Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Superman 75th Anniversary

Best short ever? Hard to argue against it. The brilliant tribute to the Man of Steel captures 75 years worth of Superman's biggest moments, not only onscreen but in pop culture, in under 2 minutes. Yes, even at break neck speed so many moments were left out, but the spirit of Superman was captured. This little piece of animation is really something special. Rather than me trying to explain why, just watch it. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Supergirls Series Concept

According to DC Women Kicking Ass,  the idea of a trio of super young ladies could have played out much differently in 2012. Ultimately, the superb Super Best Friends Forever shorts were made for DC Nation, but another pitch had Supergirl, Wonder Girl, and Batgirl teaming up as Supergirls.

Super History of Superman: Superman: Unbound (2013)

While quite a bit better than the abysmal Braniac Attacks, this foray with Brainaic is probably also more forgettable. Of Superman's animated movies in the modern DC line, this one also came off as a very head-scratching choice for an adaptation. At least Superman vs. The Elite was based on a very well regarded story as was All Star Superman and even Superman Doomsday. Superman: Brainiac was an okay story, but not an obvious choice for a movie. 

Super History of Superman: Super Best Friends Forever (2012)

While Supergirl appeared in all five of the charming SBFF short's her cousin Kal only appeared in Grounded, in which he received a Super wedgie. Not Supes greatest moment, though deserving of a chuckle.

Superman 75th Anniversary Short Decoded

Certainly there were some big on and off screen moments omitted (in particular Lois & Clark and Superman Returns), but this 2 minute short was still all kids of awesome. I may have missed a couple references, but I will do my best to point out those I identified starting with the opening homage to Supes' debut in Action Comics #1. Here goes:

Super History of Superman: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)

More than a Superman (or Batman for that matter) story, Apocalypse is about Supergirl. This modern day origin for Kara Zor-El tells of Kal-El's cousins orientation to the world, trapped between all the various powers that would use her for their own purposes rather than let her be her own person. By the end, she decided to don the familiar \S/ shield and to assume the moniker, Supergirl.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Buckle Up With Supergirl

And now a word from the sponsors... I thought a little break from Super Friends was in order so lets take a week or so to look at some of the classic commercials that may have aired on Saturday mornings in the 80's.

Super History of Superman: Justice League / Justice League Unlimited (2001-6)

After the success of the Superman and Batman animated series, it was only natural that the Justice League get their own team-up show to demonstrate the right way of doing Super Friends. Of course, who would be front and center other than the Man of Steel.

Super History of Superman: Smallville (2001-11)

Somebody saaaaaaaaaave me! From 2001-2011 over 218 episodes and 10 seasons we watched Clark Kent grow to embrace his ultimate destiny as Superman. While not all of the elements brought to screen were necessarily completely true to the comics, as an Elseword's tale Smallville was able to hit on most of high points of Superman's mythology with success - at least in most cases. And although the series began with a "no tights, no flights" mantra to maintain a more grounded approach to the character, both rules would eventually be broken.

Super History of Superman: The New Batman Adventures (1998)

Yes, this is a bit of a cheat since Superman isn't in it, even though he is mentioned. While Batman and Robin both appeared on the Superman animated series and Superman even traveled to Gotham City, Supes did not appear on either of the 90's Batman animated incarnations, but Supergirl did. In Girls' Nite Out, the Girl Wonder and Girl of Steel teamed up against Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Superman series original Livewire.

Super History of Superman: Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000)

After the Dark Knight's legendary treatment in Batman: The Animated Series, it was The Man of Steel's turn to wow the new generation of animated superhero fans. Expectations for the series was certainly high given the acclaim the Caped Crusader had rightfully earned. And while Superman's animated adventures did not quite rise to the heights of the former series, this animated series was wonderful and one of Superman's greatest treatments to date. As far as I am concerned, Superman: The Animated Series is the definitive Superman series in animation or live action. It's the truest take on the Superman that exists in my own imagination.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Superbabs

In the 1990 first season episode of Tiny Toon Adventures, the episode Cinemaniacs! had Babs and Buster Bunny theater hopping (rabbit style) with each flick getting a segment of the episode. The first short titled Superbabs put Babs Bunny into the iconic blue and red. I suppose this may actually be a Supergirl parody, but the villain, Wex Wuthor is of course the parody nemesis of Superman. Essentially, Superbabs stopped Wex from inking Acme woods.

Super History of Superman: Supergirl (1984)

Just a year after the disappointment that was Superman III, producers hoped to launch a spin-off franchise with Supergirl. The Supergirl movie is worthy of its own whole series of posts, but since this series is focused on Superman's onscreen history, I will simply say that despite it being a huge mess of a movie it was set in the same continuity as the Superman films. At one point Kara AKA Linda Lee saw a poster of her cousin on the wall of Lucy Lane's dorm room.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Best Friends Forever: Don't Fight Girls

I love the SBFFs and I love Solomon Grundy. The combination was not quite successful but I did muster a chuckle at Grundy's line after being mocked and beaten by the girls when he said he was reconsidering fighting girls after all. As of its airing, this was the last of the SBFF batch but I sure hope this charming series gets a much deserved follow up adding Starfire, and Harley Quinn to the mix.

Watch the Superman: Unbound Trailer Now

Fresh off the release of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2, the marketing machine has already begun to spin for DC's next animated movie, Superman: Unbound. The movie features Brainiac and the trailer definitely promises another solid entry. T'will be the summer of Superman!

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Best Friends Forever: Name Game

SBFF churned out yet another cute short. I believe this was the first one produced, which makes sense as it gives an origin of the team name - which was driven by the spunky Batgirl. I also liked seeing the ultra-feline interpretation of Cheetah. The Batgirl focused short is still my favorite, but there was plenty to like here as well.

First Look at Brainiac and Superman: Unbound

The sneak peek of the next next DC animated feature, Superman: Unbound, has leaked and can be peeked in a sneak. This feature will be released in June as a tie in with the theatrical release of The Man of Steel.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Best Friends Forever: Grounded

Since the first two Super Best Friends Forever shorts focused on Wonder Girl and Batgirl, the third time around was Supergirl's turn to shine. The spunky Kara Zor-El took the chance to give cousin Kal a super wedgie when he tried to enforce her grounding. Even if it didn't hit the high bar of the Batgirl episode, this was another cute short keeping SBFF at the top of the pack.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Best Friends Forever: Time Waits For No Girl

I adored this one. I love Batgirl and this was a really cute look at her spunky personality and lots of her gadgets. In particular, I loved the iconic pose in front of the moon. It was also great seeing Poison Ivy even if we didn't get to see her get beat up. This set the bar pretty high for the SBFF batch and for my money, this is the best DC Nation short so far...

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Super Best Friends Forever: Invisible Joy Ride

Super Best Friends Forever set a high bar for the DC Nation shorts by introducing a new animation style and tone to the genre. Even though these shorts were arguably aimed at girls, there was plenty to like for everyone. The trio of Supergirl, Batgirl, and Wonder Girl were all here, but the focus was on the honorable Wonder Girl (making her first onscreen appearance in 5 decades). As far as I am concerned though, the high energy, burrito craving Batgirl stole the show.