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SALT LAKE CITY — Forget the carpet, local comic book stores are rolling out the red cape in preparation for Superman's visit to the Beehive State.
The Man of Steel's pioneer-like trek across the United States brings him to Utah when issue 710 of the Superman comic book series hits stores Wednesday.
"We're pretty excited for this," said Mimi Cruz, manager of Night Flight Comics.
Cruz said Night Flight placed a larger-than-normal order for issue 710 of the Superman comic in hopes of having plenty of copies on the shelves for Utahns who normally don't read the series.
HeeBeeGeeBeez co-owner Rachael Williams has planned release parties at her Layton and Ogden stores that will include an actor dressed as Superman, as well as a mystery guest. (Psst! It's the same guy who meets up with Superman in issue 710. Keep reading.)
Williams said she wanted to turn Superman's comic book visit to Utah into a real-life experience for young fans.
"If they take home a comic, anytime they look at it they're going to remember the day Superman came to Utah and they got to meet him," she said. "I would have loved to have that experience as a kid."
Night Flight plans to celebrate the release with cookies and Superman pins for those who visit either of its Salt Lake City stores to grab a copy of the comic.
For the past 10 months, the series' "Grounded" storyline has followed the Man of Steel as he walks across America in hopes of reconnecting with the people of his adopted home.
Issue 710 finds Superman in Utah meeting up with Batman — the real Batman, as in Bruce Wayne (not Dick Grayson, who chatted with Superman in issue 703).
According to The Source, the official blog of the DC Comics universe, the two superheroes will reminisce about a time when Clark Kent teamed up with a younger Bruce Wayne to defend a village in the fictional country of Bhutran from the immortal warrior Vandal Savage.
That might not sound very Utah-centric, but Cruz says the 32-page comic book will be of particular interest to Utahns.
Though she hasn't seen the entire book, Cruz has been privy to a few details about parts of Utah readers will see in the comic. (Spoiler alert: Readers who want to be surprised by issue 710 should stop reading now.)
The story begins, Cruz says, with Superman walking into Ogden. Readers last saw the Man of Steel in Boulder, Colo., where the grounded hero met up with the Flash.
"Superman walks into Ogden, and has he's making his way into Salt Lake City, Batman confronts him," Cruz said.
Batman cautions Superman that all the attention his walk across America is putting people in danger along the way.
"How cool would it be to have Superman walking through your town? But the bad guys know this, too," Cruz said. "In his effort to get back in touch with us, he's also bringing us danger."
Cruz says Salt Lake City also will be seen in the comic, though she didn't offer any hints as to what sites.
There have been rumors that Night Flight Comics will be featured in the issue. Cruz said that would be a surprise, but it wouldn't be the first time.
The store previously was included in Frank Miller's Sin City, a fact Miller kept secret until issue No. 4's release.
"I guess we'll see," Cruz said.
The "Grounded" story line, created and then abandoned midway through by writer J. Michael Straczynski, has seen Superman visit Philadelphia; Detroit; Danville, Ohio; Chicago; Des Moines, Iowa; Lincoln, Neb.; and Boulder, Colo. Next up on his trek include stops in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Eddy Barrows has joined the writing team, with art by Eddy Barrows and J.P. Mayer.
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'Superman' release parties
Wednesday, April 13
HeeBeeGeeBeez, 1986 N. Hillfield Road, Suite 2, Layton — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Superman in store from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
HeeBeeGeeBeez, 2574 Washington Blvd., Ogden — Noon-7 p.m., with Superman in store from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Night Flight Comics, 6222 S. State, Salt Lake City — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Night Flight Comics, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email:jpage@ksl.com
