This years annual Superman Celebration Costume Contest took place on Sunday, June 12th at 1pm during a very nice afternoon in Metropolis, IL. The weather was warm, but nowhere near as hot as last year, with a slight breeze that made it more bearable for all the "super" contestants.

This years judges were comic book writers Janet Stone Wade & Martheus Wade and actor/writer Jeffrey Breslauer.

The contest was hosted by Steven Kirk who was joined onstage by Josh Boultinghouse who is the official Metropolis, IL Superman.

Kirk appeared as MetroMan from the hit animated film "Megamind" which starred the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, and Tina Fey.

The contest was split into five categories; Men of Steel, Supergirl, Heroes & Heroines, Villains and Villainesses, and Groups. Winners chosen in each category were then awarded an overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. A fan-favorite award was also presented to a cotestant chosen by the audience.

The participants & winners of each category were as follows:

Men of Steel: Brad Graham in a classic Superman costume (Christopher Reeve in my opinion) with a statement “I’m always around” Mike Burns in another classic Superman costume (Christopher Reeve in my opinion.) Keith Howard walked the runway in a George Reeves costume. The Adventures of Superman theme played in the background and was a big hit with the audience. Greg Carlson had a classic comic book Superman costume. John Gleckler appeared as Cyborg Superman. John had a great monologue and was very funny. Adrian Summerville as Superboy. She looked like the 1990’s comic book version of Superboy. Shawn Casey came out in a classic Superman costume. Stephen Kirk made a comment “The pose and the costume”. Tim Prescott also wore a classic Superman costume. Joshua Ooten was dressed as a Christopher Reeve Clark Kent and did a good rendition of the clumsy Clark Kent Stephen Leslie dressed as George Reeves Clark Kent. (In my opinion, he looked just like George.) Winner: Keith Howard Supergirl Amanda Lindsey was dressed in a Helen Slater Supergirl costume. McKayla Burns appeared in a modern day Supergirl costume. Sarah Diane came out as Lois Lane from the Death of Superman comic book. Tiffany Kresse came out in a revealing black Supergirl costume with a silver “S” on her chest and was chastised by her cousin, Superman, for dressing so provocatively Winner: Tiffany Kresse (I guess the outfit didn’t offend the judges)

Heroes and Heroines Nitestar Adrienne LeBlanc dressed as Power Girl. Nitestar Dennis Cox dressed as Shining Knight Stacy Robinson was Wonder Woman wearing a Red, White and Blue cape. Barbara Reichel Fisher also appeared as Wonder Woman. This one resembled a Linda Carter costume. Tim Swayne was John Henry Irons, also known as Steel. Vaughn McCraw was a very strong, patriotic Captain America. (In my opinion, he should run for President.) Dave Lin was The Blue Beatle. Eden Smith was dressed as Robin. Lance Smith was Lois Lane dressed in Golden Age Wonder Woman costume. John Whitt was The Dark Knight Batman. (It seemed he was being the Michael Keaton Batman and portrayed the character very well). Ben Hester made a very good Aqua man. It looked like he was the model for the 1960’s cartoons of Aqua man. Lin Workman entertained everyone with his own creation Jor-Elvis. Laura Elizabeth Funk was Wonder Woman Winner: John Whitt Villains and Villainesses Scott Doran was the 1970’s Lex Luthor John Clark was Cyborg Superman. Claire Young appeared as Mystique. Winner: John Clark Groups The Justice Lords; Black Canary, Green Arrow, Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Mary Marvel and Superman. Wonder Woman and Atriums Susan and Rebecca as Tim Drake (Two Robins) Batman and Batgirl Brian K Morris and John Gleckler performed an entertaining skit as Bibbo and Cyborg Superman. The Burns family appeared as Green Lantern, Superboy, Supergirl and Superman. Jamie and Ronda Kelley and Will as Clark, Lois and Perry. A new spin on everyone knowing Clark is Superman. Clark kisses Lois to erase her memory and Perry knows but promises he will not say anything. The last group was Hawkman, Liberty Bell, Miss America, Hawkgirl and Captain Fate. Winner: Hawkman, Liberty Bell, Miss America, Hawkgirl and Dr. Fate

The overall winners of the contest were:

Third Place - John Whitt as Batman
Second Place - Keith Howard as Superman
First Place - Hawkman, Liberty Bell, Miss America, Hawkgirl and Dr. Fate
Fan Favorite - Lin Workman as Jor-Elvis
Honorable Mention - John Gleckler and Brian Morris

I hope I did not leave anyone out. I apologize in advance and please e-mail me if I did and I will add you in. Thank you!