The History of Superman: The Animated Series (1996) | Still Standing in Batman's Shadow
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- čas přidán 4. 08. 2024
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Join us on a trip back in time as we dive into the awesome world of Superman: The Animated Series (1996). Ever wondered how this classic animated show shaped the Man of Steel's legacy?
In this video, we explore the animation style of the '90s and how it evolved from Bruce Timm's previous effort: Batman: The Animated Series along with unique vibe of Metropolis, and why Superman: The Animated Series is so special in the legacy of the DC Animated Universe.
Plus, we'll chat about the interesting dynamic between Superman and Batman, and how the show made its mark in the shadow of the Dark Knight.
SOURCES:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superma...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:...
www.cbr.com/superman-the-anim...
www.cbr.com/bruce-timm-superm...
www.cbr.com/superman-the-anim...
superman.fandom.com/wiki/Supe...
www.newsweek.com/superman-ani...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0115378/...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superma...
www.dc.com/blog/2021/11/10/su...
www.looper.com/790668/the-unt...
screenrant.com/superman-anima...
www.figurerealm.com/actionfig...
archive.org/details/wizardmag...
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As Mark Hamill is the iconic voice of Joker on Batman, it's Clancy Brown that is the iconic voice for Lex Luthor.
I'd sit Roscoe Lee Browne at that table with his voicing of Kingpin in Spider-Man TAS. It is THE voice that sounds most right for the character.
@gamerbear84 never thought of it but yes, this is right.
Clancy's Lex Luthor was so good, it basically ruined every other version of the character for me. He was just the perfect version of smarmy and an actual threat. Only one that comes close to me is Giancarlo Esposito, and he's in a gag series. Of course, it does get awkward considering the other character Clancy famously voices is completely the opposite of a cold calculating bastard like Lex. A certain crab restaurateur. I remember watching a Justice League where something horrific was happening to Lex, and he let out this scream that sounded VERY Mr. Krabs-like.
I second that!
@@mightyfilm hes mr Krabs?
Tim Daly nailed the voice.
I think George Newbern from the Justice League series wasn't bad either. You can barely tell them apart.
@@jessragan6714 I can tell them apart; I just think they're both very good.
@jessragan6714 no doubt
I loved the Superman animated series. It was a good show, lots of fun storylines. Basically the flip side of Batman. Where Batman was a vigilante cleaning up crime from the shadows and striking fear in criminals, Superman was the beacon of hope and justice, fighting in the light and inspiring others.
Couldn't agree more
yea but also i'm old and remember loving Louis and Clarke
It was also a lot more serialized than Batman TAS. Both series are great, even though they are really different!
I never felt like comparing the two. They were both awesome in their own ways and lead to the future justice league, which imo was one of the best superhero animation.
By getting thrown by batman?
Michael Ironside did such a great job as Darkseid. His voice became iconic for that character.
Voice work in general was near perfect in that series
It's like I said, if you wont be my puppet, you'll be my pawn.
@aaronstevenson4136 hahaha! I love that line! I also loved "No one questions me Desaad, least of all you"
This, Batman, Batman Beyond, Justice League/JLU, and Static Shock... realistically a live action DC universe is never going to touch this overarching story. Great characters and character developments, amazing stories.. . Damn, I'm going to have to watch them all over again. There goes my holiday weekend.
I think it’s possible though provided you have a singular voice that actually understands what is great about the heart of DC at the helm of a live action universe. I think James Gunn is as close to that as you are going to get in 2023. I just hope his idiot boss doesn’t interfere prematurely. The brain trust at WB has been screwing up live action DC adaptations since they bought DC in the 70s going back to the first 2 original Superman films contentious back to back filming. The wins/glimmers of hope have always been in spite of their executive boobery. Lol
@@langleymneely WB: the greatest DC villain of all.
@@philliptivis3082 Indeed! They could give Darkseid a run for his money! Lol
They could do it if there was a will for it, but the world is full of auteurs who just want to realize their own vision of stories that failed miserably in the comics.
