Superman

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)!

As a die hard comic book fan my favorite superhero was Superman I remember watching The Challenge of the Superfriends where Superman was voiced by the legendary Danny Dark. I feel this incarnation of Superman by Ruby Spears is more faithful to the Superman mythos. Although it lasted only 13 episodes the show took many plot devices in the Comics. The voice cast is quite legendary with Alan Oppenheimer, Tress MacNeill and Peter Cullen and the show has fan favorites such as Lex Luthor and General Zod. Clark Kent/Superman is voiced by Beau Weaver who does a great job in both roles. Every episode has a 5 minute segment of Clark Kent as a young boy learning how to use his powers called Superman family album. Until the 1990s Superman series came on the air this was most faithful adaption of the Superman Legacy.

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.

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.

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.