Produced by Jim Krieg, Kimberly S. Moreau
Written by Tim Sheridan
Based on Superman Created by
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Directed by Chris Palmer
Starring Darren Criss, Alexandra Daddario,
Zachary Quinto, Ike Amadi, Ryan Hurst,
Brett Dalton, Neil Flynn, Bellamy Young
One thing that you can count on when it comes to DC Comics being adapted to other media is a retelling of Superman’s origins. (Well that and the Waynes being murdered. Okay, two things)
The comic books have also retold this story through the years. Usually we get some details moved around and updated. All to varying degrees of success.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow is DC’s newest animated adaptation. It hits it’s mark relatively well.
We first meet a young Clark Kent, tearful over a depiction of an alien in a movie.
He recognizes that he’s different but he doesn’t consider himself an alien monster. Jonathan and Martha are there to console and encourage him. A jump forward takes us to Clark Kent, Daily Planet intern. It’s here we meet the cast of characters we’re familiar with.
Particularly an intrepid reporter Lois Lane.
In this telling of the Superman tale, Clark meets J’onn J’onzz early in his career.
The Martian Manhunter serves the role of wise mentor. Lex Luthor appears already fully formed as as the evil billionaire. We get Lobo first as an enemy who can go toe to toe with our Krptonian hero but then serves as a humorous foil to Superman.
Superman battles first Lobo and then a more than sympathetic Parasite.
The action in this animated tale is pulse pounding. In a summer that has been missing epic superhero films, this helps fill that need. The climax manages to be somewhat anticlimactic. In tackling Superman’s origin, while touching on themes of xenophobia, while also servicing multiple characters, while trying to be a dynamic animated action film.
It’s a lot to juggle and it runs out of steam at the end.
The voice cast is certainly eclectic. But Neil Flynn (Scrubs, The Middle) and Bellamy Young (Scandal) stand out as Jonathan and Martha Kent. They bring a lot of warmth and dimension. Zachary Quinto is appropriately creepy as Lex Luther. Ryan Hurst (Sons Of Anarchy) is having a lot of fun as Lobo.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow gets a B+ from me. If you miss superheroes this summer, you could do far worse than Man Of Tomorrow.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow is now available On Demand, Digital HD,
DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo packs.
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