LOOK! UP ON THE SHELF! Back in December, we ran a monthlong series called TOYHEM! in which we explored various and sundry toys and collectibles from a wide variety of perspectives, including comics creators, commentators and the like. Had I known Back Issue cartoonist Karl Heitmueller had the Superman collection you’re about to see, it would have gotten a big spotlight. But once I did catch wind of it, I didn’t wait to wait for TOYHEM II later this year to bring this warm, loving at Karl’s varied and sizeable assortment Man of Steel memorabilia. This is the stuff I really dig – and I’m sure you will too – broken down in, yes, 13 categories. Check this out. — Dan: — By KARL HEITMUELLER JR. I first discovered Superman via the CBS Saturday morning showings of Filmation’s The New Adventures of Superman, and became an instant lifelong fan of the character. While Superman initially appealed to me for the usual reasons kids love him (adolescent power fantasy, et al), as I grew older (and more cynical), he came to represent something else. The notion of absolute power absolutely UNcorrupted is an inspiration in an era where we see power abused on a daily basis. What was once simple enjoyment of action and adventure is now a necessary, cathartic escapism from a world that, frankly, scares the bejeezus out of me. The fact that Superman feels anachronistic to an audience that prefers darker, troubled heroes only endears the character to me more: He’s a classic, timeless reminder to fight the good fight, no matter what others think. I’ve been collecting Superman stuff for — Jeez Louise — a half a century. My collecting certainly has waxed and waned over the years, and not just due to varying levels of interest (life sometimes got in the way, y’know). I have a very subjective set of rules for what I collect. To me, those who indiscriminately consume every single item related to their particular passion (be it Batman, Star Wars, or whatever) with no aesthetic filter are not so much collectors as hoarders. There’s way more Superman stuff out there (especially these days) that I DON’T want than I do. Some criteria are simple (although there are always a few exceptions): No action figures over 7” (Captain Action doesn’t count). No...