This is another entry in the "Under the Radar" series and it's another of "DC Comics" forgotten animated gems, if you can believe that as it's with the main man himself. I was a kid from the 80s' and believe it or not this cartoon show is what helped introduce me to "Superman" himself, though also DC comics as at the time I never read a single comic of "Superman" or any from DC. This show caught my eye because I was into "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" and of course "Superman" reminded me of him, after seeing the show I was blown away; watching this show led to the movies, and the rest as they say is history.
This show was unique for it's time, it came out during the popularity of the "Superman" movie franchise and John Byrne's run on "Superman" during the Bronze age of comics; the franchise no doubt was more popular than ever before.
This show also was probably the only or one of the only animated shows based on a DC comics property in the 80's decade. Which I know seems almost unbelievable as these days each decade isn't without a show based on a DC and Marvel animated or live action. But you must realize it was a different time when comic book market in the visual medium in the 80's was still relatively small, yes there were a share of live action movies, tv shows, even animated shows based on a comic property, but they only happened occasionally. Though at times I can't help but think that made them even more special because of just the anticipation on what could be next.
The animation is solid it's sort of in some of the same style as most shows from Ruby Spears though a little more up to the latter 80's standards. There is also a bit of a throwback feel to the animation as it's more in tuned with the silver age of the "Superman" comic series. Like the action which is well choreographed superhero action.
Voice acting is solid, everyone I felt fit and did well in their roles in this version, some done by some voice acting alumi. From Beau Weaver as Clark Kent/Superman which is ironic as he got to play another superhero Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in the 90's "Fantastic Four" cartoon (one I reviewed), so that's cool two superheroes in a row. Michael Bell as Lex Luthor, whom you remember voiced Duke from "G. I. Joe" which is part of why he's one of my favorite Lex Luthor voices. Townsend Coleman whom you remember as Leo in the 80's "TMNT" (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) cartoon, he plays the Teenage Clark Kent which is fitting as he's always good with teen voices. Mary McDonald Lewis as "Wonder Woman", yeah another "G. I. Joe" alumi again coolness.
Even like some of the writing which is done by a few comic book writer alumi which shows this show was done with care as if they really understood "Superman" and the DC verse.
Each episode are mini episodes as their divided from the present-day Superman to the Superman's past. This was one of the unique of the show as it not just made it feel almost like having two shows at the same time, which was cool, because it also meant there was room for more stories and more opportunities on where the show can go. But the real highlight of this was in seeing the stories on Clark Kent/Superman's past. Those segments predated the TV show "Smallville" but also "Superboy" which came two years after this show (and another the radar gem which is a story for another time) and other shows like "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" because back then prequels and origin stories were a rarity at the time we never really had much or any stories on hero/superheroes pasts. The stories here I feel are done well and are rather touching which I feel show how human Clark/Superman truly is, it's even more touching for the veteran fans because it feels like looking at a journal passage of our own past.
Another thing this show did was it tried to expand on it's mythology by bringing in characters from the DC verse, or at least it was about to before the ax on the show was swung. You can say this also predates the whole shared/expanded universe concept that you see from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Arrow verse, and others out there. As we see there was on episode with both "Superman" and "Wonder Woman", I remember seeing that as a kid it blew me away. Ok, for some that wouldn't be surprising now, but the thing was I never saw the show "Superfriends" (another review for another time) at the time.
Also having a popular superhero guest staring in a show based on one other superhero was a rarity at the time, so you can easily imagine how fans and non-fans were blown away by this. Of course, the episode doesn't disappoint as the voice actress and personality of Wonder Woman was on point and it was just cool seeing both working together and hope there will be more episodes with those two, though sadly we didn't.
It's a real shame this show flown under the radar as it also felt like a bit of a big, missed opportunity as it seemed like as I said before the start of something big, like maybe there was going to be other DC comics animated block from Ruby Spears. When you think about it, it could have been awesome like a "Wonder Woman" animated show which we still don't have and sorely could use; or even their version of "Justice League" that would have been something. Sadly these things didn't happen from this showing coming out in the twilight years of the 80's which is always an area where a lot of things get overlooked, the live action "Batman" film on its way, this show unfortunately didn't stand enough of a chance.
If you're a fan of "Superman" or even a fan of DC comics and collect or even have a craving for other visual media entries, this is an entry worth a test flight.
Rating: 3 stars.
