2011 TV News Archives

March 31, 2011: Superman References in "Battle of the Superheroes!" Episode

By Steve Younis.

For long time Superman fans watching the recent "Battle of the Superheroes!" episode of the "Batman: The Brave and The Bold" animated series, there were many nods and inside jokes sprinkled throughout the episode. Some more obvious than others.

Here is my attempt at listing all the tributes, nods, inside jokes, easter eggs and other Superman related references in the episode. Feel free to let me know of any I missed.

Up front we've got the obvious characters and settings. The cast of characters includes Superman/Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Krypto, and of course, Batman. Lois and Jimmy look similar in appearance to the way they looked in the 1966 Filmation series "The New Adventures of Superman". Jimmy of course has his signal watch. Perry White exclaims "Great Caesar's Ghost" and yells at Jimmy, "Don't call my Chief!".

Superman Clark Kent Lois Lane
Jimmy Olsen Perry White Krypto

Superman villains who make an appearance include Lex Luthor, Metallo, Mr Mxyzptlk, Toyman, and Brainiac (with Koko on his shoulder). Lex Luthor's flying machine looked almost identical (with mechanical arms and all) to Superman's Supermobile (first seen in the comics in 1978).

Lex Luthor Metallo Mxyzptlk
Toyman Brainiac Supermobile

The majority of the episode is set in Metropolis, where we see the Daily Planet building. We also spend time inside the Fortress of Solitude (which has a giant key to open the front door). Within the Fortress we see the Bottled City of Kandor. Sharp eyes will also notice a robot that looks like the same one from the Fleischer Superman cartoon "The Mechanical Monster", and what appears to be the Phantom Zone and rotating rings seen in "Superman: The Movie".

Daily Planet Fortress of Solitude
Kandor Robot/Phantom Zone

There are many spoken phrases synonymous with the Man of Steel included in this episode. The whole "Look up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Superman!" is said by citizens of Metropolis. Superman exclaims, "Up, up and away!" before flying out a window. He even tells Batman he's "Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." Lois mentions he has "powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men". In another tribute to "Superman: The Movie" Superman (disguised as Batman) calls Lex Luthor a "diseased maniac".

There are many visual tributes to comic books throughout "Battle of the Superheroes!", with many scenes directly mimicking actual covers or panels from DC Comic publications.

"Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane", "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen", "Action Comics" and even Frank Miller's "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" were all referenced.

Action Comics #311 Jimmy Olsen #22 Jimmy Olsen #30
Jimmy Olsen #41 Jimmy Olsen #42 Jimmy Olsen #44
Jimmy Olsen #53 Jimmy Olsen #59 Jimmy Olsen #65
Jimmy Olsen #80 Jimmy Olsen #98 Jimmy Olsen #131
Lois Lane #23 Lois Lane #26
Dark Knight Returns Dark Knight Returns

The creators of this episode even paid tribute to the late great Curt Swan, Superman artist extraordinaire, naming the Mayor of Metropolis in his honor.

Mayor Swan

Steve Younis



2011 Television News

Listed below are all the Television News items archived for 2011 organized into various categories:

“Smallville” News:

“Young Justice” Animated Series News: Other Superman Related Television News:

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