Max Fleischer’s Superman

Barely three years after National Periodicals (DC Comics) introduced Superman: The Man Of Steel in 1938, the world went Superman crazy.

So successful was the character that a huge network of licensed merchandise could be found in stores all over the United States and the world.

Everything from toys, cloths, home goods to kitchenware carried either the image of Superman or the Superman logo. Superman was heard on the radio and seen in a movie serial starring actor Kirk Alyn as The Man Of Steel.

Anxious to expand its Superman merchandise and pop culture empire National Periodicals contacted a number of animation studios to create a Superman series of cartoons to be shown in movie theaters.

All turned it down. Max Fleischer Studios (Popeye and Betty Boop) agreed to do it, but for an exorbitant price. Fleischer figured National wouldn’t go for it but to Fleischer’s surprise, National agreed to the price.

Obligated to produce a series of 17 theatrical cartoons Fleischer Studios did just that and the money was well spent.

The original Superman cartoons are some of the finest examples of early film animation. They were produced from 1941 to 1943.

Every cent was spent on consistent character designs, amazing backgrounds, impressive special effects and a powerful soundtrack.

Superman was pitted against giant robots, mad scientists and more. His supporting cast was also included and Fleischer Studios captured perfectly the timid persona of Clark Kent and the powerful presence of Superman.

In fact decades later when the Batman Animated Series ran much of its design was based on the Fleischer Superman cartoons from set dressings, backgrounds and more.

Fleischer’s influence is evident in the Batman movies, much of DC Comics darker animated movies and shorts and in many of its movies.

Warner Bros./Discovery has gathered together all 17 episodes of the original Superman cartoons and has released the Blu-ray Max Fleischer's Superman that also includes an all-new featurette about Fleischer’s Superman cartoons along with two more featurettes.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" — John 14:6