More than 90 years after Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster created Superman, a new film soars into theaters this week, showcasing the city where the character was developed.

Why it matters: Last year's filming of "Superman" in Northeast Ohio generated nearly $80 million in local production spending while creating thousands of jobs, according to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC).

• The much-anticipated movie serves as one of the greatest examples yet of Cleveland's ability to host major productions.

The intrigue: News of "Superman" filming in Cleveland broke in February 2024 when the movie, listed under the working title "Genesis," was listed on the Ohio Department of Development's filming slate as receiving $11 million in tax credits.

• Scenes were shot during the summer as downtown served as a stand-in for the city of Metropolis.

Zoom in: Superior Avenue transformed into Metropolis' Concord Street, with the Leader Building becoming the Daily Planet building — home of the newspaper Superman's alter ego, Clark Kent, writes for.

• Progressive Field turned into the home of the Metropolis Meteors baseball team.

Zoom out: Other parts were filmed in Mentor (Lake County) and Cincinnati, where the Cincinnati Museum Center became the Justice League's Hall of Justice.

By the numbers: Warner Bros.' massive production led to the hiring of nearly 3,000 local crew members and more than 2,500 local background actors, according to the GCFC.

• Over 25,000 hotel room nights were booked throughout the summer.

What they're saying: "The impact this will have for the region and the state both economically and culturally is incredible," GCFC president Bill Garvey tells Axios.

• "It puts a giant spotlight on Ohio from around the world as a giant tent pole motion picture release."

If you go: "Superman" opens in wide release at all theaters tomorrow afternoon.

"Superman" has more than just the pride of Clevelanders resting on its shoulders.

The intrigue: The movie is a crowd pleaser that gives stans of the franchise plenty of moments to geek out over.

• It's also flawed at times, with too many characters to keep track of.

State of play: The movie opens with our hero at his most vulnerable.

• Superman is struggling to reconcile his role as an outsider who wants to uplift and save his adoptive planet.

The other side: That mission is upended by Lex Luthor (played by an excellent Nicholas Hoult), who resents Superman for making humans look weak.

Between the lines: Mixed in is the Justice Gang of Hawkgirl (played by Cleveland native Isabela Merced), Green Lantern and Mister Terrific.

• There's also DC Comics hero Metamorpho, the Daily Planet's newspaper staff, politicians and Luthor's crew of conspirators.

The bottom line: It's a lot to keep track of over two-plus hours, but actor David Corenswet shows heart as Superman.

• You're invested not only in the character but in the Warner Bros./DC Universe, which has several more projects on the way.

🏠 A home investor is generating controversy with provocative billboards in predominantly Black east side neighborhoods.

• Several that read "Yes! I buy crack houses" are being removed after backlash from residents and elected officials. (Cleveland.com)

📚 The Cleveland Public Library will spend as much as $1 million to relocate and clean 78,000 linear feet of books after an outbreak of mold in an off-site storage facility. (Signal Cleveland)

💰 Former East Cleveland City Councilman Ernest Smith was sentenced to three years probation for multiple corruption charges and is banned from holding public office for life. (News 5)

🏟️ Former congressman and Cleveland Mayor Dennis Kucinich has filed a "friend of the court" brief, hoping to convince a judge to block the Browns move to Brook Park. (Fox 8)

Warner Bros. has high hopes for "Superman" at the box office.

The intrigue: Previous Superman films like 2013's "Man of Steel" ($670 million worldwide) and 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" ($874 million) were blockbusters.

• Should the latest movie reach those heights, it would rank among the highest-grossing films ever shot in Cleveland.

The big picture: No. 1 on that list is 2012's "The Avengers."

• Its epic "Battle of New York" scene was shot downtown.

The other side: Box office isn't everything.

• Movies like "A Christmas Story" and "The Shawshank Redemption" were filmed in Northeast Ohio without much fanfare, but have since become iconic.

An 18-foot, stainless steel statue of Superman and a tribute plaza honoring the superhero's local creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, will be unveiled outside the Huntington Convention Center in early August.

Why it matters: The local Siegel and Shuster Society has been planning and fundraising for the plaza for years, finally earning approval from the Cleveland Planning Commission early last year.

Zoom in: The plaza will have five components, Siegel and Shuster Society board chair Gary Kaplan tells Axios.

• That includes the marquee Superman statue; bronze statues of Siegel, Shuster and Siegel's wife, Joanne Siegel (the inspiration for Lois Lane); and an enclosed phone booth with Clark Kent's outfit inside.

By the numbers: Fundraising for the $2.5 million project is "getting there," Kaplan says, but the Society is still soliciting donations from residents and local corporations.

Stop by: The City Club of Cleveland will kick off its outdoor summer series today with a forum on Superman moderated by Ideastream's Mike McIntyre.

• Siegel and Shuster Society board member Valentino Zullo will discuss plans and updates for the plaza.