Ein Job für Superman

The Partnership of Comic Book Characters and Television ended abruptly in 1959 with the death of TV's Superman, George Reeves. It had some really wide spread affects, on the viewing public* as well as life and business at "The Webs." (what we insiders use as a slang term for The Networks.)

Now, in The Year of Our Lord 1966, we had seen the Batman Series take the nation and a good deal of the world by storm. The two characters were from the same publishers, National Comics AKA Superman DC Comics Publications. The characters crossed over to have adventures together on a regular basis, even though the characters and whole mood of their respective strips were very much un-alike.

So, how would the launching of a new Series for the Man of Steel be received? What would be the proper niche for this Superman show? Was the fallout from the death of Mr. George Reeves, which was both so mysterious and tragic, be enough to put any hurt on another show?** Well, a lot of thought went into the planning and execution of this new series. National Comics people okayed a deal with the Television Animation Company, Filmation Associates, and proceeded to create an animated series which had a really good appearance and had stories that were just about the same as those being published in the comics magazines at the time.***The new animations were also populated with many more characters from the comics stories. Hence, we were treated to such enemies as Luthor, Mr. Mxzyptlk and Brainiac.

Furthermore, one of three weekly cartoon adventures would feature SUPERBOY,The Adventures of Superman When He Was A Boy! Superboy was joined by Ma & Pa Kent, Lana Lang and Krypto his Superdog from Krypton, all from the comics.

We all know about the Superman Theatrical Cartoons of the 1940's. Having been made by Max and Dave Fleischer's Cartoon Studio, and then by Paramount's Famous Studios, each cartoon was a feast of fine animation, music and action. How would the admittedly limited animation of TV hold up in comparison? The National Comics people and the Filmation people really must have put their heads together, because they came up with something that pleased just about everybody.

The final product had 3 separate cartoon episodes. There would be 2 Superman and 1 Superboy adventure. The design was either done directly by or patterned after longtime DC illustrator, Curtis Swan. Curt had done Superman, Superboy, Jimmy Olsen Comics as well as most of the cover art for a slew of comics. The animation looked like their comic book counterparts.

The casting of proper voice actors involved another master stroke. The Voice Actors cast were Mr. Bud Collyer and Miss Joan Alexander. This pair had voiced Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane on the Mutual Radio Network's SUPERMAN Radio Show as well as in the Fleischer/Famous Studio Theatrical Cartoons. They also obtained the services of Jackson Beck as Announcer and voice of Perry White and others. Mr. Beck was also a veteran of the Superman Radio Show.

To this cast was added Ted Knight (Nattator), Jack Grimes (Jimmy Olsen), Janet Waldo (Lana Lang) and Bob Hastings (Superboy and young Clark Kent).

The parts were all in place and the result was a top rated Saturday Morning for CBS TV Network. And the success continued for several years as the series morphed to an hours length, becoming first "The Superman-Aquaman Hour of Adventure", then "The Batman-Superman Hour." We're pretty sure that the project succeeded far better than expectations would have dictated.

* The news was received very badly by the public. I can tell you first hand of one 12 year old boy being brought to tears at this news.

** Remember now, this was only 7 short years later.

*** At this time, Superman appeared in Action Comics, Adventure Comics, Jimmy Olsen , Lois Lane ,Superboy, Superman and World's Finest Comics (co-starring with Batman & Robin) and appeared as a member in Justice League of America.

You know, I quite enjoyed watching these vintage, pre-CGI Superman cartoon from the mid-to-late 1960s.

Their story-lines certainly contained lots of fast-paced action which always allowed Superman the golden opportunity to pulverize all of the evil villains who were forever standing in his way and posing a very serious threat to the safety of the citizens of Metropolis.

Anyway - If you don't judge these Superman cartoons too harshly, then, I'm sure that you're bound to get some real worthwhile entertainment value out of viewing them.

The first time I ever saw these cartoons of both Superman and Superboy was when I was 11 years old.At the time, it was on the Bozo Show on WGN around 1983 I believe it was. Anyway, I liked the character designs. I felt the Superman characters fit the look designed by Curt Swan, the definitive Superman artist of the Silver Age. Well, I did my research and found out about when it originally aired and what format it was in. But for me, I remember the Bozo Show airing Batman on Mondays and Thursdays, Superman on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Superboy on Wednesdays. I never really cared for Bozo the Clown or the like. Heck the only reason I watched it was just to see these Filmation cartoon shorts of the World's Finest.

Bud Collyer did a super job as his dual voices of Superman and Clark Kent, but unlike the 40's Fleisher cartoon classics, Collyer has more speaking lines as Superman since the Man of Steel was mostly silent in the 40's shows. And I was just given a surprise to learn that Joan Alexander wasn't the only voice over for Lois Lane. (Read the trivia above the comment line).

In comparison, I liked the Superman shows over the Superboy shows, though Superboy can be fun. Animation wise, the shows suck by today's standards. But I loved the character designs and voice overs not to mention the awesome musical scores. These cartoons helped me pick up and read some Superman comics from the 50's and 60's and enabled me to hear the voices of Bud Collyer and Joan Alexander in my mind.

If you love the Silver Age Superman, I highly recommend this series and I really wish WB would consider releasing these shows on DVD along with the other DC titles by Filmation. And yes, Superboy too.

One of the best super hero series, FANTASTIC. Highly recommend.

Greetings, all you insatiable, vintage superhero fans - This 2-disc set contains 36 (6-minute) action-packed episodes of pure amusement from "The New Adventures Of Superman" which was first aired on Saturday morning TV back in 1966.

Be sure to tune in closely and watch in wonder as the big, brave, and beefy Superman repeatedly saves the day as he heroically conquers such diabolical villains as Toyman and Brainiac and their dastardly deeds.

Believe me - These rapid-paced cartoon capers of Superman are guaranteed to keep you thoroughly entertained with all of their high-energy retro-fun from start to finish.