I love Superman. He is my guy. My hero. I have loved the alien Batman calls, “The Boyscout” since I was old enough to tie a red pillowcase around my neck, stretch out my arms and pretend to “whoosh” around my parents’ marble coffee table.
Until I crashed into it and felt a throbbing pain worse than Kryptonite.
It’s a pain I have felt way too many times when I see how Supes has sometimes been portrayed in the movies. But for some strange reason, not as painful as when I watch TV.
This is where your jaw drops and you say, “What about Christopher Reeve? He made audiences believe a ‘Man Can Fly!”
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The truth is. The reality, folks. Reeve only made two great Superman films – Superman: The Movie and Superman II. Reeve also made the turds Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. While Batman took over movie screens and became DC’s number-one hero, Superman remained grounded.
Directors Tim Burton and J. J. Abrams tried and failed. Road Warrior’s George Miller attempted to bring Superman to life in a Polar Express-like Justice League. But the project was grounded by Warner Bros. Bryan Singer left his X-Men kingdom and brought Superman back to the big screen in 2006 with Brandon Routh. While it was great to see Supes back, the film spent too much time delving back into Richard Donner’s classic, rather than doing its own interpretation.
And Singer made Superman a stalker.
Then there was Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. I personally believe MOS was a great modern take on the hero. But many audiences and critics didn’t agree. While the film grossed basically the same amount of money as Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, the film was considered a financial failure. And well, you know the rest.
Six films – two considered universally great, one arguably great, one mediocre and two unwatchable. Over more than four decades.
In the same 45 years! That’s a middle-aged human! In the same span, we have gotten eight Spider-Man films. Eight Batman films and 32 MCU films.
But get this – we have gotten better than average (sometimes great) Superman TV series – both live and animated.
Smallville (2001-2011): This long-running series explores Clark Kent’s journey from his teenage years to becoming Superman. It’s praised for its character development and exploration of Superman’s origins.
Superman: The Animated Series” (1996-2000): An acclaimed animated show that captures the essence of Superman’s character and introduces many iconic elements from the comics.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (1993-1997): Focusing on the romantic relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, this series blends drama, romance, and superhero action.
Superboy (1988-1992): This series follows Clark Kent’s college years and his early days as Superboy, aiming to explore the character’s growth before becoming Superman.
And right now we have the extremely popular Superman and Lois as well as the animated My Adventures with Superman:
While they weren’t solo Superman series, the Boy in Blue was front and center in the classic Justice League and Justice League Unlimited series:
REELated:
Let’s face it, the iconic superhero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster has fared (even with Superboy) slightly better on TV than on the big screen. This phenomenon raises intriguing questions about audience preferences, storytelling formats, and the challenges of translating Superman’s larger-than-life persona to different platforms. So why?
- Character Development and Long-form Storytelling
One of the key advantages that TV shows hold over movies is the luxury of time. TV shows have the opportunity to delve deep into character development and explore intricate story arcs over multiple episodes or seasons.
This extended format allows for a more gradual and immersive exploration of Superman’s dual identity, inner conflicts, and relationships. TV shows can unravel the complexities of Clark Kent’s personal struggles and Superman’s moral dilemmas, endearing the character to audiences on a more profound level.
- Episodic Nature and Consistency
Aside from Superman and Lois and My Adventures with Superman, Superman TV shows typically adopt an episodic format, offering viewers a self-contained story in each episode while contributing to an overarching narrative. This structure allows for a diverse range of storylines, from intense action sequences to character-driven drama, all within the same series.
This variety keeps audiences engaged and accommodates different preferences, capturing a broader demographic of viewers. Movies, on the other hand, often need to streamline their plots, potentially sacrificing the depth and breadth that TV shows can offer.
- Lesser Risk and Exploration
TV networks tend to have more lenient budgets for producing TV shows compared to the high stakes associated with tentpole films. This financial flexibility allows showrunners to take creative risks, experiment with different storytelling styles, and explore lesser-known aspects of Superman’s universe.
As a result, TV shows can introduce unique characters, subplots, and themes that might not find a place within the constraints of a movie’s runtime.
- Nostalgia and Serial Storytelling
Superman TV shows often draw on the nostalgia of serialized storytelling, hearkening back to the comic book origins of the character. Viewers are enticed by the anticipation of weekly episodes, fostering a sense of community and engagement as they discuss theories and predictions with fellow fans.
This serial approach is a natural fit for superhero narratives, echoing the serialized comics that first introduced Superman to the world.
- Television as a Familiar Medium
Television is a medium that many people have a longstanding relationship with. Audiences often associate TV shows with comfort and familiarity, making it easier to connect with characters and storylines.
Superman TV shows, whether live-action or animated, tap into this familiarity, allowing viewers to forge a bond with the character that may feel more personal and enduring than the more intermittent experiences offered by movies.
- Adaptation Challenges
Translating Superman’s iconic status from the pages of comic books to the big screen is no small feat. The Superman mythos comes with certain expectations and established lore that filmmakers must navigate.
Movie adaptations sometimes struggle to balance these expectations with fresh interpretations that cater to modern audiences. TV shows, with their extended format, have more room to explore different aspects of the character without the pressure of condensing everything into a single cinematic experience.
In 2025, director and Studios co-CEO, James Gunn will bring Superman back to the big screen in Superman: Legacy. While I will be rooting for him to bring audiences a legit big-screen Superman adventure to theaters, there will be a vocal Snyder-verse against him.
James, give us a Superman who is a relatable Clark who happens to be a powerful alien. Like on TV. And give us a villain that is too big for even a 75-inch flatscreen.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
