When he was a boy during the 1950s and '60s, Michael Uslan was so obsessed with comic books - Batman, in particular - that he collected thousands and didn't hesitate to send corrections to editors when he spotted a mistake in a story line.

"Everyone has an origin story, even though it's most likely without a planet blowing up, parents murdered or a radioactive spider bite," says Uslan, the Originator and Executive Producer of the "The Dark Knight Rises," the third and newest in the Dark Knight movie trilogy. He wrote about his comic book obsession - and his childhood dream of showing the world Batman as he saw him - in his memoir, The Boy Who Loved Batman (www.theboywholovedbatman.com).

"My origin story - what formed my character - is entrenched in comic books," he says. "When I was 8 years old, I wanted to see if I could get my name in print, next to Bruce Wayne and the rest of Gotham's characters."

It wasn't luck, fortune or an accident that Uslan grew up to produce the most successful comic book-based movie franchise of all time, he says. Now, his goal is to inspire kids and young adults to pursue their own dreams with focus and dedication, "because you can make them come true."

Here's how:

• Know your passion: Uslan wasn't the only kid on his block who loved comics - but most of the others probably never dared to dream that they could have a hand in influencing their favorite character, he says. It's important to ask yourself, "What do I really, really care about?" The answer to this question will be the seed from which dreams sprout.

• Don't be a passive bystander - participate: His passion for comics blossomed through several steps, including a general interest in reading and writing and active participation with the world's first ComicCon in New York City in 1964, when he befriended comic writing legend Otto Binder. These days, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to be proactive, he says, citing blogs, websites and social networking. "A teen raised with today's technology can create a video, for example, that rivals those created by professionals," he says.

• Identify objectives that will take you to your goal: In high school, Uslan became essential to the yearbook staff, developing media skills that would benefit him later. In 1972, as a junior at Indiana University, he created and taught the first college level course on comic books. After graduating law school, he had the legal knowledge and Hollywood credentials necessary to purchase the film rights to Batman and start repairing the super hero's image. He wanted to get away from the campy sitcom version of the crusader and reintroduce the Dark Knight to his roots for a movie-going audience. "You don't have to bend to the expectations of everyone else," he says. "If you love something enough and are willing to create favorable circumstances, others will bend to you."

• Learn from problems instead of allowing them to distract: Most people never realize their dreams because life gets in the way. Problems and new priorities arise and detract you from your course. The trick is to figure out how to respond to these in ways that help you reach your goal. For instance, learning how to negotiate, how to efficiently manage your time or how to become very self-disciplined are skills you can apply in pursuing your dream.

About Michael Uslan

Michael Uslan, (www.theuslancompany.com), is the Originator and Executive Producer along with his partner Benjamin Melniker, of the Batman franchise of motion pictures. In his 36 years in the film and television industry, he has been involved with such projects as "National Treasure," "Constantine," and countless animated projects. His projects have won Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmy Awards. He is the author of his auto-biography, THE BOY WHO LOVED BATMAN, now in bookstores and at amazon.com.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Sophomore Tyler HIxson of Davenport earned an athletic letter for outstanding participation on the Coe College baseball team during the spring 2012 season. Hixson, a graduate of Assumption High School, is the son of David and Jill Hixson.

Hixson is a second year letter winner in baseball. The baseball team is under the direction of 16th-year Head Coach Steve Cook. After finishing second in the Iowa Conference regular season standings, the Kohawks went undefeated in the Iowa Conference Tournament for the second-straight year, earning the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Championships. Coe placed third at the NCAA Regionals.

Sophomore Keenan McLaughlin of Pleasant Valley, earned an athletic letter for outstanding participation on the Coe College track team during the spring 2012 season. McLaughlin, a Pleasant Valley High School graduate, is the son of Patrick and Melinda McLaughlin.

McLaughlin is a first year lettter winner in track. The men's track and field team is under the direction of fifth-year Head Coach Michael Warta.

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Le Claire man said he's giving his wife credit for their $10,000 win playing the "Triple Fortune" scratch game, because while he scratched the ticket, she is the one who purchased it.

Marvin Kuhlman, 58, said he could barely believe his eyes when he discovered what he'd won.

"Most of the time when we play, we only win a couple bucks," Kuhlman said. "So when I scratched off the bag that said, 'Win,' I thought I had only won a couple bucks. But I looked at it and it said $10,000!"

Kuhlman instantly woke up his wife, JoAnn, to tell her the big news.

"I said, 'You've got to get up! We just won $10,000!'" Kuhlman said. "She double-checked the ticket and sure enough...."

Kuhlman said he's especially excited because it was the first time he had played the Triple Fortune game.

"I'm looking for some more winners now!" Kuhlman said with a laugh as he claimed his prize June 29 at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids. "What a feeling!"

Kuhlman, who works for a plumbing warehouse, said he's trying to keep quiet about the win, but he did share the news with his coworkers.

"I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I had to blabber it!" Kuhlman joked.

JoAnn purchased the winning ticket at Hy-Vee, 2900 Devils Glen Road in Bettendorf. Kuhlman said they plan to use some of the winnings to pay for a new roof on their house as well as help their children.

Triple Fortune is a $2 scratch game. Players scratch the "cash and prize column." If they find the "money bag" symbol they win the prize shown for that symbol. If they find the "$$$" symbol, they win triple the prize shown for that symbol. If they find the "bank vault" symbol, they win all ten prizes shown. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are 1 in 3.79.

Seventeen top prizes of $10,000 are still up for grabs in Triple Fortune, as well as 39 prizes of $1,000 and 180 prizes of $100.

Players can enter eligible nonwinning scratch tickets online to earn "Points For Prizes™" points. The point value will be revealed to the player on the website upon successful submission of each eligible valid ticket. There is a limit of 30 ticket entries per day. To participate in Points For Prizes™, a player must register for a free account at ialottery.com. Registration is a one-time process. Merchandise that can be ordered by using points will be listed on the website in the Points For Prizes™ online store. Players can choose from items in categories such as apparel, automotive, jewelry, sporting, tools and more.

Since the lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.9 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.3 billion for the state programs that benefit all Iowans.

Today, lottery proceeds in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund, and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.