Superman walks... I took a Rental Car

I first learned about Metropolis, Illinois around my Freshmen year of college. Ever since then, it had been a dream of mine to visit the self appointed hometown of a true American Pop Culture Icon.

About a year ago, my wife suggested, lets make the road trip. We will drive to St. Louis, see the town, catch a game, then hit Metropolis, Illinois. Located about 3 hours South East of St. Louis, Metropolis is a true slice of roadside americana. So last week, we rented a car and made the journey.

When you first enter the town, you are greeted by 25 foot sign with a flying Man of Steel. The town then seems like any normal small midwest ville, except it has a wonderful secret.

The Americana/Movie Museum and shop in the center of town is true monument to collecting. Not only Superman stuff, but Horror Film collectables, Western Movies and TV, A crazy Pamela Anderson Tribute, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Old Fashion Casinos, A cool Finding Nemo display, and many other movies. But the thing that really impressed me was the Justice League/DC/Superman toy collection room. You name it, it was there. Mego dolls and beautiful statues. It was at this collectable museum, I ran into Jim Hambrick unloading his car.

I asked if he was the collector? He smiled and said "Yes, you see the stuff downtown yet?"

"There's more????" I said in surprise.

"Yup since you paid to get in here, show your reciept and you'll get in there too."

I talked with him a little bit more, hoping to show off my Superman skills, but found myself falling short as he went into meeting the original Superman creators, Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster. His 5 million dollar Superman movie and memorabilia collection and claiming to have every comic Superman had appeared in. (To learn more: http://supermuseum.com/)

I shook his hand and headed to the downtown shop, where you'll find the 15 foot Superman statue, made famous recently when our President posed in front of it on his campaign trail. My wife and I went into the Superman shop/museum and let me tell you, as a Superman fan... it was incredible. A collection to rival any Smithsonian display.

This was an incredible trip for me, but what I found even more amazing was all the random families and travelers making the trek to get to this roadside mecca. I saw bikers and businessmen posing in front of the statue. For me, this was a once and a life time trip.