With the critical acclaim garnered by their work on Batman: The Animated Series, producer/writers Alan Burnett and Bruce Timm faced an epic task: bringing their same eclectic combination of sophisticated animation, characterization, and episodic storytelling to the original superhero: Superman.
Premiering nearly a year to the day following the conclusion of the initial Batman: The Animated Series run, Superman: The Animated Series remains as quintessential an interpretation of the Man of Steel as its predecessor was to the Dark Knight, taking a similar approach with the decades-long Superman mythos and distilling them into a modern lens with an eye toward streamlined art deco design. While not quite possessing the immediate groundbreaking impact of Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series would lay the groundwork for the rest of the acclaimed DC Animated Universe and set off key characters and plotlines that find resolution in its successor series.
With the upcoming Superman reboot directed by James Gunn set for release next year and drawing a small amount of inspiration from this series, Wealth of Geeks returns to the bright skylines of Metropolis and ranks the best Superman: The Animated Series episodes, illustrating just how this take on Superman’s adventures deserves to be in the same conversation as its acclaimed older sibling.
1. “Tools of the Trade”
The criminal organization Intergang takes the spotlight in this installment, focusing on the advanced weapons technology bequeathed to the gang from the mysterious Kanto on behalf of a seemingly benevolent benefactor. Much of the episode focuses on the dogged inspector Dan Turpin, modeled after the famed comic book artist Jack Kirby. He’s grown resentful over how the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit has taken a back seat since the emergence of Superman and is eager to prove his brand of policing can still thrive in the city.
Not only does the installment cement Superman’s relationship with Turpin, but “Tools of the Trade” marks the first appearance of Fourth World figure Darkseid, a New God destined to plague not only Superman but cast a shadow over the rest of the show’s run.
2. “My Girl”
Though previously appearing as a teenager in “The Last Son of Krypton, Part 2,” Clark Kent’s Smallville love interest Lana Lang reenters his life in “My Girl,” reappearing in Metropolis as a renowned fashion designer on the arm of Lex Luthor. Already deducing her old boyfriend’s identity and still having feelings for Kent, Lana insists on spying on Luthor to uncover another of his new criminal plots, only to put herself in danger.
Much of the episode derives its drama from the feelings between Superman and Lang, with the former fully aware of the risk Luthor poses while Lang, still harboring romantic longing for her old Smallville crush, goes forward with her plan regardless. Though the intrigue between Luthor and his right hand, Mercy Graves, is a highlight, “My Girl” stands out for its romantic drama among Superman: The Animated Series episodes.
3. “Monkey Fun”
Despite initially facing off against run-of-the-mill gangsters during his early Golden Age, Superman has never quite had the tradition of facing off against quasi-realistic villains. Many of his famous rogues find their roots in pulp science fiction, the one exception, arguably, being the modern-day incarnation of Lex Luthor.
In “Monkey Fun,” much of that sci-fi pulp from the likes of King Kong finds itself in Titano, a cosmic-irradiated chimpanzee who grows to skyscraper heights after being lost in space for twenty years. Quickly growing in size and running amok in Metropolis, Titano provides a more light-hearted romp compared to most Superman: The Animated Series episodes, with an added dose of screwball comedy thrown in the first half of the installment with Lois Lane reuniting with her old childhood chimpanzee.
“Monkey Fun” does exactly as its title suggests: providing a healthy amount of fun to classic superhero proceedings.
4. “Unity”
The closest Superman: The Animated Series episodes came to an explicit horror-themed episode, “Unity” finds Supergirl forced to contend with an alien parasite infecting Smallville, lulling all the town residents, including Ma and Pa Kent, into a united hive mind.
The installment is at its strongest when it focuses squarely on Supergirl, as her initial big-city superheroics slowly give way to rural sci-fi horror upon returning to Smallville. Yet, even as Superman himself becomes more involved with the plot, the focus remains firmly on Supergirl as she uses her wits to try and return her small-town life to normal. With images invoking acclaimed horror films The Thing and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, “Unity” illustrates the wide range of episodic tones that Superman covered, perhaps even more so than Batman TAS.
