| Superman | |
|---|---|
 The logo forSuperman | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | |
| Written by | |
| Directed by |
|
| Voices of | |
| Narrated by | William Woodson (opening narration) |
| Opening theme | "Superman March" (composed byJohn Williams) |
| Composer | Ron Jones |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (26 segments) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producer | Larry Huber |
| Running time | 22 minutes (2 11-minute segments) |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS[1] |
| Release | September 17 (1988-09-17) – December 10, 1988 (1988-12-10) |
Superman is a 1988 American animated Saturday morning television series produced byRuby-Spears Enterprises forWarner Bros. Television that aired onCBS from September 17 to December 10, 1988, featuring theDC Comics superheroof the same name (coinciding with the character's 50th anniversary, along with the live-actionSuperboy TV series that year).[2] Veterancomic book writerMarv Wolfman was the headstory editor, and comic book artistGil Kane provided character designs.[3]
The series was the second animated Superman television series (after theFilmation-producedThe New Adventures of Superman). While its characterization was in keeping with previous licensed incarnations of Superman characters (e.g. Superman had powers from infancy, Superman had an indestructible cape, andLex Luthor referred to himself as a "criminal scientist") the series was notable for introducing Marv Wolfman's conception of Lex Luthor into animation. In the first episode, Luthor was portrayed as a billionaire possessing a ring fashioned with akryptonite stone, which he used to keep Superman from apprehending him. Wolfman blended characteristics of his recent comic-book revamp of Luthor withGene Hackman's portrayal of the character inlive-action films.[4]
Other characters included Cybron (a time traveling conqueror composed of energy) and an appearance byWonder Woman, in her first non-print appearance since thefinal season ofSuper Friends. ThePrankster,General Zod andShadow Thief also makes appearances.
Classic characters includedJimmy Olsen,bow-tied in appearance, andPerry White.Lois Lane maintained her identity as an assertive woman with initiative, both in style and business attitude, although her dress and hairstyle were more reflective of the 1980s. A new character to the series was Jessica Morganberry, inspired by Miss Tessmacher of the live-actionSuperman film from 1978,[5] who appeared to be the ditzy blondelive-in girlfriend of Lex Luthor with whom he fully confided his schemes.
Superman/Clark Kent was voiced byBeau Weaver,[6] who would later go on to voiceMister Fantastic in the 1994 Marvel animated seriesFantastic Four.
The final four minutes of each Superman episode were devoted to a brief snapshot from the "Superman Family Album". In addition to "super-baby" misadventures in the early episodes, the segments featured rites of passage such as Clark Kent's first day at school, an overnightscouting campout, getting a driver's license, his first date, graduation from high school, and ultimately his premiere as Superman.[7] The initial idea for the segments was proposed by Judy Price, then head of the CBS Kids division.[4]
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Destroy the Defendroids" "The Adoption" | Marv Wolfman | September 17, 1988 (1988-09-17) | |
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| 2 | "Fugitive from Space" "The Supermarket" | Martin Pasko Cherie Wilkerson | September 24, 1988 (1988-09-24) | |
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| 3 | "By the Skin of the Dragon's Teeth" "At the Babysitter's" | Karen Willson & Chris Weber Cherie Wilkerson | October 1, 1988 (1988-10-01) | |
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| 4 | "Cybron Strikes" "The First Day of School" | Buzz Dixon Cherie Wilkerson | October 8, 1988 (1988-10-08) | |
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| 5 | "The Big Scoop" "Overnight with the Scouts" | Michael Reaves Cherie Wilkerson | October 15, 1988 (1988-10-15) | |
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| 6 | "Triple Play" "The Circus" | Larry DiTillio Meg McLaughlin | October 22, 1988 (1988-10-22) | |
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| 7 | "The Hunter" "Little Runaway" | Karen Willson & Chris Weber Cherie Wilkerson | October 29, 1988 (1988-10-29) | |
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| 8 | "Superman and Wonder Woman vs. The Sorceress of Time" "The Birthday Party" | Cherie Wilkerson & Marv Wolfman Cherie Wilkerson | November 5, 1988 (1988-11-05) | |
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| 9 | "Bonechill" "The Driver's License" | Larry DiTillio Cherie Wilkerson | November 12, 1988 (1988-11-12) | |
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| 10 | "The Beast Beneath These Streets" "First Date" | Michael Reaves Cherie Wilkerson | November 19, 1988 (1988-11-19) | |
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| 11 | "Wildsharkk" "To Play or Not to Play" | Marv Wolfman & Cherie Wilkerson Cherie Wilkerson | November 26, 1988 (1988-11-26) | |
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| 12 | "Night of the Living Shadows" "Graduation" | Buzz Dixon Cherie Wilkerson | December 3, 1988 (1988-12-03) | |
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| 13 | "The Last Time I Saw Earth" "It's Superman" | Steve Gerber Cherie Wilkerson | December 10, 1988 (1988-12-10) | |
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During the approach ofSuperman's 50th anniversary,CBS teamed withRuby-Spears to produce a new animated series hoping to tap into the zeitgeist having already produced thetelevision specialSuperman's 50th Anniversary.[8][9]Marv Wolfman was hired asstory editor for the series as CBS had responded favorably to a Superman parody he'd written for theGarbage Pail Kids animated series and were unaware that Wolfman had written for the actual Superman comics.[9] Wolfman had no problem adhering to the expectations ofDC Comics andWarner Bros. due to his experience writing the character, but would often receive notes from CBS executives that proved challenging to work with.[9] ProducerJoe Ruby stated that when it came to Superman's character, the show took inspiration fromChristopher Reeve's portrayal from the film series as they liked the combination of a sense of humor while still being Superman.[10]
Superman struggled in the ratings as, according to Wolfman, the person in charge of CBS' children's programming had a thinly veiled distaste for superhero shows and put the show early in the morning where it struggled to meet its targeted demographic of 9-13 year olds. Coupled with the high licensing fees the series was canceled by CBS after one season.[9] The series featured the final work ofJack Kirby during his time at Ruby-Spears as he would lose his position in the company following the end of the series.[11]
The series is also of note due to its use of re-orchestrated versions ofJohn Williams' classic themes[12][13][14][15] from 1978'sSuperman: The Movie, as well as an opening sequence that delivered the same narration as the 1950sAdventures of Superman television series (but by the narrator fromSuper Friends).[10]
Warner Home Video,DC Comics andWarner Bros. Family Entertainment released the series as a 2-disc set on November 3, 2009.[16]