Superman - The Movie (Special Edition) (1978)

Plot Summary

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Tagline: You'll Believe a Man Can Fly!
Plot Outline An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest super-hero.

Plot Synopsis: Unable to convince the ruling council of Krypton that their world will destroy itself soon, scientist Jor-El takes drastic measures to preserve the Kryptonian race: He sends his infant son Kal-El to Earth. There, gaining great powers under Earth's yellow sun, he will become a champion of truth and justice. Raised by the Kents, an elderly farm couple, Clark Kent learns that his abilities must be used for good. The adult Clark travels to Metropolis, where he becomes a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet...and a caped wonder whose amazing feats stun the city: Superman! Meanwhile, Lex Luthor, the world's greatest criminal mind, is plotting the greatest real estate swindle of all time. Can't even the Man of Steel stop this nefarious scheme?

Richard Donner's 1978 epic about the Man of Steel showed how a film about a superhero could be a moving and romantic experience even for people who long ago gave up comic books. Beginning on the icy planet Krypton, the story follows the baby Kal-El, whose rocket ship lands in Smallville, Kansas. He is found there by a childless couple and raised as the shy Clark Kent (the young Kent is played by Jeff East). The film is perhaps most touching in these sequences, with expanses of wheat fields blowing in the wind and with a young man who can't figure out what part in destiny his great powers are meant to play. The second half, with Reeve taking over as Clark/Superman, is bustling, enchanting (the scene in which Superman flies girlfriend Lois Lane--played by Margot Kidder--through the night sky is great date material), and funny, thanks largely to Gene Hackman's sardonic portrayal of nemesis Lex Luthor. --Tom Keogh

Additional features
Filled out with about eight minutes of additional footage, this deluxe Superman almost doubles Marlon Brando's screen time with added scenes on Krypton and in the Fortress of Solitude and fills out the early life of Clark Kent, contributing to a more mythic portrait of America's greatest hero. There is also more disaster footage during the earthquake climax, and Lex Luthor's "Gauntlet of Death" sequence (seen on network TV broadcasts) is reinstated.
The commentary by director Richard Donner and "creative consultant" Tom Mankeiwicz lacks the focus and detail of a filmmaker really grappling with his work (it has been almost 25 years, after all), but it's full of interesting asides, casting trivia (Goldie Hawn as Miss Teschmacher?), and the good-humored byplay of two old friends.

The three documentary featurettes hosted by Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen) are essentially chapters of a comprehensive behind-the-scenes study, full of illuminating interviews (Donner and Mankeiwicz are more revealing here), special-effects tests (including all the failed attempts to make you believe a man can fly), and the bizarre true story of the unceremonious firing of Richard Donner after he had turned Superman into a worldwide smash and shot about 70 percent of the sequel.

A separate supplement features screen tests for Christopher Reeve and five different Lois Lanes (including a giggly Leslie Ann Warren and a snappy Stockard Channing), and two legendary, delightfully demented scenes featuring Lex Luthor's snarling "babies" (also seen on TV broadcasts) are featured in the gallery of Deleted Scenes. --Sean Axmaker

Review: 'Superman' on DVD...THE one to buy!
At last, Superman is presented the way it was meant to be! The master print for the 1978 classic had deteriorated so badly that the film, particularly the white-on-white Krypton opening scenes, was almost unwatchable. (I had even gone so far as to write a critique on Amazon.com demanding a 'Director's Cut' DVD edition, digitally transferred and remastered, be made!)

Somebody was listening! While this isn't a 'Director's Cut' (Donner has said that the version that premiered in 1978 was the version he preferred), the movie has been expanded, to include a couple of brief scenes with Brando, and the famous Superman Gauntlet sequence at Luthor's underground lair (the remaining unused sequences can be seen in the 'Deleted Scenes' Chapter, on Side 2).

Technically, the DVD is fabulous; the Krypton sequences are now clean and sharp, a couple of shots where, previously, color balancing problems had turned Superman's costume green have been corrected, and, best of all, the soundtrack has been digitally remastered and sounds even better than it did in 1978!

Three fabulous documentaries are included on Side 2 about the making of the film, and how the flying effects were achieved. This was an incredibly expensive and difficult film to make (so much so that Donner, after 'Superman' was released to rave reviews, was fired, and replaced by Richard Lester, for 'Superman 2'), and through interviews with Donner, Christopher Reeve (who is honored for his work in the film, and his courage since his crippling accident), Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, and several of the creative team, you can appreciate what a unique and wonderful film this is!

Two other 'pluses'; a full-length audio commentary track with Richard Donner, and a 'music only' option, where you can admire one of composer John Williams' greatest scores!

This Special Edition DVD should be an essential part of any film lover's collection!

Review: The best Superman
This film was the beginning in a series of Superman films starring Christopher Reeve as the comic-book superhero. It begins with Superman's birth, on the dying planet Krypton, shows us how he came to Earth, was raised by good people, and ventured out into the big, wide world. All the while, he is discovering his superhuman abilities, and trying to figure out, simultaneously, how to fit into human society, and how to use his abilities for good.

Are the special effects stunning? No, the recent Spiderman movies are better, in that respect, but Superman was still very, very good, in the special effects department.

Was the acting great? I think that "great" goes too far, but the late Christopher Reeve was definitely credible in the role of a good man, who does not quite fit in, but wants to be normal, and wants to help. Margot Kidder was good, as well, and Gene Hackman, as Superman's nemesis, Lex Luthor, was superb. Overall, the acting earned an "A-".

Actually, most of the components of this film, if graded separately, probably fall in the "A-" range, which would normally earn four stars from me. But, when everything is that good, across the board, and it is put together just right, I move to five stars. That fits this film. Even the musical score, which would fit no other movie, fits perfectly. You see Superman, and you want to believe in good.

Review: Earth Or Bust ~ The Adventure Begins!
'Superman - The Movie' was released in '78 and became an instant hit with both comic book fans and just about every woman on the planet. Christopher Reeve was the perfect choice for the part of the handsome young man from the planet Krypton. Reeve was virtually unknown at the time but producer Alexander Salkind and director Richard Donner took a chance that his looks would overshadow any potential lack in acting ability. Boy did they make the right choice and yes he can act too!

Surrounded by a stellar cast and a big budget to boot this film defined the process of how to translate a comic book superhero into a highly successful film.

A true classic in the genre of superhero movies.

Review: Christopher Reeve will always be Superman
It was painful watching Christopher Reeve in the DVD extra section doing his interview after his riding accident and before he died.I would like to say the studio made the right choice in picking him to play The Man of Steel.The other part of the DVD extras was how the movie was made and the problems which occured.The part about the special effects and building the sets blew me away.Bringing in Mario Puzo to do the writing was a good idea. But John Williams,what can I say about his works.The opening theme music is a classic.If Mozart and the other music geniuses were alive today they won't be able to compete against John Williams who should be named the greatest music composer ever.To me the movie with the DVD extras should be in everyone's movie library.

