It’s a bird, it’s a plane—no, it’s Damian! Take a minute to vote and help out the next Superman of Metropolis, Illinois.

He’s got the looks, he’s got the outfit, and now all he needs is some help from fans like us! Check out Damian Beurer’s Man of Tomorrow website here—and don’t forget to vote! You can also watch the audition tape he made for the competition on Youtube.

The previous title holder is stepping down, and Damian is stepping up to the plate in the hopes of being the next Man of Steel in the 30th anniversary of Metropolis, Illinois’s Superman celebration. I talked online with Damian for an inside scoop.

WITA: I think you’ll make a great Superman, and your costume rocks. What do you think sets you apart from your fellow contenders for the title of the next Superman of Metropolis, Illinois?

Damian: Well, that’s tough. What I have gathered together from watching the videos and having first-hand knowledge of some of these guys is we are all passionate about Superman. What Superman means to people. He inspires others to want to be better people. He is someone people look up to and don’t want to let down. I think comics today are our modern day mythology. The stories that are told are similar in fashion to how, for example, Greek mythological stories were written—amazing tales of god-like men and women doing heroic deeds. They are a huge part of today’s culture and have weaved their way into our daily lives, so it’s not surprising there are so many people contending to be the next Superman of Metropolis. To be able to touch a little bit of the magic that we all love … And it’s also a way to share that feeling with others. It’s a big responsibility to fill those red boots and do the character justice.

More farm bills due.

WITA: Well said. Superman’s such a legend. It’s interesting what you said about mythology and how Superman’s the kind of person we all aspire to be. Many people today are losing the ability to relate to Superman because he’s so god-like; as a DC character, many people are turning to Marvel characters because they are flawed and thus, more personable. How do you feel about this shift?

Damian: Oh, honestly that’s really the way it has always been. DC has very dynamic characters who exist in a fantasy world of non-existent cities. They are larger than life and at times almost all powerful. It was just recently—and I say within the past 15-20 years—that flaws were starting to be written into the characters. Superman could pretty much do a handstand and move the world, Batman was unbeatable and then was outwitted and finally broken by Bane, Hal Jordan became an alcoholic … etc. DC realized that people were not really relating to the characters and had the writers make them a little more human. Superman is basically an orphan immigrant. He is a man without a home. He is searching for his place in a world he doesn’t really fit into. Some people can relate to that, but still see him as the pinnacle of perfection they all aspire to be. Which drives them on in their quest for self-improvement. Marvel takes it one step further with the X-men.

You can equate the X-men to pretty much every minority, people, or color; different religious beliefs, outcasts, nerds, etc. They are a group of people who are brought together because they are different or have different beliefs than the majority. There is a wider spectrum of characters, so it’s easier to associate with the X-men as a whole because there is a greater variety to relate to. Storm, an African goddess; a Russian farmer; a Jewish teenager; a German circus freak, etc.

Superman is just one guy, trying his hardest to do what’s best for everyone. Who out there hasn’t at one point felt his heart sink when he found out that a loved one was in trouble and couldn’t be there for him in his time of need? This guy has all of this amazing power and struggles every day trying to save the world. He can’t save everyone, but he does his best to help as many people as he can. Why? Because he can … and because it’s the right thing to do. Did I totally jump the track here?

The blue-eyed Master of Spandex.

WITA: Haha, no, this is good. So Superman’s still a universal symbol, and underneath the super powers there’s an even better man. It’s not the powers that matter, but the character of the man.

Damian: He is a very charismatic individual who, like I said, is an inspiration. He sets the bar high and expects you to raise it higher for yourself—to believe in yourself and to never give up.

WITA: And it’s worth noting, I think, that it’s the yellow sun that gives Clark his powers, but without them he’d be the same guy, trying to save the world and everyone he cares about.

Damian: Exactly. With his powers if he chose a profession that was physical he would be way ahead of the average man, e.g. a fireproof firefighter or a super cop. He went into journalism to try and change the world through his reporting of the news, speaking out on the truth about the world and the people in it. Giving the common man the information needed to stand up and make a change themselves. To inspire them! And again it’s his innate sense of justice and knowledge of what’s right and wrong. We all know what’s right and wrong, some of us just let our eyes glaze over and ignore it.

