DVD : Superman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Finally!
Finally! This what all of the fans of "Batman: The Animated Series" have been waiting for. These are actually the first 18 episodes of the "Superman: The Animated Series" television series on 2 great disks. Most of the major villains are introduced here: Livewire, Lex Luthor, Parasite, Metallo, Mala, Lobo, Braniac, and others. Luminus, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and Bizzaro are NOT featured in these episodes, sadly.

Here are the list of episodes included in this box-set and short desciption of them:

DISC 1:
1. The Last Son of Krypton: Part I - The planet Krypton is destroyed.
2. The Last Son of Krypton: Part II - Clark Kent tries to fit in Earth and becomes Superman.
3. The Last Son of Krypton: Part III - Superman must battle a robot and save Lois Lane.
4. Fun and Games - The Toyman seeks revenge on a past enemy.
5. A Little Piece of Home - Lex Luthor discovers kryptonite and plans to use it against Superman.
6. Feeding Time - A janitor becomes The Parasite, a villain who can drain other organism's energy.

DISC 2 - SIDE A:
7. The Way of All Flesh - Lex Luthor turns a criminal into the cyborg Matallo.
8. Stolen Memories - Brainac plans to gather all of Earth's inforamtion, and then destroy the planet.
9. The Main Man: Part I - An alien hunter named Lobo is sent out to capture Superman.
10. The Main Man: Part II - Superman and Lobo must escape from The Preserver's alien zoo.
11. My Girl - Superman's teenage friend starts dating Lex Luthor.
12. Tools of the Trade - Darkseid is sending weapons of mass destruction to Earth.
13. Two's A Crowd - The Parasite is trapped within another criminal's mind.
14. The Prometheon - A mysterious rock creature from outer space threatens Earth.

DISC 2 - SIDE B:
15. Blast from the Past: Part I - Superman releases a Kryptonian villain from the Phantom Zone.
16. Blast from the Past: Part II - Mala and Jax-Ur try to destroy Superman.
17. Livewire - Radio jock, Leslie Willis, gains the power to control electricity.
18. Speed Demons - Superman and The Flash race for the title of "The Fastest Man Alive."

In conclusion, these DVDs are great to start a new superhero collection from 1997. Do like Batman or the Batman episodes from "Batman: The Animated Series" ? If YES, or even if NO - buy this Superman box-set! The writers are the same from the Batman show, even though the characters are different. Trust me, if it's a Timm/Dini product...it's worth buying!!!

The DC Comics Animated Universe rocks!!!!!

Rating:

- A Must See for Superman Fans
I'll readily admit that this is not my favorite incarnation of Superman. While there's a lot to like about this series (particularly Luthor and Lois Lane), I've always felt that Superman, himself, falls rather flat in this series. All the same, there's one excellent reason why any fan of Superman should watch this volume, whether or not you were a fan of the series.

Simply put, this volume contains the single best origin story for Superman to date. Timm and crew obviously spent a tremendous amount of time considering how they'd present the story of Jor-El and Krypton, both in terms of plot and visual art. I believe this is the only version of the Krypton story to ever reach thirty minutes in length (the entire first episode), and it's brilliantly engaging from begining to end. The fact that we watch nearly an hour of animation (one and two thirds episodes) before getting to Superman in Metropolis never once frustrates me. The journey is completely worth it. The retconning of Brainiac into Jor-El's story is perhaps the most distinguishing aspect of genius within this story of Krypton, allowing this amazing history of Jor-El's doomed planet to creep back into the Superman main plot every time Brainiac returns.

Whether or not you think you'd like this series in general (and whether or not you're a fan of Bruce Timm at all), this first episode makes the affordably priced volume completely worth owning. Sure we've all heard or seen the obligatory tale of the destruction of Krypton in one form or another, but if Marlon Brando and a bunch of falling ice didn't do it for you, here's the story to watch.

Rating:

- An awesome beginning to a fantastic series.
When I purchused the first volume of this series last summer, I didn't know what to expect. I had watched Batman the Animated series on a daily basis when I was a kid, but I don't think we got the Wb so I missed this one. It was absolutely amazing! The difference between Batman and Superman Animated series is that Superman gets a three part pilot. If fans are looking for a series that has a bit more of an ongoing story arc, then this is the one for you. Several great episodes here. The pilot especially. Fans also get to see Superman and the Flash team up to defeat the Weather Wizard. Not a particularly memorable villian in my opinion, but an interesting combination of heros. Fans are also introduced to Intergang as well as Darkseid, ruler of the planet Apocalypse. I hoped for a more menacing Lex Luthor than that which I'd seen in Super Friends, and I wasn't let down. Clancy Brown is perfect for the role of the character. I could go on for hours and brag about this series, but you check it out for yourself. My only complaint is not being able to get the fight sceens described to me. Other viewers are so blown away that they forget stuff like descriptions. A great series, though. I'd give it 10 stars if they let me!