Review: The way a comic-book movie should be made
This is still the best comic book movie. (Spiderman is #2 to me). The 1990's "Batman" movies to me were just awful. This tells us the Story of "Superman" from the begining (something that the Batman Movies just started) and we grow to care about Clark Kent and then we care about Superman even more. Now I hope that WB when they release the DELUXE BOX SET OF "14" DVD'S they will give us that 45 minutes of footage that was added to the Network TV Showings. IF you have never scene this movie then your in for a treat. THE Special effects still hold up. The story is timeless. Christopher Reeve should have won an oscar!

Superman Returns (Superman Returns) (Mass Market Paperback)

Book Description

Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure Superman Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world’s most beloved superheroes.

While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman’s bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to live without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.

Review: Up, Up and Away We Go!
I am such a Superman fan you have no idea. I have been waiting for the movie version of Superman Returns with baited breath and on the edge of my seat. When I saw the novel of the movie, I had an inner debate with myself over reading the book before the movie is released and possibly spoiling all the suspense and enjoyment of the film when I finally get into the theater. I caved. Now, I am a huge fan of the comic book medium and when I saw Marv Wolfman was the author I was a little excited. This guy has helped to shape the DC Universe to what it is today. Surely in his hands, bringing back the big blue boyscout would be an easy task. Right? If the movie plays as well as the novel reads than we are in for a treat!

Basically the book reads like the movies of old played out (Superman and Superman II are source material for this universe - and Marv and the script writers thankfully ignore the embarassments that were Superman III and Superman IV). Marv does well in fleshing out the script into an easily digested adaptation. Superman has been gone for five years and nobody knows why, and his return hits the front page just as big as his debut. Lex Luthor has some plans of his own, and the untimely return of the man in the red cape is both a pain and a pleasure for him. What does it all mean? I won't tell. But if you want something to tide you over before the movie - read it. If you see the movie and just want a little more - read it. Nothing beats escapist fiction like a good superhero - and Superman is the original superhero.

Review: An extremely fitting continuation for the man of steel!!!!
Compared to the garbage of Superman 3 and 4, this is a great story and does keep the essence that is Superman intact and takes it to a bit more serious level. Finally, a story with heart, just like the original 1978 film. Highly recommended!!

Review: The Last Son of Krypton?
Superman Returns is a good but not a great story. The book and the movie take place 5 years after Superman 2 so if you have not watched Superman 1 and/or Superman 2 do yourself a favor and watch them!

The story begins with a history of Krypton which was wonderfully written. Jor-el and Lara, who are Kal-el's (Superman's) parents, have their story told pertaining to how they met and how they eventually met their demise.

The story then continues with Superman reading an article stating that Krypton may still be in existence so he takes off on a 2 and a 1/2 year journey to Krypton to see if he is indeed the Last Son of Krypton. He then takes the 2 and a 1/2 year journey back to earth to continue his life in Smallville and then, eventually, Metropolis.

In Metropolis, Superman learns that Lois Lane has moved on with her life and now has a 5 year old kid named Jason. Again, look at Superman 2 to find out why she probably has a kid that is 5 years old. She also is involved with another man, Richard White, to Superman's surprise. Soonafter, Superman saves Lois Lane from an airplane crash and the world knows he has returned. Superman then meets with Lois and they discuss why he left.

In the meantime, Lex Luthor is trying to find a way to own and destroy land (remember Superman 1). He is using the knowledge from the Fortress of Solitude to accomplish this task. He soon finds out that Superman is alive and he tries to get rid of Superman once and for all. Remember, Lex is still extremely upset that Superman thwarted his plans in Superman 1 and sent him to jail. Lex kidnaps Lois and Jason and Superman has to come to the rescue. This Escalates into a final showdown between Lex Luthor and Superman.

Again, the book was good but not great. There were a couple of plot holes in the story that did not make sense. The one that bothered me the most was the Superman/Lois storyline. If Lois is still in love with Superman, that kiss that Superman gave her in Superman 2 obviously did not erase her memory of their love affair or Superman's identity. That being said, in Superman Returns, Lois was extremely upset with Superman for leaving but nice to Clark when he returned to the Dailey Planet; however, she should've been upset with both of them for leaving knowing that Clark and Superman are actually one in the same.

Also, I didn't really buy the explanation that was given why Lex Luthor was released from jail.

Overall, the story was good but not great. If you liked Superman 1 and 2 you will most likely like Superman Returns.

Review: Good but not great
This book is easy to read. I finished it in a day and overall I enjoyed the story, though there were a few things that I didn't think worked too well. I really enjoyed the history pieces about Krypton. That'd make a fascinating story in itself.

Here are my initial reactions: (WARNING! Spoilers ahead...)

1. I was surprised that Superman and Lex Luthor have so few scenes together - and that all of their time together was clumped in just a couple of chapters near the very end. I thought it was obvious that Luthor planted the fake story about Krypton still having life in an effort to divert Superman away from Earth.

2. There were a lot of pieces of dialogue that appear as direct quotes from the 1978 movie. This is not bad. In fact, it's a nice touch in a lot of ways but after a while I started wondering if the writers were afraid to create new "classic" lines instead reusing the old ones. I don't know how many of those lines will make it into the final release of the movie.

3. I expected some closure with Superman and Lois Lane but the story really only progresses their relationship a small bit. The stuff with Jason (where I think it's pretty obvious that he's really Superman's son) goes unresolved - though they hint at something that should be continued in the sequel. I'm referring here to the scene where Lois visits Superman in the hospital and tells him something private but we as an audience don't get to read what she tells him.

4. I was surprised at how little there was of Superman actually in action. Sure, there are a few great action scenes, but for the most part Superman/Clark Kent is a bystander, watching the story unfold. The story seems to be more of a soap opera about the world he lives in and not so much a character-driven piece.

With that being said, I'm looking very forward to the movie. I'm sure that the few action pieces described in the novel will look fantastic on the big screen. I know not to expect very much from the "love story" now. When Bryan Singer was making the movie he described it as a love story but after reading it, I found very little love in it. I would describe it as more of a story about Superman wanting to reclaim his life after going off on a mission to find where he fits in with the universe. I think my wife will be disappointed that it's not a love story when she sees it next month.

So overall I'd say it was a good story but not great. Nothing really surprising happened in the story for me but it felt great to return to that 1978 feeling. In a lot of ways the story felt like you just finished watching SUPERMAN 1 and 2 and then picked up with this. More than anything, this movie feels like it's setting up a lot of plot lines that will be resolved in the next movie.

I hope with future stories they take some chances and throw some surprises. This story feels like a transition piece - serving to bridge the old movies with the sequels that will come out in a few years.

