldi. John let me ask the children's questions out to the audience. That was a great privilege and Helen is always the score keeper for the show. After that it was time for dinner and then back to the room to rest up for Saturday.
Saturday morning started off with Jim Hambrick and his daughter Morgan Hambrick doing their own Question and Answer event discussing The 50th Anniversary Celebration . I am so glad we went to support our friends. They did a wonderful job answering questions and telling their stories about 50 years of celebrating Superman and the Museum. After the Q&A, we went back to Artist Alley and Hidden Gems to talk with Michael Manno, and Douglas Meyers and Superman the Movies, Jack O'Halloran. Another great time. After that The Rinadi's pleased the crowd with another Superman Jeopardy. “We finished up the night with the Superboy Q& A event with Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers hosted by Sam Rizzo.
Every year the Superman Celebration offers something big and different. This year was that, The Big Events this year was Tom Welling and Michael Rossenbaum. They had an event “Smallville Nights” and their Question and Answer event was more than crowded under the Main Tent.
Sunday was the last day and it started off with the final Superman Jeopardy of the event. We said our “Good-Byes” to The Rinaldi's and walked down Market Street for our last event, The Costume Contest.The Costume Contest is another Celebration crowd pleaser. People put a lot of effort into their costumes and their presentation for this event. After the Costume Contest it was time to go back to the hotel, pack up and get ready to leave the next morning. Karla Ogle and Lisa Gower do an outstanding job putting together the Superman Celebration along with the rest of The Chamber of Commerce. I feel that without Karla and Lisa, the Celebration wouldn't be as special as it is right now.
My personal problem was that it was too expensive for the V.I.P. Tickets, and then another charge for the Smallville Nights and the price for autograph pictures was way out of our price range.It use to be $20.00 for an autograph picture, now it's between $60,00 to $80.00. The Daily Planet used to be free for the Celebrities to sign but not now I had to choose, I could either pay for my insulin and supplies or get the V.I.P. Tickets. I chose my insulin and supplies. That is my ONLY complaint about the Celebration.
It was sad saying goodbye to all my Super Friends but I know we will see each other again for more Super Adventures!
Helen Brockow, Chris Brockow,Sam Rizzo, Michael Manno and Douglas Meyers
Costume Contest 2022
The Costume Contest was Sunday June 12.The day was a hot 95 degree day but that didn't stop the 20 contestants from participating in this year's contest. The judges were Sean Dulaney and Steven WaldenThe host(s) were John and Dionne Gleckler as Secret Origins Jor-El and Lara.
Participants included…
Dan Feth as Ghost Rider
Dante Diener as The Riddler
Lonnie Johson as RoboCop
Justin Hays as President Superman Earth 2
Faith Greuel as Scarlet Witch
Brittney Greuel as Black Widow
Dan Moyer as Superman
William Mashburn as The Penguin
Crystal Martinez as MeraDawn
Brock-Jones as Live Wire
Justin Brock-Jones as Lex Luthor
Zac Pensol as Condiment King
Misty Licavoli as The Dreamer (A.K.A. Jim Hambrick)
Kris Denson as The Grinch
Charlee Soffer and Colleen Egan as Nightwing and Oracle
Sean Casey as One Punch Man
Mariah Brazel as Wonder Woman
Cory Asbury as Grundy
Kenneth Dunn as Batman Who Laughs Ha Ha HaDebbieYaco
Gail Scelza and Rikki Zaebo as Superman's Godmothers
Before the winners were announced, Steven Walden presented Joshua Boultinghouse (Superman) with a painting.
The Crowd Choice Winner was Zac Pensol as Condiment King.
Best Costume Justin Brock-Jones as Lex Luthor
Best Character William Mashburn as The Penguin
Outstanding Group Charlee Soffer and Colleen Egan as Nightwing and Oracle
The Grand Chapion Kris Denson as The Grinch
The Costume Contest was Sunday June 12.The day was a hot 95 degree day but that didn't stop the 20 contestants from participating in this year's contest. The judges were Sean Dulaney and Steven WaldenThe host(s) were John and Dionne Gleckler as Secret Origins Jor-El and Lara.
Participants included…
Dan Feth as Ghost Rider
Dante Diener as The Riddler
Lonnie Johson as RoboCop
Justin Hays as President Superman Earth 2
Faith Greuel as Scarlet Witch
Brittney Greuel as Black Widow
Dan Moyer as Superman
William Mashburn as The Penguin
Crystal Martinez as MeraDawn
Brock-Jones as Live Wire
Justin Brock-Jones as Lex Luthor
Zac Pensol as Condiment King
Misty Licavoli as The Dreamer (A.K.A. Jim Hambrick)
Kris Denson as The Grinch
Charlee Soffer and Colleen Egan as Nightwing and Oracle
Sean Casey as One Punch Man
Mariah Brazel as Wonder Woman
Cory Asbury as Grundy
Kenneth Dunn as Batman Who Laughs Ha Ha HaDebbieYaco
Gail Scelza and Rikki Zaebo as Superman's Godmothers
Before the winners were announced, Steven Walden presented Joshua Boultinghouse (Superman) with a painting.
The Crowd Choice Winner was Zac Pensol as Condiment King.
Best Costume Justin Brock-Jones as Lex Luthor
Best Character William Mashburn as The Penguin
Outstanding Group Charlee Soffer and Colleen Egan as Nightwing and Oracle
The Grand Chapion Kris Denson as The Grinch