Will Superman Have a new cartoon show post Man of Steel Movie?

[ascended]

Yeah....that would be really cool. I'd happily watch that.

I'd also accept President Luthor too. Its something mainstream America has never really seen, and even in the comics that was only used for a few years during Loeb's run. I know the fanbase if fairly split on the concept but I think it might help Superman's image with the wider audience. Lots of people see Clark as an establishment man. someone who upholds the laws and choices of the government. We fans know better, but most people dont. Putting Lex in the White House rings true with the feelings of America today and our distrust for the government and it showcases that Superman fights for ideals and not laws. Plus it offers a lot of pathos and drama as Lex turns the military on Superman. Offers a new option for conflict beyond alien invaders and super criminals, and how the soldiers respond to their orders could generate great drama. A scene where a platoon throws down their guns in defiance of an executive order to capture Superman could be a great moment; showcasing Superman's inspirational aspects without going overboard and becoming preachy. Done well, of course.

[NotSuper]

Yeah....that would be really cool. I'd happily watch that.

I'd also accept President Luthor too. Its something mainstream America has never really seen, and even in the comics that was only used for a few years during Loeb's run. I know the fanbase if fairly split on the concept but I think it might help Superman's image with the wider audience. Lots of people see Clark as an establishment man. someone who upholds the laws and choices of the government. We fans know better, but most people dont. Putting Lex in the White House rings true with the feelings of America today and our distrust for the government and it showcases that Superman fights for ideals and not laws. Plus it offers a lot of pathos and drama as Lex turns the military on Superman. Offers a new option for conflict beyond alien invaders and super criminals, and how the soldiers respond to their orders could generate great drama. A scene where a platoon throws down their guns in defiance of an executive order to capture Superman could be a great moment; showcasing Superman's inspirational aspects without going overboard and becoming preachy. Done well, of course.

That could be good, but it might be too similar to Lex as tycoon. Evil Political Guy is just a step removed from Evil Corporate Guy, which is one reason the move from the office to the oval office worked for Lex--still the same Mr. 1%. (And we did see it sort of with the Superman/Batman animated movie--Public Enemies.) Personally, though, I'd kind of like to see a scarier version of Lex. My vision for Lex is to be just as much a legend as Superman, but something much more underground, something whispered in hushed tones--whereas Superman is an legend to the common people, Luthor is an underworld legend--someone bad guys both fear and aspire to become themselves.

[NotSuper]

But I definitely want to see the social activist Superman in a new cartoon series. More Neutral or Chaotic Good than Lawful Good.

[Auguste Dupin]

But I definitely want to see the social activist Superman in a new cartoon series. More Neutral or Chaotic Good than Lawful Good.

I suppose your Keyzer Sozë Lex could work with a social activist Superman. It could be a representation of faceless corporation, where compagnies are often controlled by people we know nothing about. Officially, Lex Luthor barely exists, but he actually has a strong grip on Wall Street and other things like that (legal or not) , a word from him and actions go up or down, governments get destituted, workers are fired. Like, evil corporate Luthor up to eleven, but with the supercriminal aspect kept. And socialist Superman would be like the champion of the people he crushes without a second thought, just because it makes him a little richer. Of course, that might go beyond what is proper in a children's cartoon, or would at least have to be treated with care.

[NotSuper]

I suppose your Keyzer Sozë Lex could work with a social activist Superman. It could be a representation of faceless corporation, where compagnies are often controlled by people we know nothing about. Officially, Lex Luthor barely exists, but he actually has a strong grip on Wall Street and other things like that (legal or not) , a word from him and actions go up or down, governments get destituted, workers are fired. Like, evil corporate Luthor up to eleven, but with the supercriminal aspect kept. And socialist Superman would be like the champion of the people he crushes without a second thought, just because it makes him a little richer. Of course, that might go beyond what is proper in a children's cartoon, or would at least have to be treated with care.

I like this idea. Sort of reminds me of Maggin's Luthor, who owned multiple companies under assumed names, though this version would obviously be much more ruthless and even frightening.

[Auguste Dupin]

I like this idea. Sort of reminds me of Maggin's Luthor, who owned multiple companies under assumed names, though this version would obviously be much more ruthless and even frightening.

If my memory serves me right, Maggin's Luthor goes a bit further than that, as he doesn't just assume CEO's names, he also secretely is a famous artist (I remember in the "Last Son" novel, he hides his inventions in plain sight by pretending they're modern art), and other famous personnalities without any one noticing.
Now that I think about it, this "Keyzer Söze Luthor" is actually a mix between the two main incarnations of the character: the mad scientist/criminal, and the evil businessman. And he's also Donner's Luthor taken seriously (in Superman 1 , he owns a company as well, mixes criminal -the nuking of california- and commercial-buying worthless land before artificially increasing their worth- to become richer, and is a criminal no one managed to catch while hiding almost in plain sight). Good find, sir.

[ascended]

Yes. Absolutely, that could rock. I really like the concept dynamic between Lex and Clark here.

Only thing I would have to add is that I want Superman to hate Lex as much as Lex hates Superman. No more of this "Oh Lex if only you could reform we'd be friends" stuff. No, Lex is Clark's anti-christ and there should be no in-between with them. Both of them know that only one of them is going to live through their conflict. I dont mean Clark should be out for his blood literally, but deep down Clark knows theres only one way it plays out.

