I know that, technically, Superman isn’t really American. But, seriously, what’s more American than the concept of Superman? After all, we’re talking about what’s been referred to by creators as “the ultimate immigrant story.” An immigrant child brought to America, where he is raised as an American, and ultimately ends up fighting for…the American Way.
Trying to discuss the history of Superman in animation, really, deserves a book. There is so much story to tell behind the classic Flescher Superman cartoons, and all the various incarnations since, that to try to fit it all in one article would not only be futile, it would be an injustice. And we all know Supes is all about the justice.
Still, there is one thing we can discuss in our limited space here, and that’s Superman Animated Movies. As you’ll find out in this week’s Funnybooks After Hours (and you already probably gathered from Funnybooks with Aron and Paulie), we’re huge fans of Batman animated movies. And, honestly, how can you not be? Mask of the Phantasm, Subzero, Return of the Joker…the list of quality Batman animated movies is vast, and many people prefer them to the live-action counterparts (except for that Mystery of the Batwoman movie that no one likes).
But Superman hasn’t had a ton of luck when it comes to animated movies – the Superman animated series by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm is loved by fans, but not quite as much as the Batman one. Not only that, the Superman animated movies don’t quite have the same following and veneration as Batman’s. Still, there are some quality movies, and, while Superman hasn’t quite had a ton of animated movies, I was able to come up with seven worth discussing….after the jump!
I was asked that in the spirit of our nation’s birthday, indicate a favorite patriotic item, superhero, movie, etc. I know most thoughts would drift to the hero who wears the flag with him, and he’s a darn good choice. Here are a few of my favorite patriotic movies.
Saving Private Ryan:
Listen, if you’ve played a lot of video games, you have been deluged with World War II media, but for my money this one was the best. I think that this was one of Tom Hank’s best movies. The first few minutes of the movie were the best indication of what it was like to storm the beaches of Normandy.
The story tells of one unit, whose job it is to get Private Ryan out of the fight, as all four of his brothers had died in the fighting. The unit takes hit after hit trying to save just this one soldier, and Spielberg showed the ups and downs of the soldier’s lives in the Big One. Read the rest of this entry »