Review: Superman Novel Fails to Soar
Reviewer: Wantz Upon A Time Reviews "www.wantzuponatime.com" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
The Man of Steel, Clark Kent/Superman, has disappeared from sight as this novelization of the new movie Superman Returns opens. When NASA astronomers discover Krypton still exists and believe the planet may still support life, Superman makes the 2 ½ year journey to discover if his parents and his home planet still live. Sadly, Superman discovers Krypton is a wasteland and makes the long journey home only to discover that Lois Lane has a child and fiancé, and the people of Metropolis have learned to survive without him.

Clark wrestles with whether or not he should leave his Superman identity behind, but when Lois and a plane of reporters are poised for disaster, he puts on the suit. He makes his triumphant return in time to battle Lex Luthor and fight to save the planet.

Although lacking in action and weak in the scientific explanation of Lex Luthor's evil plot, Superman fans will find in this novel welcome details about Superman's parents and his home planet that movies and the comic book did not provide. We also are treated to an in-depth look into the minds of Superman and the Daily Planet staff. And while many questions raised in the book are not clearly answered by the last page, readers will probably be willing to forgive the plot holes and look toward the next installment of the Man of Steel for resolution.

Review: Fun . . . But Can't Escape the "Been There, Done That" Feeling
I'm a comic book fan. I have always dug Superman. The first two Superman films stand high in my list of comic films done right.

I also have a great deal of respect for the accomplishments of Marv Wolfman, a veritable legend of the comic book industry.

I read this book in about 3.5 hours. Some maybe/minor (not really) SPOILERS are to follow:

Even with all the narrative help that was provided, I didn't really buy Superman's reasons for leaving Earth and, especially, not telling Lois.

Given how the relationship's progressed in the comic and in televised media, it seems kind of weak seeing Lois react to Clark in the "Oh hi" fashion.

Gene Hackman's Luthor worked for it's time, but is not nearly as interesting (or scary) as Clancy Brown's interpretation in the Superman/JLA animated series. The writing of Lex Luthor in this novel seems to portray him as a crackpot guy that's all id and ego, but very little underneath. He doesn't really seem to measure up as a legitimate villian, when his main ambition seem to be to swindle real estate, even if on a grand scale.

There were some thrilling moments that I can imagine will play wonderfully on the screen, but the character interaction, Lois loves her son, loves the new man in her life and still loves Superman . . . Superman loves Lois and can't believe she *gasp* moved on without him . . . gets tedious just reading it and unless handled very well -- will likely be more tedious to watch.

Overall, while I enjoyed the novelization and stand ready to plunk down the coin to see it in theaters (and am still eternally greatful they got Jon Peters off of the project and trashed the JJ Abrams script), I think they should have tried telling a new story rather than revisit all the landmarks (as someone else astutely listed) from the first film.

Adventures of Superman - The Complete First Season (1952)

Product Description
The legendary Man of Steel assumes the secret identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. And with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman. The first ever Superman TV series! Originally aired in the 1950's, it features George Reeves as Superman and enjoyed tremendous success during its broadcast. The TV series premise was established a year before its broadcast via the theatrical release of "Superman and The Mole Men" in 1951.



Review: Superman - what to expect from this classic series on DVD
First off, I've never been "the first" to review a DVD on Amazon, so let me just say I'm thrilled. And, since today is July 7 and this DVD isn't even going to be released until October 18, I'm going to stick to some general thoughts on the show and share some information on what I have read pertaining to the bonus items to be included.

For those who don't know, this is the first season of the television program the Adventures of Superman which debuted in 1952. This season features Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane - she would be replaced by Noel Neill in the later seasons. (Neill played Lois in the Superman movie serials.) This first season is highly regarded among fans of the show, and was much more gritty or realistic than subsequent seasons. As for completeness, we'll all just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope the shows are released in their uncut versions - close to 27 minutes each!

Here's what I've seen printed elsewhere regarding the contents :

Disc 1
"Superman on Earth"
"The Haunted Lighthouse"
"The Case of the Talkative Dummy"
"The Mystery of the Broken Statues"
"The Monkey Mystery"
"A Night of Terror"

Disc 2
"The Birthday Letter"
"The Mind Machine"
"Rescue"
"The Secret of Superman"
"No Holds Barred"
"The Deserted Village"

Disc 3
"The Stolen Costume"
"Treasure of the Incas"
"Double Trouble"
"Mystery in Wax"
"The Runaway Robot"
"Drums of Death"

Disc 4
"The Evil Three"
"Riddle of the Chinese Jade"
"The Human Bomb"
"Czar of the Underworld"
"The Ghost Wolf"
"Crime Wave"

Disc 5
"Unknown People, Part 1"
"Unknown People, Part 2"

And special features should be:

Superman and the Mole Men theatrical movie (Reeves and Coates' first team-up)
Featurette: "From Inkwell to Backlot" retrospective
Vintage George Reeves short
Original Kellogg's Cereal TV spots
Commentary Tracks by Super-Experts (details to be announced)

I'm giving the release 5 stars based strictly on the fact that the series is finally being released and the hope that the DVD set will surpass all our expectations.

Review: A classic series, nice bonus features, a great low price....Super!
What a treat, both for Superman fans and people who just enjoy classic t.v. shows of the fifties. It's pretty much universally acknowledged that season one of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN is far and away the best of the series. George Reeves was a no-nonsense hero, and quite believable in the role. The series had plenty of action and the first-season scripts were usually solid.

And I'm pleasantly surprised to see the rare theatrical feature, SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN included here. Although it's essentially Superman on a b-movie budget, there's plenty to like about this forgotten piece of Superman history.

A common practice in the early days of television was to get a show's actors to endorse the advertisers' products. Perhaps the rarest and most unusual treat for fans of classic t.v. are the orignial Kellog's cereal commercials, featuring cast members from the show. Clark Kent sells Frosted Flakes!

There's an informative documentary, with comments from Superman experts and a VERY old Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen on the show. With all these extras and a first-rate presentation of the episodes, this is a classic t.v. lover's dream come true. Highly recommended.

Review: SOME GOOD THINGS JUST NEVER GET OLD OR DATED - THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS

FIRST THOUGHTS - I NEVER MISSED THIS SHOW WHEN IT WAS ON T.V. IN THE 1950s!
The first season is really different from the others, as Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane gives these first episodes more of an appeal to adults and older kids. Of course, when this DVD Set came in the mail I had a Superman marathon which meant I played all the episodes round the clock. Yes, this series is that good, and especially this first season, which I recall well, although I had not seen the episodes for decades.

Of course I still get a chill during the introduction as the announcer zips through the usual discourse of: "faster than a speeding bullet", "more powerful than a locomotive", "able to leap tall buildings in a single bound", "can change the course of mighty rivers" etc.!

ABOUT THE FIRST SEASON: Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane just can't stay out of trouble! She really had a nack for getting into trouble and she behaved like a very independent woman. Only a super-man could keep this Lois Lane out of trouble!

