Superman: The Animated Series
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{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
{{infobox television |
| show_name = Superman
| image = [[Image:Stas.jpg|250px]]
| caption = Superman from the ''Superman'' opening sequence.
| format = [[Animated series]]
| runtime = 30 minutes
| creator =
| starring = [[Tim Daly]]<br>[[Clancy Brown]]<br>[[Dana Delany]]<br>et al.
| country = {{USA}}
| network = [[The WB Television Network|The WB]]
| first_aired = [[September 6]], [[1996]]
| last_aired = [[February 12]], [[2000]]
| num_episodes = 54
| list_episodes =List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes
| followed_by = ''[[The New Batman/Superman Adventures]]''
| imdb_id = 0115378
| tv_com_id =1524
|}}
'''''Superman: The Animated Series''''' is the name of a [[Warner Bros.]]' [[United States|American]] [[List of animated television series|animated television series]] that ran from 1996 to 2000. The official title of the series was simply '''''Superman''''' and starred [[Superman|the fictional character of the same name]]. Warner Bros. applied the same "more modern, more serious" animated treatment to [[DC Comics]]' flagship character in the same way they had successfully produced ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''. Both shows had no logo. Slightly-edited reruns can currently be seen weekday evenings at 7/6c on [[Toon Disney]] (in spite of [[The Walt Disney Company]] being Warner's main competitor).
Airing ten years after the 1986 [[Reboot (continuity)|reboot]] of the ''Superman'' comic book character, the animated series paid tribute to both the classic Superman of old and the newer "modern" Superman. Perhaps most significantly, [[Clark Kent]] displays the more aggressive personality used by [[John Byrne]] in his reboot of the comic book continuity. Elements of Superman from all eras of his history were included in the series, especially in a portrayal of the planet [[Krypton (planet)|Krypton]], the planet that Superman was born on, that fans praised{{Fact|date=March 2008}} as a "modernization" of Superman's origin that contrasted John Byrne's reboot, and some fans felt{{Fact|date=March 2008}} was superior to the "newer" comic book version. Notably, the evil computer [[Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]] was not only now from Krypton, but was portrayed as responsible for preventing the knowledge of Krypton's imminent destruction from reaching its people. In a lesser innovation, the ship that carried the infant Kal-El to Earth was designed to land smoothly upon reaching its destination, rendering it in perfect working condition during Superman's adulthood and is used as his mode of long range transportation in space.
The "new" [[Lex Luthor]] featured prominently in the series as well, menacingly voiced by actor [[Clancy Brown]]. Superman was voiced by [[Timothy Daly|Tim Daly]].
While the series featured fresh re-creations of much of Superman's [[rogues gallery]], the series' writers supplemented the supply of enemies by paying tribute to [[Jack Kirby's Fourth World]] creations which also introduced the villain [[Darkseid]] to the series as one of Superman's greatest enemies. Darkseid had been portrayed as a villain in ''[[Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show]]'' and [[The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians]] in the 1980s, but in the new ''Superman'' series, he was closer to the enormously powerful, evil cosmic emperor originally envisioned by Kirby. The tribute event extends to the supporting character, [[Dan "Terrible" Turpin]], who is visually modelled on Jack Kirby himself.
On [[August 18]], [[1998]], Warner Brothers released ''The Batman / Superman Movie'' on [[DVD]] and [[video]]. This movie was formed of three episodes from season 2 of ''Superman'', "World's Finest" parts 1, 2 and 3. [[Mark Hamill]] again provided the voice for [[Joker (comics)|The Joker]].
Midway through the series' run, it was combined with episodes of ''[[The New Batman Adventures]]'' to become ''[[The New Batman/Superman Adventures]]''. The title for episodes airing under the title The New Batman Superman Adventures is The New Superman Adventures, as acknowledged by WB. The characters of Superman and Batman were then spun off into a new animated series, ''[[Justice League (animated series)|Justice League]]'', which also featured other popular DC characters, such as [[Wonder Woman]], [[Aquaman]] and the [[Flash (comics)|Flash]].