WITA: Indeed, and in that way Superman serves as a golden reminder to us all—including all other superheroes who sometimes lose their way. Despite whether or not people relate to him nowadays, he’s still as important as ever. It can also be argued that another attribute of a true hero is that he continues to save the world without getting the credit—to the world, he’s the hero Superman, but in everyday life, he’s just Clark Kent, journalist. Much like “more relatable” Marvel characters. Do you think people have just forgotten the man behind the suit, and that’s why people have lost faith in him?

Take that, Zod!

Damian: No, I think people have lost faith in themselves. Faith is defined as firm belief in something for which there is no proof. People need to be shown a path. Look at some of the great leaders of our time … Martin Luthor King Jr., President Kennedy, Malcolm X … These were men who were charismatic leaders who were intelligent, passionate, and focused. They had the tenacity to stay the course on their beliefs and show people how our lives could be so much better if we stood up for ourselves and not only believed but acted. I think the ideals are there, but the people behind the ideals have lost focus. And that’s why people have lost faith in Superman.

WITA: So do you think we need more people like Superman? Not just heroes, but we as people need to be reminded of what he stands for and why he became such a cherished legend in the first place?

Damian: I am trying to find the exact quote … Christopher Reeves stated it: “Superman is a vehicle for Hope.” He is someone to believe in who inspires others. And yes, we do need more people like him, individuals who are willing to stand up and make a difference in the world for the better.

WITA: You’re obviously very passionate about Superman, and it’s great that you can speak about him with such enthusiasm. How long have you been a fan?

Damian: Haha … Honestly? I’ve been a fan longer than I can remember. My parents wouldn’t take me to the theater when I was a kid because they were afraid I would start leaping over the seats pretending to be Superman. I have pictures of myself wearing my Superman underoos over my clothes when I was three, flying around and saving the day. I’ve also been collecting comic books since I was … five years old. So my collection is pretty massive. I still have the first Superman comic I ever bought with my own money.

WITA: Then you’re destined to win the Illinois contest!

Damian: Destined… I don’t want to go that far. There are some pretty amazing guys who are also just as passionate as I am and worthy of the title.

WITA: Well, perhaps not destined, but you certainly are a strong candidate for it. What was the first Superman comic you bought?

Damian: It was a DC Comics presents. I also bought Richie Rich and Hot Stuff, but Superman was my favorite. And yes, I was one of those kids who leapt off the roof wearing a red towel tied around my neck testing out to see if my latent superhero powers had finally blossomed! After I landed in the neighbors bushes, I figured I would test them out from lesser heights than the top of the garage. Gravity is cruel …

WITA: Especially for us mortals … So that comic got you hooked?

Damian: Yeah, I was hooked with that one.

WITA: Who are some of your other favorite superheroes?

Damian: Superman, Batman, Colossus, Spiderman, Thor, Hulk, Green Lantern.

WITA: Great picks. I love Batman. Are you excited for The Dark Knight?

Damian: I am and I am not. The Dark Knight is actually finally going the direction that Batman was intended to go. Batman is a deeply disturbed individual who witnessed a horrific tragedy and reacted the only way he knew how.

WITA: But you’re also not looking forward to it because …?

Damian: I think its going to be too dark, specifically with the Joker. I understand where it’s going (based off of Alex Ross). I just see too many kids seeing this and I honestly think we’ve desensitized today’s youth way too much already.

WITA: Hm, yeah, they’re definitely going in a very dark direction, especially with the Joker. But again, Batman is very dark, like you said, and at least they’re not watering him down. Like with X-men’s Wolverine—hopefully with the new movie next year it’ll show a more authentic Wolvie, not the version we saw in the trilogy. But yeah, I see where you’re coming from. I’ve actually talked about the whole action figure marketing for the movie—it’s just not a kids’ movie, and hopefully the rating will reflect that. And, really, action figures?

