All Things Superman: An Open Discussion - Part 5

[terry78]

You do realize that Bruce Timm's designs were a throwback to the art deco era, which is why they looked more simplistic.

 

[Shabadoo]

Something usually has to be sacrificed when you're talking about a tv show. It's usually either fluid, detailed animation or detailed character designs. That's why the animation is stiffer in shows like the 80s Superman series and Spider-Man: TAS, whereas the DCAU shows have more fluid animation but more simplistic character designs.

I find that really seems to apply only to more modern shows, which are more often than not using a cell-shaded CGI technique which looks pretty terrible IMO. Looking at the cartoons I watched as a kid in the '80s, these were WAY more detailed and the animation was pretty good.

I'd definitely prefer something like these:

[YT]M_RdPawsqgo[/YT]

[YT]gMNsDOOW0Ck[/YT]

[YT]IiUrTHYVLP8[/YT]

[YT]VBkTIb4NtrA[/YT]

Over these:

[YT]XJkzBRPxdaU[/YT]

[YT]uvrNHlo3dEs[/YT]

If we can't get a hand-animated series, the next best thing would be one that is Clone Wars-like. That freaking show gets better and better looking every year. It's unreal.

 

[Superman_200]

I find that really seems to apply only to more modern shows, which are more often than not using a cell-shaded CGI technique which looks pretty terrible IMO. Looking at the cartoons I watched as a kid in the '80s, these were WAY more detailed and the animation was pretty good.

I'd definitely prefer something like these:

[YT]M_RdPawsqgo[/YT]

[YT]gMNsDOOW0Ck[/YT]

[YT]IiUrTHYVLP8[/YT]

[YT]VBkTIb4NtrA[/YT]

Over these:

[YT]XJkzBRPxdaU[/YT]

[YT]uvrNHlo3dEs[/YT]

If we can't get a hand-animated series, the next best thing would be one that is Clone Wars-like. That freaking show gets better and better looking every year. It's unreal.

I was thinking of something like this style. One of the Batman Gotham Knight segments stood out for me as the best, and I think it is the ones featured in the beginning of those clips. Batman has a very definitive look. It is not the simplistic square headed Superman from the animated series that could look like anyone at all. The Batman there has a look that couldn't just be anyone.

I'd like to see something more like this:

Than this for a Superman animated series.

[YT]vKsBhGEU2cE[/YT]

 

[gkokujin]

*facepalm.jpg*

i can only attribute this to KIDS...

 

[Shabadoo]

I was thinking of something like this style. One of the Batman Gotham Knight segments stood out for me as the best, and I think it is the ones featured in the beginning of those clips. Batman has a very definitive look. It is not the simplistic square headed Superman from the animated series that could look like anyone at all. The Batman there has a look that couldn't just be anyone.

I'd like to see something more like this:

Than this for a Superman animated series.

[YT]vKsBhGEU2cE[/YT]

Yep. I loved both the Superman and Batman animated series, but that style and that level of minimal-ness has had it's day.

That Gotham Knight video was pretty badass...

 

[ChickenScratch]

I was thinking of something like this style. One of the Batman Gotham Knight segments stood out for me as the best, and I think it is the ones featured in the beginning of those clips. Batman has a very definitive look. It is not the simplistic square headed Superman from the animated series that could look like anyone at all. The Batman there has a look that couldn't just be anyone.
I'd like to see something more like this:

Than this for a Superman animated series.

[YT]vKsBhGEU2cE[/YT]

I hear what you are saying. But that Bruce does not have the Batman chin I like. I love the big square, Bruce Timm jawline. Hell, I'm a fan of that style of art as a whole, Timm, Kirby, Toth, Templton, Oeming, Cooke, etc, I'm a big fan of really simplified art.

 

[Krumm]

I actually like Bruce Timm's designs. The only thing that always bugged me is the way Bruce Wayne looked obese and would wear that horrid looking suit

 

[Lily Adler]

I actually like Bruce Timm's designs. The only thing that always bugged me is the way Bruce Wayne looked obese and would wear that horrid looking suit

What is the context of this scene?

 

[Krumm]

What is the context of this scene?

