With the upcoming DCU being kickstarted bySuperman Legacy, many fans of the Man of Steel and DC Comics are seeking to relive the character’s past glories on both the bigger and smaller screens. Historically, the Kryptonian hero has not only inspired many other characters and been a beacon of hope within the DC Universe. He’s also been at the forefront of many great adaptations.
With the recent popularity of characters like Batman and Wonder Woman, it is easy to forget that Superman had many of the best TV series ever adapted from comic books, as well assome incredible moments and feats in the comics. Since superheroes began to move into television and continue with multiple series still running today, Superman has left a permanent mark on almost every era of TV.
8Lois & Clark
IMDb Score: 6.7/10
Superman isn’t just one of the most famous superheroes of all time. He’s also one of the very few heroes witha single, notable love interestand a generally healthy marriage. Clark Kent and Lois Lane were as much the focus of this 90s series as the adventures of Superman as a hero. The show told a full version of the Superman comic book mythos.
Lois & Clarkwas a roaring success for a time, particularly in the lead-up to the wedding between the two in season 3. However, after multiple faked weddings led to them still not having tied the knot by the end of that season, the show weakened. A scheduled fifth season was canceled after an unsuccessful season four. Nevertheless,Lois & Clarkdefined the Man of Steel in the 90s.
7Krypton
IMDb Score: 6.8/10
The prequel series to the life of Superman,Kryptonis set on the planet of Superman’s birth, two hundred years before he came to be. This means that the corrupt Kryptonian government that led to the planet’s downfall was already in place, as well as many of the known families, such as Kal-El’s own and that of General Zod.
The show featured several references to DC Comics Universe characters, but was a separate entity telling a unique story.Kryptonran for two seasons before being canceled. In that time, it managed to tell the story of Superman’s grandfather rising from the lower slums of Krypton and helping take on figures like Brainiac and General Zod himself, who comes from the future. It also portrayed the human Adam Strange leading Krypton down a dark path, which left the series on a cliffhanger ending that seemingly won’t achieve resolution.
6The New Adventures Of Superman
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Around the same time that Adam West brought a live-actionBatmanseries to the forefront of comic book culture,The New Adventures of Supermanwas airing in the form of six-minute episodes. This successful format allowed serialized adventures, similar to a comic book in form. They were filled with the characters and locations that would become iconic in future years for theSupermanmythos, producing iconic designs of many aspects,including his beloved costume.
The series was usually aired in the format of twoSupermanshorts with a Superboy or Aquaman short sandwiched between them, filling a full 30 or 60-minute time slot. Superman would fight known enemies like Lex Luthor, in addition to stranger choices like a Scottish ghost and a Yeti made of ice in the Himalayas.
5Smallville
IMDb Score: 7.5/10
This was another series that attempted to be a prequel to the mythos of the modern Superman.Smallvillewas a hugely successful series, and one of the main sources of live-action DC Comics adventures throughout the 00s. The show starred Tom Welling as a high school version of Clark Kent, dealing with his growing powers and meeting characters who would become important in the DC Comics world.
Smallvilleexisted on the premise of a “no cape, no flight” rule. This was their way of stripping back Superman, and leaving him something to grow into at the conclusion of the show. Many major Superman characters, like Supergirl, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and even the Justice League were introduced as the series continued. It is still consideredone of the best runs of a Superman showto date.
4The Adventures Of Superman
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
The first-everSupermanTV series,The Adventures of Superman, is better known for the controversies surrounding the death of George Reeves these days. However, at the time, it was a classic example of superhero serials which could tell basic, campy stories, as comic books were prone to do at that time.
Moving after the first couple of seasons from black and white to color,The Adventures of Supermandidn’t feature many of the iconic characters and villains Superman is known for these days. (This was mainly because many of them hadn’t been invented.) Superman generally found some threat he had to save Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen from, in a simple but beloved format that endeared itself to viewers for years.
3My Adventures With Superman
The newestSupermananimated series only has one season so far, but it’s a great one.My Adventures With Supermanuses all the trappings of modern animated TV, as well as newer comic book concepts like the Multiverse. Together, these aspects create something that can both tell the iconicSupermanmythos in its own way, while remaining fresh and different from the many Superman shows that have come before.
My Adventures With Supermankept itself extremely busy in its ten-episode first season. The story deals with many interconnected stories, such as the potential for the Kryptonian Invasion of Earth, Amanda Waller’s Task Force X, the burgeoning romance between Lois and Clark, and other smaller villains of the week. It seems likely that this show will continue to be a hit for years to come, and can establish itself as a leadingSupermanshow,focusing on both him and his best friends.
2Superman & Lois
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
ASupermanshow just now coming to an end,Superman & Loishas beenthe last man standing of the Arrowverse. This universe of TV shows began in 2012, but the scheduled fourth season of this show will be the final, with no further plans. This means that the beloved Arrowverse is finally ending.
Beginning with the couple and their two sons moving back toSmallvilleto be a family, this grounded show deals with some less common enemies of Superman. It also features stories involving only one of their sons inheriting Kryptonian powers, Lois getting breast cancer, and many other difficult and heavy themes. This angle of the show surprised and delighted audiences, who weren’t expecting such a grounded, drama-driven series.
1Superman: The Animated Series
IMDb Score: 8.1/10
Superman has jumped back and forth between live-action and animated TV series perhaps more than any other superhero. This definitive animated show from the late 90s, alongsideBatman: The Animated Series, managed to spawn the futureJustice LeagueandJustice League Unlimitedshows due to their success.
Superman: The Animated Seriesfeatured another classic take on the character and the Superman mythos. It not only painted him as a quiet, mild-mannered reporter, but also introduced many other heroes. It featured crossovers with theBatmananimated series, as well as some truly epic and memorable encounters with the likes of Darkseid. This is just one thing that makes ita great starting point for new Superman fans.
