Superman (franchise) explained

Source:DC Comics
Debut:Action Comics #1 (April 1938)
Music:It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman (1966)

The American comic book character Superman, created in 1938, has appeared in many types of media since the 1940s. Superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games each on multiple occasions, and his name, symbol, and image have appeared on products and merchandise.

Portrayals

Among the actors who have played Superman / Superboy (and/or his alter ego, Clark Kent) are:

Portrayed by

Voice only

Radio and audio

Film

See main article: Superman in film.

Animated film

Fleischer Studios/Famous Studios' Superman theatrical cartoon – series of 17 shorts initially starring Bud Collyer.

Live-action film

Canceled Superman live-action films

Television

Live-action

Adventures of Superman

See main article: Adventures of Superman (TV series). The series premiered September 19, 1952 in black & white on the television network Syndication and ended April 28, 1958. George Reeves portrays Clark Kent / Superman with Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen, John Hamilton as Perry White, and Robert Shayne as Inspector Henderson.

Superboy

See main article: Superboy (TV series). The series premiered October 8, 1988 on the television network Syndication and ended on May 17, 1992. John Haymes Newton, and later Gerard Christopher, portrays Clark Kent / Superboy with Stacy Haiduk as Lana Lang, Jim Calvert as T.J. White, Scott James Wells as Lex Luthor, Stuart Whitman and Salome Jens as Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

The series premiered September 12, 1993 on ABC and ended June 14, 1997. Dean Cain stars as Clark Kent / Superman alongside Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane.

Smallville

See main article: Smallville.

See main article: Clark Kent (Smallville). The series premiered October 16, 2001 on The WB and ended May 13, 2011. Tom Welling stars as Clark Kent and depicts the early days of Superman as Clark, before becoming the Man of Steel.

Supergirl

See main article: Supergirl (TV series).

The series premiered October 26, 2015 on The CW and ended November 9, 2021. Tyler Hoechlin guest stars as Clark Kent / Superman alongside Bitsie Tulloch as Lois Lane.They later appeared in annual Arrowverse crossovers such as Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Krypton

See main article: Krypton (TV series). The series premiered March 21, 2018 on Syfy and ended August 14, 2019. It primarily focuses on Superman's grandfather.

Superman & Lois

The series premiered February 23, 2021 on The CW. Clark Kent / Superman and Lois Lane are the main characters in television series set in the Arrowverse, with Hoechlin and Tulloch reprising their roles.

Peacemaker

See main article: Peacemaker (TV series).

See main article: Clark Kent (DC Extended Universe). Superman made an appearance in the Peacemaker season finale episode "It's Cow or Never" portrayed by a stand-in.

Untitled Superman series

In July 2021, it was reported that Michael B. Jordan is developing, producing and starring as Val-Zod in a limited series for HBO Max.[12] [13]

Animated television

DC Animated Universe

Superman appears in various series set in the DC Animated Universe:

My Adventures with Superman

See main article: My Adventures with Superman. Superman appears in My Adventures with Superman, voiced by Jack Quaid, with Kari Wahlgren voicing him as a child.[14] The series follows him alongside a fearless, whip smart Lois Lane who are navigating the small tasks of both becoming adults and trying to save the world.[15] [16] The series premiered on July 6, 2023 on Adult Swim, with an encore run following on its Toonami programming block.[17] [18] [19] Additionally, the versions of Superman from Earth-17 (Overman), the Fleischer cartoons, DC Animated Universe, and Justice Lords universe make non-speaking cameo appearances in the episode "Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal".

Canceled Superman animated series

Video games

See main article: List of Superman video games.

Theatre and live performances

Literature and printed media

Newspaper

See main article: Superman (comic strip).

Superman was a daily newspaper comic strip which began on January 16, 1939, and a separate Sunday strip was added on November 5, 1939. These strips ran continuously until May 1966. In 1941, the McClure Syndicate had placed the strip in hundreds of newspapers. At its peak, the strip, featuring Superman, was in over 300 daily newspapers and 90 Sunday papers, with a readership of over 20 million.

