In the back for $3.00, I get to view the man's Superman collection, which is pretty extensive indeed: a restored costume from the George Reeves series, props and posters from all the movies, more Metropolitan merchandise than you can count. After a while, the plethora of red and blue images gets visually overwhelming. In the end, the display is less about Superman and more about one guy bragging about all the cool stuff he owns. But, you know, if I had a collection as mighty as this, I'd probably rent an old storefront and start showing it off, too.

One thing I wouldn't do: I'd keep away from the theme music. The whole time I'm in the museum/store, soundtrack music and cartoon theme songs (not just Superman but the Spidey and Space Ghost themes) are piped through the building. Bet that gets old fast, I think.

Back in the shop, I do a quick perusal through the comic book selection: it's spottier than your average comic book store. The selection is DC-heavy, of course, but the toy and merchandise selection is considerably more varied. I buy a fifty-cent postcard; later, at a Metropolis Drugstore, I'll buy a run of Harley Quinn comics. It's appropriate: the character is currently stomping around Metropolis with her gal-pal Poison Ivy.

Don't get my picture taken by the statue that first trip into town. (Next day, one of my co-workers snaps some pics with a disposable camera.) After another long look at the superhero monument, I drive back to the Holiday Inn Express. Halfway there, I come upon a selection of display flowers that appear to've spilled out of a truck. Bouquets and broken vases are festooned across the lane, swatches of color almost as impressive as the bright primaries on the Superman monument.

I have been to the statue. And though I can't say that my life has significantly changed by the experience, it was, well, pretty neat. . .

(Reprinted from Pop Culture Gadabout)