March 21, 2014

Comic-Book Heroes

As Cape Comic Con begins, we explore the region's connections to comic-book heroes.

Emily Priddy and Fred Lynch

Superman takes flight, springing from the front of the Super Museum in downtown Metropolis, Ill.

Will Bruhn, the self-proclaimed "Doctor of Metropolis" and owner of Daily Star Comics in Metropolis, Ill., brandishes a prop from the television series "Doctor Who" as he shows off his replica of the TARDIS, a time-traveling spaceship piloted by the show's eponymous Doctor.

Mike Brooks, owner of Spinach Can Collectibles in Chester, Ill., has more than 2,000 items on display. His shop and mini-museum are located in the historic Chester Opera House, whose former owner served as the inspiration for Popeye's hamburger-scarfing friend Wimpy.

This statue of Wimpy is one of several granite sculptures scattered throughout Chester, Ill., depicting characters from the Popeye comics. Popeye creator Elzie Crisler Segar is said to have based Wimpy on the former owner of the Chester Opera House, which is now home to a Popeye-themed museum and gift shop.

This 1931 Marx tin toy is the oldest item on display in the Popeye mini-museum at Spinach Can Collectibles in Chester, Ill.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Nathan Bonner conducted the Comic-Book Drawing Workshop on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Amanda Rhodes shows a "Mike and the Ninja" comic book to John Edmundson of Jackson at the Comic-Book Drawing Workshop on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Brooke Bradley of New Madrid, Mo. shows her drawing of Max at the Comic-Book Drawing Workshop on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Gabriel Zeigler of Jackson shows his Way of the Stick drawings at the Comic-Book Drawing Workshop on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau.

A bronze statue of Popeye the Sailor Man watches over a visitors' center in Popeye's hometown of Chester, Ill.

Will Bruhn brandishes a prop from the "Doctor Who" television series while showing off his replica of the TARDIS, a time-traveling spaceship from the show.

Talyn Lape, 8, of Jackson works on a sketch during a comic-drawing workshop in Cape Girardeau. (Photograph by Fred Lynch; illustration by Emily Priddy.)

A 15-foot-high statue of Superman stands in front of the Massac County Courthouse in Metropolis, Ill., the "home of Superman."

Adam Siebert gives a tour of The Super Museum in Metropolis, Ill. The museum has more than 65,000 pieces of Superman memorabilia on display.

A bronze statue of Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane in the 1950s Superman television series, stands in downtown Metropolis, Ill.

A replica of the TARDIS -- a time-traveling spaceship from the British sci-fi series "Doctor Who" -- sits under a giant ice-cream cone in front of Daily Star Comics in Metropolis, Ill.

Will "The Doctor of Metropolis" Bruhn, right, discusses a magazine with Scott Lester of Benton, Ky., at Bruhn's store, Daily Star Comics, in Metropolis, Ill.

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As Cape Comic Con begins, we explore the region's connections to comic-book heroes.

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