5. “Two’s a Crowd”
Though the villain had been introduced earlier in the season one episode “Feeding Time,” the energy-absorbing villain Parasite’s best appearance lies in his second bout with Superman, “Two’s a Crowd.” When rogue scientist Earl Garver falls into a concussion-induced stupor before he can reveal the location of a bomb, Superman is forced to enlist Parasite to absorb the information out of him, only for Garver’s psyche to transfer to Parasite’s body and take over.
With a vastly more intelligent individual overwhelming Rudy Jones, Garver proves himself a far deadlier adversary than his reluctant host, mentally and physically sparring with Superman as the clock keeps ticking. “Two’s a Crowd” illustrates what can occur when the right mind meets the right body with deadly consequences and remains one of Parasite’s best outings in animation.
6. “Speed Demons”
The first Superman team-up with a fellow DC Comics superhero, “Speed Demons” attempts to put a fresh spin on an old comics question: who’s faster, Superman or the Flash? However, what begins as a worldwide charity race escalates into a plot by the Flash villain Weather Wizard to extort money by threatening the globe’s weather systems.
The installment forms an essential building block of the future DC Animated Universe, establishing the presence of other superpowered heroes, in this case Flash. Superman would cross paths with two different potential Justice Leaguers, Green Lantern and Aquaman, but his team-up with the Flash remains the highlight of that quasi-trilogy.
7. “Superman’s Pal”
There’s an argument to be made that Jimmy Olsen, the earnest freelance photographer of the Daily Planet and one of Clark Kent's closest friends, is one of the most famous supporting characters in the Superman mythos, aside from Lois Lane.
In “Superman’s Pal,” Jimmy finds himself the subject of the story when a cable journalist declares him a “pal” of Superman, bringing him fame and infamy throughout Metropolis in equal measure. Part of the episode's charm derives from its clear callback to Superman’s Pal: Jimmy Olsen comics, even introducing his famed signal watch during the installment. Though Olsen had played pivotal roles in numerous episodes in the past, “Superman’s Pal” finally sees the budding photojournalist take the spotlight.
8. “Solar Power”
Much of Superman's fantasy derives from the vast number of superpowers at his disposal, with only kryptonite, magic, and red sun radiation being the character’s only true weaknesses. Following up on the earlier installment, “Target,” villain Edward Lytener takes on a new mantle as Luminus, hijacking LexCorp satellites to turn Earth’s yellow sun red and depowering Superman before kidnapping Lois and Jimmy.
Much of the episode’s action scenes come from Superman being forced to think with his wits more than ever, unable to rely on his normal powerset to face off against a man able to bend light to his will. The third act, in particular, showcases Superman’s determination, demonstrating that, even without powers, Clark Kent remains every bit the hero that he is with “normal” abilities.
9. “Livewire”
Like Harley Quinn in Batman, Superman saw some of its series' original villains eventually make their way onto the comic book page after their animated debuts, with one of the most notable examples being the supervillain Livewire. Initially a shock jock radio host, Livewire fittingly injects a burst of high-voltage energy into the series, with voice actress Lori Petty giving the character a loud, brash personality, unlike the majority of Superman’s more well-known opponents.
The episode also demonstrates what the animation team could achieve in the realm of Superman, with two highlights being Livewire’s initial transformation and a building crane rescue sequence that adds flair to what’s otherwise a standard supervillain origin story. While Livewire never possessed the devoted fans of Harley Quinn, her debut makes a compelling case for the villainess’s appeal.
10. “Legacy, Parts 1-2”
The two-part finale of Superman TAS ends the series on a high, capping off the long-running Fourth World plot while setting up plot threads that create much of the intrigue found in Justice League Unlimited. “Legacy” sees Darkseid brainwash Superman into his willing servant, sending him out to decimate the Earth while his allies scramble to bring their friend back to his senses.
