Superman

This is another entry in the "Under the Radar" series and it's another of "DC Comics" forgotten animated gems, if you can believe that as it's with the main man himself. I was a kid from the 80s' and believe it or not this cartoon show is what helped introduce me to "Superman" himself, though also DC comics as at the time I never read a single comic of "Superman" or any from DC. This show caught my eye because I was into "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" and of course "Superman" reminded me of him, after seeing the show I was blown away; watching this show led to the movies, and the rest as they say is history.

This show was unique for it's time, it came out during the popularity of the "Superman" movie franchise and John Byrne's run on "Superman" during the Bronze age of comics; the franchise no doubt was more popular than ever before.

This show also was probably the only or one of the only animated shows based on a DC comics property in the 80's decade. Which I know seems almost unbelievable as these days each decade isn't without a show based on a DC and Marvel animated or live action. But you must realize it was a different time when comic book market in the visual medium in the 80's was still relatively small, yes there were a share of live action movies, tv shows, even animated shows based on a comic property, but they only happened occasionally. Though at times I can't help but think that made them even more special because of just the anticipation on what could be next.

The animation is solid it's sort of in some of the same style as most shows from Ruby Spears though a little more up to the latter 80's standards. There is also a bit of a throwback feel to the animation as it's more in tuned with the silver age of the "Superman" comic series. Like the action which is well choreographed superhero action.

Voice acting is solid, everyone I felt fit and did well in their roles in this version, some done by some voice acting alumi. From Beau Weaver as Clark Kent/Superman which is ironic as he got to play another superhero Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in the 90's "Fantastic Four" cartoon (one I reviewed), so that's cool two superheroes in a row. Michael Bell as Lex Luthor, whom you remember voiced Duke from "G. I. Joe" which is part of why he's one of my favorite Lex Luthor voices. Townsend Coleman whom you remember as Leo in the 80's "TMNT" (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) cartoon, he plays the Teenage Clark Kent which is fitting as he's always good with teen voices. Mary McDonald Lewis as "Wonder Woman", yeah another "G. I. Joe" alumi again coolness.

Even like some of the writing which is done by a few comic book writer alumi which shows this show was done with care as if they really understood "Superman" and the DC verse.

Each episode are mini episodes as their divided from the present-day Superman to the Superman's past. This was one of the unique of the show as it not just made it feel almost like having two shows at the same time, which was cool, because it also meant there was room for more stories and more opportunities on where the show can go. But the real highlight of this was in seeing the stories on Clark Kent/Superman's past. Those segments predated the TV show "Smallville" but also "Superboy" which came two years after this show (and another the radar gem which is a story for another time) and other shows like "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" because back then prequels and origin stories were a rarity at the time we never really had much or any stories on hero/superheroes pasts. The stories here I feel are done well and are rather touching which I feel show how human Clark/Superman truly is, it's even more touching for the veteran fans because it feels like looking at a journal passage of our own past.

Another thing this show did was it tried to expand on it's mythology by bringing in characters from the DC verse, or at least it was about to before the ax on the show was swung. You can say this also predates the whole shared/expanded universe concept that you see from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Arrow verse, and others out there. As we see there was on episode with both "Superman" and "Wonder Woman", I remember seeing that as a kid it blew me away. Ok, for some that wouldn't be surprising now, but the thing was I never saw the show "Superfriends" (another review for another time) at the time.

Also having a popular superhero guest staring in a show based on one other superhero was a rarity at the time, so you can easily imagine how fans and non-fans were blown away by this. Of course, the episode doesn't disappoint as the voice actress and personality of Wonder Woman was on point and it was just cool seeing both working together and hope there will be more episodes with those two, though sadly we didn't.

It's a real shame this show flown under the radar as it also felt like a bit of a big, missed opportunity as it seemed like as I said before the start of something big, like maybe there was going to be other DC comics animated block from Ruby Spears. When you think about it, it could have been awesome like a "Wonder Woman" animated show which we still don't have and sorely could use; or even their version of "Justice League" that would have been something. Sadly these things didn't happen from this showing coming out in the twilight years of the 80's which is always an area where a lot of things get overlooked, the live action "Batman" film on its way, this show unfortunately didn't stand enough of a chance.

If you're a fan of "Superman" or even a fan of DC comics and collect or even have a craving for other visual media entries, this is an entry worth a test flight.

Rating: 3 stars.

