Superman
Longtime fans of Superman exist. These are people who have never outgrown their love of the character. Nostalgic isn’t quite the right word. Devoted might be closer, but most of us are reserved about using that word with throwaway celebrities we’ve followed since childhood. Devotion like this is more common with football teams or favorite brands of coffee. We know these people. You might be one of them. Your neighbor growing up was one of them. You’re probably shopping for one of them right now and want to get it right.
There’s a problem with Superman gifts. They’re either for kids or they’re for collectors. Figures, art, you know… stuff that someone who loves Superman probably already owns. Figuring out what to get the grownup who loves Superman has never been easier or more difficult. Easier because there are so many licensed options available. Difficult because most of those options will either feed into a childish aesthetic or lean too hard on the nostalgia of being a child. We set out to find stuff that sits perfectly in that Venn diagram. Not stuffed animals. Not cheap t-shirts. Things that actually seem like they were made with care.
What do you love about Superman? If you’re being totally honest with yourself it’s probably not the cape. It’s that bravery, that desire to be good in a world that doesn’t require it of you. The willingness to take on responsibility when you could just let everyone else worry about it for you. Strength. But that’s not a kid thing. Some of the best fiction ever written deals with that theme. It’s no coincidence that Superman is still around. These gifts understand that. They’re for people who love Superman as much as they love what Superman stands for.
We had someone in mind the entire time we compiled this list. A person who has loved Superman their entire life. Who can tell you the difference between the Golden Age and the Silver Age. Who thinks Henry Cavill was great but Christopher Reeve will always be their Superman. Who would rather get 1 wonderful thing than 3 convenient things off the shelf. We held up each potential gift to that ideal and asked ourselves if it was worthwhile. If it felt like junk we dumped it.
Some of these gifts are things you’d hang on your wall. Some of them are things you’ll use every day to remind you of the things you love about Superman. Each one was chosen with intelligence and care. Superman has been important to millions of people for almost ninety years. Don’t settle for less than that when you’re showing them how much they mean to you.