At left, NYS Sen. George Borello, R-Sunset Bay, joined Superman and Al Steffens, the owner of Chautauqua Comics, on Friday at the comic bookstore located at 214 Fairmount Ave. for its Superman Day program. At right Superman strikes a heroic pose alongside Hector Rosario and his adorable daughter, Ellieanna, during the unforgettable Superman Day celebration at Chautauqua Comics this past Friday. Submitted photos

Chautauqua Comics recently celebrated the newest Superman film’s release with a Superman Day.

The event featured an appearance by the iconic ‘Man of Steel,’ allowing attendees to take photos and meet him. Each guest received a complimentary Superman comic and a discount on all Superman-related merchandise. Additionally, participants were offered a free Justice League membership card with the purchase of any Superman product.

“The event was an absolute blast,” said Steve Matteson from Jamestown, who attended alongside his two enthusiastic sons. “We’re planning to head over to Dipson right after the event to catch the movie – our excitement is “super high” right now.

Moreover, even the little ones who may not grasp the full essence of who Superman is joined in on the excitement.

“My daughter is a little small to get the point, but she definitely was happy to see Superman,” said Hector Rosario of Jamestown regarding his and Ellieanna Rosario’s attendance at the Superman Day event. “We had a great time; it was a lot of fun.”

Superman Day showcased a diverse array of photo opportunities and engaging programs for attendees. Among the highlights, New York State Senator George Borello, R-Sunset Bay, made a special appearance at the event. Borrello, a self-admitted comic book enthusiast, openly expresses his preference for the iconic cape-crusader superhero who isn’t Superman.

“Everyone knows I’m a huge Batman fan, but I still love Superman,” said a laughing Borello. “But the big question is James Gunn versus Snyder as far as the directing; I went and saw the movie yesterday, and I thought it was great.”

Borrello’s Borello’s reference to Gunn versus Snyder pertains to movie director James Gunn, who is directing the relaunch of the Superman franchise within the D.C. Universe. In contrast, Zack Snyder directed the previous iteration of the franchise, beginning with the release of Man of Steel in 2013, followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, and the 2017 release of Justice League.

The Superman movies have been a very lucrative franchise for D.C. Comics and its parent company, Home Box Office (HBO).

“As a lifelong fan of superheroes like Batman and Superman, there was no way I was going to miss Chautauqua Comics’ ‘Superman Day.’ My love of comics began in childhood and never faded; I’ve always been drawn to the classic battle of good versus evil and the way these iconic characters inspire and unite people of all ages,” Borrello said. “Store owner Al Steffens is the real superhero here. His love for comics is what’s kept the store going strong for 30 years. He’s not just running a business, he’s created a place where new generations of fans can discover comics, and longtime readers like me can keep enjoying the stories we’ve always loved. I’m proud to count myself as one of his regulars.”

The latest Superman film has earned more than $232.9 million in its first five days, positioning it to possibly outpace all other DC movie releases.