Rating:

- Works on a different level than Batman but still great
After working on the much praised Batman animated series, the creators decided to take their attention and focus(actually split in 2) as they started working on a Superman animated show, at roughly the same time they did more Batman shows. While many people say Batman is the superior one, Superman is nonetheless entertaining with a brighter color palette, interesting storylines, fan favorite characters and of course Ol' Blue Man of Steel.

Disc 1
The Last Son of Krypton Part 1: Jor-El learns of Krypton's quickly approaching destruction and must evacuate his only son Kal-El 9/10
The Last Son of Krypton Part 2: Part Smallville segment/Metropolis segment with the introduction of Superman. 9/10
The Last Son of Krypton Part 3: Superman has to stop Lex's plan of selling a powerful metal suit to terrorists. 9/10
Fun and Games: Superman has to save Lois from an odd villain known as the Toyman. Kinda bad but it's ok. 7/10
A Little Piece of Home: The introduction of kryptonite which doesn't bode well for Superman, especially when Lex found out its effects on him. 8/10
Feeding Time: A criminal's pathetic lackey turns into a (personally) lame villain known as Parasite. 7.5/10

Disc 2 Side A
The Way of All Flesh: John Corben, last seen as Lex's suit operator, undergoes a transformation into Metallo which results in an unfortunate side effect. 8.5/10
Stolen Memories: One of my favorite villains as Brainiac comes to Earth under the guise that he's providing knowledge of the cosmos. 9/10
The Main Man Part I: An intergalactic bounty hunter, Lobo, is hired to capture Superman. 8/10
The Main Man Part II: Lobo and Superman have to deal with Lobo's employer together.
My Girl: Lana Lang shows up and knows Clark's dual identity which she tries to help with which puts her in harm's way. 8/10
Tools of the Trade: The mysterious Kanto shows up with weapons of great power, all coming from an even more dangerous source. It's basically a big 7.5 for the episode but a full point up for the ending.
Two's a Crowd: A guy with a bomb holds the city ransom and ends up in my least favorite villain so far: yep, Parasite. 7/10
The Prometheon: A meteor is heading for Earth but something odd is attached to it and Superman must defeat it. 7.5/10

Disc 2 Side B
Blast from the Past Part 1: Superman discovers the Phantom Zone and releases Mara which wasn't a good idea. 8/10
Blast from the Past Part 2: Superman squares off against Mara and Jax-Ur and tries to bring them back to the Phantom Zone. 8.5/10
Livewire: A Superman-hating disk jockey turns into Livewire, a vixen who loves electricity and, of course, hates Superman. 8/10
Speed Demons: The Flash and Superman have a race for charity but a very lame villain comes in to wreck things.

In the commentary for an episode, they mention Batman has the best Rogues Gallery ever. Superman on the other hand besides series favorites Lex, Metallo, Bizarro, Lobo, Brainiac and so on, there's not much else so they added some villains and the Weather Wizard from Speed Demons is quite lame even if his "power" is threatening. Livewire is a nice addition and it's great to see Darkseid in an incredibly brief cameo. And like I said, I HATE Parasite for some reason and we get him twice! Actually volume 2 has another one with him, go me.

Transfer-wise the set is disappointing. Just like in the Batman sets, the image wasn't cleaned up so you get scratches and dust and a funny blur on the characters sometimes. Quickly move your mouse back and forth. Notice the trail it leaves? Well it happens a few times in the show. The voice acting is great with Tim Daly as our Superman, Dana Delany as Lois Lane(not to mention Dana is insanely hot), Michael Ironside, Lori Petty, Brad Garrett in duel roles, Christopher Macdonald, Corey Burton and Michael York.

It's disappointing that this set doesn't have more episodes other than its 18 but it's pretty fun episodes anyways, even if it doesn't reach the heights of Batman.

Rating:

- Superman the Animated Series vol 1
Not a bad introduction to the Superman adventures.
Unfortunately continues the artists' habit of exaggerating the difference between men's and women's bodies to the point of Super Hulk & Micro Lois. Still, if you overlook that, there's good plots and character development, and listen for the great soundtrack music in "A little Piece of Home."
Warner, keep it up and give us complete season 3 on DVD soon.

page 5 of 12