Summary
- Superman: The Animated Series offers deep character exploration and stunning animation, rivaling its more popular sister show, Batman: The Animated Series.
- The show delves into Superman's psyche, struggles as an alien among humans, and superbly portrays characters like Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.
- Episodes like "The Late Mr. Kent" and "Legacy" showcase Superman's internal conflict and heroism, making the series a standout in superhero animation.
best episodes Batman: The Animated Series had to offer.
Like other projects along the DC Animated Universe timeline, Superman: The Animated Series was known for its evocative art deco animation and backgrounds that left each frame absolutely oozing in timeless style. Beyond simply looking pretty, the show also wasn't afraid to dive into the deeper elements of Superman's psyche, his difficulties as an alien living among humans, and the constant world-ending threats faced by Metropolis. Of course, the series also featured some of the best incarnations of characters like Lois Lane and Lex Luthor as well, who both feature heavily in the show's strongest episodes.
Superman: The Animated Series
- Release Date
- 1996 - 2000-00-00
- Network
- The WB
- Directors
- Bruce Timm
Cast
Tim Daly
Jason Marsden
WHERE TO WATCH
Superman: The Animated Series is a cartoon centered around the Man of Steel's many adventures. Aired from 1996 to 2000, it is part of Warner Bros.' DC Animated Universe, set in the same continuity as Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited.
- Seasons
- 4
10 Apokolips...Now!
Season 2, episode 25
While Darkseid was teased at the end of the first season, the alien tyrant of planet Apokolips made his presence officially known to Superman in the dramatic beginning of the two-part adventure. Superman gets to witness another alien hero crashing to Earth with his introduction to Orion, one of the few heroes Superman can truly relate to. Orion acts as an ominous messenger for the threat of Darkseid, tempering audience expectations with his critical injuries. Between Orion's warnings, the swarms of Parademons, and the return of Intergang, the episode selling Darkseid's threat feels almost more special than his eventual defeat.
9 Brave New Metropolis
Season 2, Episode 12
Brave New Metropolis spawned the idea of a Superman that turned evil after losing Lois Lane years before the Injustice series was ever conceived. After finding herself in a parallel dimension thanks to an accident at S.T.A.R. labs, Lois Lane has to navigate a way home from a reality in which Superman becomes a ruthless despot after his version of Lois dies. Beyond the tender reveal of just how much Lois means to Superman, this episode has some of the best Lois Lane moments in the whole series, proving that she's more than a damsel in distress.
Every Version Of Metropolis From Superman Movies & TV Shows Ranked
Superman has had many TV and movie appearances, and each of them offer their own spin on the city of Metropolis.
8 Legacy
Season 4, Episode 2
The penultimate episode of the series does an amazing job at showcasing just how dangerous Superman could be as a threat to humanity. After being brainwashed by Darkseid, Superman believes himself to be the alien despot's adopted son, nearly razing the planet to the ground in preparation for his master's final invasion of Earth. Beyond the terrifying fulfillment of a premise in which Superman and Darkseid work together against humanity, seeing Clark's inherent personality unfold amid the depraved company of Darkseid's forces makes the first part of Legacy a truly captivating episode.
7 The Late Mr. Kent
Season 2, episode 22
Just like Batman: The Animated Series' darkest moments, Superman: The Animated Series was capable of pushing the boundaries of a superhero cartoon. Presenting Clark Kent with a moral dilemma between giving up his secret identity and allowing an innocent man to be executed for a crime he didn't commit, The Late Mr. Kent presents one of the most fascinating kinds of conflict Superman can be embroiled in -- An entirely internal one. The mature writing, intense themes, and delicious noir atmosphere of the episode is the perfect counter-argument against those who find Superman stories "boring".
6 Mxyzpixilated
Season 2, Episode 8
Not every Superman: The Animated Series episode needed to be a heavy character study on Clark Kent, and the series was sometimes undeniably at its best tackling a deliciously campy premise with an earnest good time. Enter Mr. Mxyzptlk, fifth-dimensional imp and recurring villain of Superman who bears the hilarious burden of utilizing his awesome reality-defining powers to annoy the Man of Steel into submission. With the irreplaceable voice work of Gilbert Gottfried as Mxyzptlk himself, the episode was a great demonstration of Superman's cunning, able to do more than just rely on his powers.
With the irreplaceable voice work of Gilbert Gottfried as Mxyzptlk himself, the episode was a great demonstration of Superman's cunning, able to do more than just rely on his powers.
5 World's Finest: Part II
Season 2, Episode 16
Being set within the same universe as Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series couldn't resist dipping into Gotham for the occasional crossover, to magnificent effect. In the World's Finest three-part mini-arc, the Joker clashes with the combined might of Superman and Batman after making the mistake of stealing a massive supply of Kryptonite. The second part of the trio in particular has some wonderfully tense moments as Superman races straight into Joker's trap to save the kidnapped Lois Lane, only to be heartbroken by a difficult conversation as Clark Kent.
4 The Main Man
Season 1, Episode 9
Introducing one of the best villains of Superman: The Animated Series, The Main Man went on to not only influence Lobo's importance within the DC Animated Universe, but drastically increase his popularity as a character in general. Lobo's irreverent personality and astonishing ability to hold his own against Superman makes this episode a true spectacle, and the curious intrigue of the Preserver and his collection gives some great hints into the wider cosmic lore of the DC universe. Of course, the real highlight is Lobo's satisfying betrayal, setting up an excellent follow-up episode.
3 World's Finest
Season 2, Episode 15
As great as the other entries in the World's Finest three-episode trio are, nothing can compare to the legendary first meeting of the DC Animated Universe versions of Superman and Batman. From the two's immediate distrust of one another, discovering each other's secret identities in unique ways, to their begrudging team-up that winds up forming the foundation of the DCAU's best shows, World's Finest is rife with memorable beats. The real star of the show is the chemistry between Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly, playing off of each other in an endlessly entertaining rivalry.
2 Knight Time
Season 3, Episode 2
It's tough to it that one of the best episodes of Superman: The Animated Series is essentially just an episode of Batman: The Animated Series, but the most total crossing over of worlds between Superman and Gotham offers so much more. Arriving to find Batman missing and Robin exhausted from taking on Gotham's criminals by himself, Superman is tasked with doing some detective work of his own. But the most intriguing aspect of the episode is Superman disguising himself as Batman to help Gotham out, resulting in a particularly memorable encounter with Bane.
1 Legacy: Part II
Season 4, Episode 3
A rare feat for any TV show, let alone an animated series, the finale of Superman: The Animated Series ends up being one of its best. Essentially an encapsulation of Superman's struggles throughout the entire run of the show, Superman must face his dues for the destruction he caused under Darkseid's control. Calling into question Superman's legitimacy as a hero and ethics while still preserving his ultimate need to do the right thing no matter the cost, Legacy: Part II isn't just the best episode of Superman: The Animated Series, but some of the best Superman TV ever made.
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