View source for Superman: The Animated Series

{{short description|American animated television series}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Superman the animated series logo.svg
| caption              =
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Superhero fiction|Superhero]]
* [[Action-adventure fiction|Action-adventure]]
* [[Science fiction]]
}}
| runtime              = 22 minutes
| based_on             = {{Based on|[[Superman]]||[[Jerry Siegel]]|[[Joe Shuster]]}}
| developer            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Alan Burnett]]
* [[Bruce Timm]]
}}
| director             = [[Andrea Romano (voice director)|Andrea Romano]] (voice director) 
| writer               = {{Plainlist|
* Alan Burnett
* [[Paul Dini]]
* Stan Berkowitz
* [[Rich Fogel]]
}}
| voices               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Tim Daly]]
* [[Dana Delany]]
* [[David Kaufman (actor)|David Kaufman]]
* [[George Dzundza]]
* [[Clancy Brown]]
* [[Corey Burton]]
* [[Michael Ironside]]
}}
| executive_producer   = [[Jean MacCurdy]]
| producer             = Alan Burnett<br/>Paul Dini<br/>Bruce Timm
| company              = [[Warner Bros. Animation|Warner Bros. Television Animation]]
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| network              = [[Kids' WB]]
| theme_music_composer = [[Shirley Walker]]
| composer             = [[Kristopher Carter]]<br />Michael McCuistion<br />[[Lolita Ritmanis]]<br />Shirley Walker<br />Harvey Cohen
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1996|9|6}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2000|2|12}}
| num_seasons          = 4
| num_episodes         = 54
| list_episodes        = List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes
| related              = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'' (1992–1995)
* [[DC Animated Universe#Television series|DC animated universe television series]] 
}}
}}

'''''Superman: The Animated Series''''' is an American [[Animated television series|animated]] [[Superhero fiction|superhero]] television series based on the [[DC Comics]] character [[Superman]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Superman: The Complete Animated Series |work=DVD Talk |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/39240/superman-the-complete-animated-series/ |access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref> It was produced by [[Warner Bros. Animation|Warner Bros. Television Animation]] and originally aired on [[Kids' WB]] from September 6, 1996, to February 12, 2000. It was the second series in the [[DC Animated Universe]] after ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', and like its predecessor, it has been acclaimed for its writing, voice acting, maturity, and modernization of the title character's comic-book mythos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/121/1214608p3.html|title=IGN's Top 25 Comic Book TV Shows|work=IGN|access-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/36.html|title=Video Games, Wikis, Cheats, Walkthroughs, Reviews, News & Videos – IGN|work=IGN|access-date=October 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801215646/http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/36.html|archive-date=August 1, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Overview==
Premiering ten years after the 1986 [[Reboot (continuity)|reboot]] of the Superman comic-book character, the animated series paid tribute to both the classic Superman of old and the newer "modern" Superman.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=813–814}}</ref> For instance, the depiction of [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] reflects the older idealized version in the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]]. The scope of Superman's powers reflects the more restrained contemporary concept as developed by [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]], in that the superhero has to struggle to perform spectacular feats. However, Clark Kent is shown to be open, if quietly, self-confident, without jeopardizing his secrets. This is similar to the depiction of [[Batman]]'s alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, in ''Batman: The Animated Series''.

Midway through the series' run, it was combined with ''[[The New Batman Adventures]]'' to become the package series ''[[The New Batman/Superman Adventures]]''. The characters of Superman and Batman were then spun off into a new animated series, ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''. This series also featured other popular DC Comics characters, including [[Wonder Woman]], [[Wally West|The Flash]], [[John Stewart (character)|Green Lantern]], [[Martian Manhunter]], and [[Shayera Hol|Hawkgirl]]. It spawned a sequel series entitled ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''.

Several episodes involve Superman encountering other superheroes in the DC universe. Batman appears the most often, along with several of his allies and antagonists from ''The New Batman Adventures'', including the [[Joker (character)|Joker]], [[Tim Drake|Robin]], [[Alfred Pennyworth]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]], [[Jim Gordon (character)|Commissioner Gordon]], and [[Ra's al Ghul]], among others. In addition, other episodes feature [[Wally West|The Flash]] (alongside [[Weather Wizard]]), [[Green Lantern]] ([[Kyle Rayner]]) (with [[Sinestro]] and the [[Green Lantern Corps]]), [[Aquaman]], and [[Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)|Doctor Fate]] (along with his wife [[Inza Cramer|Inza]] and [[Ian Karkull|Karkull]]).