This series came out shortly after Superman was reconceptualized in the Comic Books. Very different from the Superman we have seen on the various Superfriends series or the animated Superman from the sixties. They made Luthor into a Multi-Billionaire, got rid of the Multi-hued versions of Kryptonite, let the Kents live to see their foster-son's greatness, erased the "Superboy" part of the history and made Kal-El truly the last survivor of Krypton.

I really enjoyed it and am sad to see that nobody remembers it and no networks air it. It had everything that an Action-Superhero series should have. I also enjoyed the "Superman Family Album" they showed at the end of every episode. It was a 10 minute segment focusing on the childhood and development of young Clark Kent. It focused on Key Points in his life or just normal aspects that every child faces while growing up (every child with super powers that is). We saw how the Kents adopted him, how the babysitter dealt with him, Birthday parties, High School, that awkward First Date, finally cumulating with Clark's move to Metropolis and his first "Coming Out" as Superman.

A great series and truly "Super" in its own right.

If you're looking for a deep, expertly crafted, cutting-edge cartoon that's destined to be appreciated by many adults as well as kids, you won't find it here - that's not what this show is, nor what it's trying to be. Honestly, it's cheesy and doesn't exactly try to have super-tight writing. But if you look at this show for what it is - a 1980s kids cartoon about Superman - well, it actually does its job well. If you don't set your expectations too high, you might, like me, end up enjoying yourself quite a bit.

This show's take on Superman and his mythology feels really reminiscent of the Christopher Reeve movies to me - the creators even admit in an interview that they directly took inspiration from them for Superman's character. There are even several direct allusions to the movies, such as Superman flying with Lois in a similar manner and calling himself a "friend" upon first meeting her as Superman. Despite not being as big a fan of that interpretation of Superman as most, it definitely has its charm and I think this cartoon captures it well, making Superman a somewhat unreal and cheesy yet immensely likable character, so if you actually ARE a fan of the movies, I have to recommend this cartoon all the more! Apart from the movies, this show also takes some cues from the post-Crisis Superman comics, such as making Lex Luthor an evil businessman - but he has a humorous personality like his movie counterpart, complete with a ditzy female sidekick. While the serious Luthor is cool too, I have to admit this version is really entertaining. Clark Kent is definitely NOT influenced much by the new take on him in the comics, as he's clearly based on the more traditional cowardly and clumsy Kent as opposed to the more assertive one the comics were "rolling out" at the time. He's certainly not as amazingly humorous, adorable, and generally well-done as Christopher Reeve's (not many are!), but he's still fun and endearing. His journalistic skills do come into play occasionally, which is always a treat.

I REALLY appreciate this show having a pretty heavy emphasis on Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen (especially in contrast to the later and obviously better-known Superman: The Animated Series). They figure prominently in almost every episode and even do some helpful stuff sometimes, in addition to their regularly-scheduled rescue-needing. Their portrayals are pretty rockin' overall, nothing ground-breaking or special, but solid and true to the characters. Lois even gets some romantic scenes with Superman, nothing serious or emotional, just some cute fun you can't help but smile at. Perry White doesn't really do much, which is too bad, but I guess you can't cram everything into such a short run time.

The artwork and animation in this show is pretty good. I'm not going to say it's mind-blowing, but it certainly has a reasonable level of quality, especially for the time. There are a few too many errors and inconsistencies for my liking, such as multiple instances where they reverse the colors on Superman's S-shield for a few frames (seriously, that should be pretty easy to catch!), but overall it's not that big a deal. The main characters are all quite well-drawn, especially Lois and Jimmy. Unfortunately, non-recurring characters frequently have pretty bad character designs, and that's kinda too bad, but oh well.

The stories in this show aren't amazingly well-written, but they're usually inventive, entertaining and charming on some level. Overall, they're definitely geared towards kids, but there's still effort put into them. Some may be disappointed at the general lack of iconic supervillains, but I'm not sure I can share the sentiments - we do get a few of them at least (the Prankster and General Zod & co. get one episode each and Lex Luthor appears in a few), and honestly, I really feel like this keeps the show fresh and always doing something different, unique, and all its own. Superman: TAS felt a bit samey after a while, just having supervillain after supervillain. So, in all honesty, I prefer this style - unique plots with new characters most of the time with occasional appearances by iconic, comic-derived villains. The stories are usually very science-fictiony (with a few exceptions) and may be a bit goofy, but not depths-of-the-Silver-Age goofy. There's honestly a good deal to love, as long as you're the sort that can enjoy kiddy stuff like this that doesn't take itself very seriously.

