This hilarious clip, thought to be shot in Argentina, shows a group of pals driving together through the countryside.

As the camera focuses on the front passenger window, a man in shades appears to fly alongside the car.

With his arm extended in a fist, just like Superman, the smirking superhero then gestures for the girl in front to lower her window.

As she winds it down, he politely asks in Spanish if he is on the right road for San Jose.

Giggling, his co-star in the clip reassures him to keep straight on – at which he thanks her for her time and ‘flies’ off.

What we don’t see though is the back seat – where presumably her pal is kneeling with his head out the window.

Uploaded to YouTube by chino21867 last week, the video now has nearly 387,000 hits.

The popular clip’s description is ‘SUPER PIOLA’ which means ‘super clever’ or ‘super great’ but the jokers’ prank is not an original one.

Similar footage of ‘Superman’ – but this time on his way to the Patagonian city of Trelew in Argentina – was uploaded to the video sharing site in December 2010.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/4143441/Superman-prank-is-an-auto-matic-hit.html

Star Trek director JJ Abrams had written the script, and Scarlett Johansson was lined up to Lois Lane, while Downey, Jr. had agreed to play the superhero’s nemesis Lex Luther.

However, McG exited the project after refusing to shoot the movie in Australia, where bosses at Warner Brothers studios wanted to locate the set, due to his phobia of flying.

He tells Playlist, “JJ wrote the script, and we got that to a really good place in the end. But I’m to blame for (the film not happening).

“We had Robert Downey, Jr. locked up to be Lex Luthor, which I think would have been extraordinary.”

The film was eventually made by X-Men director Bryan Singer and hit screens in 2006 as Superman Returns, with Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor.

Ironically, soon-to-be Superman Henry Cavill auditioned for the lead role, which eventually went to Brandon Routh.

Cavill will play the superhero in Man of Steel, which is due for release next year.

Source: http://www.hollywood.com/news/McGs_axed_Superman_movie_had_Downey_Jr_as_Lex_Luthor/18002853

DALLAS — When Michael Rorrer found 345 comic books neatly stacked in a basement closet as he cleaned out his great aunt’s Virginia home after her death, he thought they were cool but didn’t think much about their value.

He later discovered that his late great uncle Billy Wright had managed to assemble a remarkable comic book collection that included some of the most prized issues ever published, and kept them in good condition. The comics are expected to fetch more than $2 million when they are auctioned off today in New York City.

“This is just one of those collections that all the guys in the business think don’t exist anymore,” said Lon Allen, the managing director of comics for Heritage Auctions, the Dallas-based auction house overseeing the sale.

The collection includes 44 of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide’s list of top 100 issues from comics’ golden age.

“The scope of this collection is, from a historian’s perspective, dizzying,” said J.C. Vaughn, associate publisher of Overstreet.

Rorrer, 31, of Oxnard, Calif., found the comics in his great aunt Ruby Wright’s Martinsville, Va., home a few months after her death last February. His mother, Lisa Hernandez, 54, of League City, Texas, then divided the comics into two boxes — one for him and one for his younger brother.

After his box arrived in California in the fall, Rorrer mentioned the collection to a co-worker, telling him about seeing a Captain America No. 2, a 1941 issue in which the hero bursts in on Adolf Hitler. Rorrer, who works at a plant where oil is separated from water, said the co-worker mused that it would be something if he had Action Comics No. 1, in which Superman makes his first appearance.

“I went home and was looking through some of them, and there it was,” said Rorrer, who then began researching the collection’s value in earnest.

He found that his great uncle had managed as a boy to buy a staggering array of what became the most valuable comic books ever published.

Once Rorrer realized how important the comics were, he called his mother, who still had the box for his brother at her house. He and his mother then went through their boxes, checking comic after comic off the list.

“I couldn’t believe what I had sitting there upstairs at my house,” Rorrer said.

Hernandez, who works in a chemical plant, said it really hit her how valuable the comics were when she saw the look on Allen’s face after he came to her house to look through the comics she had there.

“It was kind of hard to wrap my head around it,” Allen said.

Rorrer said he only remembers his aunt making a fleeting reference to the comics when she learned that he and his brother, Jonathan Rorrer, now 29 of Houston, liked comic books. He said his great uncle, who died in 1994 at age 66, never mentioned his collection.