==Voice cast==
{{Main|List of DC Animated Universe characters}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- "
! Voice actor || Role
|-
| [[Tim Daly]] || [[Superman|Clark Kent / Superman]], [[Bizarro]]
|-
| [[Dana Delany]] || [[Lois Lane]]
|-
| [[David Kaufman (actor)|David Kaufman]] || [[Jimmy Olsen]]
|-
| [[George Dzundza]] || [[Perry White]]
|-
| [[Clancy Brown]] || [[Lex Luthor]]
|-
| [[Corey Burton]] || [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]]
|-
| [[Michael Ironside]] || [[Darkseid]]
|-
| [[Joseph Bologna]] || [[Dan Turpin]]
|-
| [[Lisa Edelstein]] || [[Mercy Graves]]
|-
| [[Lauren Tom]] || [[Angela Chen (comics)|Angela Chen]]
|-
| [[Mike Farrell]] || [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Jonathan Kent]]
|-
| [[Shelley Fabares]] || [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Martha Kent]]
|-
| [[Joely Fisher]] || [[Lana Lang]]
|-
| [[Victor Brandt (actor)|Victor Brandt]] || [[Professor Hamilton|Emil Hamilton]]
|-
| [[Joanna Cassidy]] || [[Maggie Sawyer]]
|}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes}}
<onlyinclude>{{Series overview
| infoA      = 
| infoB      = 
| color1     = #2950BB
| link1      = List_of_Superman:_The_Animated_Series_episodes#Season One
| episodes1  = 13
| start1     = {{Start date|1996|09|06}}
| end1       = {{End date|1997|02|15}}
| infoA1     = 

| color2     = #A62A2A
| link2      = List_of_Superman:_The_Animated_Series_episodes#Season Two
| episodes2  = 28
| start2     = {{Start date|1997|09|08}}
| end2       = {{End date|1998|05|02}}
| infoA2     = 
| infoB2     = 

| color3     = #14663D
| link3      = List_of_Superman:_The_Animated_Series_episodes#Season Three
| episodes3  = 10
| start3     = {{Start date|1998|09|19}}
| end3       = {{End date|1999|05|15}}

| color4     = #E7C14B
| link4      = List_of_Superman:_The_Animated_Series_episodes#Season Four
| episodes4  = 3
| start4     = {{Start date|1999|09|18}}
| end4       = {{End date|2000|02|12}}
}}
</onlyinclude>
==Development and production==
In the time between the initial end of ''Batman'', [[Steven Spielberg]] approached [[Bruce Timm]] about his admiration for his previous show while being curious about an adventure cartoon. Spielberg asked Timm and his crew to come up with concepts for him to look at (one of these ideas eventually sprung into ''[[Freakazoid!]]'', which involved a crazed superhero, although Timm had aimed for a straightforward hero show rather than overt comedy). At any rate, [[Warner Bros]] was anticipating a feature film of ''Superman'' and thus wanted to make a television series to go alongside it, which led [[Jean MacCurdy]] to approach Timm about the idea of doing a series on Superman, which he agreed to.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twomorrows.com/comicology/articles/01timm.html |title=Comicology #1 - Bruce Timm Interview - TwoMorrows Publishing |website=twomorrows.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214013717/http://twomorrows.com/comicology/articles/01timm.html |archive-date=14 February 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/superman-the-animated-series-fixed-clark-kent/|title=How Superman: The Animated Series Avoided the 'Cornball' Man of Steel|date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> Initially, Timm struggled with finding the visual style, to the point where he thought of trying to aim for a retro feel similar to the [[Fleischer Studios]] [[Superman (1940s animated film series)|''Superman'' cartoons]]. An original character design sheet showed the characters in a stylized 1940s/1950s style (not unlike that of the live-action ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'' TV series); however, Timm decided that he could not compete against the "perfection" of the past, although he would utilize influence from classic deco, which he described as "bright, futuristic, optimistic, ocean liner art deco...much more in line with Superman's character."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/bruce-timm-superman-the-animated-series-interview/|title = Bruce Timm Reflects on 25 Years of Superman: The Animated Series| newspaper=CBR |date = October 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saturdaymorningsforever.com/2016/03/superman-animated-series.html|title = Superman: The Animated Series}}</ref> As with the first season of ''Batman'', the opening theme sequence of ''Superman'' lacked an on-screen title. Also like ''Batman'', the opening theme for ''Superman'' lacked any lyrics, instead of being an instrumental piece played over various scenes from the series. The character design for the title character was inspired not by one of the comics but instead ''[[The Mighty Hercules]]'' (1963) with the design of the title character.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/superman-the-animated-series-fixed-clark-kent/2/|title = How Superman: The Animated Series Avoided the 'Cornball' Man of Steel|date = January 6, 2019}}</ref> DC asked Timm to give Superman a [[Mullet (haircut)|mullet]], but he refused.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/superman-animated-series-remaster-bruce-timm-interview/|title=Bruce Timm Interview: Superman The Animated Series Remaster|first=Stephen M.|last=Colbert|date=October 26, 2021|website=ScreenRant}}</ref>

