Max Fleischer Superman or Bruce Timm Superman, which do you prefer?

[Dr. Fate]

Like the title says, in terms of animation and what not, which do you prefer - the Max Fleischer Superman or the Bruce Timm Superman?

[Super Kal]

I prefer the Fleischer version every time

[The Caped Knight]

Bruce Timm Superman all the way, Still I love the Fleischer version as well .

[AmbientFire]

Bruce timm's design for supes, but Fleischer's animation

[Gabe99]

FLEISCHER!

From the Superman Homepage:
June 26, 2012: Did You Know? Karol Krauser was Fleischer's Superman Model

Originally Posted by Steve Younis

It has been well documented that when Paramount Pictures approached Fleischer Studios about producing a series of animated shorts dedicated to Superman they were less than enthusiastic about taking on the project, quoting a figure of $100,000 per episode (four times the going rate of the time), thinking the price would be too high for Paramount to accept and that would be the end of that. However Paramount said, "Okay, go ahead" and the rest (as they say) is history.

While the Fleischer Superman would obviously be based on the character drawn by Joe Shuster as seen in "Action Comics" and "Superman" comic books, they employed a technique known as "Rotoscoping" in which real-life figures were traced in ink, frame by frame, making the animated figures more believable.

Whether he was used in this fashion or not is unknown, but professional wrestler Karol Krauser was used as the male model by the Fleischers to aid in their portrayal of Superman for the animated shorts.

Born August 24, 1912 in Hollyoke, MA, Karol is best known as one of the Kalmikoff Brothers, Mad Russians, in the wrestling world of the 1950s and 1960s. In 1939 or 1940 Krauser modeled for the Fleischer Studios in Florida for the Superman animated shorts.

Interestingly, Stan Laurel (from Laurel and Hardy) was best man at his Krauser's wedding.

Karuser died of a heart attack immediately following his wrestling match in Salt Lake City on September 12, 1964.

[Krumm]

I will say of Timm's designs, I prefer TAS as opposed to JLU. I'm just not a fan of the super cheek bones of JLU.

[Thor The Mighty]

Bruce Timms. Fleischer was good for it's time though.

[Super Kal]

the Fleischer Superman cartoons all the way... Bruce Timm wimpified Superman to a new level purposefully.

the Fleischer cartoons will always be timeless, and no other superman cartoon has even come close to matching the animation level that the Fleischer cartoons had.

[ironman29758]

I have to go with Fleischer while Timm's Superman was great they really did a diservice to him in JL with his cheekbones and weakining him which only improved in the 2nd season to JLU. Fleischer Superman was the classic hero.

[dru-zod2501]

Fleischer's Superman was all thriller no filler. Add to that Bud Collyer's voice (Who I think is the definitive Superman voice) and you have the definitive hero

[Ruthmarks]

Fleischer by a mile.

[El Payaso]

Fleischer all the way.

[747]

In terms of animation and style, Fleischer wins for me. But overall I prefer STAS, mostly because the format allows for more characterization, story and drama, which is a big key for me and my love for Superman and his world.

Both are great at what they do though.

[nogap87]

Fleischer.

WB needs to get Superman shorts back in theatres.

[charl_huntress]

I love Timm's work. That's not to say the Fleischer ones aren't great in their own way, but Timm has reallly pushed the envelope and brought DCAU to the forefront of exciting cartoons and cartoon drama.

[Spidey220987]

Originally Posted by AmbientFire

Bruce timm's design for supes, but Fleischer's animation

This.
I would have loved it if Bruce Timm's original idea to have Superman: TAS resemble the Fleischer cartoons came to fruition.
I've seen the concept art before, but can't find it

[Spidey220987]

Originally Posted by 747

In terms of animation and style, Fleischer wins for me. But overall I prefer STAS, mostly because the format allows for more characterization, story and drama, which is a big key for me and my love for Superman and his world.

Both are great at what they do though.

Agreed. 7 - 10 minute shorts vs 22+ minute episodes isn't exactly fair now is it?
Plus the wealth of characters DC had at their disposal too.
Think I'm in the minority of people who prefers S:TAS to B:TAS

[Metropolis_Man]

Absolutely the Fleischer cartoons. That was my introduction to the character. I was 3 or 4 and watching the Mummy Strikes and I can distinctly remember being afraid when they showed the mummies, but as soon as Superman came on screen I felt safe. The animation is miles ahead of it's time and still looks better to me. Really classic, pure stories as well. Nothing against Bruce Timm version either though. I love those so much as well.

[Young Superman]

Fleischer Superman all the way.

[Superwoman Prime]

Fleischer.

He's a more raw, intense, pure version of the character, all in all.

[theMan-Bat]

Fleischer Superman.

[CLARKY]

Originally Posted by Dr. Fate

Like the title says, in terms of animation and what not, which do you prefer - the Max Fleischer Superman or the Bruce Timm Superman?

It's not a good idea to compare both. It's like comparing Bob Kane's Batman to Chris Nolan's. One is at the beginning, the other at the end, meaning : one deals with all the mythology, while the other still has to build it.
The Fleisher cartoons are the best, they are great, and the animation is stunning and beautiful, they are piece of art. But the Timm's Superman Tas is the best superman adaptation of all time IMO. the bad guys are actually here, the plots are solid and well developped, they carefully avoid some clichés while understanding what Superman was. The character is much more complex than he was in 1938, so the work is better, harder. For me both cartoons are compelling and clever.

[mjbull23]

Originally Posted by 747

In terms of animation and style, Fleischer wins for me. But overall I prefer STAS, mostly because the format allows for more characterization, story and drama, which is a big key for me and my love for Superman and his world.

Both are great at what they do though.

Agree on all points. Timm has built in advantage of longer episodes to work with, which does nothing to diminish his standing in my eyes. I'll give the slight nod to Timm.

[childeroland]

Max Fleischer, but maybe only because I grew up loving that version and remember watching them at the Cartoon Museum when it was located in Rye, New York.

[BH/HHH]

Oh this isn't fair at all, I love them both but I suppose I would watch Superman TAS more.