The Action Comics No. 1 — which Wright bought when he was about 11 — is expected to sell for about $325,000. A Detective Comics No. 27, the 1939 issue that features the first appearance of Batman, is expected to get about $475,000. And the Captain America No. 2 with Hitler on the cover that had caught Rorrer’s eye? That’s expected to bring in about $100,000.

Allen, who called the collection “jaw-dropping,” noted that Wright “seemed to have a knack” for picking up the ones that would be the most valuable. The core of his collection is from 1938 to 1941.

Hernandez said it makes sense that her uncle — even as a boy — had a discerning eye. The man who went to The College of William and Mary before having a long career as a chemical engineer for DuPont was smart, she said. And, she added, Wright was an only child whose mother kept most everything he had. She said that they found games from the 1930s that were still in their original boxes.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/02/comic_collection_featuring_ear.html

The prized Hollywood Museum collection features an exclusive selection of memorabilia and effects from some of Hollywood’s most legendary stars. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to Superman, Julien’s Auctions Hollywood Legends sale covers a remarkable history of film and television along with personal stories of the world’s most loved stars.

From the early start of films to today’s action heroes, Julien’s Auctions Hollywood Legends Sale will offer the savvy collector and museum an array of one-of-a-kind pieces of memorabilia to own and cherish that even includes superheroes and men who have gone beyond the walls of space. The Superhero memorabilia includes a Christopher Reeve Superman costume from “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (Est. $20,000-$30,000), a complete Batman costume on a custom display from “Batman Returns” (Est. $60,000-$80,000) and a Turbo Man costume from the Arnold Schwarzenegger holiday film “Jingle All The Way” (Est. $2,000-$4,000).

Registration is required to bid in this live auction and can be done either in person at the exhibitions and auction or by visiting our Registration page at www.juliensauctions.com before the sale or by calling (310) 836-1818.

Julien’s Auctions is located at 9665 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 150 in Beverly Hills, California.

Source: http://www.juliensauctions.com/press/2012/hollywood-legends.html

With a script by J.J. Abrams in hand, director McG eyed Scarlett Johansson as Lois Lane and Shia LaBeouf as Jimmy Olsen. For the lead role, he screen-tested several relatively unknown actors, including the current Man of Steel Henry Cavill. But who did he want to play Superman’s arch-nemesis ?

While making the rounds for his new action/romantic comedy This Means War, McG revealed to The Playlist that he’d secured Robert Downey Jr. ahead of the actor’s Hollywood comeback. “We had Robert Downey Jr. locked up to be Lex Luthor, which I think would have been extraordinary,” he said.

Ultimately, though, Flyby fell apart, primarily because McG’s fear of flying prevented him from going to Sydney, Australia, where Warner Bros. wanted to shoot the bulk of the film.

“J.J. wrote the script, and we got that to a really good place in the end,” he said. “But I’m to blame for [the film not happening].”

Source: http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2012/02/21/robert-downey-jr-nearly-played-lex-luther-in-mcgs-superman/

Source: http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/02/10/43793.htm

Tim Daly has been flying since 1990.

Whether it’s taking Cliff Clavin and Norm Peterson (from Cheers) to their fishing weekend in his Cessna on Wings, or with a red cape fluttering behind him as the voice of Superman in Superman: The Animated Series and various other DC Animated Universe shows and movies, it’s somewhat of a surprise Daly doesn’t get nosebleeds when he comes down to talk to people on the ground these days from the pressure change.

Next up, he’ll star in Warner Home Video’s Justice League: Doom, an adaptation of the popular JLA: Tower of Babel story arc that will hit DVD, Blu-Ray and various download and video-on-demand services February 28. Warner provided the media with the following conversation with Daly, wherein he discusses the unique pressures of nearing twenty years as the Man of Steel.

What’s the crux of JUSTICE LEAGUE: DOOM from Superman’s perspective?

TIM DALY: Well, as usual, it’s all about saving the planet. But first, the Justice League has to save the Justice League. Batman disappoints his colleagues in the Justice League by having a plan to stop any rogue Justice League member, and by allowing those plans to be stolen. Superman understands Batman, though – he really has created these contingency plans for a pretty noble reason. He’s trying to protect the world by inserting some checks and balances into this system, realizing that the Justice League has an incredible amount of power, and he wants to make sure that they always use that power in a way that’s not destructive.

Are you able to turn on and off the Superman voice without hesitation, or is there some sort of warm-up involved – mentally or vocally?