Without giving too much away about the plots, this first season is filled with mystery adventures and, as others have pointed out, has a film-noir quality that is hard to miss. Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane is rather over-the-top but she has always been my favorite Lois, perhaps because I saw her in that role first. George Reeves *is* Superman, make no mistake about it, as he plays the role without overdoing the hapless Clark Kent role. In fact, he plays a rather strong and emotional Clark Kent which is nice to see and fits the role quite well.

5th DISK HAS FEATURE LENGTH TREAT: "SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN"!

ABOUT THE DVDs: Excellent transfer, Features, Value!

A fantastic transfer of a 55-year-old TV show is too good to be true, but true it is. The episodes appear to be uncut, as the lengths run about 25 minutes and some seconds which is consistent with their original running times. There is commentary for a few of the episodes, but frankly I have been too anxious to see all the episodes a few times first. The package is nice too! Subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE SPECIAL FEATURES:

RETROSPECTIVE DOCUMENTARY - Made in 2005 and runs about 18 minutes. Includes footage from most of the first year's episodes and interviews with Leonard Maltin and an nicely-aged Jack Larson [Jimmy Olson].

*COMMENTARY ON 4 EPISODES [2 by Gary Grossman - 2 by Chuck Harter]

*ORIGINAL KELLOGG'S CEREAL COMMERCIALS

*PONY EXPRESS DAYS: "VINTAGE WARNER BROTHERS HISTORICAL SHORT", Starring George Reeves

*THE 2 PART EPISODE, "The Unknown People", which had been theatrically released earlier as "The Mole Men", is included as well.

RECOMMENDED: SEASON TWO, PLUS SEASON THREE/FOUR, which has just been released in one DVD set. I will be getting that one this month, as I pre-ordered it from Amazon in March! The 3rd and 4th season set has many of my favorite episodes, [eg. "The Big Chill"] and both years are within 1 DVD boxed set as they made only half as many episodes during the third and fourth seasons as the previous two. Although color TVs did not exist 50 years ago, the shows from these later seasons were shot in color, unlike the first two seasons, giving them a warmer, and more modern look when seen today on color TVs.

Review: Jeepers, Mr. Kent!!!
What a hoot!! I loved it. I watched this television series as a little kid but the stories in this first season were so old (almost 55 years ago!), I didn't remember more than a few scenes, although they sure brought back memories.
The special effects and the credibility (picking a scene apart) were beyond bad. Apparently, they had an extremely cheap budget so you'd see the same scene over and over in various episodes. I could write volumes on all the ludicrous scenes that made no sense but that's what helps make this so entertaining. It's so bad, it's good! I don't want to sound like I am criticizing this because I thoroughly enjoyed it and am almost finished with the second season DVD, which also is excellent.

It was especially fun to see the first show, the TV version of the origins of Superman. Then, as the episodes continued, to hear the innocence of a young Jimmy Olsen saying, "Jeepers, Mr. Kent," "Golly, gee whiz" and other similar exclamations. I laugh every time I hear those. Wow, compare that to today's TV.
Phyllis Coates was good as Lois Lane. It's too bad she left after one year. I'd rate her a slightly better Lane than Noel Neill, but Noel was good, too. Lois and Jimmy, with their nosiness, naivet? and just plain stupidity would have to be bailed out by Superman show after show.

Each episode was completely different and entertaining on this DVD package. No complaints about the transfer quality, either. This is great stuff for nostalgia buffs and well worth your money.

Review: Pleased:-)
I can't believe i am watching this again!, i used to watch it back at the end of the 70th when i was only 5, i used to come from kindergarden ad turn on the T.V (black and white) to watch superman. I used to watch it spanish, now that i speak English i can hear their real voices:-)
Looking forward buying the other series

Review: Adventures of superman

I very much enjoyed watching these DVD's because I had not seen them since I was a kid growing up in Pennsylvania. Anyone who enjoys old TV shows will enjoy this set of DVD's.

All about Superman from Wikipedia
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Superman"

Superman is a fictional character and the staple superhero of DC Comics. He first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and is considered the first character to embody the particular combination of traits that characterize the modern superhero.

The comic book character, created by Toronto-born Joe Shuster and Cleveland-born Jerry Siegel in 1932 and sold to Detective Comics, Inc (today DC Comics) in 1938, subsequently appeared in various radio serials, television programs, films, newspaper strips, and video games. As was written in the first edition of Action Comics #1 (June, 1938), Superman is born on the planet Krypton and as an infant is rocketed to Earth by his scientist father, moments before Krypton explodes. The rocket lands on Earth, where amiable couple the Kents find the baby and adopt him. As he grows, he discovers that he possesses powers far beyond those of mortal men and women and resolves to use them to help others. When not fighting the forces of evil as Superman, he lives among humanity as "mild-mannered" Clark Kent, a reporter for the Daily Star (later changed to The Daily Planet). Clark works alongside reporter Lois Lane, with whom he is romantically involved. In current comics continuity, they are married; however, the character has several other relationships throughout his years in comics. Today, the character's adventures are published in a number of comic books.

Character history
Superman's abilities, relationships and even facts of his origin change significantly over time. Editors and writers used the process of retroactive continuity, or retcon, to adjust to changes in popular culture, eliminate restrictive segments of the mythos, and permit contemporary storylines. These changes, while significant, permit the retention of the core elements that make Superman an iconic character.

The story of Superman's origin parallels those of other cultural heroes and religious figures [1] who were spirited away as infants from places where they were in danger.

Golden Age version
As shown in the original Golden Age comics — including Action Comics #1 (1938), Superman Vol. 1 #1 (1939), and Superman Vol. 1 #61 (1949), as well as in such later stories such as Secret Origins Vol. 2, #1 (1986) — noted scientist Jor-L discovers his planet of Krypton is about to explode yet is unable to convince his fellow Kryptonians to save themselves. However, he manages to construct a spaceship to save his infant son, Kal-L. The ship launches just as the planet explodes, with Kal-L landing on Earth around the time of World War I. The Kents, passing motorists who witness the landing, take the infant to an orphanage and soon return to adopt the child, naming him "Clark." (George Lowther changes the names "Jor-L", "Kal-L", and "Lora" (Superman's birth mother) to the more modern "Jor-El", "Kal-El", and "Lara" in his 1942 novel.

Clark grows up with an ordinary childhood on the Kent family farm, slowly discovering that he possesses various superpowers, but unaware of his Kryptonian origins. After the deaths of his parents, Clark decides to use his powers for the benefit of humanity, constructing a stylized costume and moving to the nearby city of Metropolis. Obtaining employment at the newspaper The Daily Star, Clark soon makes his debut as the world's first superhero, Superman. Superman's powers increase during the 1940s, including vast increases in his strength and gaining the ability to fly — the earliest comics depict Superman able only to leap about an eighth of a mile at a time). In Superman Vol. 1 #61 (1949), Superman finally learns of the existence of Krypton.

During the 1940s, Superman also becomes an honorary member of the Justice Society of America, although he is only shown participating in two cases in the original Golden Age stories (All-Star Comics #8 and #36).

