Comic book "Super Heroes" stamps

According to The Fort Wayne, Indiana News-Sentinel the new Super Heroes stamps came about after Carl Herrman, an art director with the Postal Service, pitched the idea to his superiors. It did not originate with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee.

""I just thought they would be very colorful and just fun to do," said Herrman, who also designed the 1995 Comic Strip Classics sheet (Scott 3000).

"The idea at first was to highlight superheroes from multiple comic-book publishers, but legal and other issues led to the decision to go with one company. So we started with DC."

According to the paper, "Herrman had planned to focus on the early days of DC's heroes, but he was convinced by the company to include some more current images, such as superstar artist Jim Lee's version of Batman."

Herrman wouldn't comment on whether more DC stamps - or stamps featuring heroes from DC's chief rival, Marvel - are in the works.

Shown above in a USPS photo taken at the first day of issue ceremonies at the 2006 Comic-Con International in San Diego on Thursday: (left to right) Stamp Services Executive Director David Failor, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, DC Comics Publisher and President Paul Levitz, dedicating official USPS Judicial Officer William Campbell, Comic-Con Public Relations and Marketing Director David Glanzer and Super Heroes Stamp Art Director Carl Herrman.

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