Ever wonder where your favorite superheroes sprang to life? Whether it’s something in the water that’s responsible for so many fertile imaginations, or an appreciation for positive values that inspires good-hearted characters, Illinois is the birthplace of a wealth of endearing comic book figures and their creators. Visitors can stop by plenty of sites devoted to them with a series of tours devoted to comic book heroes.
You won’t have to leap a tall building to reach Metropolis, Illinois, which shares the name of the famed fictional hometown of Superman. A bronze statue of him is placed prominently in the town square — his red cape seeming to blow in the wind behind him, his fists perched confidently on his hips. Across the street, the Super Museum features one of the largest Superman collections in the world, displaying more than 20,000 items that range from highly coveted movie costumes to rare photos and memorabilia. And for fans who still can’t get enough of his adventures, The Metropolis Superman Celebration in June presents artists, souvenir vendors and celebrity guests paying tribute to the caped crusader.
Next, grab some spinach and make tracks for Chester, where Popeye was first drawn. The year was 1929, the artist was Elzie Segar, and the comic’s supporting characters were residents of this small town. Chester honors its status with both a bronze Popeye statue and a granite Wimpy statue (hamburger in hand, of course). For a whimsical trip at the end of summer, visit Chester on the weekend after Labor Day and attend the annual Popeye Picnic and parade.
Finally, swing into Oak Park and see where Tarzan came to life. In fiction, Tarzan the Ape Man was born an orphan in the African jungle. But in reality, he was born of the imagination of Edgar Rice Burroughs while living in this Chicago suburb in 1912. Today, the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest has a permanent exhibit honoring the author and the legend he inspired.