[[CNK International|Koko Enterprise Co., LTD.]], [[TMS Entertainment|Kyokuchi Tokyo Movie]], [[Dong Yang Animation|Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD]] and [[Group TAC]] contributed some of the animation for this series. Like the previous shows, the animation on the series was done in [[Traditional animation|traditional cels]].

Season two was originally scheduled to run 26 episodes, but it was extended to 28 episodes to accommodate a two-part story introducing [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]].<ref name="WizCaged">{{cite news | last = Allstetter | first= Rob | date = August 1997 | title = Superman Gets Caged | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] | issue = 72 | page = 118}}</ref>

While the series adapts many villains from Superman's [[rogues gallery]] in the comics, the primary [[antagonist]]s that he faces throughout the show and the DCAU continuity as a whole are [[Lex Luthor]], [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] and [[Darkseid]]. Luthor's design was based on actor [[Telly Savalas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/superman-the-complete-animated-series-dvd-review/|title=SUPERMAN: The Complete Animated Series DVD Review|first=Nico|last=Nico|date=January 19, 2010|website=Collider}}</ref>

In the series, the writers decided to alter Brainiac's origin by making him a Kryptonian [[artificial intelligence]] instead of an alien to give him a more personal rivalry with Superman. While the producers of the show found Brainiac's character and abilities interesting in the comics, they disliked his original design so they drastically altered his appearance; his green skin was replaced with an icy-blue coloration, and the rest of his outfit became a mix of purple and grey rather than pink and black. [[Corey Burton]]'s vocal performance as Brainiac was done in a cold, [[affect display|low-affect]] style similar to [[HAL 9000]] in the ''[[Space Odyssey]]'' films and the 'Control Voice' heard during the opening narration of ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jl.toonzone.net/brainiac/brainiac.htm |title=Brainiac |publisher=Jl.toonzone.net |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810040458/http://jl.toonzone.net/brainiac/brainiac.htm |archive-date=2014-08-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Before being cast as Brainiac, Burton also read for the parts of Superman and Lex Luthor.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbr.com/bruce-timm-superman-the-animated-series-interview/ | title=Bruce Timm Reflects on 25 Years of Superman: The Animated Series | date=October 27, 2021 }}</ref> Clancy Brown also read for Superman before being cast as Luthor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2021/11/10/superman-the-animated-series-turns-twenty-five|title=Superman: The Animated Series Turns Twenty-Five|website=DC}}</ref>

To pay tribute to [[Jack Kirby's Fourth World]] creations, the show introduced the [[New God]] Darkseid as Superman's archenemy. In contrast to the character's less faithful adaptations in ''[[Super Friends]]'', ''Superman: The Animated Series'' portrays Darkseid as the evil dictator originally envisioned by Kirby in the comics. [[Michael Ironside]]'s vocal performance was initially lowered for Darkseid's first two appearances in the series, though this modulation was later dropped in favor of Ironside's natural voice.

==Comic adaptation==
{{Main|Superman Adventures}}
As with the majority of shows in the [[DC Animated Universe]], ''Superman: The Animated Series'' received a [[DC Animated Universe#Comics|comic adaptation taking place in the same universe]], that ran from 1996 to 2002, with 68 issues, an annual and a special issue featuring Lobo. Paul Dini wrote the first issue of the series, followed by [[Scott McCloud]], [[Mark Millar]] and [[Evan Dorkin]]. Among the artists that contributed to the series are [[Ty Templeton]], [[Rick Burchett]], [[Mike Manley (artist)|Mike Manley]], Aluir Amancio, Min S.Ku and Neil Vokes.

