Ruby-Spears’ SUPERMAN hits DVD

When I was about 5 years old, Ruby-Spears put out a new cartoon based on the Man of Steel. It doesn’t hold quite the same spot in my heart as SUPER FRIENDS, but at the time, I loved it. I loved it because it was Superman.

Now it’s been released on DVD and Robert Greenberger of Comic
Mix has written a rather scathing review of the show. Below are some excerpts:

This series came out just two years after Superman had been revamped from top to bottom by John Byrne and Marv Wolfman in the pages of Superman, Adventures of Superman, and Action Comics. Most of the changes from the comics are not reflected here, the exception being Lex Luthor as a business tycoon scheming to rid the world of Superman.

However, the producers clearly weren’t comfortable with this interpretation so borrowed heavily from the just completed film series. As a result, the Luthor here is not at all a threat and saddled with a dumb blonde, Jessica Morganberry, for a confidant rather than the more interesting, and far deadlier, Hope and Mercy.

The characterizations for Clark Kent, Lois, Jimmy, Perry, and the Kents is virtually non-existent which undercuts much of the emotional impact of the stories. The threats, whether from the benign Luthor or extraterrestrial sources, are also largely unimaginative. Why his rogues’ gallery is absent is never addressed and again, that robbed the series of better stories. Wonder Woman guest stars in one episode and she’s diverting but not at all majestic or riveting to watch. Instead, we have tales that sometimes defy story logic or the laws of (comic book) physics.

From an animation standpoint, the series suffers lapses when characters stand in front of
oncoming energy blasts or runaway trains when they should be in motion. The voice casting is off for most characters and is unmemorable. This is far from Ruby-Seaprs’ finest moments.

The most interesting aspect of the series is that each episode concludes with “The Superman Family Album”, four minute vignettes in chronological order, detailing Clark Kent’s journey from adoption through the first time he donned his costume. Unfortunately, all the heart-warming elements we loved from the previous incarnations are gone. Instead, Clark is an impatient brat who demonstrates his powers without ever once being taught about the responsibility that comes with them. We jump a few years and he’s suddenly more mature if no less patient, and we never see the lessons the Kents imparted that made him the World’s Greatest Super-Hero. In her introduction, Lana arrives as a blonde, and her relationship with Clark is given short-shrift. Similarly, Lois’ introduction to Superman is badly handled and devoid of emotion. A great idea, terribly wasted with poor creative choices.

The 13 episodes look nice, and the soundtrack, inspired by John Williams, is a cut above but overall, they are less than wonderful adventures.

So whether you agree with Greenberger’s review about it being flat, or if you loved the show, for diehard Superman fans this seldom seen 2 Disc set is probably worth the $18.99 it’s going for on Amazon. For the novelty if not other reason.

Personally, I’m a Bat-Dork, so I’ll pass on this version of the blue boy. I did however jump when they released Max Fleischer’s DVD a few months back, because that is the shit.