Rating:  -
The same team who produced Batman: The Animated Series really let their hair down with this. Where the former is dark, this is light; where Batman is set in an imagined noir-deco past, this is what tomorrow might be like; where one focuses on psychology, this punches you with action. The first three episodes are basically the first hour of Donner's Superman done about five hundred times better. Krypton is more than a two-dimensional ice-planet, and the creators' one superb twist is to make Brainiac a Kryptonian Super-computer. While most episodes stand alone, they flesh out the superman universe and remain consistent with subsequent stories. Generally, the supporting characters are excellent, including a detective magnificently modelled on Jack Kirby. Indeed, Kirby looms large in many of the character and monster designs. Lois is plucky, but essentially she's sidelined as an annoying meddler for most the season. The villains, though, are the focus, and they're consistently excellent and worthy of superman, especially Lobo who appears in a spectacular two-parter. An assured, respectful yet original addition to the canon, and still the best version on screen (inc. Singer's).
Rating:  -
This is a great set. The episodes are well written and the animation is fantastic. The bright colours and simple lines of the show make it a pleasure to watch. Definitely worth buying.
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as far as comic book hero cartoons Warner Brothers truly made an amazing product, Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor, and many famous actors making most of the voices, Metalo is the guy from Clock Work Orange, and many many more
a class A super production
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Admittedly, I've never been a huge fan of Superman but I respect both his place in American pop culture and the fact that without him, guys like Batman, Spider-Man and others may not have existed! When the animated series first came out in 1996, I was in college but having watched the incredible BatMan: The Animated Series, this one seemed a bit of a letdown so I didn't pay attention to it for most of its run! WHAT A MISTAKE I MADE FOR DOING THAT! While I still prefer Batman: TAS or even Justice League, Superman: TAS is great in its own right with good animation and even better story telling! Here is the rundown of Volume 1:
Disc 1
The Last Son Of Krypton, Pt. 1 - In this version, Jor-El's predictions of Krypton's destruction falls on deaf ears thanks to Braniac (who is re-introduced as a Kryptonian creation). Seeing no other way and running out of time, Jor-El and Lara send their son Kal-El to Earth! This eppy has commentary by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Dan Riba & Glen Murakami.
The Last Son Of Krypton, Pt. 2 - Now on Earth, Kal-El (under the name Clark Kent) learns of his Kryptonian heritage from his adoptive parents Johnathan and Martha Kent. Now knowing who and what he is, he makes his home in Metropolis as a reporter where he meets Lois Lane and begins his fight for justice as Superman.
The Last Son Of Krypton, Pt. 3 - Seeing this new arrival as a threat to his plans, greedy billionare Lex Luthor hires John Corban to take out Superman. Corban, by the way, will be a significant character later in the series.
Fun & Games - Toyman, a demented inventor that uses a toy motif, wants revenge on the gangster that killed his father!
A Little Piece Of Home - During an attempt to stop a robbery at a museam, Superman accidentally runs across what is the bane of his existance.........KRYTONITE!
Feeding Time - Rudy, a two time loser in a dead end job, is accidentally exposed to chemicals that turn him into The Parasite! A being which can absorb the strength, power and knowledge of any being he touches!
Disc 2/Side A
The Way Of All Flesh - John Corban, the man who tried to kill Superman during "The Last Son Of Krypton" series, contracts a rare virus! To save his life, Lex Luthor turns him into Metallo. A cyborg-like being with super-human strength and invunarability all powered by Kryptonite! But all isn't what it seems! Metallo is easily one of the S-man's deadliest foes in this series!
Stolen Memories - Lex Luthor makes contact with Braniac but Superman warn the evil billionare not to trust him. Superman also learns that Braniac was behind the death of his real parents and caused the lives of other beings from other worlds to perish! This episode has commentary from Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Curt Geda and Glen Murakami.
The Main Man (Pts. 1 & 2) - Lobo, a filthy lowlife interspace bounty hunter, is hired to capture Superman! Little does he know that the being who hired him also wants Lobo as well! This forces a reluctant partnership between the Man Of Steel and Lobo.
My Girl - Lana Lang, the first love of Superman's life during his Smallville days, shows up in Metropolis as a hip fashion designer and the new love of Lex Luthor. Luthor, however, gets wise to Lana and tries to have her killed which forces Superman into action!
Tools Of The Trade - A two bit gangster and his group called Intergang is given a new lease on life when a mysterious being gives him advance weapons to commit felonies, little knowing that the being works for the alien that will become Superman's most hated foe......Darkseid! This episode has commentary from Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Allan Burnett, Curt Geda & Glen Murakami.
Two's A Crowd - A blackmailer has a bomb planted in Metropolis and is in a coma. Using The Parasite, Superman tries to get the information of the bombs' whereabouts but things go ary and he has to deal with two threats in one!
The Prometheon - A being powered by raw heat is accidently set free in space and lands on Earth and causes havoc!
Disc 2/Side B
Blasts From The Past (Pts. 1 & 2) - Taking a page from both the comics and Superman II with the late, great Christopher Reeve, Superman discovers the Phantom Zone with two Kryptonian criminals inside of them. Superman frees one of them but regrets the decision after she learns of her powers on Earth. Freeing her leader and lover, they look to conquer Earth and Superman must stop them before its too late.
Livewire - A shock jock with a big personality and a mouth to match gets transformed into a being of pure electricity during an ill-fated gathering! Blaming Superman for her transformation, she now is hell-bent on his destruction!
Speed Demons - During a charity race with The Flash (the first fellow super-hero from earth that Superman encounters), the heroes discover a plot from the Weather Wizard to destroy Metropolis and conquer the world!
Bonus Features (both on Disc 2)
Superman: Learning To Fly - Explores The Creation Of The Series
Building The Mythology: Superman's Supporting Cast
Having watched this whole thing, I have to say I am sorry now that I didn't give Superman much of a chance while it aired! Still, this makes up for that lost time! Enjoy!
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I only caught a few episodes of this Superman series when it aired on television and liked what I saw. I recently purchased this volume 1 collection of Superman The Animated Series and really enjoyed most of the episodes. I've been a long time Superman fan ever since I can remember and still am today. I pretty much collect any animated superhero series and could not wait to get my hands on this series. I recently bought volume 2 and plan to buy volume 3. As a Superman and comic book fan I must say this is a must own series. Ten years old and still strong today...stronger than Ultimate Avengers animation. Like all series though there are stand out episodes and then there are some that are fillers with no meaning to the main story. I particularly disliked the episodes with Lobo as they felt more childish than usual. This series is certainly for children and adults alike. Some of the more fun episodes are:
The Last Son of Krypton (3 part story)
Tools of the Trade
Speed Demons
The Way of the Flesh
Overall a nicely done series and highly recommended for any Superman fan. Makes a good additon to any comic book movie/television/animated library. Could of done without the double sided second disc.
A loyal fan.
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