TIM DALY: There’s just a lot of technical things to keep in mind. You get warmed up like you do with anything and, after a little rehearsing, it’s all second nature. That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to go back and do a few lines over again – you want these things to be just right. But you don’t necessarily jump straight back in. I mean, it’s not like I walk around being Superman in real life. But when you read the script and put yourself in the position that Superman is in – I mean, he’s always saving the planet, for God’s sake. When you realize that, it’s not difficult to take the gravitas of the situation and make your voice do what it needs to do.

As well as you know this character after all of these years, are you ever shy to offer suggestions about how certain dialogue might be presented or altered?

TIM DALY: Usually the writing is pretty great, but then again, I can’t keep my mouth shut. If I think something can be better, I’ll speak  up and say so. But I will explain why I’m making the suggestion. I actually find that writers respond very well to being asked questions. “Why would Superman say that?” “Would it be better if I said it this way?” You don’t just want to be critical – that doesn’t benefit anyone. The best creative work usually comes from a collaboration.

Have you ever found yourself using the Superman attitude or voice in real life?

TIM DALY: I did a little bit when my kids were young. And I found that it worked much better on my daughter than my son. I would say to her, (beefs up his voice), “Stop that right now.” And she would be suitably taken aback. But my son, he didn’t really care.

Has providing the voice of Superman helped you learn anything about yourself or changed you in any way?

TIM DALY: Maybe a little bit. Maybe some of what gets you through your walks in the world is attitude. Certainly Superman has a lot of power and he doesn’t have to be showy, rather he carries that confidence quietly. He knows what he can do. I certainly am not capable of pulling that off in my own life. But knowing that, I can fake that attitude to help me out now and then.

What Superman memorabilia have you collected over the years?

TIM DALY: I have a beautiful wooden Superman statue with a removable cape – I really love that piece. I have a cel from the original Superman series cartoons. And I have a gold Superman “S” pin. And then there’s my tights, uh, but don’t tell anymore.

TV and film is usually a one-way experience for you. You don’t really get to see the final product with an audience very often. But you’re coming back to the Paley Center in Los Angeles for the premiere of JUSTICE LEAGUE: DOOM – and this will be your second time seeing one of the DC Universe animated movies alongside the fans. What was your experience like watching Superman/Batman: Apocalypse last time?

TIM DALY: It was really great because the fans were so into it. Fan reaction is really wonderful to experience in person, especially fans of this genre. They’re so passionate. And it was also fun because it was just my voice and Superman’s image. Usually when I see myself in a film or on television, there’s about a six-month period where I can’t look at it because all I’ll see are the mistakes. I’m just appalled by the person that I see. The camera sees me from angles that I’ve never seen myself, so I never think it’s me. I look at that and I think, “My God, that’s me.” But with these films, I can look up and it is Superman on the screen. So I don’t have to go through all that. He has no flaws.

What’s the magic of working with dialogue director Andrea Romano?

TIM DALY: The great thing about working with Andrea is that she loves it so much, and she’s so positive about it. You can’t fake that. Even after all this time, doing 41 shows at a time, all the series and films, she’s right there with the same enthusiasm and love for the material. I don’t know how she keeps it all straight. Plus, she really loves actors – you always feel like she’s rooting for you. And that makes it very easy.

Source: http://comicbook.com/blog/2012/02/13/tim-daly-reprises-role-of-superman-for-justice-league-doom/

Pauley Perrette is getting out of the lab. The NCIS star will voice Lois Lane in the upcoming animated DVD-movie Superman vs. The Elite. Based on the story “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way?,” which ran in Action Comics No. 775 in 2001, the film pits the Man of Steel against a ruthless team of “heroes” with staggering powers. Unlike Superman, The Elite are not afraid to use violence, including killing, to stop anyone they consider bad guys. As the public begins to rally around these superhuman vigilantes, Superman (George Newbern, who also voiced the character in the Justice League series) must figure out a way to stop them without compromising his principles of (you guessed it) “truth, justice and the American way.”

Helping him sort it out is Lois, balancing her roles as a Daily Planet reporter and Superman/Clark Kent’s wife. “I think there are similarities between Abby and Lois,” Perrette says, comparing this character with her quirky NCIS forensic scientist. “They’re both very smart and confident and really good at their jobs. They’re both really focused. Abby just doesn’t have a Superman.”

Superman vs. The Elite, the latest in a series of DC Comics-themed movies from Warner Bros. Animation, will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand. An exact release date has yet to be determined, but expect to see it before July’s Comic-Con International.