Attractions and theme park rides

Art

Parodies

Merchandising

Recurring cast

Many live-action actors have made appearances across multiple works in the franchise. V indicates a voice-only role.

ActorSerial films
Superman and the Mole Men
The Adventures of Superman
Salkind series
Superboy

DC Animated Universe
Smallville
Superman Returns

DC Extended Universe
Arrowverse
DC Super Hero Girls
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
Superman & Lois
Kirk AlynSupermanSam Lanecolspan="11"
Noel NeillLois LaneElla LaneAlexisGertrude Vanderworthcolspan="6"
George ReevesSupermanSuperman colspan="4"
Phyllis CoatesLois LaneElla Lanecolspan="9"
Jack LarsonJimmy OlsenLou LamontBo the bartendercolspan="6"
Marlon BrandoJor-ElJor-Elcolspan="6"
Christopher ReeveSupermanDr. Virgil SwannSuperman colspan="4"
Margot KidderLois LaneBridgette Crosbycolspan="7"
Marc McClureJimmy OlsenDax-UrOfficer Ben Sadowsky
Officer Jerry
colspan="4"
Terrence StampGeneral ZodJor-Elcolspan="7"
Sarah DouglasUrsaMalaJinda Kol Rozzcolspan="4"
Annette O'TooleLana LangMartha Kentcolspan="7"
Helen SlaterSupergirlTalia al GhulLara-ElSupergirl Eliza DanversMartha Kentcolspan="2"
Jon CryerLenny LuthorLex Luthorcolspan="3"
Gilbert GottfriedNick KnackMister Mxyzptlkcolspan="8"
Sherman HowardLex Luthor
Warren Eckworth
Steppenwolf
Preserver
Derek Powers
colspan="8"
Kevin ConroyBatmanBatman (Earth-99)colspan="3"
Mark HamillJoker
Trickster
Trickstercolspan="3"
Adam WestJerry RetchenGray GhostBatman colspan="4"
Dean CainSupermanDr. Curtis KnoxJeremiah DanversJonathan Kentcolspan="2"
Teri HatcherLois LaneElla LaneRheacolspan="3"
Clancy BrownLex LuthorGeneral Wade Eilingcolspan="3"
Michael IronsideDarkseidSam LaneLewis Snartcolspan="3"
Michael RosenbaumLex Luthorcolspan="7"
Carl LumblyJ'onn J'onzzM'yrnn J'onzzcolspan="3"
Phil LamarrJohn StewartMalefic J'onzzcolspan="3"
JK SimmonsGeneral Wade EilingCommissioner Gordoncolspan="4"
Tom WellingClark KentClark Kentcolspan="3"
Erica DuranceLois LaneLois Lane
Alura Zor-El
colspan="3"
James MarstersBrainiacLex Luthorcolspan="5"
Laura VandervoortSupergirlBrainiac 8colspan="3"
Amy AdamsJodi MelvilleLois Lanecolspan="4"
Peyton ListLucy LaneGolden Glidercolspan="3"
Lynda CarterMoira SullivanAsteriaOlivia Marsdincolspan="3"
Brandon RouthSupermanRay Palmer
Superman
colspan="3"
David RamseyJohn DiggleJohn Diggle
Jenna DewanLucy LaneLucy Lane
Tyler HoechlinSupermanSuperman
Ezra MillerThe Flashcolspan="3"
Elizabeth TullochLois LaneLois Lane
Nicolas CageSupermanSuperman