The comic books only gradually flesh out Superman's life as a boy. The first Superboy story apprears in More Fun Comics #101 (February 1945). In the story, the Kents still do not have names, and the locale is still not clearly spelled out, although it appears to be a Metropolis neighborhood. Superboy isn't established as living in Smallville until Superboy Vol. 1 #2 (May 1949), that and his parents names aren't given as Jonathan and Martha Kent until Superboy Vol. 1 #12 (January 1951).

Other developments in the Superman mythos appear because of the character's appearances in other media, including radio and the newspaper strips. The Daily Star quickly becomes The Daily Planet (possibly because newspapers called The Daily Star already existed). Perry White replaces original editor George Taylor in the first episode of the radio serial, and an office boy named Jimmy Olsen joins the cast soon afterward.

Silver Age version
During the 1940s and 1950s, the Superman mythos gradually adds familiar elements, and they become firmly established by the late 1950s. This includes a greater emphasis on the science fiction elements of Superman's world, including his Kryptonian origins, as well as an updated version of his origin story.

In the version that had become extant by the early 1960s (and memorably summarized at the start of each episode of the 1950s Adventures of Superman television series[2]), Superman is born on Krypton as Kal-El, the son of Jor-El, a scientist and leader, and Lara. When Kal-El is two or three years old, Jor-El learns that Krypton is doomed to explode. He brings this warning to the attention of Krypton's ruling leaders, the Science Council. Disbelieving Jor-El's prediction, they refuse to warn their fellow Kryptonians, and forbid Jor-El to do so. Jor-El immediately begins work on a rocket which will allow the whole family to escape the coming disaster; however, events move too quickly and only a small model is completed by the time of the final quakes. Lara vows to stay by her husband's side rather than accompany Kal-El to Earth, so that his ship will have a better chance of surviving the trip. Moments before Krypton explodes, Jor-El launches Kal-El's rocketship toward Earth, knowing that Earth's lower gravity and yellow sun will give the boy extraordinary powers.

Superboy
Kal-El's ship lands in a field near the town of Smallville and is discovered by Jonathan and Martha Kent. They name him Clark after Martha's maiden name. After formally adopting him, the Kents raise him on their farm through his preschool years. By the time Clark starts school, the Kents sell their farm and move into Smallville, where they purchase a general store. During this time, Clark and the Kents discover Clark's amazing powers, and, the Kents realizing the good he could do with his powers, begin training their adopted son to use his powers wisely. At the age of eight, Clark adopts the superhero identity "Superboy," and begins to fight crime, both in the present and in the far future as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. After he graduates from high school and the Kents die, Clark moves to Metropolis to attend Metropolis University. During his junior year, Clark changes his superhero name to Superman. After graduating with a degree in journalism, Clark is hired by The Daily Planet.

In 1971, the Galaxy Broadcasting System and its president, Morgan Edge, purchase The Daily Planet, Edge subsequently naming Clark Kent as the lead anchorman for its Metropolis television station, WGBS-TV. Later in the 1970s, childhood friend Lana Lang joins Clark in his newscasts as co-anchor.

The Multiverse and Earth-Two
After the establishment of DC Comics' Multiverse in the 1960s, it is established retroactively that the Golden Age version of Superman lives on the parallel world of Earth-Two and is named Kal-L, while his Silver Age counterpart lives on Earth-One and is named Kal-El. While the Multiverse allowed for DC comics to bring Golden Age stories back into continuity, it also created problems. There had been no break in Superman stories between the Golden and Silver Ages; the character had been published in one ongoing story since his debut. Additionally, DC had had dropped the name Kal-L in favor of Kal-El before the end of the Golden Age.

A series of stories in the 1970s establish that the Earth-Two Superman had married his version of Lois Lane in the 1950s (Action Comics #484, (1978)) and had become the editor-in-chief of the The Daily Star. In the late 1970s, Kal-L discovers a Kryptonian rocket that contains his cousin Kara Zor-L. After acclimating to Earth, Kara becomes the superheroine Power Girl. Kal-L also continues to serve with the revived Justice Society; he is revealed as a founding member of the group in the team's origin story in DC Special #29. In the early 1980s, Kal-L is also shown as a member of the All-Star Squadron during World War II.

Crisis on Infinite Earths
During the 1985 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, the various parallel Earths combine into one, retroactively eliminating some Earth-Two heroes from existence. Kal-L, the Earth-Two Superman, his wife Lois Lane of Earth-Two, the Superboy of Earth-Prime and Alexander Luthor, Jr. of Earth-Three, have no reality to call their own, and they enter a "paradise dimension" at the end of the series. This Superman isn't seen again until the limited series The Kingdom, in which it is revealed that he has found a means of exiting his dimension, but chooses not to do so yet.

Post-Crisis
DC Comics also retires the Silver Age version of Superman in 1986 after Crisis on Infinite Earths. Just before the character's revamp, the Silver Age Superman is given a sendoff in the two-part story "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?", written by Alan Moore with art by Curt Swan. Although the new Modern Age version of Superman is said to have already been active for many years, most previous Superman appearances and elements are rendered out of continuity by John Byrne's Man of Steel. Later stories such as Superman: Birthright bring many of the Silver Age elements back into continuity.

Modern Age version
The Man of Steel

In the post-Crisis version, as seen in Byrne's introductory miniseries The Man of Steel, Superman—like all post-Crisis Kryptonians— is created through in-vitro fertilization on Krypton. While a fetus, he escapes Krypton's destruction in a spacecraft (his "birthing matrix" with a rocket engine attached), and lands some 50 years later on Earth, just outside of Smallville, Kansas. This Superman is effectively born on Earth and is as much a son of Earth as of Krypton. As in the original version, the Kents find and adopt him and raise him like a normal human. In the retelling, Clark's powers develop gradually, beginning with his invulnerability, and he doesn't fly until he is a teenager. After leaving Smallville, he travels the world before settling in Metropolis, completing his education, and going to work at The Daily Planet. Although he spends months helping people and averting disasters in secret during his travels, Clark does not become a superhero until just before starting work at The Daily Planet, when he prevents an experimental spacecraft from crashing in Metropolis. The Kents remain alive during Clark's transition to Superman.

The post-Crisis comics presented Clark Kent as the "real" person, with Superman the secret identity that he presents to the world to prevent his enemies from harming his family or friends. People do not suspect that Superman is hiding his real identity, because he wears no mask. The concept that Clark is the real man, as well as the greater emphasis on his earthly upbringing, is a deliberate reversal of the earlier pre-Crisis version. Another significant aspect of the post-Crisis Superman's reinvention is a reduced level of abilities compared to his previous incarnation, with powers such as time travel removed outright and other powers — notably his invulnerability and super-strength — vastly reduced. The series also introduces the idea that Superman's invulnerability stems from his body's creating an "energy field" when exposed to solar radiation from the Earth's yellow sun. This energy field lies just above his skin and is used to explain why his costume (excluding his cape) is rarely damaged during adventures. It also explains why Superman is only invulnerable when exposed to the radiation from a yellow sun.

