Jim Connolly's X-ray Vision
31st Jan 2012
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s…THE MAN OF STEEL CITY!
Sheffield’s newest superhero is the brainchild of Jim Connolly, a super-talented artist who brings Sheffield’s popular heroes to life with his comic-style art prints. He’s already taken on Hendo’s relish and the Tinsley Towers, and this time he’s transformed the world’s most famous superhero - steel city style.
Taking on Superman is no mean feat - he’s debatably the world’s best superhero (I'd say it's Batman, personally), but Connolly’s version is a brilliant success and sees Superman in an alternative Sheffield universe. Taking five minutes out from rescuing cats from tall trees, Jim explained the inspiration for the print to Exposed Magazine. “The idea partly came from hearing the title of the 2013 Zack Snyder Superman flick (‘The Man Of Steel’). I’ve also been watching some of the original Superman cartoons from the 40s which still look amazing and reading various Superman graphic novels like ‘Red Son’. I thought his tagline and the ‘Steel’ link worked so well for Sheffield.”
The finished print is pure genius, but Connolly says that there were some good ideas axed along the way. “The fourth panel was originally going to have him flying with the dog as Superman did with Lois Lane in the films. I thought it would look just a bit too silly but partly regret not putting it in." he explains. "I debated which building he should be jumping and decided the Arts Tower made sense.”
So who would Jim like for the inevitable Man of Steel City movie adaptation? “Well if it was a Steel City Superman flick I could see Dominic West from The Wire playing it well," Explains Jim. "It’s a little known fact that he’s from Fulwood originally and he’s a heroic chap. He also played the baddie ‘Jigsaw’ in the recent Punisher flick and stole the show.”
He's faster than a speeding whippet and has grappled with the metal monsters that we know as Supertrams. Best of all, he's a good old local bloke. We salute you Man Of Steel City!
This trailer from Northshot sums up what Sheffield's Son is all about:
Head over to Jim’s website where you can see and buy amazing prints of this and the rest of the illustrations in the series.
But wait! Jim has very kindly donated a Man Of Steel City print for two lucky Exposed readers. Just use the comments box below to tell us about your Steel City superpowers! We'll pick our favorite and speed a poster your way.
- News
13 Comments
My steel city superpower is that i'm able to drink 6 pints of Vulcans View without needing to pee :)
How super is THAT ?!???
Neil Cooper
i have a 9 inch tongue and can breath through my ears
joe joe
Mine is that I'm able to become invisible when its my round at the bar.
Phil Turner
With a click of my fingers, the DJ will play Love Action by the Human League.
This works - check time of this post against 6Music playlist:[link awaiting verification]
richanx
I've recently perfected the dangerous art of the 'double power grab' which I've dubbed 'The Tinsley Towers'. For full potency, I combine it with John Parr's inspirational 1985 hit 'St Elmo's Fire'.
Carlos
My Steel City superpower is that I can illuminate the floor of the city hall ballroom with my lighting moves !
Cath Vardy
i can get through a bottle of Henderson's Relish in one meal ~ veg soup + cottage pie + cheese & crackers
Kim Martin
My Steel city super power is eating oodles of Sheffield's finest Fancie cupcakes whilst adorned in my official 'Hey Cupcake!' apron...
Nicola Allen
Mine would be to channel Samuel L Jackson so I would be totally badass.
Rob Aldam
My Steel City superpower would be the ability to shoot Hendersons out my wrists wherever I am in the world. My only weakness would be that mucky Worcestershire stuff!
Jamie Lewis
I can summon the power of the SEVEN HILLS surrounding the city with my mighty ring of smelted iron:
Harry Hill guards the city with his oversized collar of steel.
Benny Hill has the ability to show any lad a thing or two about the ladies. You have to be quick though he doesn't stick around for long.
Jimmy Hill with one stroke of his mighty chin the city's football teams get a win.
Lauryn Hill with one hint of a swagger she can do-wap-that-thing and set the night on fire.
Damon Hill able to clear the Parkway at rush hour with one slight touch of the accelerator
Dusty Hill he got LEGS he knows how to use them
Faith Hill with her powerful vocals can touch even the coldest of hearts and visitors to the city and make them fall in love with it a bit.
When they combine as one these Mishapes have the power to defend the city, battering any foes into a bloody Pulp all controlled by ring of steel.
Jenn
My Steel City superpower would be the ability to shoot Hendersons from my wrists wherever in the world I was...
My only weakness being that mucky Worcestershire stuff!
Jamie Lewis
I can turn any liquid into Henderson's Relish. And then into Moonshine. And then into Funk.
Duncan Johnston
Tell us what you think!