It’s funny how time can change. When I posted this the first time in 2011, I never thought we’d get not one but two more supermen not to mention a Supergirl series. Here is a re-post the most changes being the end when I added to the list. I apparently had video links at some point but they’re long gone. I also changed the title since this is more about the film versions than the general overview it was supposed to be.
Faster than a speeding bullet! More
powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single
bound! (“Look! Up in the sky!” “It’s a bird!” “It’s a plane!” “It’s
Superman!”)… Yes, it’s Superman … strange visitor from another planet,
who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal
men! Superman … who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel
in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent,
mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a
never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way!
Superman is THE man. I always said that Green Lantern brought me to comic books, but it was Superman that made me fall in love with them. It’s not just because he can fly and has really cool powers. It’s his whole attitude that makes him likable. With his powers he could rule the world, but does he? Of course not, he helps people expecting nothing in return. Superman is a symbol we need, and have needed for over eighty years now.
So, I thought it would be fun to list off some of the people who have made this character come to life. But first, let’s discuss my favorite comic book version. Superman has been brought to life by some legendary people including Curt Swan, Marv Wolfman, Roger Stern, and Jerry Ordway. However, this is my favorite:
The John Byrne Superman, circa 1986-1988. John Byrne relaunched the character with his Man of Steel mini-series twenty-five years ago. This was THE version for me; it made me love the character. No longer an all-powerful demi god like in the 70’s, he was a down to Earth Kansas farm boy. Clark Kent was the real person and Superman was just a name he used to operate in public. This enabled Clark to be more human, rather than just a stereotypical klutz. John Byrne only worked on Superman for a couple years, but his issues are among my favorite stories ever and I still cherish them to this day.
Superman has come a long way in comics, at first simply able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. However while his look and powers have evolved, the core of the character has not.
When I first wrote this I never thought I’d see a comic version I hated. Oh New 52….if only I’d known.
Now, on to the film versions.
George Reeves (The Adventures of Superman)
Kirk Alyn was technically first but Reeves really got the ball rolling. While I have great respect for George Reeves, I had to admit I was never a fan. This show was old even for me, and I just never got into it. Not saying it was bad, it wasn’t and for lots of people George Reeves is the person who put Superman on the map. I totally understand that. It’s safe to say none of the other people on this list would be here without his inspiration. However, at the same this is very much old school Superman. Clark Kent was just a nerdy wimp; Lois was just a damsel in distress, and so on. I also thought he was a little to old. Not my personal favorite, but considering what he started I have total respect for him and what he did in that series.
Christopher Reeve (Superman I-IV)
I mean, who else? Christopher Reeve defined this character in so many ways. He truly was Superman. What I always loved was that he wasn’t always serious. This was a Superman who knew how to have a sense of humor, even joke around. However, when things were serious you knew it! Christopher Reeve created a Superman you DID NOT want to piss off! I hated Superman IV as much as anyone. As for Superman III, I had issues with that one. Superman II was never a favorite for one simple reason; they had Lois and Superman get together! That should not have happened. It was a good movie though. Of course, Superman: The Movie was the classic. I remember the first half being boring when I was a kid, but that’s because I was a kid and I have grown to love it and appreciate as an adult. Simply put, Christopher Reeve WAS Superman!
Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)
I HATE that this series has not stood the test of time. It seems no one has heard of it or seen it. It was a big hit around ’93. When I first heard Dean Cain I figured it would never work. However, he did a great job. I think the reason being that he took the role very seriously. That seriousness came through and made the character a, well, character rather than just someone putting on a blue suit and playing. This Superman was a little cooler, more reserved than Christoper Reeve’s. This was after the Byrne revamp, so we had a Clark Kent who was a normal guy. Sure, he was a little goofy but he was still just a regular guy and Superman was just a name he used to operate in public. In fact this may be the most realistic Clark, until Tom Welling anyway. Even though the focus was Clark, there was still plenty of Superman. Ok to be fair this show hasn’t aged well. It is however a product of the times. And while it is lame most of Superman’s actions are off screen, the chemistry between Cain and Hatcher make the series work.
Danny Dark (Superfriends)
There have been many animated versions of Superman over the years. However, my favorite will always be the old Superfriends show. Including The World’s Greatest Superfriends and Challenge of the Superfriends. In these shows Superman’s voice was provided by Danny Dark, and for me he WAS Superman. The voice was perfect. He performed the voice for every Super Friends version through the 80’s, and no matter how many versions there have been since this will always be the standard. He was able to give Superman a strong, assertive voice which was also not pompous or arrogant. As for the other animated series, I just never saw them and really am not able to give a good opinion on them. From what I’ve seen, Superman The Animated Series was excellent.
Tom Welling (Smallville)
Like many, I did not have much interest in this version. Reducing Superman to a teen drama? Really? I admit, I was very wrong. Ok, sure this show had that teen crap but if you looked past that this series did a great job with the Superman mythos. They recreated characters that I never thought any show would do, and usually very well done. Lex Luther was fantastic, but that is another article. Tom Welling looked the part, and played it very well. I would love to see him as Superman literally, maybe someday. The plights of young Clark Kent made Superman more human, and once you get past the corny dialogue and sappy stories (and endless story lines!), it was good. Below is a clip of the end of the series, and I gotta tell you as a Superman fan this was great. Hearing that iconic John Williams music, I watched this and felt like a little kid all over again.
Brandon Routh (Superman Returns)
Oh, the pain! I mean no disrespect to Brandon Routh who is a fine actor. But, as Superman? This movie was such a disappointment, and there were two simple reasons. One was the horrible story, but the other was the actors! He was too young, and didn’t project any of the confidence Superman was supposed to have. He came off like a whiny wimp. His Clark Kent was a throwback to the goofy, not to be taken seriously Clark from the old days. What a step backward! Get the feeling I hated him? I also hated that Lois was married to someone else, and even worst was still not with Superman at the end! Arrgh!! I hated this movie, but to be fair have enjoyed Routh on Legends of Tomorrow as Ray Palmer.
Henry Cavill (DCMU)
Cavill was, well, not perfect bur pretty darn close. The suit worked a lot better than Routh’s. He certainly looked the part. However he was saddled with two horrible scripts which made Superman into someone I didn’t like as much. A bit of bully, paying no attention while people are injured as a result of his actions. He was a lot better in the Justice League movie, but according to reports that will be the last we see of this Superman.
Tyler Hoechlin (Supergirl)
This show is pretty good, though this season has been a disappointment, I did a whole article going over my thoughts on the new Superman. Suffice to say, he may not 100% look the role but he certainly acts the role. This is the Superman I want to see, unlike Cavill’s to aggressive one. And Benoist is perfect as Supergirl in many ways I felt like this show was the Superman show I always wanted.
Alright, let’s throw out some honorary mentions. Kirk Alyn was the very first person to put the uniform on in the famous serials. Gerard Christopher was in the Superboy TV series from the 80’s.
No I am not talking about that awful musical special that aired on the 70’s. As I mentioned there are dozens of people who have voices the Man of Steel in cartoons over the years, including Nicholas Cage recently!
That’s my little look at the people who have played Superman over the years. I know I kind of short shrifted the comics but there are other articles out there covering Superman stories, good and bad. As far the film versions, if I missed one you feel should be here, comment and let me know.
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