Smallville Super Suit Revealed

Entertainment Weekly has posted a preview for season 9 of Smallville offering a sneak peek at Clark's super suit complete with copyrighted "S" symbol. It does look a little Matrixy, but overall I like it. At least he is getting closer to actually being Superman rather than the "Red-Blue Blur."

Oh, and Kneel Before Zod:

The Justice League: A Super Friendly Tour (Part 16)

Justice League on The Batman

While on Smallville, Green Arrow was the one assembling heroes, in The Batman it was the Martian Manhunter who was assembling superheroes. The Batman had the Dark Knight beginning as a solo hero, then teaming with Batgirl and next Robin. In 2007, beginning with the season 4 finale, Batman went from mentor to member of the Justice League to fend of, you guessed it, alien invaders.

Batman and the Martian fended of the invaders and in the last scene we met Flash, GL, Green Arrow, and Hawkman.

It wasn't until the season 5 opener that the crown jewel of the JLA was introduced, Superman. Throughout the season, Batman teamed up with team members, and then in the series finale the whole League was enlisted to fend off once again those pesky alien invaders.

Up Next: Justice League: The New Frontier

The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure * Super Friends * The All New Super Friends Hour * Challenge of the Super Friends * Legends of the Superheroes * The World's Greatest Super Friends * Super Friends (Shorts) * Super Friends (Lost Episodes) * Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show * The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians * Justice League of America (TV Pilot) * Justice League Unlimited on Batman Beyond * Justice League * Justice League Unlimited * Smallville * The Batman

Retrospective 1981

After the fairly lackluster 1980, superheroes were ready for a comeback in '81, offering up a couple of gems that remain nostalgic to this day.

Spider-Man (Solo Series)

In 1981, fans got a double dose of the Web-Head, starting with a Spider-Man solo series consisting of 26 episodes airing into 1982. This series included a number of guest appearances by Namor (and Namorita), Captain America, Magneto, and even the diabolical Dr Doom. Though truer to the comic origins of Spider-Man, it was the other show that ended up a bigger hit.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends

Debuting on the same day as the solo series was the Spider-Man team up series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Both series had identical animation styles, though different voice actors. The 24 episodes featured Spidey teamed up with the ice sliding X-Man Ice Man and the original character Firestar. Turns out, originally the Human Torch was to be used, but rights issues struck again (see 1978's Fantastic Four member H.E.R.B.I.E. ) resulting in a female fire-themed creation to complete the fire and ice motif.

The Kid Superpower Hour With Shazam!

Shazam!

While Marvel was webbing in viewers with Spider-Man, DC comics struck back with its own Captain Marvel and Marvel Family characters in the Shazam! series.

Hero High

Of course, the Shazam! cartoons were just half of the "Kid Superpower Hour" which, long before Sky High, consisted of the Hero High cartoon. Hero High was where young superheroes were taught how to use their powers and fight crime. The show was conceived as an extension of the Archie series, but once again, right issues struck resulting in "original" creations. I suspect an avid Archie fan would have no trouble identifying the various personalities within the characters.

Occasionally, the Superpower Hour would include live action segments with poor underpaid souls playing the roles of the Hero High Scholars.


The Greatest American Hero

Believe it or not, 1981 also kicked off the Greatest American Hero series about a bumbling hero that lost the instruction manual to his super suit of alien origin. For 44 episodes over 3 season, the hero never quite got the hang of his suit or its sometimes seemingly limitless powers.



The Legend of the Lone Ranger

Only one quasi-superhero made it to the big screen in '81, The Lone Ranger. This movie angered fans by changing the Ranger's origins and by mistreating in real life the actor who originally played the Ranger on TV. The move pretty much bombed making only $12.6 million.

Condorman


And of course there was comic book illustrator turned super spy in Condorman.

Quit Playing Games With My Kryptonite Heart

Here is the first look at Metallo from Smallville season 9. For the uninitiated, Metallo is a cyborg powered by a kryptonite heart. Aside from Darkseid and Mongul, Metallo had been one of the last major Superman villains to be unleashed in Smallville. Not even Superman yet, and Clark Kent has nearly defeated his entire rogue's gallery. Impressive.

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton (1996) - Film Capsule

Heroes: Jor-El / Superman

Villains: Brainiac / Lex Luthor

Diabolical Schemes: Brainiac contributed to the destruction of the Kryptonian civilization. Lex Luthor wants to double deal with his arms manufacturing, specifically with an iron-like man Suit (sound familiar?).

Coolest Moment(s): Preventing a plane crash (inspiration for Superman Returns?), Superman's intimidating first face-to-face with Lex, and hints of the Brainiac menace to come.

Worst Moment: Krypton looked so much cooler with crystals.

Review in 50 Words or Less: See, making a good Superman movie isn't that hard. This one does it with just over 60 minutes including origin, Smallville, and Metropolis. Laying the foundation for a fantastic series, this interpretation gave the Man of Steel back his dignity and gave Lex an eviler scheme than just real-estate shenanigans.