Source: http://www.tvguide.com/News/Pauley-Perrette-Lois-Lane-1043296.aspx?rss=news&partnerid=spi&profileid=05

Heroes. I was at a bit of a loss when it came to deciding what to write about. When I was younger, my brother and I shared a set of Batman and Superman pyjamas, each had a detachable Velcro cape. We would run around the house, jumping off of things, pretending we could fly. Needless to say, bedtime was a little bit more bearable! Sadly, this is about the extent of my encounter with superheroes. Sure, I’ve watched the odd episode of Smallville and listened to countless comic book references from the guys on The Big Bang Theory, but I really know nothing about superheroes.

Conveniently, my little cousin was over at my house the day after this article was assigned.  At six years old, he knows everything there is to know about superheroes, right down to which actor played Batman in each of the movies. I began to wonder, what is so attractive about superheroes?

Dr. Lawrence Rubin, editor of Using Superheroes in Counseling and Play Therapy, explains that superheroes may simply be appealing on a sensory level. He writes, “They wear primary colours, they are fast and stimulating. Kids want speed and colour and cool gadgets. Superheroes literally take them on flights of fancy.” Furthermore, superheroes can help children figure out abstract ideas like good and bad, strong and weak, justice and fairness.

Rubin also explains that kids “begin to identify with and understand the torment of some superheroes, always doing their rescue-the world thing and then coming back and trying to fit in.”

Many view superheroes as good role models, exhibiting positive qualities for children to copy. They are brave and selfless, running after the bad guys to return an old lady’s purse. Superheroes fight for social justice issues, as they are fundamentally concerned with fairness. Despite these redeeming qualities, others take superheroes to be poor role models for younger children. Sharon Lamb, professor of mental health at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, argues that superheroes simply “use social justice as an excuse for aggression.”

She explains that the superhero is one model little kids use to define masculinity. She says that superheroes show their masculinity through “power over other people, through exploiting women, showing their wealth, and through sarcasm and superiority.” I think these are sweeping generalizations but I take her point that the violence superheroes demonstrate may not be  a desirable model for a younger age group.

So maybe superheroes aren’t ideal role models. Who knows? What I do know is that despite their powers, superheroes possess a human quality that is intensely relatable. When talking to my aunt about my cousin’s superhero obsession, she shared with me a conversation she had with her son. Walking up to my aunt he said, “Hey Mom, did you know that Superman is adopted?”
My cousin isn’t from Krypton but he is also adopted. I find it absolutely adorable and reassuring that he feels this shared bond with Clark Kent. I hope he feels like he is just as much a superhero himself!

Source: http://www.themanitoban.com/2012/02/relating-to-superman/8953/

DC Comics has revealed a first look at Chris Burnham’s variant cover for “Action Comics” #7, written by Grant Morrison with art by Rags Morales and Rick Bryant. The cover, released via The Source, features a split cover between Superman’s life among the humans in Metropolis juxtaposed with his life as a Kryptonian in Kandor. Burnham spoke to his love of the bottle city and how it influenced his cover design.

“My initial instinct upon reading the issue was to do something with the bottled cities of Metropolis & Kandor,” Burnham told The Source. “I love the bottled city of Kandor. A few years ago I was at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh with my then-3-year-old nephew, Noah. We stumbled upon this incredible sculpture exhibition by the late great Mike Kelley. The exhibit is simply called ‘Kandor’ and features dozens of astounding renditions of the bottled city. Google it. It’s amazing. And well worth tracking down in person if you get the chance. It was my favorite part of the museum and it was Noah’s too! I literally had to drag him out of there kicking and screaming after we’d spent almost an hour in there. Kandor love runs in the family! Anyhow. Rags had already done an excellent job with a literal approach to the bottled city idea, so I decided to go a little more conceptual. The pieces all fell into place for a good, old-fashioned split cover! Superman torn between two worlds! Kandor and Metropolis! Nature and nurture! Teflon and cotton! The cover also gave me the chance to work with the incomparable Gene Ha’s astoundingly complicated designs for Krypton and Kandor. It was a great challenge to be true to his vision without straight-up tracing what he’d already drawn.”

Burnham was recently announced as the ongoing artist on the New 52′s “Second Wave” book, “Batman Incorporated” written by Grant Morrison. Last week, the publisher revealed Burnham’s cover for “Batman Incorporated” #1 featuring Batman and Robin in the crosshairs of a possible assassin.

Source: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36963