The resurgence of Batman on the big screen with a string of movies under Warner Brothers belt, as well as the critically acclaimed Emmy-winning
Batman: The Animated Series, proved to be a gold mine that the executives reasoned lightning could strike twice if they started focusing on DC Comics' other flagship character—Superman.
The character was last seen in the dismal 1987's
Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (take note Warner Bros… both the Superman and Batman franchises came crashing down after the third and fourth movie installments… next time, avoid the numbers "3" & "4" at all costs, if possible, especially when gambling) and 1988's animated
Superman series by Ruby Spears. However, the popular success of 1993's
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman brought a new awareness to the Man of Steel, one that paved a way for his return to the animated world.
The Archetype That Broke The Mold
With the success of
Batman: The Animated Series, the same producers decided to turn their attention on Superman in 1996.
Superman: The Animated Series, Volume One collects the first 18 episodes in a two-disk DVD set
(actually, it's really a three-disk set if you take into account that Disk Two is really a double-sided DVD) from Season One, plus a couple of episodes from Season Two.
The producers—Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Alan Burnett—used the same streamlined, “more modern, more serious” approach that they used on Batman. This Superman pays tribute to both the old, classic style and new modern Superman from the post-Crisis, John Byrne era of 1986. Elements of Superman's history throughout the ages were included in this series, making this one of the best interpretations of the Man of Steel adapted in any medium.
Superman may be one of the most powerful beings but his attitude doesn't reflect that power. In fact he comes across as someone who is a bit aloof and a bit shy, making sure he gets the job done without hurting anyone, and never staying too long after an incident has been dealt with—as a result, he becomes a bit of an enigma. Clark Kent isn't the nebbish, bumbling reporter. He's confident, strong and even witty, especially if he has to hold up his own against the likes of fellow Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane.
Lois Lane: I'm confused, Kent. See, I've lived in Metropolis most of my life and I can't figure out how some yokel from Smallville is suddenly getting every hot story in town.
Clark Kent: Well, Lois, the truth is I'm actually Superman in disguise, and I only pretend to be a journalist in order to hear about disasters as they happen and then squeeze you out of the byline.
Lois Lane: You're a sick man, Kent.
Superman's birthworld of Krypton was subjected to a more modernized feel, a complete contrast to the sterile-like environment portrayed in both John Byrne's
The Man of Steel comic book mini-series or
Superman: The Movie. This is evident in the three-parter
“The Last Son of Krypton” as it shows Krypton to be not only scientifically advanced but lush with life. However, science has become the “new god” as the evil computer Brainiac will testify. The Kryptonians rely too heavily on Brainiac's input that they forget to think for themselves, especially when Jor-El, Superman's birth father, tries to warn the council of Krypton's impending doom. In a masterful stroke, the producers directly linked Brainiac to Krypton making his existence a lot more plausible than previous incarnations. Brainiac does return in his android form in
“Stolen Memories” and explains his motives towards genocide as he visits different worlds.
Brainiac isn't the only villain to get an overhaul for this series. Metallo
(The Way Of All Flesh), Toyman
(Fun and Games), and Parasite
(Feeding Time) receive an all-new agenda for being just nasty people. In the same vein as Harley Quinn
(and maybe from the same mold), the producers created Livewire
(Livewire), a character made solely for the animated show. And let's not count out those Kryptonian criminals trapped in the Phantom Zone as seen in
(Blasts From The Past, Pts. 1 & 2). Jax-Ur and Mala show us why they were put there in the first place. Sorry, there's no Zod so there's no need to kneel.
Jack Kirby's Fourth World plays a significant part in this animated continuity as Kanto, top assassin from the planet Apokolips, supplies high-tech weaponry to crime boss Bruno Mannheim in
“Tools of the Trade”. But a greater evil waits as we witness the power of Darkseid, Lord of Apokolips, in a brief, shadowy cameo.
A couple of characters make surprise appearances as well. The intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo shows up for a two-parter in
“The Main Man, Pts. 1 & 2”. Imagine Wolverine on steroids without the gruff attitude. Lobo's purpose in life: to find a good fight.
Lobo: The name's Lobo. That's L as in "lacerate," O as in "obliterate," B as in "disem-bowel," and O as in, uh... well, I guess I can use "obliterate" twice. Huh, what do you think?
