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2015 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

November 26, 2015: Fan Tribute Project - Superman's Book of Morals

Superman's Book of Morals Scott Cranford, who portrayed the Man of Steel for many years as the official town Superman for the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois, has teamed up with Michael Critzer to create a Fan Tribute project titled "Superman's Book of Morals". Here's the introduction from Scott...

    I always thought Superman was the greatest character for teaching values to young children. I still do.

    In the 1990s morals seemed to be less important in comic books. I saw superheroes slowly detaching from what they were founded on. I had a plan to change this "Superman's Book of Morals" a bedtime story book geared toward children's most formidable years, 3-7. This book could be read over and over to children to show them that morals are important. And, who better to tell them what being a real hero is all about than the most beloved superhero of all time?

    I believed becoming Superman on screen would put me in a great position to teach children values through superheroes, and I set out to do so. When I lost the part of Superman/Clark Kent to friend Dean Cain for the TV series Lois and Clark, I felt down but not out. I visited Dean on the set of Lois and Clark, and tried to get him interested in motivating kids through superheroes, but he wasn't going for it.

    Soon after, I pitched Superman's Book of Morals to DC Comics Superman editor Mike Carlin, who I had met working as a stand-in for Mr. Freeze on the film Batman and Robin. I did the art for a proposal book. It was crude, but I didn't have the resources to hire a professional artist. DC Comics had many fantastic artists, and I had a few in mind.

    A short time later I received a rejection letter from DC Comics. They informed me they were working on something similar. I understood. A book did come out, but it was geared toward young teens and focused on one issue. After I saw it, I felt sick. I had failed. I felt like I let down a lot of children and parents. If only my art were better, or if only I had sold myself better.

    In 2000 I won the role of Superman for the city of Metropolis, Illinois Superman Celebration after a nationwide search, but, it was not enough for DC Comics to take me seriously creatively. I put the morals up on my website www.HeroicWorld.com. Years later I received a call informing me that the U.S. Army wanted me to read the "Book of Morals" to children overseas on Military bases whose parents were fighting the Iraq War. The Good Will Tour was such a success, I was asked to return the following year. What I remember most about the experience was the reaction of the children to the "Book of Morals". Whether it was a group of a hundred kids or ten, they hung on every word. I was thrilled to see children excited about doing good. It really got them thinking. After the tour, I closed the book.

    Recently I thought, what if I could present "Superman's Book of Morals" featuring all of Superman's greatest artists over the last 77 years. Then I realized, I could. Thanks to the internet, it's possible. My intention was never to make money from this book. My goal was to present Superman's positive message to as many children as possible, in the best possible way.

    I had been following Michael Critzer's Iconic Superman Facebook page. He is a college professor at James Madison University in Virginia. I was impressed with the work he was doing and I felt like we were on the same page when it came to Superman. I contacted him and asked if he would be interested in helping me update the book and find illustrations to go with the content. I was thrilled when he agreed and we went to work. I then asked my friend, artist Steve Stanley, if I could use a piece of his art for the cover. Steve and I have worked on several Superman related projects. He graciously agreed.

    It is a dream come true to be able to present this work in this fashion. I never thought I'd see the day. Many thanks to the legendary Superman artists who unknowingly contributed. I have never asked anyone to share anything on social media before, but if you know a child or a parent, I hope that you will share this.

    Super Thanks,
    Your friend in Heroics,
    Scott Cranford.

Read "Superman's Book of Morals" online at HeroicWorld.com.


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