No one comes out of “Legacy” unscathed, particularly stalwart allies Professor Emil Hamilton and Supergirl, and the darker tone permeates the two episodes more so than in previous installments, even as Superman regains his memories. “Legacy, Part 2” sees the final fight between Superman and Darkseid dominate the proceedings, with a clash that wouldn’t be topped until Justice League Unlimited’s final episode.
Yet, remarkably, Superman ends on a bittersweet yet hopeful note, showcasing a level of maturity not out of step with the best of Batman.
11. “Father’s Day”
The first episode of Superman to explicitly cover the world of Apokolips and its denizens’ machinations, “Father’s Day” sees the adopted son of Darkseid, Kalibak, arrive on Earth to kill Superman, hoping to earn his father’s admiration just as the Kents come to Metropolis to visit their superpowered son.
Emphasizing the dysfunctional relationship between Darkseid and Kalibak while contrasting Pa Kent and Clark Kent, “Father’s Day” gradually eases its audiences into the Fourth World mythos, with its central brawl between Superman and the brutish Kalibak a mere warm-up act to the first proper encounter with Darkseid himself. Michael Ironside is at his most mysterious as the dark New God, with a performance that sets the tone of Superman's second season.
12. “New Kids in Town”
While Superman is never depicted as Superboy in the context of Superman, his long-lasting relationship with the Legion of Super-Heroes stands at the center of “New Kids in Town.” In this time-travel installment, three members of the Legion, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, and Chameleon Boy, travel back to 20th-century Earth to save a teenage Clark Kent from a vengeful Brainiac determined to stop him from becoming Superman.
Not only does the episode serve as the Legion’s debut in non-comics media, but “New Kids” shines a stronger light on Kent’s teenage years, briefly alluded to in “The Last Son of Krypton,” showing his struggle to control his emerging powers. The installment stands out as a highlight for a little-known superhero team, but one that became a foundation block in the story of Superman.
13. “Heavy Metal”
The character of John Henry Irons debuted in the famed Reign of the Supermen storyline in 1993, which makes his inclusion in Superman a short four years later all the more remarkable and a testament to the character’s then-popularity. First appearing two episodes prior in “Prototype” as a LexCorp engineer, “Heavy Metal” sees Irons become the armored superhero Steel, assisting Superman when Metallo returns with the help of Intergang.
Taking place in the industrial parts of Metropolis, the episode has a grittier look compared to most Superman TAS stories, emphasizing Steel’s status as a street hero compared to Superman and focusing more on the everyday Metropolis civilian. Buoyed by Michael Dorn’s vocal performance, “Heavy Metal” shines a light on its cult-favorite character in a manner that wouldn’t be seen again until the CW’s Superman & Lois series.
14. “Little Girl Lost, Parts 1-2”
Finally introducing long-time supporting character Supergirl into the world of Superman TAS, “Little Girl Lost” sees the Girl of Steel emerge in Metropolis, striking a close friendship with Jimmy Olsen and running afoul of a new Intergang led by Granny Goodness.
While not technically the traditional Kara Zor-El variant, due to publishing decrees by DC at the time of broadcast, the animated Supergirl injects a high burst of energy and enthusiasm into the series with her two-part debut while simultaneously introducing more stalwarts from Kirby’s Fourth World, the Female Furies.
Supergirl would continue to appear throughout the remainder of Superman and build a presence in the successor Justice League series, becoming one of the most memorable interpretations of the superheroine before the arrival of her self-titled CW series.
15. “Knight Time”
Following the “World’s Finest” three-part event episode, Superman would produce two further team-ups with Batman, but “Knight Time” stands out for its more unique premise.
When Superman apprehends the supervillain Roxy Rocket, she reveals that Batman has disappeared in Gotham City, eventually leading to Superman impersonating the Dark Knight to investigate. Part of the charm stems from actor Kevin Conroy's voice acting as “Superman as Batman,” carefully reflecting Tim Daly’s characterization while maintaining his own usual tone.
