Superman Merchandise (Fall 2017)
Superman Yarmulke
The kippah, also known as the yarmulke, is historically used as worn by male Orthodox Jews at all times, and by most Jews during prayer times, sacred events, and while they are at the synagogue. According to BBC News there are conflicting opinions on whether wearing a kippah or a head covering of some sort is a requirement of the Torrah commandment. The news site also says, “Many Jews feel that by wearing a skullcap they are proudly announcing to the world that they are Jewish.” Many men start wearing kippahs during their youth, so it may not be surprising that one of the many designs one can select for a yarmulke consists of the Superman logo like the selected artifact.
Some sources even believe the origins of Superman have undertones of Judaism. The hero is especially important for some, because as Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, an officiate and feature writer for the New York Times points out, Superman’s father, Jor-El may have a Jewish meaning. Weinstein says, “…the name of Superman’s father, Jor-El, with “el” being the suffix to many biblical names and the common use of masks and false identities, akin to the heroine Esther in the Purim story…” Given the religious context that may be involved with the story, it may come as no surprise that Superman merchandisers would create and market a branded kippah.
Works Cited
“Religions – Judaism: Kippah/Yarmulke.” BB, BBC, 23 June 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/relgion/religons/judaism/customs/yarmulke.shtml.
Freeman, Samuel G. “Religion and Comic Books: Where Did Superman’s Theology Come From?” The New York Times, The New York times, 22, Sept. 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/books/23onreligion.html.
Superman Quick-Change Artist Ornament
In 2006 Warner Bros. Consumer Products recently expanded its licensing agreement with Hallmark, the industry’s largest greeting card company. As an existing licensee of Warner Bros. for more than two decades, Hallmark has developed product categories for brands, including Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, as well as DC Comics’ Batman and Superman. By extending their partnership, Hallmark will now also develop products, such as greeting cards, giftwrap, party ware, and ornaments for Superman Returns, Happy Feet, The Ant Belly, and Hanna-Barbera.
Works Cited
Hallmark Takes on More Brands. (2006). Licensing Journal, 26(5), 36.
Superman Hot Cocoa Mix
The Superman Hot Cocoa Mix is based off of superman and it is a Blue box with a picture of superman busting out of it holding up a steaming mug of hot cocoa in a mug with his insignia on the front. On the back of the box there are descriptions of the what the cocoa is made of and how it tastes. There is also an offer of a free Superman mug with proof of 2 purchases. Originally the box contained 10 Envelopes containing .675 OZ of cocoa each. The publisher was DC Comics and the creator of this artifact was H. J Heinz CO. from Pittsburg PA. This item is worth up to $100 these days.
This artifact was involved with Swiss Miss which is used for the regular hot chocolate. Justice League end cap displays will be positioned in participating Wal–Mart stores and supermarkets. The front of the Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa box features Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman while the entire Justice League team is featured on the back panel in a super hero mix–up game.
There are eight pouches of cocoa, featuring a Justice League character on each pouch, with a dot–to–dot game, interesting factoids about the super hero and eight pouches of specially colored marshmallows.
Works Cited
The Superman Mug
The Superman Mug creator is primarily responsible for the creation of the resource. It looks like a regular mug, but it has the superman logo on it and the background is blue and the inside of the mug is red. There are a lot of different versions to choose from of the superman mug. There are some with the actual superman guy on it all around it, some of them have capes, and some you can just customize with your name for example. There are a lot of good views on all websites where they are available as well.
You're all familiar with the Superman legend. To collectors, this almost-60-year-old pop-culture icon really is super, mainly because older memorabilia is extremely scarce - and very expensive.
``The feeling I get when I see Superman in action is hard to explain,'' said Cote St. Luc's Robert Mendel, 30, a collector of Superman memorabilia. ``He is perfect in every way and able to do good for humanity. His intent is entirely noble. Who can resist that type of character?''
Mendel has hats, key chains, posters, a dozen T-shirts - anything with the classic Superman logo on it. He shuns the ``new'' Superman, as does, it seems, just about anyone who loves the character.
Works Cited
Eisenthal, B. (1997, Aug 21). Up, up and away: Superman memorabilia attracts legendary prices. The Gazette Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/433213831?accountid=26417
Superman Kryptonite Rock
Superman is known for always being “super”. His super abilities were challenged on many occasions, but Superman has had the ability to overcome every obstacle in his path. There were not many things that could take away from Superman’s power except his “own”. Everyone knows that Superman comes from the planet of Krypton. Krypton was first introduced in the Adventures of Superman radio show in June 1943. Krypton was suddenly introduced when Superman ran into some trouble with his powers. Superman discovers his one physical weakness is from the powerful Kryptonite rock. The Kryptonite rock can be seen in multiple neon color rocks that radiate light. There are a variety of Kryptonite colors and effects. There is a green, red, black, orange, periwinkle, silver, gold, white, blue, as well as multi-colored kryptonite rocks. Some the Kryptonite rocks have special names such as: anti-kryptonite, x-kryptonite, jewel kryptonite, slow-kryptonite, and kryptonite-x. Not only can Superman be negatively affected by this radiation, but other members of the Krytonian planet. Mortal humans sometimes benefit from the radiation and makes them develop “superhuman” abilities. Superman comics were so marketable and so was everything Superman related like the Kryptonite Rock. The Kryptonite rock came to real life and into retail stores for Superman fans to encounter the complete Superman experience. The first Kryptonite rock that was distributed to the public was the Green Kryptonite in 1977. The Kryptonite rock is now held in the archives of Superman fan homes, Pop culture departments, and museums.
Works Cited
Zambrano, Mark. “15 Most Evil Things Superman Has Ever Done.” Screen Rant. 30 Nov. 2017. http://screenrant.com/superman-most-evil-things-ever-done/.
Superman Bubble Bath Bottle
This product is a hollow plastic Superman figure that can hold 8 fl oz. of bubble bath for children. It also includes a red plastic cape and can be used as an action figure once emptied and cleaned. This product came out in 1978, the same year the movie titled Superman, by director Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeve. According to Tim Hollis in his book, Toons in Toyland, this movie was the most successful Superman movie to date and caused a large amount of Superman merchandise to hit the shelves.
Avon Products INC. New York, NY. 10019
DC COMICS INC. 1978
Works Cited
Hollis, Tim. Toons in toyland: the story of cartoon character merchandise. University Press of Mississippi, 2015.