09-03-2008, 04:20 PM
I just came across this on Niel Gaiman's blog. Writer Brad Meltzer, while reserching for his new book Meltzer visited the boyhood home of Superman creator Jerry Siegel in Cleveland, Ohio. The house was in bad shape so Brad decided to do something about it. Bringing together almost the entire comics community Meltzer has started The Siegel & Shuster Society with the aim of raising money to help preserve the birthplace of one of the worlds most recognised heroes - Superman.
As Meltzer says on the Society site;
As Meltzer says on the Society site;
Quote:
The house where Google was created is saved. The farm where Hewlett Packard was founded is preserved. And Richard Nixon’s house is a museum. But the house where Superman — one of the world’s most recognized heroes — was created? It’s a wreck. It's actually a great old house -- painted bright red and blue (really) -- and owned by one of the kindest elderly couples in the world. But as the neighborhood sank, so did the house. When you walk inside, you feel like your foot might go through the floor. The roof is flawed. The paint is a mess. When you look up at the ceiling, you see the exposed rafters overhead. It's a mess. Worst of all, the city of Cleveland let it happen. As the owner told me, “They won’t even give us a plaque. Not even a plaque to say, ‘This is where Superman was created.’”
Exactly.
Just heartbreaking.
And that’s why Mike and I started calling our friends. He called the city of Glenville. I called my fellow comic book writers and artists. Then I called Jerry Siegel’s wife and daughter, Joanne and Laura, who came on as our honorary chairpeople. One thing became clear: if we don't save this place soon, the house will soon go the way of Superman artist Joe Shuster's, which was torn down.
Soon after, thanks to the hard work of many, The Siegel & Shuster Society was born.
With a name like that, peole keep asking me, “Is that the secret superhero clubhouse?” You better believe it’s the secret superhero clubhouse.
And this charitable 501©(3) is dedicated to making sure the Siegel House will be saved, and restored, and there so you can take your kids one day.
Exactly.
Just heartbreaking.
And that’s why Mike and I started calling our friends. He called the city of Glenville. I called my fellow comic book writers and artists. Then I called Jerry Siegel’s wife and daughter, Joanne and Laura, who came on as our honorary chairpeople. One thing became clear: if we don't save this place soon, the house will soon go the way of Superman artist Joe Shuster's, which was torn down.
Soon after, thanks to the hard work of many, The Siegel & Shuster Society was born.
With a name like that, peole keep asking me, “Is that the secret superhero clubhouse?” You better believe it’s the secret superhero clubhouse.
And this charitable 501©(3) is dedicated to making sure the Siegel House will be saved, and restored, and there so you can take your kids one day.
Of course the Society can't do this all by themselves so they are calling for fans and people who have a desire to preserve such historical places to lend a hand. Folks can help out by bidding on the many auction items (all auction items are on-of-a-kind items donated by famous authors and artists), buying one (or several) of the limited edition Siegel & Shuster Society t-shirts or by simply making a donation.
Personally I'm seriously considering getting one of those shirts and I'll probably make a general donation at some point as well. This is for a really good cause so I hope some of you out there help the society out a little.