The Man of Steel #3 , documents the first meeting between Superman and Batman. Superman attempts to take Batman into custody but in the end realizes why Batman must operate outside the law. Other post-Crisis comics show that the relationship between the two is a trusting one, despite the unease each feels due to the differences in their methods: Superman relies on trust and strength to achieve his goals in cooperation with the law, while Batman relies on violence and fear and operates outside the law.

Man of Steel also reduces the emphasis on Superman's Kryptonian heritage. Previous comic books depicted a Superman not only aware of his heritage, but also versed in its language, culture, and other elements. In Man of Steel #6, Superman only first learns of his Kryptonian heritage as an adult when his birthing matrix generates a memory implant. While such Kryptonian technology is able to help bolster his knowledge, the revamped Superman is no longer a completely Kryptonian-educated man.

As in the original continuity, Lois Lane is Clark Kent/Superman's love interest. In the early 1990s, Lois and Clark fall in love. Clark soon tells her that he is Superman, which causes a brief strain on their relationship. They eventually marry in the mid-'90s special Superman: The Wedding Album.

Superman dies in Lois Lane's arms.
Death and rebirth
Main article: The Death of Superman
In 1993, DC Comics published the storyline "The Death of Superman", in which Superman and the Justice League fight a character called Doomsday. The story concludes with the Justice League in a hospital while Superman fights Doomsday on his own. Both Superman and Doomsday are killed, taking each other down with their final blows. "The Death of Superman" is followed by "Funeral for a Friend", which chronicles Superman's funeral and examines other characters' reactions to the death of their greatest hero.

Next, DC published the "Reign of the Supermen" storyline, during which four different characters — a new Superboy, the cyborg "Man of Tomorrow", the murderous "Last Son of Krypton", and Steel — are introduced as Superman, although none of them is. A de-powered Kal-El later surfaces in a Kryptonian battle suit near the end of "Reign of the Supermen". He wears a black costume with a silver 'S' shield and long hair.

The cyborg is revealed to be Hank Henshaw, who allies with Mongul and destroys Coast City. Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, Steel, Hal Jordan, and the Eradicator attack "Engine City" (built on top of Coast City), and the united Supermen defeat the cyborg Superman and destroy his body.

Superman: Birthright

In 2004, DC published an updated version of Superman's origin in the 12-issue limited series Birthright. Written by Mark Waid, the limited series restores some of the pre-Crisis elements eliminated by John Byrne, including an emphasis on alien heritage. The series was planned as an origin story meant to reconcile material published between Man Of Steel and Birthright. It introduces elements from Superman adaptations such as Superman: The Animated Series and the Smallville television series and brings several Silver Age and some Golden Age concepts back into continuity. Unlike the previous Man of Steel origin, Birthright doesn't eliminate most of the previous Superman stories told, even making reference to Man of Steel itself.

In Birthright, the "birthing matrix" is replaced by the more well-known rocket ship, with Kal-El leaving Krypton as an infant rather than a fetus. Clark Kent now possesses the ability to see a living being's "aura," which leads him to become a vegetarian. Superman's identity has more facets than just Clark vs. Superman, instead his identities represent different aspects of his personality. "Smallville Clark" is the "true" Clark Kent, the one most comfortable with who he is and who he is with his parents. "Metropolis Clark" is quiet, fairly isolated and shy, blending into the background and not drawing attention to himself. He often finds himself being the odd man out. "Superman" is also quiet, but rather than being seemingly harmless like Clark, he is a force to be reckoned with, tearing robot assault helicopters from the sky and dropping a drug lord's private yacht into his pool.

Infinite Crisis
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
The Infinite Crisis limited series shows Earth-Two Superman (Kal-L) observing events in the post-Crisis DC Universe from the "paradise" dimension, perceiving it to be corrupt and feeling the need to intervene. Along with Alexander Luthor, Jr. and Superboy-Prime, he breaks through the dimensional barrier. Kal-L tells his cousin Power Girl that he is going to recreate the universe, making aspects of Earth-Two predominant, rather than those of Earth-One. This will not only create a better Earth but also save Lois Lane-Kent, who is dying.

Soon after, Alexander Luthor, Jr. initiates his own plan to restore the Multiverse. Kal-L and Lois Lane-Kent are teleported to Earth-Two. Lois revives briefly but then collapses and dies. In grief, Kal-L lashes out at the Earth-One Superman, and the two fight until Wonder Woman arrives and ends their battle. The two Supermen team up to confront Luthor and Superboy-Prime. the pair willingly deplete their powers as they drag Superboy-Prime into Rao, Krypton's red sun, and use the last of their strength to defeat him on Mogo, the sentient Green Lantern planet. Kal-L, fatally wounded in the battle, dies in Power Girl's arms.

Infinite Crisis Secret Files & Origins 2007 reveals that Superboy-Prime is to blame for most continuity errors in the DC Universe. In his attempt to escape reality, his assault on the barrier wall of the paradise dimension creates ripples that alter history, causing various revisions of events to occur, including the Birthright origin. Alexander Luthor Jr.'s attempts to manipulate the Multiverse result in New Earth, affecting Superman's history further. According to Alexander, "There are recorded rumors of Superman's activities before his appearance in Metropolis", indicating that Superman's early years are similar to his Silver Age origin.

One Year Later
Lex Luthor stands before the Superman and Superboy memorials. From Action Comics #837 (2007). Art by Pete Woods.Like Batman and Wonder Woman, Superman disappears from the public eye for the year following the events of Infinite Crisis. One year later, he remains powerless, and his cousin Supergirl defends Metropolis. Unburdened by his responsibility to the world, Clark Kent has re-solidified his reputation as a star reporter, earning a Pulitzer Prize. Lex Luthor has successfully defended himself on a multitude of charges, but his reputation has been damaged irreparably, in part because of Clark's reports. Under attack, Clark's powers gradually return and with the enthusiastic consent of Lois, he returns to action. He soon finds that his sensory powers have increased, as have his computational ability.

Spoilers end here.

Clark Kent
Clark Kent is the secret identity of Superman. Kent, as opposed to Superman, is traditionally presented as behaving in a more introverted or "mild-mannered" manner compared to his superheroic self. John Byrne's The Man of Steel revamp drops many traditional aspects of Clark Kent in favor of giving him a more aggressive and extroverted personality, including making Kent a top football player in high school and a successful author. Recent storylines restore elements of the earlier "mild-mannered" version of Kent.

Clark Kent is a reporter at the Metropolis newspaper The Daily Planet, which allows him to keep track of events in which he might be able to help. Fellow reporter Lois Lane is often the object of Clark's affection; Lois's affection for Superman and rejection of Clark are a recurring theme in Superman comics, television, and movies. Unlike Batman, Superman considers himself Clark Kent first and Superman second. In an episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Superman says, "Superman is what I can do; Clark is who I am."

