Post by superman on May 24, 2013 15:19:36 GMT -5
Not exactly sure where to put this so if I got it wrong feel free to move it to the proper location. I have been asked many times why I took on the identity of Superman. I usually say because the world needs one but this is how it all started.
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I became Superman because of something I did that started 40 some years ago. I had a young friend (sort of the little brother I had never had) who had grown up club footed. After many operations he was finally able to walk and as it was near Halloween wanted to throw a kick ass party to celebrate and get to know his classmates. Well I said to him “What kid of entertainment are you going to have. Maybe have Superman show up?” The old Adventures of Superman TV show with George Reeves was still big back then had just aired an episode where he had entertained at a party for charity. Well my little buddy looked at me and said “ Can you pull that off? it would be awesome!” Well I had a real soft spot for my adopted little brother so I figured to give it a try. I had a week before the party was scheduled to figure out how to do it. Being an industrious sort I managed to construct a costume and props where I could pull it off. It may have helped that I was 6 foot 5 and have been told that I look a little bit like George. The party went well and as it was Halloween time I took the kids out trick or treating as I knew all the good spots from when I was a kid. Nice tree lined streets you don’t see these days outside of a movie. On occasion I would hide in 1 of these trees while the kids hit houses adding to their excitement. Then while in a tree the kids stopped under it accosted by some older kids who had it in their minds to take the little ones candy. By then the little kids were firmly convinced (due to my props and such) that they had the real Superman protecting them. So they weren’t giving up any candy telling the older ones that Superman was protecting them. Just about the time the big kids leader was telling them Superman wasn’t real I dropped out of the tree. Well the big kids took off not wanting to mess with an adult sized guy and the little ones had an adventure they remembered years after. Then having the suit and seeing what good could be done with it I started doing hospital visits and such as Superman. Having an established character with a back story helps in situations like that. Saves lots of explaining. Now at age 64 I am not quite as convincing as I once was. So now I mostly do Santa Claus at the hospitals and such. But it isn’t so bad. I figure I can play an old fat white guy as long as I draw breath.
J Koen AKA Superman
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I became Superman because of something I did that started 40 some years ago. I had a young friend (sort of the little brother I had never had) who had grown up club footed. After many operations he was finally able to walk and as it was near Halloween wanted to throw a kick ass party to celebrate and get to know his classmates. Well I said to him “What kid of entertainment are you going to have. Maybe have Superman show up?” The old Adventures of Superman TV show with George Reeves was still big back then had just aired an episode where he had entertained at a party for charity. Well my little buddy looked at me and said “ Can you pull that off? it would be awesome!” Well I had a real soft spot for my adopted little brother so I figured to give it a try. I had a week before the party was scheduled to figure out how to do it. Being an industrious sort I managed to construct a costume and props where I could pull it off. It may have helped that I was 6 foot 5 and have been told that I look a little bit like George. The party went well and as it was Halloween time I took the kids out trick or treating as I knew all the good spots from when I was a kid. Nice tree lined streets you don’t see these days outside of a movie. On occasion I would hide in 1 of these trees while the kids hit houses adding to their excitement. Then while in a tree the kids stopped under it accosted by some older kids who had it in their minds to take the little ones candy. By then the little kids were firmly convinced (due to my props and such) that they had the real Superman protecting them. So they weren’t giving up any candy telling the older ones that Superman was protecting them. Just about the time the big kids leader was telling them Superman wasn’t real I dropped out of the tree. Well the big kids took off not wanting to mess with an adult sized guy and the little ones had an adventure they remembered years after. Then having the suit and seeing what good could be done with it I started doing hospital visits and such as Superman. Having an established character with a back story helps in situations like that. Saves lots of explaining. Now at age 64 I am not quite as convincing as I once was. So now I mostly do Santa Claus at the hospitals and such. But it isn’t so bad. I figure I can play an old fat white guy as long as I draw breath.
J Koen AKA Superman
