Many Gen X’ers grew up with Superman and the Super Friends on Saturday mornings. Before that, the 1940’s Oscar-nominated Fleischer animated shorts established many iconic elements now intimately associated with Superman, like the “faster than a speeding bullet” intro and his use of phone booths for quick changes. Clearly, the character, born out the pages of comic books, remains highly compatible with the medium of animation. Yet, there have been many great animated Superman films that you might have missed in recent years. Continued from part 1, here are the rest of the DC animated films featuring Superman as a title character, submitted for your streaming pleasure:
Superman vs. The Elite (2012), directed by Michael Chang
Despite his power, some people dismiss Superman because of his voluntary adherence to a strict set of principles. They were still generally encompassed by his motto “truth, justice, and the American way” when this film was produced. However, there is a new ostensive superhero team on the block, but they function more like vigilantes. Frankly, this is one of the more predictable animated DC films. “The Elite” does not even make sense as the name of Superman’s new rivals, since they claim to represent the people’s populist urges for street justice. However, their leader, Manchester Black is an entertainingly flamboyant anti-hero. Also, George Newbern’s voice suitably expresses Superman’s idealism. Grade: C+
Superman: Unbound (2013), directed by James Tucker
If you want a Superman adventure that is not set in a non-canonical universe, does not revisit his origin story, feature his “death,” or force him to share the spotlight with Batman, Unbound might be your best bet. Superman happens to be too busy to intervene in the opening action sequence, but unfortunately for the terrorist leader (whose distinctive voice was provided by Jason Beghe), Supergirl was available. She saves Lane, but her older cousin still has plenty of critical notes on her performance.
In some movies and TV series, Superman represents so much super-power, it is hard to maintain suspense. However, Unbound presents Brainiac as a worthy adversary, who might just hold the upper hand, due to his ability to harness red solar power. This film also explores the complex ways Kal-El relates to his Kryptonian roots, through his relationship with Supergirl and his temporary banishment into the Bottled City of Kandor, which Brainiac miniaturized and took as a trophy before the planet exploded. Matt Bomer truly sounds like a classic a Superman and John Noble is suitably sinister as Brainiac. He is a major step up from Brainiac Attacks (but the greatest Brainiac ever remains the one drawn by Wilfredo Torres in the comic miniseries Superman ’78, set within the universe of the Salkind films, who deliberately resembles David Bowie). Grade: A
The Death of Superman (2018), directed by Sam Liu & Jake Castorena
It started out as a gimmick, but the Death of Superman comic book arc proved so compelling, it has been adapted on-screen four times, via animation and live-action. This one does it best. The mysterious Doomsday is like Marvel’s Hulk, but with less control of his anger. Despite their best efforts, Doomsday batters the rest of the Justice League into retreat and unconsciousness. That leaves Superman to stand alone.
Superman was late to the battlefield, because he had a date with Lois Lane. As Clark Kent, he finally revealed his secret identity, to save their relationship. In fact, this might be Jerry O’Connell’s best voice-over performance as the Man of Steel, because he so keenly captures Kent’s inner farm-boy shyness and aw-shucks infatuation with Lane, voiced by his real-life wife, Rebecca Romijn. Given the title, The Death of Superman probably sounds like a downer, but Liu, Castorena, and screenwriter Peter Tomasi give him a grandly heroic send-off, worthy of the heroes from classical tragedy. They also deftly hint at signs of hope. Grade: A+
Reign of Supermen (2019), directed by Sam Liu & Jake Castorena
Ironically, this Superman movie is initially defined by his absence. Not to be spoilery, but fans know you cannot keep a good Kryptonian down for long—even when he is “dead.” Regardless, until his anticipated return, several replacement “Supermen” try to fill the void he left in Metropolis. By far, the most promising candidate is Steel (a.k.a. John Henry Irons), voiced with conviction by Cress Williams, who also portrayed the Arrowverse’s Black Lightning. (Please forget about Shaq’s movie version.)
Even though it is a continuation, Reign of Supermen fails to maintain the deep emotional resonance of The Death of Superman. Nevertheless, it still delivers considerable highlights, including Lois Lane’s unlikely friendship with Wonder Woman, born out of their shared grief. The narrative also takes on truly cosmic dimensions, involving one of DC’s most powerful villains of all time. Grade: B+
Superman: Red Son (2020), directed by Sam Liu
This is a smarter, more insightful What If than any of Marvel’s hypotheticals. Suppose Kal-Al landed in the USSR instead of Smallville and grew up to become the soviet super weapon. Fortunately, the free world can still rely on the American ingenuity of industrialist and future president, Lex Luthor. Of course, he still must answer probing questions from muck-raking journalist Lois Lane, who also happens to be his wife.
Based on Mark Millar’s graphic novel, Red Son cleverly integrates the characters of the DC Universe into Cold War history. Although blinded by power, both his own and that of the state, this Superman comes to recognize the value of truth, justice, and maybe even the American way. Jason Isaacs nicely expresses that growing inner turmoil—with a Russian accent. As a result, this is the best superhero movie of the last twenty-five years. Yes, truly. Grade: A+
Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020), directed by Chris Palmer
Based on Mark Waid’s Superman: Birthright, this film takes fans back to the beginning, but it is not precisely the origin story fans think they know—although it has become canonical within the comic books, reportedly influencing the new film. Regardless, while working as an intern at The Daily Planet, Clark Kent begins using his powers to protect the innocent, but remains ignorant of his origins on Krypton, until the alien bounty-hunter Lobo comes looking for him.
Darren Criss nicely expresses the neurotic anxiety of this Kent/Kal-El, but the best part of this Superman movie is his mentor-protégé friendship with another alien, J’onn J’onnz, the Martian Manhunter. In addition to Lobo, Superman must face Luthor at his sneakiest (thanks to Zachary Quinto’s sly, snarky voice-over performance) and Parasite, whom often looks a bit like Venom, but the DC character predated Marvel’s by two decades. In fact, the forgiving portrayal of Parasite, formerly veteran Rudy Jones, who mutated into the monstrous supervillain while trying to save his S.T.A.R. Labs co-workers, further distinguishes the film. Grade: B+
Superman/Batman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022), directed by Matt Peters
As the third film under the Superman/Batman co-branding, Luthor is still serving his disastrous presidency, but much has changed since Apocalypse. Clark Kent and Lois Lane are married with a young son, Jonathan, who is just starting to show super powers. They come not a moment too soon, because the Justice League are about to get face-podded by alien body-snatchers. To save the day, he teams-up with Batman’s son. Damien Wayne’s mother is the mortal villainess Talia al Ghul, but true to his name, he often acts like a little demonspawn. This is almost a Superman film in name only, but Travis Willingham sounds convincing voicing the Man of Steel, during endearingly fatherly moments. The Super Sons develop a rather likable John Hughes-ish friendship and an action scene for Krypto is a nice bonus. Grade: B+
Superman is often considered an invincible, inhuman character, but the DC animated films are surprisingly successful at humanizing him. Many of these releases depict Kal-El’s loneliness, service, sacrifice, and yearning for human connection. He is the ultimate outsider, but also a loyal son and sometimes a devoted husband and father. Yet, every side of his persona remains rooted in the heroic protector Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster envisioned in the 1930s. There is something about Superman that continues to appeal to us on an archetypal level, which the DC animation filmmakers have a knack for tapping into—so go ahead and binge away while you wait for the new Superman movie.