AFTERTHOUGHTS (68)
SUPERMAN FOUND!

The Search For Superman Committee has made its choice, and the official Man of Steel for Metropolis, Illinois’ 2008 Superman Celebration is…
Josh Boultinghouse!
Congratulations, Josh! (You can find out more about Josh here.)
Josh officially debuts as the 2008 Metropolis Superman at the ribbon cutting ceremony which opens this year’s Superman Celebration, on June 12. (For other details, go to the Metropolis Tourism website.)

(All images: Josh Boultinghouse)

AFTERTHOUGHTS (66)
DESPERATELY SEEKING SUPERMAN 2008 (2)

And the five final candidates for Metropolis, Illinois’ new Man of Steel are Josh Boultinghouse, Damian Beurer, Jamie Aaron Kelley, Danny Kelley, and John Helfrich. Congratulations to all you fine gentle(Super)men.
From here on out, it’s all in the hands of the Superman Celebration Committee, who will deliberate on the final choice to take on the red cape and boots of the Last Son of Krypton.
Their choice will be announced on May 16, and will be seen in person at this year’s Superman Celebration, to be held on June 12-15. (For other details, go to the Metropolis Tourism website.)

(Images: Josh Boultinghouse; Damian Beurer; Jamie Aaron Kelley; Danny Kelley; John Helfrich)

AFTERTHOUGHTS (65)
DESPERATELY SEEKING SUPERMAN 2008

For the past three decades, Metropolis, Illinois, has celebrated the Man of Steel in its Annual Superman Celebration, four days of celebrities, events, concerts, plays, and rides.
This year, after eight consecutive years of being Metropolis’ official Superman, Scott Cranford is handing over the cape and tights to a worthy successor, and you can narrow down the field.
If you’re a fan of Big Blue, go here, and vote for your favourite Superman. Voting is open till May 10.
The 5 candidates with the most votes will be announced on May 12, and the Superman Celebration Committee will choose Metropolis’ new Superman from the group.
Cranford’s successor will be announced on May 16, and the chosen candidate receives “… $1,000, round-trip travel, a Superman of Metropolis Award, a six-night stay in Metropolis, and a personal assistant during the celebration.”
Among the candidates, 6’2”, 225-pound Josh Boultinghouse, model Travis Kraft, and Damian Beurer, who stands a frakkin’ 6’6”! (Incidentally, Josh’s height and weight pretty much line up with DC’s statistics for the Man of Steel. He also won the Superhero Costume Contest at the 2004 Superman Celebration, where he was dressed as Superman, of course.)

Celebrity guests at this year’s Superman Celebration (being held on June 12-15), include Ned Beatty (Otis from Superman: The Movie), Allison Mack (Chloe from Smallville), and Lois Lane of Superman Past, Noel Neill (who also showed up in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns as Gertrude Vanderworth, the old rich lady Lex had to... umm... pleasure so he could get that ginormous boat).
Among the events already announced, is this year’s Superhero Costume Contest, to be held on Sunday, June 15. (For other details, go to the Metropolis Tourism website.)

Not only is it the 30th anniversary of the Superman Celebration, it’s also the 70th anniversary of Superman’s debut in Action Comics #1, so it’ll be a huge celebration.

(Images: Scott Cranford; Josh Boultinghouse; Travis Kraft; Damian Beurer)