Damian: You are forgetting that movies are a business. And money drives the machine. If they don’t make money, they can’t make movies. So that’s why you get product placements and costumes that translate into cool action figures and vehicles that look cool as toys.

WITA: Very true.

Damian: I also knew Heath Ledger. He was a very good person and I am sorry to see him pass.

Heath Ledger

WITA: Ohh, you did? What do you think the decision to go forward with the prior marketing plans? I mean, trailers, Joker-oriented stuff (sans the action figures). I think it is a good idea—respecting his memory and final finished work. But it would be interesting to get a more personal view.

Damian: I’m out of the loop on that. Did you say they are going to use Heath’s image as the Joker to advertise as planned? If so, then I agree. Full speed ahead. It’s one of his last pieces of work, why not honor him?

WITA: Well, they’re continuing with everything they had planned (the viral sites, the trailers featuring the Joker, etc.) despite his death—they’re not changing anything, as far as I know, and haven’t so far.

Damian: Ok, that part of our culture bugs me. After 9-11, it was taboo to show the World Trade Center. People would speak of it in hushed tones and imagine that it either didn’t happen or didn’t exist. That bothers me. Celebrate the lives lost … Honor them. Don’t tip-toe on eggshells. Remember those lost. And by continuing on as planned for Heath—I am all for it.

WITA: Yeah, that’s what I think. It would be an insult to not speak of it, or to cover it up. Instead, celebrate his work. He put so much commitment into it.

Damian: Exactly.

WITA: Personally, I can’t wait to see his portrayal. I’m sure it’ll be brilliant. Now, if you win the Superman contest how do you plan to celebrate?

Damian: Well I don’t drink and I don’t smoke … and my main vice is comics. I plan to first thank everyone who voted for me, which I am planning on anyway even if I don’t win. But I will also congratulate the other contestants and then call my family and let them know. I’ll also celebrate by hitting the gym even harder to really get the look of the Man of Steel.

WITA: More power to you!

Damian: Thank you. I want to do it justice and really pay homage to such a wonderful inspiration to so many people.

WITA: When’s the competition, by the way?

Damian: It’s over the next two weeks

WITA: Well, I hope you win, Damian. Thanks for the great interview! It was great talking to you.

Damian: Thank you very much!

So how did Damian get his start as Superman?

Damian: Long story short, I wanted to enter into a superhero short film contest. So I went to a convention and met some guys who won first place in the costume contest. I told them my ideas and they loved them, so we got together and shot the short. We won a few film festivals and decided to make another. We won some bigger film festivals and our names started to get out there. So we would go up to conventions in costumes to promote the shorts (and it was just fun), and then we started helping out friends, movie theaters for premieres of superhero movies, comic book stores to help promote game contests … We would merge the two and we created a live action version of a game called Hero Clicks. Little heroes on bases that display their powers, and when they take damage you click the base until they are knocked out. We made this huge version of it where kids could come and roll huge dice and move around the lobby of a theater. It was awesome. Lots of fun. From there we decided, what else we could do? And I thought about visiting children’s hospitals dressed as heroes. I started that as philanthropy when I was in my fraternity in college. So we made some calls, picked up some donations, and spent a few hours with the kids to cheer them up. So I only really wear the costumes for occasional conventions, hospital visits, and the occasional fan film.

WITA: All of that sounds awesome! What was the first short film contest you did called?

Damian: University of Super Friends: Where Heroes Go to Become Super at a Wizards short film fest and some Local Tampa film festivals. It was a five-minute campus tour given by Professor Xavier. It was really silly … You saw the various classes like Costume Fabrication or Spandex 101. Flight School where Thor was tossing heroes who can’t fly off of a roof, telling them to flap their arms harder. Physical fitness by a huge Captain America who was a little crazy and called everyone Bucky … It was silly. I barely knew how to use the camera and self-taught myself the editing software. I am so embarrassed of it now. The next one was I’ll Save You!!!, which was about the overpopulation of superheroes in New York City. We went to Wizard, Dragon Con, Saints and Sinners, and a few others.

Spoken like a true Superman. Good luck, Damian!

(UPDATED 4-29-08)