Static shock was the weakest and most rtrded cartoon ever released. Who tf is static shock even to get produced? I know who, a $20 license fee. The cheapest "hero" that company could buy
"I am many things Kal El, but here I am God!" Great show.
Ironside was the perfect voice for Darkseid.
For my money, Tim Daly has the perfect balance of innocence and conviction that makes a perfect Superman voice actor, and nobody had gotten close to that since then.
agreed
it's funny Tim Daly and Danny Dark as the voice of their respective Superman, their voices are so close that both fit perfectly to that character. Almost makes me wonder if when they were looking for the new Superman if they were trying to find a voice close to the 70s Superfriends Superman.
Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy was literally destined to meet because there first meeting was for the TV show wings which both auditioned but Tim got the role.
George Newbern is pretty close to Tim Daly.
George Newbern gave the World of Cardboard Speech.
Hearing Clancy Brown narrate that commercial is so funny. He made one heck of a Lex Luthor, by far one of my favorite versions. I've always liked the idea of Luthor being this bad guy who doesn't get away with things, but doesn't really get caught, either.
A recent rewatch of STAS confirmed that it was just as good now as it was then. Bruce Timm managed to establish a good baseline for Superman and his world that would grow and mature until it was perfected in Justice League/Unlimited.
And much like BTAS, the voice actors firmly established themselves as some of the best version of their iconic characters, especially Superman, Lois, Luthor, and my personal favorite, Brad Garrett as Lobo
Props to Michael Ironside as Darkseid.
Malcolm McDowell could read the phone book and sounds villainous. Never mind a robot with a heart of kryptonite.
Bobby Barone voiced Lobo??
this series (and all the way through Justice League Unlimited) holds up so well that i'm always surprised when i'm reminded that it is literally decades old by now. this version of Superman is neck and neck with any other depiction in any form of media as the best ever
I think they Made Superman a little too weak for My taste
@@AkkatlahPersonally for me, I think it makes his victories and accomplishments greater and more satisfying
I unashamedly love Superman. I love his purity and his goodness - even though he doesn't have to be. He could have just posed as an athlete and made millions, been the world's greatest thief, or subjugated the human race to serve his every whim. But he chose to humbly serve mankind instead. I think that's pretty cool.
Loved the series. One of the most shocking moments in 90s cartoons happened on the Superman series. Darkseid KILLING Dan Turpin with his Omega Beams was unbelievable. I was dumbfounded by it.
That was supposed to be Jonathan Kent! But when the WB said they couldn't resurrect him from the dead, they chose Turpin as sloppy seconds.
and the episode had a dedication to the late great Jack Kirby. Which was not a first for Superman the animated series or Batman the animated series. Kind of set the tone...when you had episodes ending with in loving memory of..
YEAH, for the longest time I had only got to see the first part of that 2 part episode. It was over 10 years before I finally managed to watch it in full, totally worth the wait.
😄👍
@@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269 dang. Also Ironside is amazing as Darkseid.
Dang. Y’all are giving me the itch. Lol
It's kind of ironic that the TV commercial run halfway during this video is narrated by Clancy Brown who voiced villain Lex Luthor and he really delivers a heroic monologue.
"It's Superman... and I can't wait to kill him! Metropolis is MINE!"
"Uh... we'll cut that last line..."
@@Chadius
That would've blown my mind as a kid, "Oh shit the narrator's a villain!?"
Wait, Mercy was Dr. Cuddy from House?! No wonder I liked Mercy.
I loved what Superman TAS and JL/JLU did with the character. They made him more than just a Boy Scout god.
He may not be as iconic as Kevin Conroy, but Tim Daly is *the* Superman voice for a lot people, myself included.
The 90’s were an amazing time for Superman; it was a peak time for the character from the 80’s reboot comic to the cartoon and Lois and Clark tv series. They’re so fun to look back at now, especially with everything getting so dark these days with DC.
And actually really like this animated series when it came out in the 90s my two favorite episodes were the one where he went up against Lobo and the other one is when he had to disguise himself as Batman to help Robin. He took on Brainiac and he wasn't wearing his cape.