==Episode list==
{{main|List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes}}
==Cast==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor || Role
|-
| [[Timothy Daly|Tim Daly]] || [[Kal-El]] / [[Clark Kent]] / [[Superman]]
|-
| [[Clancy Brown]] || [[Lex Luthor]]
|-
| [[Dana Delany]] || [[Lois Lane]]
|-
| [[Joseph Bologna]] || [[Dan Turpin|SCU Lt. Daniel "Dan" Turpin]]
|-
| [[George Dzundza]] || [[Perry White]]
|-
| [[David Kaufman (actor)|David Kaufman]] || [[Jimmy Olsen|James "Jimmy" Olsen]]
|-
| [[Lisa Edelstein]] || [[Mercy Graves]]
|-
| [[Lauren Tom]] || Angela Chen
|-
| [[Mike Farrell]] || [[Ma and Pa Kent|Jonathan Kent]]
|-
| [[Shelley Fabares]] || [[Martha Kent]]
|-
| [[Joely Fisher]] || [[Lana Lang]]
|-
| [[Victor Brandt]] || [[Professor Emil Hamilton]]
|-
| [[Joanna Cassidy]] || [[Maggie Sawyer|Inspector Maggie Sawyer]]
|-
| [[Michael Ironside]] || [[Darkseid]]
|-
| [[Gilbert Gottfried]] || [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]]
|-
| [[Corey Burton]] || [[Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]]
|}
==Behind The Scenes==
* Some of the character designs are clearly patterned on real actors{{Fact|date=March 2008}}. The more obvious likenesses are [[Shirley Jones]] to Martha Kent and [[Telly Savalas]] to Lex Luthor. The character Dan "Terrible" Turpin was visually modeled after the character's creator, Jack Kirby. His first appearance in the episode "Tools of the Trade" also marks the first series appearance of "The Fourth World" characters and concepts that were Jack Kirby's major modern DC Comics creations.
* Due to Lex Luthor's pronounced lips and tanned skin, several fans mistakenly thought he was [[African-American]]{{Fact|date=March 2008}}. This is due to the Telly Savalas inspiration for his look - the reason for which is that producer [[Bruce Timm]] thought of [[Clancy Brown|Clancy Brown's]] take on Luthor as a "cultured thug", the same way he saw Savalas' [[Blofeld]] in ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (Timm's favorite [[James Bond|Bond]] film). Sometimes, the animated Luthor is portrayed as being distinctly darker than the people around him{{Fact|date=March 2008}}, and sometimes (like the shot in "A Little Piece of Home" where Luthor literally puts his face right into Superman's) his skin color is exactly the same as everybody else. Timm is rumored{{Fact|date=March 2008}} to quip that his Lex Luthor must "tan easily."
* Series producer Bruce Timm personally story-boarded Superman's climatic, final fight with Darkseid in the series finale, "Legacy", to ensure it would be done right and have as much impact as possible.
* Lex Luthor's henchwoman, [[Mercy Graves]], is a character created for the show. She was eventually added as a member of the cast in the comics.
* Also created for the series and eventually added into comics continuity is the supervillainess [[Livewire (DC Comics)|Livewire]], who can control and turn into electrical energy.
* [[Clancy Brown]], who provided the voice of [[Lex Luthor]], originally auditioned for the lead role of [[Superman]] / [[Clark Kent]], but when Bruce Timm heard his audition, he immediately offered Brown the part of Luthor.
* Real-life married couple [[Mike Farrell]] and [[Shelley Fabares]] voice Jonathan and Martha Kent.