==Home media==
A DVD titled ''Superman: The Last Son Of Krypton'', compiling the first 3 episodes of the series was released on February 3, 2004. Much like ''Batman: The Animated Series'' and other Warner Bros. cartoons adapted from popular DC Comic books, ''Superman: The Animated Series'' was released on DVD January 25, 2005, though it did not receive the same disc transfer as ''Batman'' did (the second disc of each volume was given the Side A/B treatment). The DVDs present the series' episodes in their airing order along with special features. Volume Two was released on December 6, 2005, and Volume Three was released on June 20, 2006. On November 24, 2009, [[Warner Home Video]] released ''Superman: The Complete Animated Series'', a 7-disc boxed set that includes all 54 episodes of the series as well as extensive bonus features.<ref name="tvshowsondvd1">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Superman-Animated-Series-The-Complete-Series/12439 |title=Superman: The Animated Series DVD news: Press Release for Superman: The Animated Series – The Complete Animated Series |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com |access-date=2011-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611181246/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Superman-Animated-Series-The-Complete-Series/12439 |archive-date=June 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Superman: The Animated Series Volume One|work= DVD Talk|url= http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/14326/superman-the-animated-series-volume-one/|access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Superman: The Animated Series Volume Two|work= DVD Talk|url= http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/20133/superman-the-animated-series-volume-two/|access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref> On October 26, 2021, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released ''Superman: The Complete Animated Series'' on Blu-ray, also including all 54 episodes and bonus materials.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-23|title='Superman: The Animated Series' Remastered Blu-ray Gets New Release Date|url=https://collider.com/superman-the-animated-series-remastered-blu-ray-new-release-date/|access-date=2021-10-22|website=Collider|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Reed |first=Chris |title=Superman: The Complete Animated Series Is Up for Preorder on Blu-ray - IGN|date=August 25, 2021 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/superman-complete-animated-series-preorder-blu-ray|language=en|access-date=2021-10-22}}</ref>

A direct-to-DVD feature, ''[[Superman: Brainiac Attacks]]'' was released in 2006, although it is not considered to be part of DCAU continuity, despite featuring the same character designs as ''Superman: The Animated Series'', as well as both [[Tim Daly]] and [[Dana Delany]] reprising their voice roles as Superman and Lois Lane, respectively.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!DVD name
!Ep #
!Release date
!Additional information
|-
| Superman: The Animated Series – Volume 1
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| January 25, 2005
|
* Commentary on "The Last Son of Krypton Part 1", "Stolen Memories", "The Main Man" and "Tools of the Trade"
* Superman: Learning to Fly Featurette
* Building the Mythology: Superman's Supporting Cast
* A Little Piece of Trivia – Pop up trivia over the "A Little Piece of Home" episode
|-
| ''Superman: The Animated Series – Volume 2 from The New Superman Adventures''
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| December 6, 2005
|
* The Dark Side: Behind the Villains of Superman: The Origins and Evolution of Superman's Adversaries.
* Audio Commentary on "Brave New Metropolis" and "World's Finest Part 1" with Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, James Tucker, Dan Riba.
* Video Commentary on ''Mxyzpixilated'' with Bruce Timm, Dan Riba, Paul Dini and Moderator Jason Hillhouse.
|-
| Superman: The Animated Series – Volume 3
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| June 20, 2006
|
* Superman: Behind the Cape: David Kaufman (the voice of Jimmy Olsen) takes you behind the scenes with the show's creative team
* Look, Up in the Sky!- the amazing story of Superman excerpts from the new documentary produced by Bryan Singer and Kevin Burns
|-
| Superman: The Complete Animated Series
| style="text-align:center;"|54
| November 24, 2009
|
* Commentary by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Dan Riba, Glen Murakami, Curt Geda, Jason Hillhouse, James Tucker and Butch Lukic on many episodes
* Superman: Learning to Fly – Explores the creation of the series
* Building the Mythology: Superman's Supporting Cast – showcases the supporting players in the Superman Saga
* Menaces of Metropolis: Behind the Villains of Superman – the origins and evolutions of Superman's adventures
* Superman: Behind the Cape – David Kaufman (the voice of Jimmy Olsen) takes you behind the scenes with the show's creative team
* Look, Up in the Sky! The amazing story of Superman – excerpt from the new documentary produced by Bryan Singer and Kevin Burns
* Selectable Pop-Up Trivia Tracks
* Bonus Disc Featuring the all-new Documentary The Despot Darkseid: A Villain Worthy of Superman
|}