Clark keeps his Superman identitity a secret to protect his loved ones. Various methods for keeping his Superman's identity secret over the years include his using "super-hypnosis", subliminally causing people to not make the connection, compressing his spine as Clark Kent to become shorter, and studying the Meisner acting technique to switch seamlessly between personas. Modern comic book stories show that to everyone, Superman is the greatest hero in the world and a larger-than-life figure, and no one thinks to look for him living as a normal human. When first confronted by evidence that Clark Kent is Superman, Lex Luthor dismisses it, saying, "No one with the power of Superman would be living as a normal man".

Personality and character
In the early stories, Superman is rough and destructive. Although nowhere near as cold-blooded as the early Batman, the Superman featured in the comics of the 1930s and 1940s is not squeamish about tossing evildoers around in such a manner that fatalities are occasionally hard to avoid.

By the end of 1940, however, editor Whitney Ellsworth instituted a code of conduct for his characters to follow, and the writers moved toward Superman's better known "Boy Scout" persona. Even so, Superman's capacity for anger is a key element in many of his most dramatic moments, allowing readers to see that Superman's goodness is inherent to his being. His adoptive human parents the Kents imbue him with a strong sense of purpose, morality, selflessness, modesty, fairness, compassion, and hope. Superman was raised to believe that his abilities are gifts, and are not to be abused. In many ways, he is the perfect hero, as he embodies all the best traits that people would believe to see in themselves.

Recent writers have attempted to deepen Superman's persona and provide a rationale for his goodness. Superman is often depicted with a mix of idealism, restraint, fairness, and compassion for others. The Birthright limited series attributes the compassion Superman feels for living things to his ability to see their "auras". He also struggles with the differences between what is right and what is practical. In Superman/Batman, Batman says, "In many ways Clark is the most human of us all, and when he shoots fire down from the sky, it's hard not to think of him as a god. How fortunate for us that this never occurs to him".

Powers and abilities
Superman possesses extraordinary powers, traditionally described as, "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound", a phrase first used in the Superman radio serials of the 1940s and the TV series of the 1950s. Although contemporary media still references Superman that way, the character's powers are much more vast and complex. For most of his existence, Superman's famous arsenal of powers include flight, super strength, invulnerability, super speed, vision powers (including x-ray, heat, telescopic, infra-red, and microscopic vision), super photographic memory, super hearing, and super breath, which enables him to freeze objects by blowing on them.

As originally conceived and presented in his early stories, Superman's powers are relatively limited, consisting of superhuman strength that allows him to lift a car over his head, run at amazing speeds, and leap one-eighth of a mile; and incredibly tough skin that can be pierced by nothing less than an exploding artillery shell. Writers slowly increased his powers over time until by the Silver Age, he is effectively omnipotent. Writers found it increasingly difficult to write Superman stories in which the character was believably challenged, so DC Comics made a series of attempts to reel the character in. The most significant attempt, John Byrne's 1986 rewrite establishes several hard limits on his abilities: He barely survives a nuclear blast, and his space flights are limited by how long he can hold his breath. Superman's powers have grown again since then, with Superman possessing enough strength to hurl mountains and stop entire planets in their orbits.

The source of Superman's powers changes subtly over the course of his history. It is originally said that Superman's abilities derive from his Kryptonian heritage, a race eons more evolved than humans. Soon it is established that Krypton's gravity had been stronger than Earth's, (a situation similar to that of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter). As Superman becomes increasingly godlike, the implication that all Kryptonians had possessed the same abilities became problematic for writers, making it doubtful that a race of such beings could have been wiped out by something as trifling as an exploding planet. In part to counter this, the Superman writers established that Kryptonians, whose native star had been red, only possessed superpowers under the light of a yellow sun.

Superman is most vulnerable to kryptonite, debris from Krypton transformed into radioactive material by the forces that destroyed the planet. Exposure to kryptonite radiation nullifies Superman's powers and immobilizes him with pain. Prolonged exposure can eventually kill him. Kryptonite was first introduced to the public in 1943, as a plot device to allow the radio serial voice actor Bud Collyer to take some time off; for several shows, Superman was represented by groaning noises while he was trapped by a chunk of kryptonite. (Supposedly, the voice of Superman was provided by a janitor in a broom closet, but this story may be apocryphal.) The concept, however, is not native to the radio show-- Jerry Siegel wrote a story in 1940 that involved "K-Metal," which was a piece of the planet Krypton which robbed Superman of his powers, but also granted superpowers to normal humans. This story, however, was never published. Green kryptonite is the default, but writers introduces other forms over the years, each with its own effect.

Superman is also vulnerable to magic; however, this is not used in his stories as commonly as kryptonite, and the vulnerability has been at best hazily defined.

Superman in his electric blue costume, the Man of Energy.Superman's abilities have occasionally been removed or altered for dramatic reasons. In the late 1990s Superman comics, Superman loses his traditional powers and transforms into a being of electromagnetic energy. In this form Superman can phase through solid objects, see frequencies of energy, and draw power from electrical sources. In order to maintain physical cohesion in this form, he needs to wear a containment suit. During this time, he is able to transform into the corporeal form of Clark Kent, but in his human guise he has no special powers.

Recently, some authors have implied that Superman's powers can reach unlimited levels, based on solar energy absorption and withdrawal of mental blocks. In "Our Worlds at War", Superman dives into the sun to gain sufficient energy to overpower Brainiac 13. In Superman/Batman, when Kara Zor-El claims to be more powerful than Superman, he tells her that he put personal mental blocks on his powers as he grew up to keep from destroying the Earth, blocks that Supergirl does not have. Thus, while Supergirl can appear to be stronger, Superman just has greater self-control.

In an interview with Joe Casey on Alvaro's ComicBoards, he writes that Superman under his penmanship can re-arrange the Solar System and tear a star apart. "I've always seen Superman as this completely over-the-top, fantastic character who has *no* limits whatsoever," writes Casey. Unencumbered by mental blocks, "Superman is unbeatable."

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
It is also implied in the recent 'One Year Later' Superman series that Superman exerts an element of subconscious control over his powers; to truly be Superman, it appears that Clark Kent must on some level want to be Superman. This was evidenced by the one-year period following 'Infinite Crisis' where, having lost his powers, he lived quite happily as the unpowered Clark Kent without any desire to return to his former life (to the extent that Green Lantern's ring, upon showing his desired form, projected him as Clark Kent, not Superman). This lasted until an ambush from Intergang operatives saw him in front of a train - and survive the crash owing to his recently returned (and, it is implied, willed) super strength. After this, he was able to subconsciously will his other skills back (including flight and super speed).