One of the best animated shows ever. Just re-watched the series recently after watching the Batman animated series, something about this time of year makes me want to watch the Batman cartoon but then by the end of the series I always seem to be in the mood for the Superman animated series.🤷♂️
I usually end up watching the Justice League series after that too.
😄👍
This may be my Favorite Animated Superman. They didn't make him too strong so actual stories and villains can exist in his world. Go Tim Daly!
The DCAU is sacred, now and forever. From Batman TAS to Superman TAS, to the Justice League cartoons and everything in-between, some of the most thoughtful and gripping stories and adaptations presented on the small screen.
The Superman animated series is highly underrated. Justice league and JLU were downright great.
I always understood it as Superman was the hero by day (due to the sun).
Whereas Batman was the hero by night, and had no powers (for lack of one).
Great Analogy
fitting since many say that Metropolis is NewYork by Day and Gotham by Night
Batman is the light in the darkness of Gotham.
When it came to the superhero cartoons of the 90' it's Batman, X-Men and Spider-Man and Superman would be 4th. All 4 had rememberable theme songs, if your a 90's kid you can hum them easily.
I loved this show. I hear the director wasn't really a huge Superman fan, but he put in the research, effort & care to make it great too, like Batman. It's still the best Superman cartoon so far.
Herc! Herc! That Hercules show will forever live rent free in my head. It ran very early in the morning along with Rocket Robinhood and Roger Ramjet.
I love that series as well. But for me, "The Mighty Hercules" came on in the afternoons, right before "Speed Racer." Which made sense since both series were by a company called Trans-Lux.
And, "OH MY," what a theme song for an animated series. Johnny Nash nailed it.
I always loved Superman. So I’m really glad that you touched up on this iconic DC animated series.
The genius of the various TAS shows was the dedication to strong writing and emphasis on actors with distinctive voices. Each episode easily works as an old style radio program, the visuals are nice but its the dialog and delivery of said dialog that makes these shows so special. Bias warning: BTAS, STAS, JLTAS all reside in our collection of physical media.
I absolutely loved this show - the characterization of Clark Kent and Superman so on point. His power set was kept in check. And Lex was great - the best Lex Luther I think.
Still the best superman show
Also, I LOVEEEEEED after the teamup, we got The New Adventures of Batman & Superman. I absolutely adore that intro. I wish these streaming services had that up...but as far as I can remember after doing my rewatch for either series, it's their stock Intros of BTAS or STAS 😔
God, everything about that intro was choice. The music, the visuals...the silhouette of young Bruce crying out with his dead parents around him becoming the Batman logo...just...woof
@@philliptivis3082 that's actually my fave part. gave me chills first time i saw it as a kid
I'm thankful for Secret Galaxy
Superman in SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, JUSTICE LEAGUE, and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED is my favorite version of the Man Of Steel. He is a fusion of all the past incarnations of Superman put into one unique figure who has a great character arc.
It's always somewhat astounding to re-realize just how old some of the more popular storylines are from some comics. A bunch of them feel like mid - late 90's or even early 2000's but were actually written and thought of in the 80's, 70's and some things even from the 60's, 50's and 40's are still presented in ways that you'd never know it's actually the 6th or 10th time that story has been told but is slightly adjusted in some ways to make it fit within current guidelines or unfortunately personal agendas.
I LOVED this series. It helped rekindle the flame first ignited with Batman The Animated Series.
There's just something about the scene where Superman has Darkseid dead to rights and expects the slaves to revolt, only to see them come to Darkseid's aid.
"I am many things, Kal-el. But here, I am God."
Very cool to see a shot of Taskmaster and a mention of Schnepp's, The Death of Superman Lives What Happened. a very good series and fun documentary. Thanks for the great video.
Are used to hate Superman. I thought he was a stupid unreliable character who was way too overpowered. this series and Justice league change my mind now I accept him. He’s not my favorite, but I think it’s important to the superhero genre. And I absolutely love him in the team setting, especially when he teams up with Batman.
Agreed when it’s just Supes and his Villians it is Action and entertainment without much depth and he seems op and well inhuman which he is.
