After the tremendous success of Batman: The Animated Series,
the same creative team moved on to bring another DC Comics iconic legend to
life: Superman. Premiering in 1996, Superman The Animated Series was a fast-paced,
vibrant and fun show that imaginatively tells the adventures of the Man Of Steel.
Starting with the three-part "The Last Son Of Krypton", which retells the famous
story of how the infant Superman escaped to earth in a rocket ship created by his
father when his home planet Krypton explodes. Yet the Animated Series adds a new
element to Supes' origin by making Superman's old adversary Brainiac the central
computer net of Krypton. Superman's father Jor-el tangles with this malevolent
artificial intelligence when Brainiac disputes his theories that Krypton is in
danger. Brainiac tries to have Jor-el arrested all the while uploading itself to
a satellite for self-preservation when the planet finally does explode. Brainiac knew
full well that Jor-el was correct, but deliberately misguided the Kryptonians to
their doom in an effort to keep their vast scientific knowledge all to itself.
And so in the Animated Series, there are actually two survivors from Krypton:
little Kal-el, who would grow up to become to become Superman, and Brainiac, who
will come to earth to battle the Man Of Steel in "Stolen Memories".
After growing up in Smallville under the guidance of Ma and Pa Kent, Clark Kent
goes to Metropolis, where he gets a job as a reporter at the Daily Planet. At
first he tries to use his powers to help people as quietly as possible, but this
soon becomes an exercise in futility. Once the Daily Planet gets wind of this
super powered being in their midst, they dub him Superman, after the "S" emblem
on his chest, and the legend is born. The design of Metropolis in this series is
a major departure from that of Gotham City in the Batman Animated Series.
Whereas Gotham City was a dark and foreboding place, Metropolis is a bright,
sunny town that is seemingly as hopeful and optimistic as the hero who protects
it. All of the favorites from the Superman myth are here: Perry White, Jimmy
Olsen, and, of course, Lois Lane, Clark's rival for Daily Planet headlines and a
love interest for Superman. Dana
Delaney, who is best known from China Beach, voices Lois as a sassy
go-getter. Clancy Brown, who made an impression as the Kurgan in the original
Highlander film, lends his voice to Lex Luthor, Superman's long-time nemesis.
The Luthor of the series follows the comics, which depicts him as a
multi-millionaire scientific genius who was a force to be reckoned with in
Metropolis--at least until Superman showed up. And Tim Daly, formerly of the
comedy series Wings, gives his voice to the Man Of Steel. Other elements of the Superman
mythology, such as the Fortress Of Solitude, are slowly created over the
course of the episodes. And the theme song is one of the best I have ever heard for
any TV series; it's a rousing, soaring ditty that I never tire of hearing.
There are 18 episodes on two discs, including the aforementioned three-part
origin story, and "Stolen Memories". There's also "A Little Piece Of Home",
which introduces kryptonite, and "The Way of All Flesh", where Superman clashes
with The Parasite, a villain who sucks the energy right out of his victims. And
there's "The Main Man", a great two-parter that introduces Lobo, the intergalactic
bounty hunter who has Superman in his sights. In "The Prometheon", Superman deals with a threat of epic proportions, and in "Speed Demons", he teams up with
The Flash to battle the Weather Wizard. There are two "making of" documentaries,
"Superman: Learning To Fly," and "Building The Mythology: Superman's Supporting
Cast". There's also a selectable pop-up trivia track on "A Little Piece Of Home"
and selected episodes have audio commentaries by the creators. Bold, stylish,
and extremely enjoyable to watch, Superman: The Animated Series soars to new
heights in its definitive depiction of the Man Of Steel. --SF
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