Superman: I think you're a certifiable madman.
Lobo: Thanks.
The Flash speeds into the fray in
“Speed Demons” as he and Superman participate in a race for charity, a huge homage to all the Superman vs. Flash storylines that have graced the pages of comic books throughout the years. The Flash, at first, comes across as a young, cocky, obnoxious glory-seeker, but when push comes to shove, as Superman finds out, he's really someone who tries to help others in need and fights against injustice, especially when his foe the Weather Wizard comes blowing into town. It should be noted that Charlie Schlatter
(TV's Diagnosis Murder) provides the voice of The Flash in this series. Michael Rosenbaum
(Lex Luthor of TV's Smallville) later provides his voice in the
Justice League and
Justice League Unlimited series.
Of course no hero is defined without his arch-nemesis, and Lex Luthor provides the perfect foil for Superman. The “new” Lex Luthor, businessman and multi-billionaire, wants to rid Metropolis of this “Superman” and regain his top billing as “the most powerful man in Metropolis”. Luthor's machinations against the Man of Steel have provided some deadly results, such as Metallo. Luckily he has Mercy Graves, his bodyguard
(another character created for the show), to make sure that Mr. Luthor isn't in danger.
The Men and Woman Behind Superman
Superman: The Animated Series boasts some talented actors providing voices for these memorable characters.
Tim Daly
(TV's Wings) has double duty as Superman and Clark Kent. His Superman is no-nonsensed and mysterious, yet he has a dry humour and shows that he has fun with his powers every once in a while. Clark Kent seems more confident than Superman, in some cases, and is more personable and approachable. But that's what the producers want for Clark is the real person while Superman just allows him to do what he can.
The producers must have loved Dana Delany's
(TV's China Beach) performance in
Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm for her to come aboard this project as Lois Lane. Her Lois is feisty, independent, and in-you-face, but underneath all that is an emotional and caring woman.
I think Clancy Brown
(TV's Carnivale and Mr. Krabs on SpongeBob SquarePants) steals the scenes as Lex Luthor, always calculating, charming, and very menacing at times. He makes you believe that he will defeat Superman.
Other notable actors include George Dzundza
(Perry White), David Kaufman
(Jimmy Olsen), Lisa Edelstein
(Mercy Graves), Mike Farrell
(Jonathan Kent), Shelley Fabares
(Martha Kent), Joley Fisher
(Lana Lang), Malcolm McDowell
(Metallo), and Ron Perlman
(Jax-Ur).
The look of the show completely differs from
Batman: The Animated Series. Gone is the “Dark Deco” styling which never suited Superman. This world is bright and colourful, unlike Batman's Gotham City that mostly took place at night. The animation is more streamlined and stylized making the action flow better. This new look serves as the model for future projects such as
The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond and
Justice League.
Superman: The Animated Series may not have received the same attention as
Batman: The Animated Series but it opened many doors for fans to see other DC characters, who have never been on television before, and realize that it's a big world in comicdom. The success of these two shows has led to the popularity of
Justice League Unlimited, just like it did back in the day when Superman made his debut in 1938—he serves as the springboard for superheroes.
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Disk One:
The Last Son of Krypton Part 1
The Last Son of Krypton Part 2
The Last Son of Krypton Part 3
Fun and Games
A Little Piece of Home
Feeding Time
Disk Two: (double-sided disk)
The Way of All Flesh
Stolen Memories
The Main Man Part 1
The Main Man Part 2
My Girl
Tools of the Trade
Two's A Crowd
The Prometheon
Blasts From The Past Part 1
Blasts From The Past Part 2
Livewire
Speed Demons
Also included:
• Commentary on “The Last Son of Krypton Part 1”, “Stolen Memories”, “The Main Man” and “Tools of the Trade”
• Featurettes:
— “A Little Piece of Home”: a pop-up trivia track
— “Superman: Learning to Fly”: a look at the creation of the series
—“Building the Mythology: Superman's Supporting Cast”: a showcase of the supporting players
Related Reviews
Batman: The Animated Series, Volume 1
Batman: The Animated Series, Volume 2
Batman: The Animated Series, Volume 3
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
The Adventures of Batman and Robin: Robin's Reckoning
Batman Animated: The Book
Justice League: Secret Origins
Justice League: Justice On Trial
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