===Altered sequence in "Apokolips...Now! Part II"===
{{multiple image
 | align     = right
 | direction =
| total_width = 400
 | header    =
 | image1    = Apokolips..._Now!_(original_version).jpg
 | caption1  = The original mourners attending Dan Turpin's funeral.
 | image2    = Apokolips... Now! (edited version).jpg
 | caption2  = The mourners attending Dan Turpin's funeral in the edited version.
}}
"Apokolips...Now!" was later altered from its original airing on February 7, 1998. Originally, [[Dan Turpin]]'s funeral was a homage to [[Jack Kirby]] and featured several of his comic creations as attendees to the funeral including [[Nick Fury]], the [[Fantastic Four]], [[Big Barda]], [[Mister Miracle|Scott Free]], [[Orion (character)|Orion]] and others, alongside Kirby's friends and fans [[Mark Evanier]], [[Bruce Timm]], [[Paul Dini]], [[Alex Ross]], his father Norman Ross, and [[Stan Lee]]. These characters were later removed and the scene pacing was re-edited for subsequent airings and its DVD release on ''Superman: The Animated Series'' Volume 3 Disc 3. Neither DC nor Warner ever commented on the decision to alter this particular scene, but it has been speculated that copyright issues regarding the use of the likenesses of [[Marvel Comics]] characters and the long-time rivalry between the two companies might have motivated the deletion. When ''Superman: The Animated Series'' was released on [[HBO Max]] and [[Blu-ray]] in 2021, the original version was used.

==Music==
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}

As with ''Batman: The Animated Series'', [[Shirley Walker]] was in charge of the series' music. Walker wrote the series theme and composed themes for various characters, as well as scoring six episodes herself – "Father's Day," "The Hand of Fate," "Obsession," "Absolute Power" and the two-parter "Legacy." Unlike the previous series, only four other composers worked on the series – [[Kristopher Carter]], Harvey R. Cohen, Michael McCuistion, and [[Lolita Ritmanis]]. Almost every episode had a completely original score; very few reused music from previous shows, and only one episode ("Superman's Pal," credited to Carter, McCuistion, Ritmanis, and Walker) was entirely "scored" with tracked material.<ref>John Takis, "Maestros of Metropolis: The Music of ''Superman: The Animated Series'', pg. 6, ''Superman: The Animated Series'' original soundtrack, La-La Land Records LLLCD 1276</ref>

On January 28, 2014, La-La Land Records released a 4-disc compilation of music from the series, collecting 20 complete episode scores, including those of the "World's Finest" three-parter, the "Apokolips... Now!" two-parter, the "Little Girl Lost" two-parter and "In Brightest Day...". It is a limited edition release of 3000 units and can be purchased through the label's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lalalandrecords.com/Site/SupermanAS.html|title=Superman The Animated Series: Limited Edition (4-CD SET) - LLLCD 1276|publisher=La-La Land Records|website=lalalandrecords.com|access-date=October 7, 2014|archive-date=March 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303031326/http://lalalandrecords.com/Site/SupermanAS.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

If sales of this release improve significantly, La-La Land Records will produce a second volume.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=119094&forumID=1&archive=0|title=FSM Board: Save DC Comics Animated Music!|website=www.filmscoremonthly.com}}</ref>

===Track listing===
'''Disc One (Total Time 78:59)'''
#''Superman: The Animated Series'' – Main Title (Shirley Walker) 1:07

*The Last Son of Krypton Part I (Lolita Ritmanis)
#<li value="2">Krypton Opening/Monster Attack 2:37
#Family Theme 1:12
#Earthquake/Jor-El Appeals* 1:59
#Brainiac Confrontation* 2:14
#Jor-El Escapes Arrest/Jor-El Outside 1:52
#Decision to Send Kal-El 3:01
#Brainiac Leaves Krypton*/Kal-El Leaves Krypton*/** 1:43

*The Last Son of Krypton Part II (Michael McCuistion)
#<li value="9">Recap (The Last Son of Krypton, Part II)*1:07
#Kal-El Lands on Earth/Couple Find Kal-El 2:09
#Clark's Abilities/Clark Meets His Parents 3:19
#Clark's First Flight*** 2:24
#News Program Source:32
#Industrial Film Source 1:10
#Superman Rescues Lois*/Missile Hits Airliner* 3:13

*The Last Son of Krypton Part III (Harvey R. Cohen)
#<li value="16">Recap (The Last Son of Krypton, Part III)* 1:00
#Superman Saves Airliner* 2:39
#Clark's Identity Crisis* :56
#Lois Abducts Bibbo/Lois Meets John 1:46
#Clark Recognizes Ship*/Orders to Kill Lois* 2:05
#Robot Loose in City* 2:08
#Lois Gets Story* 1:03

*Fun and Games (Lolita Ritmanis)
#<li value="23">Family Pet 2:00
#Titano Lost and Found 2:06
#Monkey Business/Babysitting With Fleas/Bacteria Attack* 2:07
#Jimmy Runs Away* 1:01
#Monkeys on the Loose*/Superman Cages Lions 1:54
#Titano at the Dock 1:53
#Titano/Amusement Park* 1:37
#Superman vs. Titano 1:39
#Pop Goes the Weasel (Traditional, arr. L. Ritmanis) :37
#Titano Relocated 1:13