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roll Call: Meet the Cast of Justice League vs. Teen Titans. TVInsider.com. Rich. Sands. January 18, 2016. January 18, 2016.
  2. News: Justice League Dark Featurette Reveals Matt Ryan Returns as Constantine!. Superhero Hype. Perry. Spencer. July 26, 2016.
  3. Web site: JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: TRAILER DEBUT FOR R-RATED DC ANIMATED MOVIE. Vejvoda. Jim. November 15, 2016.
  4. Web site: サイト名. dc-taka.com. ja. April 4, 2018. April 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180422202000/http://dc-taka.com/character/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3/. dead.
  5. Web site: Lovell . Kevin . July 27, 2023 . 'Scooby-Doo! And Krypto, Too!' Trailer, Artwork & Release Details; Arrives On Digital & DVD September 26, 2023 From Warner Bros . July 27, 2023 . screen-connections.com . en-US.
  6. Web site: September 6, 2022 . soranatus - Looks like in 2021 Digital eMation was working on a Scooby-Doo Meets Krypto DTV... . March 10, 2024 . Tumblr . en-US.
  7. Web site: Harvey . James . 2023-11-22 . "Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths" Trilogy Teaser Trailer Released . 2023-11-25 . The World's Finest . en-US.
  8. Web site: Brandon Tenold: Turkish Superman. +Brandon_Tenold. Channel Awesome.
  9. Web site: SHAZAM! Director Talks Sequel Plans, DCEU Connections (SPOILERS). George. Marston. newsarama.com. April 5, 2019. April 7, 2019. en.
  10. Web site: Henry Cavill on Not Returning as Superman: "This News Isn't the Easiest". Ryan. Gajewski. . December 14, 2022. en.
  11. Web site: Superman: Warner Bros pitching to directors for live action Red Son movie. Den of Geek. 9 March 2019.
  12. Web site: Sneider. Jeff. May 19, 2021. Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan Developing His Own Black Superman Project for HBO Max. July 23, 2021. Collider.
  13. 1418659642779996161. Collider. Update: Sources have since reached out to clarify that @MichaelB4Jordan's Black Superman project about Val-Zod is,… . 23 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Wahlgren . Kari . July 6, 2023 . Sneak peek! ‍♂️ I play Ma Kent and Young Clark in the new "My Adventures with Superman" series. Looking forward to the premiere! . July 7, 2023 . www.instagram.com.
  15. News: MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN: Family-Friendly Animated Series Flies To HBO Max And Cartoon Network . May 20, 2021.
  16. Web site: Hibberd. James. May 19, 2021. Batman Animated Series from J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves Coming to HBO Max. May 19, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. Web site: 2023-03-29 . Official Trailer Released for Genndy Tartakovsky's Newest Animated Series, "Unicorn: Warriors Eternal" . 2023-03-29 . Warner Bros. Discovery . en.
  18. Web site: Mitovich. Matt Webb. My Adventures With Superman Eyes Summer Release Date — Watch Teaser Trailer for Animated Series. TVLine. April 6, 2023. April 6, 2023.
  19. Web site: Mitovich. Matt Webb. My Adventures With Superman Gets Adult Swim and Max Release Dates. TVLine. June 5, 2023. June 5, 2023.
  20. Web site: The World's Finest – Superman: The Animated Series. dcanimated.com. 2018-12-15.
  21. Web site: The DC Animation Resource. The World's Finest.
  22. Web site: EXCLUSIVE – SUPERMAN/BATMAN: Series That Could Have Been. Voices From Krypton. July 11, 2013. May 19, 2018.
  23. Web site: Creator Talks About His Never-Made "Superman Family" Animated Series. Superman Homepage. April 23, 2019. 23 April 2019.
  24. Web site: Superman Day! – 1940 . Superman Through the Ages . 2010-09-13.
  25. http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/david_herbert.htm "David Herbert:Biography"
  26. Velasco, David. "Miami vices", Artforum, 8 December 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  27. http://www.denhaagsculptuur.com/2008uk/freedom%20images.html "The Hague Sculpture"
  28. Walt Disney Comics Digest #23, July 1970, "The Printing Park"
  29. Book: DiPaolo, Marc . War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda In Comics and Film . 2011 . . 978-0-7864-8579-6 . 14.
  30. Marx, Barry. Cavalieri, Joey and Hill, Thomas. Petruccio, Steven . Marx, Barry. Superman Peanut Butter Brand Licensing Pioneered. Fifty Who Made DC Great. 1985. DC Comics. 52.
  31. Web site: The Internet Pinball Machine Database . Ipdb.org . 2011-03-12.