WANTED: A SUPERMAN IN METROPOLIS, ILL.; SUPERHERO IS NEEDED FOR SUPERMAN FESTIVAL

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Wanted: Superman! Should have dark hair with spit curl. No superhero experience required. Will train.

Applicants for a four-day career of playing the most popular superhero in the world of comics should look the part, said Jahnae Erpenbach, Superman Festival coordinator for this river community of about 7,500.

Once selected, the Superman look-alike will receive training to include information on the Superman legend and a crash course on Superman behaviors.

And you don't have to fly.

Superhero activities will include a "Saving the Day" performance in a Superman drama, presentation of various awards, appearance in photos and various other Superman tasks.

The Superman celebration, in its 22nd year, attracts as many as 55,000 to 60,000 during its four-day run June 8 through 11.

Interested? Call Metropolis Chamber of Commerce at (618) 524-2417.

Metropolis, the only incorporated city by that name in the United States, is the self-proclaimed hometown of Superman, who made his appearance on Earth more than 60 years ago.

People who follow the superhero know he came to Earth as a baby from a far-off planet that was destroyed. The baby was placed in a container and sent to outer space by his father. The baby was found in a field near Metropolis and raised by adoptive parents, who discovered his superpowers.

Superman was the creation of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. The Man of Steel made his first appearance in June 1938 in Action Comics No. 1, which in mint condition is now valued at more than $185,000.

A lot has happened to America's No. 1 comic-book hero over the years but especially during the past decade:

* He died.

* He was rejuvenated as a near robot minus his cape.

* He finally rebounded back to his old self, complete with cape.

* He married reporter Lois Lane.

The Superman celebration starts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Superman Statue at 5:30 p.m. June 8.

The celebration will be expanded into new areas of town, transforming Metropolis into a virtual superhero's paradise.

Ferry Street will become Clark Kent Drive, leading visitors to Superman Land, while Washington Park just off Louis Lane will become Midville. The uptown area will feature Bizzaro City, the Fortress of Solitude, Smallville and the Legion of Super Heroes.

Highlighting the festival is a lineup of musical entertainment, Superman celebrities and a laser light show, said Erpenbach.

"We're still in the process of obtaining celebrities and entertainment for the show," said Erpenbach.

Last year's big Superman celebrity was Gerald Christopher, who played the title role of Superboy in the television series when that series was ranked among the top 10 TV shows. Others who have visited the area in recent years included Lane Smith, who played Daily Planet newspaper editor Perry White on the ABC television series; Kirk Alyn, a movie star who portrayed Superman in a 15-film series produced from 1946 to 1948; Tommy Bond, who played Jimmy Olson in the same series; Phyllis Coates, who played Lois Lane from 1951 to 1953 on the "Adventures of Superman" series; and John Haynes Newton, who played Superboy in the television series of the 1980s

A number of Superman artists have visited Metropolis, including Alex Ross, Kerry Gammil, Rick Stasi and Jon Bogdanove. Bogdanove recently did artwork for a 60-year Superman tribute cover for "Overstreet Comic Guide."

A number of participation events are scheduled, including a Superman trek bike ride, a four-mile road race and a Superman three-on-three basketball tournament. Also planned are a Superman tennis tournament, a super dog contest and many children's games.