Superman on Television

The Batman: Episode Reviews

Season 5 - Episode 1 & 2: "The Batman/Superman Story"

Reviewed by: Barry Freiman

CW Saturday mornings just got a whole lot more super. No, I'm not referring to the dual Men of Steel sharing DNA over on "The Legion of Super-Heroes". The most exciting Superman to hit CW Saturdays is the classic Superman introduced over the past two weekends on "The Batman" two-part fifth season premiere "The Batman/Superman Story".

The episode is written by Alan Burnett who recently joined the creative team of "The Batman". Burnett certainly knows how to write Superman for animation, having started with the "Super Friends" back in the early 1980s. Burnett wrote the classic "Death of Superman" for "The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians" seven years before anyone had ever heard of Doomsday.

"The Batman/Superman Story" has a simple, straight-forward plot to make it understandable for the kiddies but it's a fleshed-out, well-told story. To make the World's Finest team differ from their most recent animated incarnation in the Timmverse ("Batman: The Animated Series", "Superman: The Animated Series", "Justice League", and "Justice League Unlimited"), Batman has already joined the Justice League after the events of the fourth season finale which had introduced J'onn J'onnz (Martian Manhunter) and Superman is the reluctant loner who's already turned down an invitation to become part of the League. The point of the story is somewhat obvious from about half-way through part one - Superman learns to rely on others and has his eyes opened to the appeal of working with a team - but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment.

Voice casting director Andrea Romano uses the voices she found for "STAS", "JL", and "JLU" for the core Metropolis characters. George Newbern voices Clark Kent and Superman as he did in "JL" and "JLU". Dana Delany voices Lois Lane (who only appears in part one of the two-parter), as she did beginning with "STAS". And Clancy Brown voices the nefarious Lex Luthor, which he's done since "STAS" as well (with the animated exception of "Superman: Brainiac Attacks"). The familiar voices on characters who look a bit different - younger, sleeker, and a bit more animated - isn't at all jarring. In fact, in the case of Superman, it's actually comforting and creates a sense of continuity.

The episode opens with a speech from Gotham Mayor Hill. Hill's voice is uncredited in the closing credits but it sounds an awful lot like Michael Rosenbaum -- Lex Luthor on "Smallville" - who's done lots of voice work including "The Flash" on "JL" and "JLU".

Superman's look is definitely reminiscent of both Chris Reeve and Brandon Routh. He's tall and lean, which hides his musculature realistically when he's dressed as clumsy forgetful Clark Kent. As Kent, he trips over things and forgets his press pass (actually a subterfuge to change into Superman of course). Lois is shorter and more abstract than her depictions in the past but her face is definitely pure Lois. Same with Jimmy (who isn't voiced by his original "STAS" voice actor).

Lex Luthor has the look and feel of the post-Byrne modern Luthor as in "STAS", "JL", and "JLU". He's the suit-wearing Lex-Corp owning billionaire with the secret desire to kill Superman. He is portrayed as a paranoid, narcissistic sociopath - his plan isn't just to destroy Superman but it's to ensure that human beings (specifically himself) control Earth's destiny. This grows out of last season's alien invasion but Lex sees the potential for alien infestation not just in that type of situation but in relying on aliens like Superman too.

The classic elements of a good Superman story are all here. The Daily Planet staff banter. Lex Luthor kidnaps Lois Lane. Lex exercises mind over muscle with a little help from Kryptonite. And Superman flies, fights, and fries his way to the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Along the way, Superman learns to rely on Batman and Robin, which opens his eyes to the possibilities of the Justice League.

The episode score is noteworthy too. There are moments where Superman is in action where the score appears to be echoing the classic John Williams-penned "Superman Theme". It never breaks into the full-on score but it's certainly reminiscent enough to cause fan-boy and/or fan-girl drooling.

Given that the episode ends with Batman showing Superman around the Justice League satellite, it's a sure bet the Man of Steel will return. This season on "The Batman" is all about team-ups with heroes like Green Arrow (who's on next week's episode), Green Lantern, Flash, and Hawkman. My guess is Supes will be back for a full-on Justice League adventure with multiple heroes just in time for the season finale. My fervent hope is the CW orders a spin-off "Superman" series for next season.

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