==Notable regular guests==
* [[Ron Perlman]] - [[Jax-Ur]] (3 episodes)
* [[Leslie Easterbrook]] - [[Mala (Kryptonian)|Mala]] (from the episodes, "Blast from the Past Parts 1 and 2")
* [[Sarah Douglas]] - [[Mala (Kryptonian)|Mala]] (from the episode "Absolute Power")
* [[Malcolm McDowell]] - John Corben / [[Metallo]] (6 episodes)
* [[Michael Dorn]] - [[Kalibak]] & [[John Henry Irons]] / [[Steel (comics)|Steel]] (6 episodes)
* [[Lori Petty]] - Leslie Willis / [[Livewire (DC Comics)| Livewire]]
* [[Bruce Weitz]] - [[Bruno "Ugly" Mannheim|Bruno Mannheim]] (5 episodes)
* [[Jodi Benson]] - Angela Evans Smith
* [[Brad Garrett]] - [[Lobo (comics)|Lobo]] & [[Bibbo Bibbowski|Bibbo]] & "Neato" Coralli (5 episodes)
* [[William H. Macy]] - Director of the Paranormals Institute
* [[Jason Marsden]] - Teenage Clark Kent
* [[Nicholle Tom]] - Kara In-Ze / Kara Kent / [[Supergirl]]
* [[Bud Cort]] - [[Toyman]]
* [[Melissa Joan Hart]] - [[Saturn Girl]]
* [[Chad Lowe]] - Rokk Krinn / [[Cosmic Boy]]
* [[Scott Menville]] - Kenny Braverman
* [[Jason Priestley]] - Reep Daggle / [[Chameleon Boy]]
* [[Kevin Conroy]] - Bruce Wayne / [[Batman]]
* [[Mark Hamill]] - [[Joker (comics)|The Joker]]
* [[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]] - Oswald Cobblepot / [[The Penguin]]
* [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]] - Edward Nygma / [[The Riddler]]
* [[Bob Hastings]] - [[Commissioner James Gordon]]
* Charity James - Roxanne Sutton / [[Roxy Rocket]]
* [[Roddy McDowall]] - Dr. Jervis Tetch / [[Mad Hatter (comics)|The Mad Hatter]]
* [[Henry Silva]] - [[Bane (comics)|Bane]]
* [[Mathew Valencia]] - [[Robin (Tim Drake)|Tim Drake]] / Robin
* [[David Warner (actor)|David Warner]] - [[Ra's al Ghul]]
==''"Superman" The Animated Series'' merchandise==
===Video Games===
* [[Superman 64|A game]] was produced for the [[Nintendo 64]] based upon the series which is considered by many to be one of the [[Video games notable for negative reception|worst games ever]]. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} A later game produced for the [[Playstation 2]] and [[GameCube]], is considered superior to previous versions, the game received more postive reviews then Superman64.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
===DVD===
Much like ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'' and other Warner Brothers cartoons adapted from popular DC Comic books, ''Superman'' was released on DVD ''[[January 25]], [[2005]]'', though it did not receive the same Disc Transfer as Batman did (Volume One's second disc was given the Side A/B treatment, as did Volume Two's and Volume Three's second disc). The DVDs present the series' episodes in their airing order along with special features. Volume Two was released on ''[[December 6]], [[2005]]'' and Volume Three was released on [[June 20]], [[2006]].
A Direct-To-DVD feature, ''[[Superman: Brainiac Attacks]]'' was also released on [[June 20]], [[2006]].
The following is a list of ''Superman'' episodes released onto videos, DVDs and DVD Box Sets.