His stories definitely need supporting characters to play off of in order to provide depth and “humanity”’into his psyche
I think you better understand Superman as a character after reading the comic book What's So Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way?. Superman is challenged by a bunch of edgelord superheroes, then teaches them after using their extreme methods against them that the old-fashioned ways of crime fighting have their merits.
Still the single best interpretation of Supes in any medium. Fixed a lot of the long standing continuity and common complaints about him. Perfect
Incorporating Brainiac into Kryptonian society and having him as the cause of the planet's destruction was just one of this show's master strokes. Superman The Animated Series was the near equal of the Batman series. Wish it had lasted longer. Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and their team are the reason DC animation was the superior in every way to whatever Marvel was producing. Their love of these characters shows in every episode they produced.
Glad you're doing Superman the Animated Series. It's very underrated. Too bad it was sandwiched between BTAS and Justice League.
Speak for yourself, Dan😄. To me, Superman is just as cool as Batman, if not cooler.
To say that Superman: The Animated Series is criminally underrated is a criminal understatement.
As much as I adore Batman: The Animated Series, I've always preferred Superman more.
The entire Justice League run (including Unlimited) is my favorite superhero animated series followed by Superman and then Batman coming in 3rd place.
As a matter of fact, I've always felt the best way to enjoy the entire Justice League run is to watch Superman: The Animated Series first.
I've always seen Justice League as a sequel to Superman: The Animated Series.
As much as I like the Superman Tas, it felt they literally "depowered" him to be vulnerable to other conventional means. Like for example livewire's electrical powers were actually harming him, even the weapons by local criminals that he fights against.
A list of Ruby Spears version of the Man of Steel actually paid homage to him, after his battle with doomsday in the comics, even with the animation that worked well with it when Superman and Wonder Woman teamed up.
Ty sooooooooooooo much! One of my favorite characters and shows and keep the fantastic stuff coming please!
Batman:TAS and Superman:TAS, along with Justice League Unlimited, are the best superhero media ever produced. Superman's show cemented him as one of my favorite characters of all time, and made me appreciate the first superhero, the one from whom all others get their namesake.
Green Arrow said it best: "The world needs the Justice League... and the Justice League needs you, Superman."
@IStevenSeagal I loved all of them all, but they aren't in the same league.
@IStevenSeagal
1) B:TAS
2) Superman TAS
3) X-men TAS
4) Justice League Unlimited
5) Avengers EMH
6) Spider-Man TAS
7) Young Justice (seasons 1 and 2)
8) Wolverine and the X-men
9) The Tick
10) The Maxx
X-men TAS is great but has a terrible 3rd season. I agree Teen Titans is terrible trash for "lel I'm being random!" type kids, but I feel Batman Beyond is underrated rather than overrated.
Honorable mention: Legion of Super Heroes. It was a good show but I always thought the LSH were super lame.
The two part finale against Darkseid while also being a quasi funeral for Jack Kirby with characters from both the DC and Marvel universes showing up was amazing.
loved the team up eps! World's finest was great! I still 😂 Supes cheated and used his x-ray vision on Bats. And Supes was so mad that Bats took his girl. the other team up, Knight Time was fun, Supes pretending to be Batman was cool. Clancy's gotta be my fave Lex...and I can't be the only one who thought Lex was black in this version....the ep where Darkseid kills Turpin was always sad..."Goodbye, old friend. In the end, the world didn't really need a superman. Just a brave one."
Overall a solid entry to what would become the DCAU...and this is why I had high hopes for the DCEU (or whatever the hell they called it)...cause Timm did an amazing job with the DCAU...from BTAS to STAS, JL/U, BB, etc. Also loved how JL/U tied in one random Brainiac/Lex episode into Cadmus.
Lex Luthor and Superman have the same skin tone, and they modeled Lex after as a Greek Bond Villain. But yeah, there were a lot of people who swore Lex was Black and thought it was affirmative action (or Mighty Whitey beats up Black guy) that changed Lex.
