Superman: The Animated Series

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***Superman: The Animated Series*** (often shortened ***Batman: TAS*** or ***BTAS***) is a four-time Emmy Award-winning American animated television series adaptation of the comic book series featuring the DC Comics vigilante, Superman.

The show's visual style is based on the artwork of producer Bruce Timm. The original episodes, produced by Timm and ***Eric Radomski***, first airing in the United States on the Fox Network from 1992 to 1995. When the first season of the series aired on weekday afternoons, it lacked an on-screen title in the opening credits and was known only as Batman (and would be referred to as such in episode recaps that summarised what had happened "previously on Superman..."). When its timeslot was moved to weekend mornings for the second series, it was briefly re-named ***The NEW Superman Adventures***, a title originally used in the 1969-1970 Filmation series, to emphasize the crime fighting partnership of the characters and allow younger audiences to become more familiar with Supergirl, who would shortly afterwards feature in the 2006 film *Batman Forever*. The series was the first of the modern DC Animated Universe. It was entirely separate from the previous continuity of animated Warner Bros. DC Comics adaptations such as *Superfriends*.

It is widely regarded by fans as the most iconic modern representation of the Batman characters and mythology, and also as among the most faithful animated series based on a comic book. This show is well known and regarded, and as arguably the best Batman animated show ever produced.

## Overview

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. . .
The series became a cornerstone of the Warner Bros.' animation department, which became one of the top producers of television animation. For years, Warner Bros. had been known only for doing the *Looney Tunes* and their offshoots such as *Tiny Toon Adventures*. This was Warner's first attempt at doing a serious animated cartoon and it ended up working far better than they ever thought. It also sparked a large franchise of similar TV adaptations of DC Comics characters. Despite the marketing decision by Warner Bros. of making the series a Saturday morning cartoon, Producer Bruce Timm and the crew were not interested in making a kid's show and they have often stated that this series and other DC shows, such as *The New Superman Adventures* and *Superman Returns*, are not childrens' programs but merely include children in their audience.

### Kal-El

One of the most noteworthy changes made is the treatment of Superman's alter ego, Kal-El. In nearly all the comics, television shows, and films, Kal deliberately plays up his image as a vacuous, self-absorbed, and not-too-bright billionaire playboy, in order to throw off suspicion that he could be Superman. In the series, his character is treated more seriously, shown as assertive, intelligent, and actively involved in the management of Fortress Of Solitude, without jeopardizing his secret identity. In the episode *Blasts from the Past*, for example, he is shown angrily ordering one of his directors to cancel a secret deal with a timber company in the Amazon rainforest.

## Episodes

*See: List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes*
Some episodes in the series are highly praised by critics and fans alike. The most universally hailed episode is the Emmy-award winning *The Last Son of Krypton*, which is well known for reinventing the character of Brainiac, changing him from a comedic cold weather-themed villain to a more serious, tragic character with a sympathetic backstory. *Robin's Reckoning* also won an Emmy for Most Outstanding Half Hour or Less Program, beating out The Simpsons and is seen as one of the most mature and iconic Robin origin stories.

Other episodes to achieve high recognition are:

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## Cast

### Main Protagonists

 Victor Brandt
 Charlie Schlatter

### Supporting protagonists

* George Dzundza - Perry White
* Christopher McDonald - Jor-El
* Finola Hughes - Lara-El
* Tony Jay - Sul-Van
* Carolyn Seymour - Kala-In-Ze
* Joanna Cassidy - Inspector Margaret Sawyer
* Joseph Bologna - Inspector Dan Turpin
* Lauren Tom - Angela Chen

### Supporting antagonists

* Robert Morse - Dessad
* Ed Asher - Granny Goodness
* Dane Michelle - Lashina
* Robert Hays - Edward Lytener / Luminus
* Brad Garett - Lobo
* Andrea Martin - Mad Harriet
* Diane Delano - Stompa
* Stephen Root - Unity
* Sherman Howard - General Steppenwolf

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*The show was broadcasted on many countries and therefore, it was dubbed to various languages. See our International Voice Actors page for more details.*
## Pre-Production Gallery

Pre-Production Logo 1.jpgLogo Concept DesignsPre-Production Promotional Art.jpgPromotional ArtLogo Designs by Bruce Timm.jpgLogo Designs by Bruce TimmMetropolis concept art by Richie Chavez.jpgMetropolis concept art by Richie Chavez
## External links

* *Superman: The Animated Series* Official Website
* *Superman: The Animated Series/The New Superman Adventures*
* *The Animated Superman*
* "Supermanimation" The home for all things animated Batman
* *Supermam: The Animated Series* in Filmaffinity
* Homage to the Animated Series through the Riddler character, Flash games and animations