He proves that he isn't Batman. I think it's Dick under the cowl.

 

[HighFivingMF]

What is the context of this scene?

Batman's suit comes to life. Not really.

 

[Lily Adler]

Gotcha!

 

[Slugster]

He proves that he isn't Batman. I think it's Dick under the cowl.

WOW! Batman must be well hung LOL!

 

[Superman_200]

The art from those cartoons made everyone look the same. No one had a very defined look. Like, if they were police sketches or BOLO drawings, the guy could be handing out the drawings and he would still be hard to recognize.

 

[Mad Love]

I like how Superman was drawn in Return of Black Adam

Batman: TAS was a throwback to Fleisher's Superman

 

[Krumm]

I like how Superman was drawn in Return of Black Adam

Batman: TAS was a throwback to Fleisher's Superman

He did look good there. I also liked how he looked in "The Batman"

Although it is very stylized.

 

[Shabadoo]

I like how Superman was drawn in Return of Black Adam

Batman: TAS was a throwback to Fleisher's Superman

VERY nice. I like that.

 

[Lily Adler]

I like how Superman was drawn in Return of Black Adam

Batman: TAS was a throwback to Fleisher's Superman

I really like that. You guys are making me want a new animated series for Superman now.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

I've been wanting a new one since STAS ended. I kindof hope it's done by different people though, just so it's fresh, but I also hope it's taken just as seriously.

 

[Shabadoo]

I really like that. You guys are making me want a new animated series for Superman now.

You mean you didn't before?! What kind of fan are you??

 

[Lily Adler]

A fan with standards.

 

[Superman_200]

I like how Superman was drawn in Return of Black Adam

Batman: TAS was a throwback to Fleisher's Superman

I saw that, and I thought that costume was great. The cape was long, the "S" was large, and the color was great. I still don't care to the art itself, but it did look good. I don't know why there are not more cartoons with greater detail. I would imagine that it is a time/cost issue. At least this one had actual eyes with the white and pupil, not like the Superman from the animated series being posted in the cartoon discussion threat (before it got moved to here) where the eyes are just some lines and a dot, and the eyes have no white anymore, it seems like the skin has grown into the eyeball or something.

 

[Shabadoo]

A fan with standards.

t:

 

[Krumm]

So with the anniversary of 9/11 having just past, I've come across a few articles discussing Hollywood's reaction to the events and they mention the Dark Knight as being a defining work of the post-9/11 world.

This of course got me thinking of Man of Steel and what kind of potential it might have in representing our world today - seeing the creative team of TDK is present.

What kind of themes do think Man of Steel may have in representing our world?

 

[hopefuldreamer]

So with the anniversary of 9/11 having just past, I've come across a few articles discussing Hollywood's reaction to the events and they mention the Dark Knight as being a defining work of the post-9/11 world.

This of course got me thinking of Man of Steel and what kind of potential it might have in representing our world today - seeing the creative team of TDK is present.

What kind of themes do think Man of Steel may have in representing our world?

I think it could be incredibly relevant.

Take the beginning of Birthright and place it in the context of places of active war today, for example.

Or have the events that lead to Krypton's destruction mirror the possibilities of our own society destroying itself.

I'm very excited to see if anything like that is included, which I think through Zod is very achievable.

The concept of a Kryptonian General who can see the same fate for earth as his own planet, having seen the results of doing things 'by the book' and deciding to take a more forceful approach this time, now that he has the physical power to do so.

Contrast that with Superman, who has absolute belief in humanity and it's capacity for good, it's ability to change if he can just show them a bit of hope and inspiration and help undo some of the corruption, crime and violence going on in the world.

Epic!

P.S. Do you have links to the articles? I'd be interested to give them a read.

 

[Krumm]

It was really only two articles. One was in the most recent Entertainment Weekly about the Fall TV lineup. It was written by the producer of "24." Unfortunately I am having trouble finding it on EW's website. The other was in the Chicago Tribune

I was thinking similarly about the contrast of Superman and Zod. It is interesting that they are both part of the same race but have completely different views on how to treat humanity. In a way, Superman is fighting the worst part of himself.