It came as a surprise in my email, and I like good surprises. So it took me by surprise when I read the news that Official Pix is preparing for another autograph signing with the one and only Gene Hackman!

This is the fifth signing that Official Pix has done with Mr. Hackman, and for the second consecutive year CapedWonder.com and the CapedWonder Superman Podcast is partnering with Official Pix to make this happen, which will occur in September. This time around, more rare pictures of Lex Luthor and the Superman cast will be made available.

As you know, Gene Hackman has had a diverse career in Hollywood, with many films such as The French Connection, The Conversation, Unforgiven, Crimson Tide, Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Young Frankenstein, and of course his three times as criminal mastermind Lex Luthor in the Superman film series to his credit. Drama, comedy, hero, villain, you name it, his ability to get into the interior motivation of any character he has portrayed works its way to the screen to where you believe him as “Popeye” Doyle, the vicious Little Bill, or even the charming yet dangerous Luthor—all of it shines in his acting.

Last year I was able to send in a prop replica of the Daily Planet newspaper headline from the beginning of Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut for him to sign, which became my big Christmas present to myself.

And I have to give a big thank you to Chris Wyman at Official Pix. He answered all of my questions about the signing in a quick and timely manner, and the professionalism he oversaw in returning my prop newspaper with the Official Pix holographic seal of approval guaranteed me that I would have a 100 percent genuine Gene Hackman autograph for my Superman collection. That’s how good they are.

Orders are currently being taken through August 28th, and any items that you choose to send in must be sent by August 31st for the September signing with Mr. Hackman. Pictures, posters, magazines, videos, books, you name it, anything that would make for a perfect addition to your Superman collection. For me, it would be this…