With a surprising twist villain and a chance to see Superman mixed in with Batman’s world, “Knight Time” remains a fun mix-and-match between two of DC’s best superheroes.
16. “Brave New Metropolis”
Years before the Injustice video game series popularized the idea of a tyrannical Superman from an alternate universe, the premise first emerged in Superman as “Brave New Metropolis.” Following an incident at STAR Labs, Lois Lane finds herself in an alternate timeline where she was killed investigating Intergang, leading Superman to team up with Lex Luthor to create a totalitarian city-state.
Yet, unlike the bleaker depictions of alternate Superman stories in recent years, the Superman depicted in “Brave New Metropolis” hasn’t entirely lost his soul, only grief-driven after the death of his Lois and slowly regaining his morality. The installment also furthers the lingering romance between Superman and Lois, as Lane learns how much the hero loves her, even across different realities.
While the concept of “Evil Superman” has become played out, “Brave New Metropolis” marks a fresh departure from what was expected of Superman.
17. “Fun and Games”
Combining a light touch of sympathy with a drastic reimagining of its antagonist lead, “Fun and Games” sees Superman face off against a modern take on his old Golden Age adversary Toyman.
Sporting a suitably creepy porcelain doll mask and reimagined as the son of a wronged toymaker, Toyman seeks revenge against Intergang boss Bruno Mannheim for his father’s death in prison, evoking similar revenge stories prevalent in Batman but with a childish streak totally Toyman’s own.
The “toys” the supervillain creates, from machine-gun airplanes to a robotic rubber ducky, all convey a deadly play time for Superman and Lois, the latter quickly finding herself a central figure in this newsworthy story. While lacking the pathos of other sympathetic villain figures, Toyman nevertheless makes an unmistakable impression in his debut and remains the villain’s best appearance in animation.
18. “A Little Piece of Home”
The first true clash between Lex Luthor and Superman introduces the deadly element Kryptonite in the fittingly titled “A Little Piece of Home.” While foiling a museum robbery, Superman suddenly finds himself significantly weakened, later discovering the cause to be an irradiated fragment of Krypton itself.
Luthor, the owner of the material, eagerly seeks to capitalize on his newest acquisition to finally bend Superman to his will, if not outright kill him. The episode goes to great lengths to emphasize the sci-fi art deco direction of the series, with a jet-packed fueled air robbery proving a particular highlight.
The installment also firmly establishes the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, their interplay strengthened by fast, quick-witted dialogue as the pair look into the story. With a thrilling climax involving a robot dinosaur, “A Little Piece of Home” codifies what an episode of Superman can entail.
19. “Ghost in the Machine”
The hyperintelligent Brainiac had appeared multiple times in the past, notably in his proper debut “Stolen Memories,” but “Ghost in the Machine” marks the villain’s finest appearance in Superman while setting off a plot thread that would find resolution in Justice League Unlimited.
After downloading himself into LexCorp’s computer systems following his previous appearance, Brainiac takes Lex Luthor hostage and compels him into constructing a brand-new physical body for himself. In one of the strongest character-centric episodes of the series, audiences see a different side to Luthor outside of his usual commanding presence, while giving more depth and motivation to his recurring bodyguard/chauffeur, Mercy Graves.
“Ghost in the Machine” remains remarkable for emphasizing Brainiac’s general menace on an intimate level and the adept character work of the Luthor team.
20. “The Way of All Flesh”
First introduced in “The Last Son of Krypton” as a mercenary acting on behalf of a rogue nation, Malcolm McDowell’s John Corben finally transforms into the kryptonite-hearted Metallo in this installment. The most like the supervillain origin stories from Batman, particularly the episode “Feat of Clay,” “Way of All Flesh” finds Corben attaining the power to take Superman head on, only to have the horrific realization that he’s lost his humanity in the process.