Publication history
The first Superman character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster was not a hero, but a villain. Their short story "The Reign of the Superman", concerning a bald-headed villain bent on dominating the world, appeared in a science fiction fanzine that Siegel published. Jerry reconceived the character in 1932 as a hero and began a six-year quest to find a publisher. Humor Magazines almost published an early version in 1933, but the company dropped their comics line before the book was finished. Frustrated, Siegel and Shuster took a job with Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's National Allied Publications, where they created many other comic strips. With some experience under their belt, they finally positioned Superman as the lead feature in Detective Comics Inc.'s new title, Action Comics.

The revised Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1, June 1938, and a newspaper strip started the following year. Siegel and Shuster sold the rights to the company for $130 and a contract to supply the publisher with material. The Saturday Evening Post reported in 1941 that the pair was being paid only a fraction of Detective's Superman profits. Siegel and Shuster renegotiated their deal, but bad blood lingered and Siegel eventually sued Detective in 1947 over the rights to Superboy, which he claimed was a separate creation that Detective had published without authorization. Detective immediately fired them and took their by-line off the stories, prompting a legal battle that ended in 1948, when they settled. Detective paid them for the rights to Superboy, which they had been awarded by the court, but refused to re-hire them. Following the huge financial success of Superman: The Movie in 1978 and news reports of their pauper-like existences, Warner Communications gave Siegel and Shuster lifetime pensions of $35,000 per year and health care benefits. In addition, any media production which includes the Superman character must include the credit "Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster".

During a multimedia career spanning over sixty years, Superman has starred in nearly every imaginable situation, and his powers have increased to the point that he is nearly omnipotent. This poses a challenge for writers: "How does one write about a character who is nearly as powerful as God?" (Superman's Kryptonian name, "Kal-El," resembles the Hebrew words ??-??, whuch means "voice of God.") This problem contributed to a decline in Superman's popularity during the latter half of the 1960s and the 1970s, a period during which Marvel Comics brought a new level of character development to mainstream comic books. By the early 1980s, DC Comics had decided that a major change was needed to make Superman more appealing to current audiences. Writer-artist John Byrne was asked to revamp and revise Superman's continuity with his The Man of Steel retelling of his origin. This 1986 reboot brought substantial changes to the character and met huge success at the time, becoming one of the top-selling books. The relaunch of Superman comic books returned the character to the mainstream, again in the forefront of DC's titles. Superman's sales declined again after Byrne left the Superman titles after almost two years, with only sporadic sales spikes since then (notably in "The Death of Superman" storyline).

Awards
Superman, both the character and his various comic series, have received various awards over the years.

The Reign of the Supermen storyline received the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Comic Book Story in 1993.

Cultural influences
Some people incorrectly believe that Superman is partly based on philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's Übermensch, which literally translates to "overman" but could also mean "superman". It is also believed that Superman may in fact have been partly inspired by the Jewish legends of the Golem, a mythical being created to protect and serve the persecuted Jews of 16th century Prague and later revived in popular culture in reference to their suffering at the hands of Nazis in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. Another influence could be Hugo Danner, the main character of the novel Gladiator by Philip Wylie. Danner has the same powers of the early Superman (as do many other pulp characters of the twenties and thirties). Doc Savage may be another influence; from sharing the first name of Clark to both having an arctic Fortress of Solitude and the similarity between the 'Man of Bronze' and 'Man of Steel' monikers. The Fortress of Solitude, however, was a very late addition to the Superman mythology, and both the "Man of Steel" and "Man of Bronze" nicknames were probably influenced by Howard Pyle's novel "Men of Iron". However, the sources sited by Jerry Siegel himself were Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars and Tarzan, Johnston McCulley's Zorro and E.C. Seegar's Popeye. He also appears to have been influenced by Jack Williamson's "The Girl From Mars." It should also be known that Superman's kryptonian name Kal-El translates to the hebrew Kol el, which means "voice of god."

Characters
Lois Lane is perhaps the character most commonly associated with Superman, as his colleague, love interest, and now wife to Clark Kent. The Clark and Lois relationship has generated numerous adventures and speculation, with DC releasing a special wedding album at the time of their marriage, which coincided with the marriage of the characters in both the comics and the television series, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

Main supporting characters include Daily Planet coworkers photographer Jimmy Olsen and Editor Perry White; Clark Kent's adopted parents Jonathan and Martha Kent; childhood sweetheart Lana Lang and best friend Pete Ross; and former college love interest Lori Lemaris, a mermaid. Incarnations of Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and Superboy have also been major characters in the mythos, as well as the Justice League of America (of which Superman is usually a member).

Team-ups with fellow comic icon Batman are a fan-favorite, having inspired many a story over the years. When paired, they are often affectionately referred to as the 'World's Finest' in a nod to the name of their inital team book.

Minor supporting characters over the years have included Superman's technologial aid and eccentric inventors Professor Emil Hamilton and Professor Phineas Potter, Metropolis police officers Inspector William Henderson, Maggie Sawyer and Dan Turpin, and former sailor-turned-bartender Bibbo Bibbowski.

Villains
A gathering of many of Superman's foesSuperman also has a rogues gallery of supervillain enemies, including his most well-known enemy, Lex Luthor, who has been envisioned over the years in various forms as either a rogue scientific genius with a personal vendetta against Superman, or a powerful but corrupt CEO of a conglomerate called LexCorp.

The alien android (in most incarnations) known as Brainiac is considered by some as the second worst nemesis of Superman. The enemy that accomplishes the most, by actually killing Superman, is the raging monster Doomsday. Darkseid, one of the most powerful beings in the DC universe, is also a formidable nemesis.

Other enemies of note include The demon Santanus, the fifth-dimensional imp Mr. Mxyzptlk, the Ultra-Humanite, the imperfect Superman clone Bizarro, criminal cyborg Metallo, Kryptonian criminal General Zod (and other Kryptonians imprisoned in the Phantom Zone), the Parasite, the Prankster, Terra-Man, the Toyman, Gog, and the Metropolis gang known as Intergang (which includes mad scientists such as Dabney Donovan and Dr. Killgrave).

Superman in popular culture
In addition to comic books, Superman has made the transition to radio, television, movies, Broadway and video games each on multiple occasions. Among the actors who have played the role are Kirk Alyn (1948 15-episode serial), Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series), George Newbern (Justice League), George Reeves (The Adventures of Superman TV show), Christopher Reeve (The 1980's Superman films), John Haymes Newton, Gerard Christopher (Both of the Superboy TV shows of the 80's), Dean Cain (Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), Tom Welling (Smallville), and Brandon Routh (Superman Returns). There have also been numerous animated cartoon series starring the Man of Steel.

Superman has also long been a popular subject for music, inspiring songs by artists ranging from The Kinks and Barbra Streisand to R.E.M.,Eminem, Stereophonics, Our Lady Peace, Spin Doctors, Crash Test Dummies, Five For Fighting, The Flaming Lips, 3 Doors Down, Frank Black, Sufjan Stevens, Laurie Anderson, Lazlo Bane, Dave Matthews, Donovan and Robyn Hitchcock.