Superman (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Superman


caption =
aka =
genre =
creator = Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster ("characters")
writer =
director =
creat_director =
developer =
presenter = Ruby-Spears Enterprises
DC Comics
starring =
voices =
narrated =
theme_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer =
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 13
list_episodes =
exec_producer = Joe Ruby
Ken Spears
co_exec =
producer =
sup_producer =
asst_producer =
cons_producer =
co-producer =
editor =
story_editor = Marv Wolfman
location =
cinematography =
camera_setup =
runtime = 30 min.
channel = CBS
picture_format =
audio_format = Stereo
first_run =
first_aired = September 17, 1988
last_aired = September 2, 1989
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related =
website =
prod_website =
imdb_id = 0213370
tv_com_id = 12461

"Superman" was a 1988 animated Saturday morning television series produced by Ruby-Spears Productions and Warner Bros. Television that aired on CBS featuring the DC Comics superhero of the same name (coinciding with the character's 50th anniversary, along with the live-action "Superboy" TV series that year). Veteran comic book writer Marv Wolfman was the head story editor, and noted comic book artist Gil Kane provided character designs.

Format

This series is the second animated Superman series proper (the first was the Filmation-produced "The New Adventures of Superman"). It's also notable for being the first appearance of the Superman mythos following John Byrne's major relaunch of the character (the series reflected the new conception with a measured fidelity, such as having his major recurring enemy, Lex Luthor as a corrupt billionaire industrialist as in the comics). Other characters include Cybron (a pastiche of Brainiac whose Post-Crisis conception was still undecided at the time) and an appearance of Wonder Woman, which was her first non-print appearance since George Pérez's reworking of the character for the post-Crisis era. Wonder Woman was portrayed by voice actress B.J. Ward, who had previously provided her voice as Wonder Woman in the final season of the "Super Friends", which was called "".

The final four minutes of each Superman episode were devoted to a brief snapshot from the "Superman Family Album." These biographical segments deviated from the contemporary comics to have Clark have his powers fully developed since infancy as opposed to developing as he matured. These stories depicted the Smallville misadventures of the young Kryptonian immigrant as he faces typical childhood trials with his first day at school, an overnight scouting campout, getting a driver's license, his first date, High School graduation, and ultimately his premiere as Superman.

Ties to other Superman adaptions

The series is also of note due to its use of re-orchestrated versions of John Williams' classic themes [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/resources/tvthemes/ra/superman87.ram 1988 Animated Theme - RM] ] [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/resources/tvthemes/mp3/superman87.mp3 1988 Animated Theme - MP3] ] [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/resources/tvthemes/ra/superman87_2.ram 1988 Animated Theme: Version 2 - RM] ] [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/resources/tvthemes/mp3/superman87_2.mp3 1988 Animated Theme: Version 2 - MP3] ] from 1978's "", as well as an opening sequence that delivered the same narration as the 1950s "Adventures of Superman" television series.

Cast

*Beau Weaver ... Clark Kent/Superman
*Ginny McSwain ... Lois Lane
*Michael Bell ... Lex Luthor
*Stanley Ralph Ross ... Perry White
*Lynne Marie Stewart ... Jessica Morganberry
*Mark L. Taylor ... James 'Jimmy' Olsen
*Alan Oppenheimer ... Pa Kent
*Tress MacNeille ... Ma Kent

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0213370|name=Superman
*Superman Homepage – [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/tv/tv.php?topic=episode-guides/t-ruby episode guide] and [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/images/gallery/gallery.php?topic=ruby-spears-cartoons screenshots]
*Tv.com show|id=12461|title=Superman
* [http://www.supermansupersite.com/rubyspears.html The Superman Super Site - Ruby Spears Superman]