Superman: The Animated Series |
|
---|---|
Image showing Superman
|
|
Genre |
|
Based on |
Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster |
Developed by | |
Voices of | |
Theme music composer | Shirley Walker |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 54 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Running time | 21 minutes |
Production company(s) | Warner Bros. Animation |
Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | Kids' WB |
Original release | September 6, 1996 | – February 12, 2000
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Batman: The Animated Series |
Related shows | The New Batman/Superman Adventures |
Website |
Superman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics's flagship character, Superman. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and originally aired on Kids' WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. The series was the first of several followups of the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, and was equally praised for its thematic complexity, quality animation, maturity and modernization of its title character.
Premiering ten years after the 1986 reboot of the Superman comic-book character, the animated series paid tribute to both the classic Superman of old and the newer "modern" Superman. For instance, the depiction of Krypton reflects the older idealized version in the Silver Age of Comic Books while the scope of Superman's powers reflects the more restrained contemporary concept as developed by John Byrne in that the superhero has to struggle to perform spectacular feats, while Clark Kent is shown to be openly, if quietly, self-confident (similar to the depiction of Batman's alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, in Batman: The Animated Series).
Midway through the series' run, it was combined with The New Batman Adventures to become The New Batman/Superman Adventures. The characters of Superman and Batman were then spun off into a new animated series, Justice League, which also featured other popular DC Comics characters, including Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Hawkgirl which spawned a sequel series Justice League Unlimited.