*Tools of the Trade (Kristopher Carter)
#<li value="33">Tank Attack* 3:04
#Meet Kanto/Mannheim Gets Gloves 1:22
#Train Wreck/Train Robbery 1:31
#To the Rescue* 1:44
#Turpin Resigns 1:11
#Prisoner Turpin/Superman Finds Turpin/Turpin Saves Superman* 3:55
#Superman Thanks Turpin*/ Planet Apokolips* 1:20

*Tools of the Trade – Bonus Track (Kristopher Carter)
#<li value="40">Train Wreck/Train Robbery (Alternate) 1:51

#<li value="41">''Superman: The Animated Series'' – Video End Credits (Shirley Walker) 2:37

* THE LAST SON OF KRYPTON, PART III – Bonus Music-And-Effects Track
#<li value="42">Superman Destroys Robot*(H. Cohen)/Superman Spurns Lex*(M. McCuistion)/Brainiac Returns*(L. Ritmanis) 3:07

'''Disc Two (Total Time 78:59)'''

#''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'' – Main Title (Shirley Walker) 1:05

*World's Finest Part I (Michael McCuistion)
#<li value="2">Closing Time*/Joke in the Box Source*/ Batman Takes Evidence* 1:37
#Terrorists on Plane* 1:11
#Lois Talks to Superman/Lois Beats Herself Up :58
#Joker Abducts Lex 1:20
#Lex & Joker Make a Deal/Lois Meets Bruce 1:42
#Joker Undoes Carlini 1:27
#WayneLex T-7 :52
#First Dance 1:11
#Batman Shows Up/Binko's Bad Night*/Batman Bugs Superman* 3:29

*World's Finest Part II (Michael McCuistion)
#<li value="11">Recap (World's Finest, Part II) :38
#Bruce and Lois Go Out/Joker Crashes Date/Joker's Plan 2:23
#Batwing Takes Off*/Superman Meets Joker* 1:39
#Batman Saves Superman* 3:08
#Batman Makes His Exit:29
#Harley Cheers Up Joker/Lex Meets With Joker 2:01
#Batman Pays Lex a Visit/Superman Flies By* 1:14
#Jet Pac Transportation*/Joker Uses Robot 1:12

*World's Finest Part III (Michael McCuistion & Lolita Ritmanis)
#<li value="19">Recap (World's Finest, Part III) (M. McCuistion) :35
#Ship in Distress (M. McCuistion) 1:45
#Batman Drops In/ Batman Unmasked/ Superman Stops Robot (M. McCuistion) 1:30
#Batman Has to Leave/Lex Sets Up Joker (M. McCuistion) 1:28
#Arrival at Lab*/Robots Battle Superman*/Batman Gets to Lexwing*(L. Ritmanis) 6:04
#Lexwing Crashes*(M. McCuistion) 2:22
#Bruce Returns to Gotham* (M. McCuistion) 1:08

*Mxyzpixilated (Harvey R. Cohen)
#<li value="26">Stopping Traffic/Reading the Comics/The Statue Moves 2:43
#Chickens/Setting the Rules 3:23
#A Close Shave*/Proofreading/Apartment Source 3:52
#Building Battle Suit 1:54
#Clark's Calendar/Office Menagerie/Aerial Chase* 4:50
#Why Am I Eating This? :56

*Father's Day (Shirley Walker)
#<li value="32">Scream Machine Lands/Superman vs. Machine 3:56
#Desaad's Tricky Plan 1:26
#Kalibak Comes to Earth/Kalibak Trashes Minerva 1:56
#Kalibak Ambushes Superman:48
#Superman vs. Kalibak/Fight on Train Track 2:04
#Battle Continues/Power Struggle 3:25
#Darkseid Beams Superman 2:21

*Father's Day – Bonus Track (Shirley Walker)
#<li value="39">Restaurant Source 1:07

#<li value="40">''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'' – End Credits (Shirley Walker) :35

'''Disc Three (Total Time 78:36)'''

#''Superman: The Animated Series'' – Twenty-Second Promo (Shirley Walker) :26

*In Brightest Day (Michael McCuistion)
#<li value="2">Kyle Catches Thief :58
#Abin Makes Ring Choose/Ring Chooses Kyle* 3:27
#Kyle Is Green Lantern:32
#Superman Finds Abin/Sinestro Wants the Ring 2:22
#Superman Meets Guardian:44
#Kyle Saves Little Girl/Fight Continues 3:02
#Superman Helps Council/Fight for Power/Kyle Wins Battle 4:05
#Kyle's Their Man 1:16

