Christopher Reeve’s Screen-Worn Evil Superman Suit From SUPERMAN III Is Up for Auction
There have been plenty of memorable Superman costumes over the years. Fans have debated everything from the New 52 redesign to the black suit, and even the prototype costume created for Nicolas Cage's unmade Superman Lives.
But for me, when someone says "Superman," the first image that pops into my head is Christopher Reeve in the classic red-and-blue suit. It's one of the most recognizable costumes in movie history.
As iconic as that suit is, it wasn't the only version Reeve wore during his time as the Man of Steel. One of the more interesting variants appeared in Superman III, when Superman was corrupted by synthetic Kryptonite and transformed into a darker, evil version of himself.
Now, the actual screen-worn Evil Superman costume is looking for a new owner, and it's already commanding a massive price. The costume is currently sitting at $125,000, including the buyer's premium, through Heritage Auctions.
The auction description reads: “This distinct ensemble is a slightly darker iteration of the classic hero costume, worn by an evil variant of Superman (Christopher Reeve) after he is gradually corrupted by synthesized kryptonite in Superman III.
“In a climactic moment, Clark Kent splits from the nefarious version of himself and eventually overpowers the evil variant in an intense showdown. An exceptionally rare and iconic ensemble from one of the most important and influential figures in American pop culture.”
The costume features a darker shade than Superman's standard suit, giving the character a more intimidating look without dramatically changing the design.
Like any genuine screen-used costume, this one shows its age. It comes with production wear that includes fading, discoloration, loose threads, and even a few holes. Rather than taking away from its appeal, those details make it an even more authentic piece of movie history. For Superman fans and serious collectors, this would be an incredible display piece.
The synthetic Kryptonite introduced in Superman III also ended up being a surprisingly fun concept. While it wasn't officially Black Kryptonite, it essentially worked the same way by separating Superman's heroic nature from his darker impulses.
DC Comics would eventually introduce an entire spectrum of Kryptonite with different effects, but the version featured in Superman III still stands out as one of the more creative ideas. Reeve completely sold the transformation, giving audiences two very different versions of Superman in one unforgettable performance.
Of course, if $125,000 feels a little out of reach, there's another Superman collectible making headlines at Heritage Auctions that's on a completely different level. A CGC 4.5 copy of Adventure Comics #1 has already climbed past $1 million in bidding, showing just how strong the market is for rare Superman memorabilia.
If you had the money to add one piece of Superman history to your collection, would you go after Reeve's screen-worn Evil Superman suit or the million-dollar copy of Adventure Comics #1?