The sequence where Corben literally sheds his skin and embraces his new identity as Metallo sees body horror overtones and matches the disturbing nature of the scene. Buoyed by a compelling vocal performance by McDowell, “Way of All Flesh” stands out as an early highlight of Superman and easily one of its best supervillain debuts.
21. “The Last Son of Krypton, Parts 1-3”
The debut episode of Superman, “The Last Son of Krypton,” serves as a fittingly modern retelling of Superman’s origin story but with novel twists of its own. Kicking off the series with the first episode devoted entirely to the destruction of Krypton, “Last Son” sees the young Clark Kent come into his own as he develops his Superman persona while reintroducing his iconic supporting cast.
With refreshingly modern touches from the revamped businessman Lex Luthor to the always tenacious reporter Lois Lane, the three-part opener sets the tone and direction of not just this new Superman series but the entirety of the DC Animated Universe going forward, introducing Bruce Timm’s revamped character designs that would become the template for all that came next.
22. “Mxyzpixilated”
For most of Superman, the show's tone matched the more grounded approach to the character following Crisis on Infinite Earths, notably what was introduced in the John Byrne-penned Man of Steel. “Mxyzpixilated” reembraces the old Golden Age/comedic tones, introducing the 5th Dimensional trickster Mr. Mxyzptlk as he sets out to torment Superman to no end with his antics.
Voiced by the obnoxiously captivating Gilbert Gottfried, Mr. Mxyzptlk showcases an antagonist unlike any other Superman has faced, with his own sense of logic and physics that wouldn’t be out of place in a Looney Tunes cartoon. The episode makes for a delightfully cartoonish installment unlike anything previously seen on Superman, highlighting a character who possesses no limits except the imagination of the writers and artists onboard.
23. “Apokolips… Now! Parts 1-2”
The culmination of long-running plot threads beginning back in “Tools of the Trade,” “Apokolips… Now!” sees Jack Kirby’s Fourth World mythology fully burst into Superman proper, with the New Genesis warrior Orion arriving in Metropolis to assist Superman in repelling Darkseid’s invasion of Earth.
Easily one of the emotional high points of the series, the two-parter sees the citizens of Metropolis, led by Dan Turpin, mount a full-blown resistance campaign against Darkseid, culminating in not just one of Superman’s greatest triumphs but one of his emotionally devastating low points.
Dedicated to Jack Kirby’s memory after the groundbreaking comic book artist passed away in 1994, “Apokolips… Now!” remains a fine tribute to the King’s immense impact on the medium.
24. “World’s Finest, Parts 1-3”
Though Superman had crossed over with the Flash in the aforementioned “Speed Demons,” there hadn’t been a suggestion that Batman existed in this world outside of an easter egg mention.
“World’s Finest” sees the return of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as their acclaimed takes on Batman and the Joker, with the latter stealing a large statue made of Kryptonite and offering his services to Lex Luthor to kill Superman. In an epic three-part team-up, Batman and Superman clash both in and out of costume, with the former even managing to woo Lois Lane as Bruce Wayne, ultimately putting their differences aside to take on Joker and Luthor.
The event episode remains the best team-up between the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight, in animation or otherwise, and doesn’t appear ready to be topped anytime soon.
25. “The Late Mr. Kent”
The best Superman episode doesn’t involve traditional superheroics for the most part but instead offers a compelling dose of mystery in the otherwise bright series.
“The Late Mr. Kent” sees Clark Kent on the cusp of exonerating a wrongly convicted man sentenced to death, only to run afoul of a car bomb set up by the real murderer. Naturally, as Superman, he survives but now has to figure out how to not only save an innocent from death row but how to bring “Clark Kent” back from the grave.
With one of the darkest endings to ever punctuate an animated series, combined with a fitting noir-esque story, “The Late Mr. Kent” highlights the duality of Kent and Superman more so than ever before and reaffirms where the super ends and where the man begins.