*A Little Piece of Home (Kristopher Carter)
#<li value="10">Break-In at the Museum* 2:14
#Lex Sees Superman Weak*/Waiting for a Reaction:51
#Lois Gets a Phone Call/Steal Treasury Plates*/No Deal with Lex* 5:31
#Lois Visits S.T.A.R. Labs/Superman vs. Dinosaur*/Superman Throws Rock* 4:26

*Livewire (Harvey R. Cohen)
#<li value="14">Wake-Up Source 1:30
#Construction Crane/Prevents Crane Accident* 2:42
#Centennial Park Source 1:15
#Leslie Becomes Livewire* 1:37
#Livewire Checks Out :59
#Metamorphosis Complete 1:07
#She Turns Off the Light/Tower of Power Is Back 1:31
#Superman Averts Planes* :59
#Livewire Gets Recharged*/Caution Sign 3:41

*Apokolips Now! Part I (Kristopher Carter)
#<li value="23">Maggie Brings Cash :51
#Hovercraft Steals Truck/Superman Fights Craft/Superman & Broken Glass 2:56
#Darkseid Arrives*/Orion Arrives 2:10
#New Genesis & Apokolips* 2:55
#Air Base Battle/Orion Zaps Hovercraft/Orion Wins at Air Base* 3:20
#Mannheim at Power Plant :33
#Orion Goes Back 1:24
#Power Plant Explodes*/Superman Sees Explosion 1:20

*Apokolips Now! Part II (Kristopher Carter)
#<li value="31">Recap (Apokolips Now! Part II) 1:00
#Hamilton Has Bad News 1:06
#Meet Steppenwolf :26
#Steppenwolf Arrives*/Missiles Bring Down Superman 2:11
#Demons Take Over City/Attack of the Demons* 2:01
#Superman Puts Out Fire* 1:44
#Darkseid Appears* 1:00
#Dan Fights Demons* 1:39
#Apokoliptic War Machine/Darkseid Takes Control* 1:14
#Orion to the Rescue*/Dan's Funeral 4:42

#<li value="41">''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'' – Twenty-Second Promo :26 (Shirley Walker)

'''Disc Four (Total Time 79:00)'''

#''Superman: The Animated Series'' – Ten-Second Promo (Shirley Walker) :16

*Little Girl Lost Part I (Lolita Ritmanis)
#<li value="2">Journey Through Space 2:43
#Superman Enters Chamber/Kala's Story/Superman Finds Kara 3:02
#Kara Flies 1:17
#Intergang Interest/Intergang Arrives :28
#Gang Fights Superman* 2:38
#Granny Knows Best/Kara Joins Jimmy:48
#Following Gang Into Building:45
#Granny Takes Control**** 2:52

*Little Girl Lost Part II (Lolita Ritmanis)
#<li value="10">Recap (Little Girl Lost, Part II) :53
#Surrounded 1:53
#Superman Is Captured*/Kara Leaves for Apokolips 3:23
#Kara Arrives on Apokolips**** 1:18
#Kara Escapes Parademons**** 2:00
#Superman Kneels*/Darkseid's Prediction/Get Back Home* 3:31
#Stop Comet*/Superman Catches 2:50
#Supergirl's OK 1:07

*Feeding Time (Michael McCuistion)
#<li value="18">Toxic Waste* 2:28
#Rudy Becomes Toxic/Goo on Superman's Finger* 1:24
#Parasite Saps Police* 1:16
#Parasite Visits LeBeau*/Parasite Saps Superman's Energy* 2:23
#Parasite Can't Rob Bank :32
#Parasite Attacks Clark/His New Meal Plan* :49
#Jimmy Gets Idea 2:19
#Superman Saves Jimmy/Saved by a Bug* 2:25

*Legacy Part I (Shirley Walker)
#<li value="26">Planet Attack 2:20
#Leader Revealed 1:27
#Kal-El's Dream 1:20
#Brainwashed 2:01
#Supergirl Chases Robot 2:01
#Lex Knows :34
#Ready for Battle :49
#Kal-El Attacks Earth :57
#Lex Kills Kal-El 3:53

*Legacy Part II (Shirley Walker)
#<li value="35">Recap (Legacy, Part II) :28
#Taken Prisoner 1:37
#Superman Tries to Escape 2:09
#Lois Springs Superman*** 3:47
#Lois Comforts Superman*** 2:08
#Return to Apokolips 1:20
#Superman vs. Furies 1:01
#Superman vs. Darkseid 2:16
#Darkseid Prevails 2:07
#Lois and Superman :46

<li value="45">''Superman: The Animated Series'' – End Credits (Shirley Walker) :35
{{col-end}}