One of my favourites im a big fan of all the Bruce Timms DC animation
I was an 80's and 90's kid, but my first introduction to Superman was the 1941 cartoon that we had on a VHS.I love that cartoon series.
Never been a big Superman fan but the speech to Darkseid about feeling like living in a world of cardboard is still incredible.
I ADORE STAS. I think it even outshines BTAS in terms of consistently good episodes.
A lot of people forget that while Batman has some phenomenal episodes, there’s a lot of episodes in there that range from mediocre to flat out bad.
i don't know if I'd go that far...i did a rewatch of both recently and both were consistent. I didn't really find any downright terrible episodes.
@@thecunninlynguist There's maybe like 3 episodes of BTAS that are just ok to bad. The rest are gems. I really can only think of 2 off the top of my head that was bad, and it's Terrible Trio, and I've Got Batman In My Basement. I always skip those on rewatches.
@@kingcaesar3693 nooooo those episodes are so good though!
That "Christmas With The Joker" episode is pretty goofy with Joker escaping from Arkham Asylum on a rocket boosted Christmas tree. It reminds me of Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze launching a rocket ship out of the museum in "Batman And Robin." And it's just as bad even for a cartoon.
I was literally telling my wife a few days ago that this Superman cartoon is better than she recalls. The DCAU is the best iteration of DC Comics, combining and exploring everything great about what came before. I too am old enough to remember the Super Friends and Super Powers cartoons, and most importantly I believed a man could fly after seeing the Christopher Reeve Superman film (and I still believe it, too). Superman: The Animated Series doesn't get the love of Batsy or the Justice League cartoons, but it's integral nonetheless. Great video as always, thanks! 👍
I loved Superman the Animated Series! I’m a Gen Xer who watched the Christopher Reeves movies growing up and Superman always ranked above Batman in my book!
And still the best Superman animated series period.
A lot of people dones not relize how critical this show has been to keep Superman alive and relevant, and not a sort of "token" comic book character. Several kids of the time didn't knew too much about Superman´s lore and enemies, only knew about Lex Luthor and Zod from the Christopher Reeve movies, until this show arrived.
I just started rewatching the series this past week so to have your video drop as I'm a little bit near the halfway of season 2, this timing couldn't be more welcome. Or awesome. Thank you, San and Secret Galaxy!!!
Superman is my favorite character in comics and always will be and this was the show that started it all! I own all the DCAU on blu ray and dvd and I love them all! But this show was great thanks for covering it!
I watched the The Batman/Superman movie soooo many times back in the day. Love both series.
It will never be in the shadow of that show in my humble opinion! That Darkseid two part Epic is a animated Masterpiece!
Clancy Brown is such a legend in voice acting, especially in kids shows and video games.
Awesome video Dan! Loved that MIB reference by the way!
Superman the animated series is to this day best and most faithful Superman show ever made and one follow source material
STAS was such a great show. It had some of the best versions of characters like Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Metallo, and the greatest of them all… Mister Mxyzptlk.
A+ video!
LOVE IT! Another high-quality episode of the Secret Galaxy Saga!
The coolest part was that all these shows (Batman/Superman/JLA) were all happening in the same animated universe! I remember watching these as a kid. For me, it wasn't another Batman in a different show, no it was the same Batman, the same Superman appearing in all these series, there was continuity, and that made it all even more awesome. Actually, Marvel had a similar approach around that same period with X-Men, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four. 90's were the best! ❤☺️
Grateful for you and your work. Happy Thanksgiving!
Never having been a fan of the character in general, I quite enjoyed this series. Live action or no, Tim Daly and Dana Delany will always be my Superman and Lois.
Honorable mention: the episode with Lobo is an all-time favorite.
Superman The Animated Series is my favorite show, thankyou for making this video Dan!😀
I had no idea of the connection between "Mighty Hercules" and this show. You learn something new every day. As soon as Mr. Larson said it, I could see it, but I hadn't given it a single thought until then... And I grew up in Ontario watching Mighty Hercules every morning!!
The Mr. Mxyzptlk arcs are top tier in that series.