'''Superman: The Last Son of Krypton''' VHS/DVD
Episodes:
* ''The Last Son of Krypton, Part I''
* ''The Last Son of Krypton, Part II''
* ''The Last Son of Krypton, Part III''
'''Superman: A Little Piece of Home''' VHS/DVD
Episodes:
* ''A Little Piece of Home''
* ''Speed Demons''
* ''The Late Mr. Kent''
* ''Where There's Smoke''
'''The Batman/Superman Movie''' VHS/DVD
Episodes:
* ''World's Finest, Part I''
* ''World's Finest, Part II''
* ''World's Finest, Part III''
'''Superman: The Animated Series: Volume One''' 2-Disc DVD set
1st disc episodes:
* ''The Last Son of Krypton, Part I''
* ''The Last Son of Krypton, Part II''
* ''The Last Son of Krypton, Part III''
* ''Fun and Games''
* ''A Little Piece of Home''
* ''Feeding Time''
2nd disc - side A episodes:
* ''The Way of All Flesh''
* ''Stolen Memories''
* ''The Main Man, Part I''
* ''The Main Man, Part II''
* ''My Girl''
* ''Tools of the Trade''
* ''Two's A Crowd''
* ''The Prometheon''
2nd disc - Side B episodes:
* ''Blast from the Past, Part I''
* ''Blast from the Past, Part II''
* ''Livewire''
* ''Speed Demons''
'''Superman: The Animated Series: Volume Two''' 2-Disc Set
1st disc episodes:
* ''Identity Crisis''
* ''Target''
* ''Action Figures''
* ''Mxyzpixilated''
* ''Double Dose''
* ''Solar Power''
2nd disc - side A episodes:
* ''Monkey Fun''
* ''Brave New Metropolis''
* ''Ghost in the Machine''
* ''World's Finest, Part I''
* ''World's Finest, Part II''
* ''World's Finest, Part III''
2nd disc - side B episodes:
* ''Father's Day''
* ''The Hand of Fate''
* ''Bizarro's World''
* ''Prototype''
* ''The Late Mr. Kent''
* ''Heavy Metal''
'''Superman: The Animated Series: Volume Three''' 2-Disc Set
1st disc episodes:
* ''Warrior Queen''
* ''Apokolips...Now!, Part I''
* ''Apokolips...Now!, Part II''
* ''Little Girl Lost, Part I''
* ''Little Girl Lost, Part II''
* ''Where There's Smoke''
2nd disc - side A episodes:
* ''Knight Time''
* ''New Kids in Town''
* ''Obsession''
* ''Little Big Head Man''
* ''Absolute Power''
* ''In Brightest Day''
2nd disc - side B episodes:
* ''Superman's Pal''
* ''A Fish Story''
* ''Unity''
* ''The Demon Reborn''
* ''Legacy, Part I''
* ''Legacy, Part II''
====Deleted scene in DVD release====
[[Image:apokolipsnow richards nick sue johnny.jpg|180px|thumb|right|The original mourners attended at Dan Turpin's funeral]]
In the original episode [[Apokolips...Now!(Superman: The Animated Series)|Apokolips...Now! Part II]] exihibited in [[7 February]] [[1998]], during the ending scene a group of mourners attended at [[Dan Turpin]]'s funeral, as a homage to [[Jack Kirby]]. They were Jack Kirby's creations: [[Nick Fury]], [[Fantastic Four]], [[Big Barda]], [[Scott Free]], [[Orion]] and others, alongside Kirby's friends and fans, like [[Mark Evanier]], [[Bruce Timm]], [[Paul Dini]], [[Alex Ross]] and [[Stan Lee]]. These characters and persons were removed after airing and the whole scene was re-edited (even the soundtrack was modified) to DVD release and subsequent TV airing. The original sketches for this scene can be found at Michael Eury's book The Krypton Companion book published by TwoMorrow's Publishing (ISBN 1-893905-61-6).
==Differences from ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''==
* The series was originally meant to have an opening montage similar to the one [[Batman]] had in his previous animated series, showcasing what Superman could do in an awe inspiring manner, but the animators were unable to finish it by the deadline, so a montage featuring clips of Superman in action alongside his supporting cast from the episodes was utilized instead. Part of the abandoned montage, which featured Superman flying in the night sky of Metropolis, made it into the opening. Another such shot was the final one in the opening; The classic visual of Clark Kent ripping open his shirt to reveal the big red "S."
==References to the [[DC animated universe|DCAU]] and DC Comics==
* In the episode "Heavy Metal", "Cousin Spunky" from the Batman animated series episode "[[Baby Doll (Batman: The Animated Series)|Baby Doll]]" can be seen in the background along with the other men right after Steel's niece stops the car after running out of gas as well as when the crowd begins to gather around Metallo after he has been defeated. "Cousin Spunky" is also seen in the Justice League series.
* In the episode "Father's Day", G. Carl Francis, from the [[Batman: The Animated Series]] episode "The Laughing Fish" (he was harassed by the Joker for not copy writing his fish), appears as a restaurant employee.
* The Prometheon rock creature, from the episode of the same name, actually made his first appearance in a [[Green Lantern]] comic as a servant of Gaia.
