I was sent to the Motor City Comic Con ("MC3") to get some source material for my future articles.  Many of you could not attend MC3, so I want to share with you a convention event that was ONE OF A KIND.  This event truly was a labor of love for a good cause.   A team of people doing good things in memory of a good man... A Man of Steel: Christopher Reeve.

A Man with a Vision

Many of you do not know the name Jay Towers.  He is a local newscaster and radio host in Detroit that truly gives of himself to the community; there is no bigger supporter of the MC3 than Jay Towers.  When others ignored the event, he shined the spotlight on actors, writers, and artists that we as fans love.  He did this because he is also one of the biggest comic book fans in our area.  Fanboy enthusiasm permeates his interviews, be it with sci-fi and industry legend William Shatner or comic book writer Jeremy Holt.  Many of you reading this share his passion for the hobby, but Jay took it a step further at the MC3.

The Origin Story

Credit: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Jay has made personal connections with many television, movie, and comic book personalities.  More then business connections, they are friendships. Seizing on those relationships at a time when the world is maybe just now starting to return to normal, he wanted to both give back to fans and support a good cause.  The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation was set up by Superman Star Christopher Reeve and his wife Dana.  The goal of the foundation is to cure the effects of spinal cord traumas through research while supporting those that currently suffer from those injuries.

After Christopher Reeve passed away his wife Dana kept up the fight to honor her beloved husband.  The organization's mission still continues after the two namesakes have since flown off into the sunset.  Jay realized that now was a good time to shine a Towers' signal out into the darkness and gather a team to help him support this fine organization.  This fight required a team like none seen before in one place.

Super Friends

Friends are important.  Jay has many friends and when he sends a call of arms out to friends he can cast a big net. If he was to celebrate the man, what better banner to organize this gathering under than the "Christoper Reeve Legacy Reunion"?  Jay and Jim Bowers of the Caped Wonder Superman Podcast made the announcement of this one-time event to draw up fan interest. The next step was to select his super team.  Christopher's legacy spanned many films as Superman so there were many names to choose from for this Jay League.

Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen) had to come because he was in every Superman film as well as the Supergirl spinoff.  A story must have a beginning so why not ask Aaron Smolinski (Baby Ka-El in Superman) to be part of the group.  Next, Jay turned to his journalistic roots. The Daily Planet was a big part of Clark Kent's life, so Mariel Hemingway (Superman IV's Lacy Warfield) was needed to remind us the hero was also a man.

Jay is a major Superman fan.  He  remembered the emotions he had as a young fan of the film franchise.  Damian McLawhorn (Superman IV's Jeremy) was there to share tales of being in a real-life comic book movie like many younger fans dreamed could happen to them. Young children dreamed they could meet the Man of Steel and share in his adventures.  Damian was lucky enough to have lived that adventure.

Even the Villains Appeared

Every good superhero film needs a good villain and Superman had some memorable ones.  Sarah Douglas (Superman I and II's Ursa) and Jack O'Halloran (Superman I and II's Non) came to tell tales of their on-screen nemesis.  Nice guy Mark Pillow (Superman IV's Nuclear Man) arrived to complete the legion of doom trifecta.

Finally, superfan Jay knows the unwritten rule that at a comic book con you have to have a comic book writer and artist in attendance.  Wilfredo Torres is the artist of Superman '78 and created a variant cover comic only available at the con (IMPORTANT TO YOU LATER!).  Robert Venditti, a New York Times best-selling artist,  was the writer on Superman '78 and he too heard the calling of the show. Jay Towers sent out the call and all these people came to Michigan to help a good cause.  Most would rest on their laurels, but not Jay.

Getting the Word Out

A media hierarchy exists at events. Jay is an apex media personality type at the top of the food chain.  He has interviewed some of the biggest stars at a moment's notice.  Who else could interview William Shatner on camera while he is eating breakfast?  He has no problem booking guests and getting that exclusive interview.

The media rules are very simple. National trumps local outlets.  Then you have the nature of the media as another factor.  The ranking of media members begins with television, then goes down to radio, newspapers, YouTube media personalities followed lastly by writers for websites (me).  Website writers can wait for hours to try and book a single interview with no success.  It is a lot of waiting with very little success.

Jay arranged something for smaller media personalities like yours truly, in an MC3 first.  During the off-screen time in between his television interviews, he arranged access for smaller media outlets to conduct their own interviews with these personalities.  Even in the age of media titans, there was room for an old-school Clark Kent reporter.

A Good Man Supporting a Good Cause is Contagious

Writers can do something that different types of media personalities cannot.  A writer can spend hours observing a person at an event for a story. Jay worked the "Christopher Reeve Legacy Reunion" booth the entire con. He met the needs of the guests in attendance while at the same time insuring that fans had a memorable experience.  No task was too small for him to perform.  He did not save a cat from a tree, but he did make sure everyone's lodging arrangements were pleasant. Jay even took care of the comic con volunteers that worked his booth after the event.

Christoper Reeve's legacy had to be honored and his cause supported.  The event had to be perfect to get as much support as possible for the foundation. Sadly, there were no Bruce Waynes, Lex Luthors, Bill Gates or even an Elon Musk in attendance who could  make a large donation.  Instead, the MC3 fans picked up the slack and supported the foundation. Jay's passion to support a good cause was infectious, and that is why I want to do something for our readers.

GOCOLLECT FREE VARIANT COMIC CONTEST!!!

Many of you could not see the limited edition Superman '78 #1 variant that was sold at the Motor City Comic Con to support the foundation. Even fewer had an opportunity to purchase the exclusive variant edition. Do not worry. Jay's passion to support a good cause was contagious.  You could not make it to MC3 so I decided to bring part of the "Christoper Reeve Legacy Reunion" to the readers.   I purchased two copies of the limited edition variant of a Superman '78 with my own funds and I was happy to do so.  Part of the proceeds for every comic sold went to support the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Your First Chance to get a Copy is Right Now

One copy of the Superman '78 will be given away to only one lucky winner. Guest and fans shared stories of how Superman and Christoper Reeve impacted their lives at MC3. Think of it as a continuation of the Christoper Reeve celebration. In the comment section, I'd like all who want to participate to write (#1) your most favorite Superman or Christopher Reeve memory and (#2) the name of the sci-fi icon mentioned in this article. Please list how your selection impacted you and not just something like "Superman #1 nice cover".  My editor, one member of the GoCollect team, and I will pick the winner.

Remember, you must have a GoCollect subscription, either free or Pro, to win, and comment using the registered email address. Paying for a subscription will not increase your odds and I will not bill you for shipping and handling.  The winner will be chosen 14 days after the article is published and emailed to arrange for shipping.  All entries must be within the contiguous United States. Good Luck to all.

We do not have to have Superpowers to Change a Life

Christopher Reeve is known for playing Superman, but maybe it was after his accident that a true super man was born. Christopher Reeve is quoted as saying "...a  hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." This is a legacy that Jay Towers thought was important and deserved to be shared with the comic book and movie community at  MC3.

The "Christopher Reeve Legacy Reunion" was a remarkable event for all. Memories were shared.  Stories new and old told by fans and guests alike.  Old friends reunited and new friendships forged in steel.  It truly was a memorable event to celebrate a good cause.

The Christoper and Dana Reeve Foundation is always seeking donations.  The link to the organization has been embedded in this article.  Even if you could not attend the MC3 reunion, you can still help.  GoCollect readers can make a one-time donation now or can talk to their financial planners to establish a future gift from their estate. This battle will not be won  because of the actions of Superman, but because of the Christopher Reeve that exists in all of us.

Check out more of Joseph's journalism!

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.