==Video games==
''[[Superman 64]]'', released for the [[Nintendo 64]] console in 1999, was the first video game to be produced based upon the series, however it is considered to be one of the worst Superman video games and [[List of video games notable for negative reception|worst games of all time]].<ref name="GameRankings">{{cite web|work=GameRankings|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/198862.asp|title= Superman Reviews|access-date=2008-04-01}}</ref> A second video game, ''[[Superman: Shadow of Apokolips]]'' was released in 2002 for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[GameCube]] consoles. It was produced by a different company, and was described as "a respectable but average superhero game".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.ps2.ign.com/articles/372/372273p1.html |title=Superman: Shadow of Apokolips |date=September 26, 2002 |website=IGN |access-date=May 14, 2010}}</ref>

== Accolades  ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1997
| [[25th Annie Awards|Annie Awards]]
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production|Best Individual Achievement: Music in a TV Production]]
| [[Shirley Walker]] {{small|(for main title theme)}}
| {{nom}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://annieawards.org/legacy/25th-annie-awards |title=25th Annual Annie Awards |website=[[Annie Awards]] |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| [[24th Daytime Emmy Awards|Daytime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
| [[Jean MacCurdy]], [[Alan Burnett]], [[Paul Dini]], [[Bruce Timm]], Dan Riba, <br> [[Andrea Romano (voice director)|Andrea Romano]], Stan Berkowitz, [[Hilary J. Bader]], and Bob Goodman
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="11"| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115378/awards |title=Superman: The Animated Series – Awards |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1998
| rowspan="3"| [[25th Daytime Emmy Awards|Daytime Emmy Awards]]
| Jean MacCurdy, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Hilary Bader, <br> Stan Berkowitz, [[Rich Fogel]], [[Steve Gerber]], Bob Goodman, <br> Hiroyuki Aoyama, Curt Geda, Kenji Hachizaki, Butch Lukic, <br> Toshihiko Masuda, Dan Riba, Andrea Romano, and Yûichirô Yano{{efn|Shared with ''[[The New Batman Adventures]]''.}}
| {{won}}
|-
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
| Shirley Walker{{efn|Shared with ''The New Batman Adventures''.}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Sound Editing – Special Class
| Robert Hargreaves, John Hegedes, George Brooks, <br> Gregory Beaumont, Kelly Ann Foley, and Diane Griffen{{efn|Shared with ''The New Batman Adventures''.}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1999
| rowspan="3"| [[26th Daytime Emmy Awards|Daytime Emmy Awards]]
| Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
| Jean MacCurdy, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, [[Glen Murakami]], Bruce Timm, <br> Hilary Bader, Stan Berkowitz, Rich Fogel, Bob Goodman, <br> Hiroyuki Aoyama, Curt Geda, Kenji Hachizaki, Butch Lukic, <br> Toshihiko Masuda, Dan Riba, Andrea Romano, and Yûichirô Yano{{efn|Shared with ''The New Batman Adventures''.}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
| [[Lolita Ritmanis]] {{small|(for "Little Girl Lost: Part 1")}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Sound Mixing – Special Class
| Tom Maydeck, Robert Hargreaves, Patrick Rodman, and John Hegedes{{efn|Shared with ''The New Batman Adventures''.}}
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2000
| rowspan="4"| [[27th Daytime Emmy Awards|Daytime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Animated Program|Outstanding Children's Animated Program]]
| Jean MacCurdy, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, Bruce Timm, <br> Hilary Bader, Stan Berkowitz, Rich Fogel, Bob Goodman, Curt Geda, <br> Butch Lukic, Dan Riba, Andrea Romano, and Shin'ichi Tsuji{{efn|Shared with ''The New Batman Adventures''.}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
| Michael McCuistion {{small|(for "In Brightest Day...")}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| Lolita Ritmanis {{small|(for "Fish Story")}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Sound Editing – Special Class
| Robert Hargreaves, George Brooks, Gregory Beaumont, Mark Keatts, <br> John Hegedes, Linda Di Franco, Kelly Ann Foley and Diane Griffen{{efn|Shared with ''The New Batman Adventures''.}}
| {{nom}}
|}

===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://www.dccomics.com/tv/superman-the-animated-series-1996-2000 Official DC comics Site]
* {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141227001443/http://www.batman-superman.com/superman/cmp/index.html|date=27 December 2014|title=Official website}}
* {{IMDb title|0115378}}
* ''[http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/superman/ Superman: The Animated Series]'' at The World's Finest

{{DC Animated Universe}}
{{Superman in other media}}
{{Supergirl}}
{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}
{{Kids' WB}}
{{DC Comics animated TV series}}

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