Bruce Timm has more of an impact on the DC Universe than the casual fans of the DC films can understand. His creations, Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Justice League Unlimited, and The New Batman Adventures, have captured the attention of animation fans and young children for years. Now, thanks to an unlocking of the DC vault, fans can own another of Timm’s creations, Superman The Complete Animated Series, with fifty-four episodes over six Blu-ray discs to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show.
The show begins with the characteristically traditional origin of Superman, with a three-episode arc that takes the little Kal-El from the destruction of Krypton to his arrival in Metropolis as Clark Kent the newsreporter. Through the first few episodes, he’ll battle Toyman, Parasite, Toyman, Brainiac, and Lobo, with a variety of DC heroes and villains parading through.
Tim Daly voices Superman/Clark Kent (and Bizarro), with Dana Delany as Lois Lane, Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor, and Michael Ironside as Darkseid. A host of big names populate the show’s voices (usually of villains) like Ron Perlman (Jax-Ur), Gilbert Gottfried (Mister Mxyzptik), Malcolm McDowell (Metallo), Ed Asner (Granny Goodness), Melissa Joan Hart (Saturn Girl), Frank Welker (Titano), Jason Priestley (Chameleon Boy), and Mark Hamill (Joker).
Of note is the three-episode storyline once released as The Batman/Superman Movie- World’s Finest film where Joker and Luthor team up, but can’t defeat Superman and Batman working together. The final episodes come from The New Batman/Superman Adventures, with a Ra’s al Ghul battle in “The Demon Reborn,” and the two-part “Legacy,” where Superman dukes it out with Darkseid.
While the Timmverse is distinctive for its style, it’s also a cool history of the character of Superman and the exposure for old and new fans to a wide swath of the DC characters you know and some you’ve never heard of before. For this release, Warner Bros. has included six special features that include a look at Darkseid, the various villains Superman fights, those who fight alongside Superman, and an all-new entry, “Superman: Timeless Icon,” where the creators talk about their inspiration for their portrayal of Superman.
One of the world’s best heroes ever, Superman gets the complete treatment in this anniversary editions.
About The Author
This series got me through seminary!