Superman TAM had a great rogues gallery. It introduced me to Braniac and Lobo. I really adored that show.
Great episode! Always wanted to know more about this series.
Superman The Animated Series was awesome Tim Daly completely nailed it as the voice of Superman.
I really appreciate the Aisling Bea on Taskmaster cut away, and the "Is It Canine?" bits keep up the good work!
Classic, wish it got more episodes..
While I loved how shows in the 90’s improved characters like Superman and Batman. Too bad more DC heroes couldn’t the same love.
I watched this show for the first time last year and it made me a superman fan!
I always love hearing Frank Welker's name in a cast. This show made me appreciate Superman, probably in part due to my age. I still love it! Great episode, gents!
Lois Lane:
I'm confused, Kent. See, I've lived in Metropolis most of my life and I can't figure out how some yokel from Smallville is suddenly getting every hot story in town.
Clark Kent:
Well, Lois, the truth is, I'm actually Superman in disguise and I only pretend to be a journalist in order to hear about disasters as they happen and then squeeze you out of the byline.
Lois:
...You're a sick man, Kent.
Clark:
You asked.
-----
One of my favorite exchanges between the two in any media.
I did not immediately appreciate Superman as a kid who was really into BTAS but I'm glad I caught onto it eventually. Watched both Batman and Superman "recently" with my kid who would have been about the same age I was and it's amazing how well both held up for not just me but her as well.
Superman TAS was my favorite show of that era. The theme song alone was magical.
Only got into the series when there was the Timmverse Batman v Superman team up film. A seriously underrated film that seems to have been forgotten. Bringing the two together was brilliant and forever cemented my love of the Timmverse. The best DC content ever!
"Batman, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane" - Nice!
Was pleasantly surprised to see my hometown at the 3:21 mark with the radio station CKPR still broadcasting today
Loved the series as I was mid way through college at the time. Ton of my friends and I would watch in glee. Was a great take on the comic.
While Batman the animated series is great, I just enjoyed Superman the animated series more. I honestly think that Superman's series wasn't in the shadow of Batman's series. Both animated shows stood on their own in their own ways.
Shout out to the Chicago channel 26 commercial for the Superman show
I love this show. I’ve always preferred Tim Daly’s Superman and the other two are the best the more arrogant tone of George Newbern
Great episode!
Another great video. Loving the "Aww" at 5.42 - what's that from?
The Superman animated series was amazing And that Legacy 2 part finally are 2 of my favorite DCAU episodes of any series. It was followed up at the beginning of Justice League season 2 ( not JLU as stated in the video)
Iam a 70s baby but grew up in the 80s watching 60s shows like Rocket Robin Hood, Mighty Mouse, The Mighty Hercules so when i watched Superman The Animated Series i felt something similar regarding the over look of superman to 60s Hercules. I would smoke so much weed that i thought at times Superman was reaching for the ring in his belt to hold it to the sky towards Olympus and transform in Hercules to defect the villeins lol
The penultimate Superman soliloquy is his “World of Cardboard” speech he gives as he delivers one awesome beat down of Darkseid and shows just what the “Big Blue Boy Scout” is really capable of when he fights all-out.
Freakazoid was SO good T_T
Great Stuff!
6:15. LOVE the Taskmaster reference!!
I loved the theme song
I'm a fan of both series, and both characters, as well.
I saw what you did with the Bill Finger credit and I applaud you.
To this day, my very favorite incarnation of the Man of Steel. Powering him down was such a good decision because it always made you wonder if he was eventually going to be outmatched. As a kid, you’re told a train would derail running into Superman but this finally brought in realistic physics which was also super wonderful. His mass is the same as any person so naturally a train would knock him flying, literally, lol. Seeing him struggle to stop an airliner from crashing, stuff like that. Tim Daly was also an amazing choice. Too bad he didn’t do JL/JLU
I love this show so much. It's so vibrant and fun. It looks stunning in HD. It's my second favorite DCAU show after Justice League Unlimited.
Happy thanksgiving secret Galaxy ! I have Superman tas on blu ray . Awesome entry of the dcau