Another interesting and fun trait of the show is the "Superman's Family Album" sections, each only a couple of minutes long, detailing an episode from Clark's past - over the course of the series, we're taken from his adoption by the Kents all the way to him assuming the Superman mantle. These can be extremely endearing sometimes, and I LOVE the way younger Clark is drawn (aside from when he's a baby) - he has such a powerfully "Supermanny" look with a really pronounced spit-curl, and is just adorable! They're a little dull sometimes, and there's not much you can do in such a limited time-frame, but every now and again they'll just make me feel so happy.

Needless to say, this show isn't going to appeal to everyone. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this show to most - most people don't watch random 1980s kids cartoons for fun, after all. But if you happen to be a fan of Superman, I'd happily suggest you give it a go. I mean, at the end of the day, it does really succeed in, well, being a show about Superman. It's got Superman being Superman, it's got Clark being Clark, it's got Lois being Lois, it's got Jimmy being Jimmy, it's got Lex being Lex, it has Superman saving the day. If that sounds good to you like it does to me, chances are you might just find something to like here!

I was lucky to find the whole season of this wonderful series. This is one of if not the best Superman cartoon ever. Before Bruce Timm's work there was Ruby Spears and this Superman series. The series uses the song from the Salkind and Donner directed movie which is great because it's one of those memorable themes in pop culture. Don't know why they didn't use it for Superman: The Animated Series. Wonder Woman makes an appearance in the series too and it's great how they bring about Lois Lane's jealousy towards the Amazon. When watching this it's almost as if a comic has come to life and started moving on screen, this may have to do with some comic book people being on the staff of the series, one to mention is Marv Wolfman. Each episode ended with a look into a young Clark's life, but it's more of Superboy's life than Superman's cause in these segments baby Clark is already flying. Too bad not too many people remember this series, if you ever get a chance to watch it, do, cause it's worth it.

FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUS animated television THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN by about 22 tears, this 1988 presentation was obviously influenced by the topical changes that are inevitable in any on-going character's feature with the passing of time. All things considered, the production team did a fine job in maintaining the spirit and true characterization of the SUPERMAN feature.

AS WE COUNT them, this is the 3rd cartoon series to be produced under license from the publisher/copyright owner; being known variously as Detective Comics, Inc., National Comics/National Periodical Publications and (finally) DC Comics. That would include the two television productions and the outstanding 1940's theatrically released SUPERMAN Series from Max Fleischer/Famous Studios & Paramount Pictures Corporation.

ALTHOUGH THIS SERIES was produced by the American company, Ruby-Spears Productions, the animation was farmed-out to one Toei Animation Services, LTD, a Japanese contracting full service studio. And a finer job they did with the series, indeed. Although the animation done was certainly not up to the level of a FANTASIA or to the outstanding work of the Fleisher Brothers (being Max & brother Dave), it was certainly in the very upper echelon of TV cartoon work and appears to have been a major force in raising the bar, pushing the envelope, improving the product, cookin' the soup, (enter your favourite cliché right here).

THE REALLY FINE and truly comic book look of the artwork was no mere accident. We see that the production design was in the capable hands of veteran comics illustrator, Gil Kane. Virtuoso Kane was a longtime regular at DC Comics and was the original artist on the Silver Age (Hal Jordan) GREEN LANTERN. Although we cannot recall his ever working on the SUPERMAN Feature, he was more than vaguely familiar with it and how it should be rendered for the animation screen. His was surely the influence in giving Lois Lane a very appealing look, even more so than usual.

IN ADDITION TO the physical appearance, this Ruby-Spears SUPERMAN had input from the Superman creative team of Jerry Siegel (writer) & Ioe Shuster (artist), who are credited with several of the episodes. Another writer we see credited is one Marvin Wolfman; who was a longtime comics fan and cut his teeth on the "joke-books" as a member of the "Boomer" generation in the 1950's & '60's. (We recall seeing his name on letters sent to the various publications during that period. Congrats on following a dream and getting in to the business, Marv!

AS SORT OF a change of pace back-up and measure of comic relief, a SUPERMAN FAMILY TREE feature took up the final third of this Ruby-Spears production. It involved the unusual and mainly light-hearted situations that the Kents encountered in raising the Super-baby.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, the series lasted only one season, which is such a pity, for it had so much of the SUPERMAN Saga to impart on the young kids; even to using the by then familiar theme from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE (1978)!