[NotSuper]

If my memory serves me right, Maggin's Luthor goes a bit further than that, as he doesn't just assume CEO's names, he also secretely is a famous artist (I remember in the "Last Son" novel, he hides his inventions in plain sight by pretending they're modern art), and other famous personnalities without any one noticing.
Now that I think about it, this "Keyzer Söze Luthor" is actually a mix between the two main incarnations of the character: the mad scientist/criminal, and the evil businessman. And he's also Donner's Luthor taken seriously (in Superman 1 , he owns a company as well, mixes criminal -the nuking of california- and commercial-buying worthless land before artificially increasing their worth- to become richer, and is a criminal no one managed to catch while hiding almost in plain sight). Good find, sir.

Thanks! I'm a big fan of Morrison's "use everything" approach and that's partially how I came up with the idea.

[Auguste Dupin]

Thanks! I'm a big fan of Morrison's "use everything" approach and that's partially how I came up with the idea.

I sort of like that idea myself. Until then, my favourite version for Lex was "a mad scientist pretending he's an evil businessman". But yours is badass as hell.
Anyway, I stumbled upon a similar thread for a Superman cartoon, when I basically developped the same idea, but where I said Superman's main businessman nemesis would be Glenmorgan. That made me thinking: what if at first, Superman was trying to fight Glenmorgan's influence over Metropolis, but the audience would soon discover that the guy is actually under the orders for someone else? By, let's say, the end of the first season, when Superman actually manages to put Glenmorgan out of the way, we discover that the guy is actually Lex Luthor (the one we are talking about), who basicaly says "all right.....let's get serious about killing Superman".

[Adekis]

I think that Glenmorgan's greatest strength is that he takes up the role of "90s Corrupt Businessman Luthor" and frees up Lex to be "70s Honestly Criminal Genius Luthor", which I have always thought is where the character really shines. If Glenmorgan is removed from the 90s Luthor position, I reccomend "Ugly" Mannheim to be the Mogul crime boss.


As for the show, I think the focus should be on variety. Show takes place after "THE SUPER-DUEL IN SPACE!" (perhaps the first episode?), which allows Superman to fight more epic SF opponents and battles, without losing the "Champion of the Oppressed who fights for the common people" angle that makes up such a big part of Superman's character. Clark can keep his stories focused on that while Superman fights both those battles and SF battles.

Meanwhile, other types of episodes include but are not limited to Jimmy-centric ones modeled on the ASSuperman version, Lois Lane or Clark Kent centric-episodes, flashback episodes involving jeans-and-t-shirt-Superman, or team-ups with Steel.

After all, you can tell almost any kind of story with Superman from space opera to crime drama to comedy, and any show should take advantage of that.

As for my ideal Superman characterization, keep it to the socially consious Champion of the Oppressed.

[Fonecrusher]

Probably go with the DCnU look, might as well streamline it with the movies and comics especially with Man of Steel coming up. In terms of art style I would like the animation done similar to Young Justice/Animated DC movies. The main objective of any future Superman show I feel should be to explore and expand the Superman universe and create public awareness, Superman has a deeply rich gallery of allies and rogues, which aren't probably as well known as say those in the Batverse, I think any potential show should be about crafting a well known network of characters and showcasing them to the public similar to the sort of supporting cast Batman enjoys in Gotham. So the focus should be on Metropolis and the Supes family so Lois, Jimmy, Perry the Kents and Lex etc. but also the likes of Superboy, Supergirl, Powergirl, Steel, Krypto, The Eradicator, Cyborg Superman, Metallo, Zod. Perhaps with the occasional JL member or DCU character appearance to keep us fanboys happy.

[davidgrantlloyd]

I'd say they'll give it a go. It is a franchise, after all.

Just thinking on the subject ... the first Action Comics story arc with Brainiac would make a pretty good 'Superman Year One' animated movie on DVD

[NotSuper]

Glenmorgan as Superman's corporate bad-guy seems like a good solution to free up Lex. Although another good contender would be Morgan Edge, but he often goes between being a villain and just a ruthless (but honest) businessman. I'm not sure which take DCU wants to go with for Edge. Have we seen him actually breaking the law yet?

[Bo-Man]

I would love to see new Superman animated series. I would like to see it based off the new 52 version. I would like to still see the social activist Superman and the Sci-Fi concepts like Brainiac. I would like to see Glenmorgan as the corporate bad guy, while Lex can be the mad scientist. Still have Lois,Jimmy, Perry, and Morgan Edge as well.

[bat39]

This is the route I would go.

The title of the series would be SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL

The series would be set early in Superman's career, roughly about a year after his first appearance. The first story arc of the series would be a loose adaptation of Morrison's first arc-Superman is introduced as a T-shirt and jeans wearing vigilante and 'champion of the oppressed'. Then he repels Brainiac's invasion, acquires his new suit (the DCnU version) and is hailed as a 'superhero' though there are still a LOT of people apprehensive about him and opinion is still mixed.

From then on, the series would be evenly split between Superman's continuing war against crime and corruption in Metropolis (maybe Intergang gets in here!) and supernatural, scientific and/or extra-terrestrial threats. There would be a heavy focus on Clark Kent's crusade as a journalist and his budding friendship with Lois (as well as his partnership with Jimmy).

As far as Lex Luthor goes, I like the version in Morrison's arc. While a businessman, he is first and foremost a scientist, contracted by the military (and very close to Lois' father Sam Lane), who believes Superman is a parasitic alien life-form dangerous to human society. Secretely of course, he is both fascinated by Superman and envious of his fame and the respect he has garnered and of the good he has done with his powers. Lex won't be an out and out villain to begin with-more of an ambivalent scientist gradually driven down the path of becoming a menace by his envy of Superman and the loosening grip on his morality.

Villains like Parasite, Metallo, Toyman, Kryptonite Man, Bizarro, Livewire et all would also make appearances.