DVD : The Superman Cartoons of Max and Dave Fleischer

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Superman's Animated Screen Debut
Ahead of their time in terms of animation, Superman is still entertaining on this level to the degree that the newer animated series by Warner (as well as its Batman counterpart) are mimicing much of this original style. The comments that can be viewed prior to the cartoons themselves help one appreciate the incredible work (and money - $30,000.00 for one cartoon in an era when one could purchase a very nice home for around $10,000) that went into the making of this series. Definitely reflective of the era they were made and, by the time these were released, show how much Superman had entered the American psyche. Lots of fun.

Rating:

- The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition
The Fleischer Brothers' Studio were doing animation work, light years ahead of their time. Cartoon animation seems to be the correct arena to display a comic book story. The still pages of the comic strip come to life with amazing(and sometimes surrealistic) colors;check out "The Magnetic Telescope". Sammy Timberg's musical arrangements hold you riveted into the ever-progressing action of the plot. And then, there is always at the end of the story a comforting quip from Clark Kent to the viewers. This is Superman as he was meant to be. This is Superman from the 1940s. This is Superman who could leap tall buildings in a single bound. Not the Superman of today who travels from galaxy to galaxy. This is the time zone into which Superman was born. Relive it!!! Don't miss it!! Buy this treasure of American Mythology today!!

Rating:

- In the beginning...
Holy cow, these 10-minute animated shorts are awesome! The funnest part in watching them is to see Superman, Clark Kent, Lois Lane and the whole gang in their originality. The stories are basic but smart, quick-paced, exciting, and heroic. Yeah, the soundtracks are a bit over-the top at times, but that was the music style of adventure movies in the 1940s. I love the spirited characterizations and some of the stories like with the volcano, the runaway train robbery, etc.

I also noticed how the recent Donner and Singer films have borrowed from these. Especially in "Superman Returns", his flying style of dropping out of the sky feet-first was originally done in these animations -- COOL! A must for Superman fans.

Rating:

- Fun; Nice animation
I recommend this DVD set for fans of Superman and classic animation (1st half of 20th century). The stories are fun and the visuals are very nice to watch.

Rating:

- A Timeless Classic
It is amazing to see all of the work and artistry that went into this series. It is also interesting to think of what was transpiring in the outside world when these were shown in theaters. I also wonder if we give these serials enough credit in the formation of the Superman mythos. After all, they came out just a few years after his creation. Great stuff.

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