* In the comics, [[Maggie Sawyer]] is a [[lesbian]] and is in a longterm relationship with another woman, a subject that Lex Luthor once tried to blackmail her for. While it is never stated in the animated series, there is an episode where a wounded Sawyer is visited by a woman in the hospital; the same woman later is seen consoling Sawyer at Turpin's funeral. Commentary on the DVD version of the episode (as well as the episode's voice credits) acknowledges the woman as being Toby Raines, Sawyer's long-time girlfriend from the comics, whose—albeit tamed—inclusion in the series was a nod to fans of the comics.
* The episode "Obsession" opens with Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen covering a fashion show. Also clearly seen amongst the press is [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Billy Batson]], who works for WHIZ-TV in the comics and is the alter ego of [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]].
* In the episode "In Brightest Day...", Sinestro and Kyle Rayner briefly battle on an airstrip. One plane has the words "Col. Hal Jordan" on the side. [[Hal Jordan]] is the Silver Age [[Green Lantern]]. The thug who tries to mug Jimmy Olsen and Kyle Rayner at the beginning of the episode is not named, but he bears a resemblance to [[Guy Gardner (comics)|Guy Gardner]], another Green Lantern.
* The semi-truck in season 1 episode 8 "Stolen Memories" was directly patterned after the [[Batmobile]] from the Batman Series, as discussed in the audio commentary for that episode.
* [[Miguel Ferrer]] who plays the voice of [[Aquaman]] in this series, played [[Weather Wizard]] in the 1997 [[Justice League of America (TV movie)|Justice League of America]] pilot.
*[[Dana Delany]] (Lois Lane) and [[Clancy Brown]] (Lex Luthor) reprised their roles in [[The Batman]] season 5 episodes The Batman/Superman Stories I and II. Tim Daly, however, did not reprise his role as Superman; [[George Newbern]], who assumed the role from Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, provided Superman's voice.
==References to other versions of Superman==
* In the episode "The Last Son of Krypton: Part 2", when Jonathan and Martha found the little Kal-El, at first Martha wanted to name him Christopher which could possibly be a nod to the man who played Superman in the movies, [[Christopher Reeve]].
* The episode "Monkey Fun" was actually a modernized remake of an episode from the 1960s animated Superman series. It was based on the 1930s film ''[[King Kong]]''.
* [[Sarah Douglas]] who voiced [[Phantom Zone]] villain [[Mala (Kryptonian)|Mala]] in the episode "Absolute Power" played Phantom Zone villain [[Ursa]] in ''[[Superman (film)|Superman]] and ''[[Superman II]]''
==Animated Superman post-''Legacy''==
* Following the events of the two part episode "Legacy", the story arc of the fourth season was meant to focus on Superman trying to regain the trust of the human race, but the series was discontinued after "Legacy".{{Fact|date=March 2007}} When Superman is seen again at the beginning of ''[[Justice League (animated series)|Justice League]]'', the human race appears to have forgiven him, but the events of ''Legacy'' would come back to haunt him in the second season of the series, as well as the second season of [[Justice League Unlimited]].
* Incidentally, one of the creatures Superman brings back to the Fortress of Solitude after his battle with the Collector is [[Starro]]. In the [[Batman Beyond]] two-parter episode entitled, "The Call", the creature escaped and was controlling Superman for some time until [[Terry McGinnis]] (the future Batman) helped him overcome it.
* In Static Shock episode Toys in the Hood, the story about Darcy the android and the Toyman comes to a conclusion.
==External links==
* [http://www.batman-superman.com/superman/cmp/index.html Official Site from Warner Bros.]
* [http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/superman/ ''Superman: The Animated Series''] @ [[The World's Finest]]
* {{imdb title|id=0115378|title=Superman: The Animated Series}}
* [http://www.tv.com/superman/show/1524/summary.html?q=superman ''Superman: The Animated Series'' @ TV.com]
* {{dcauw|Superman: The Animated Series|''Superman: The Animated Series''}}
{{DC-animation}}
{{Superman in other media}}
[[Category:Superman television series]]
[[Category:Animated television series]]
[[Category:Superhero television programs]]
[[Category:1996 television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:Kids WB shows]]
[[Category:Television programs based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:DC animated universe]]
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