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1941: Superman
The Fleischers produced nine cartoons in the Superman series before Paramount took over the Fleischer Studios facility and ousted Max and Dave Fleischer.
The sleek look of the series continued, but there was a noticeable change in the storylines of the later shorts of the series.
The first nine cartoons had more of a science fiction aspect to them, as they involved the Man of Steel fighting robots, giant
dinosaurs, meteors from outer space, and other perils. The later eight cartoons in the series dealt more with World War II
propaganda stories, such as in Eleventh Hour, which finds Superman going to China (then occupied by Japan) to commit acts
of espionage in order to reduce the morale of the enemy.
1966:
The New Adventures of Superman
An animated series about the hero made famous in comic
books and later in a live-action TV show. Superman, visitor from the planet Krypton and alter-ego of mild-mannered reporter
Clark Kent, has made it his mission to stop crime on his adopted
home of Earth. His crime-fighting frequently pitted him against the master villain Lex Luthor, but somehow the caped crusader
always managed to thwart Luthor's plans.
1967:
The Superman-Aquaman Hour of Adventure
The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure was first broadcast
on September 9, 1967. This 60-minute program included new Superman segments,
and adventures featuring Aquaman and his sidekick Aqualad. It also comprised a rotating series of cartoons featuring The Flash
and Kid Flash, the Green Lantern, Hawkman, The Atom, and the Teen Titans (Speedy, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl and Aqualad), and
new Superboy shorts.
1968:
The Batman-Superman Hour
The Batman/Superman Hour premiered on September 14, 1968, featuring new two-part Superman segments alongside new Superboy shorts
and the adventures of Batman, Robin and Batgirl.
1973:
Super Friends
1977:
The All-New Super Friends Hour
1978:
Challenge Of The SuperFriends
1979:
The World's Greatest Super Friends
1984:
Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show
1985:
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians
The primary characters featured in the series were Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Superman,
Batman and Wonder Woman are generally considered DC's flagship characters. Aquaman had previously appeared in his own animated
series produced by Filmation, as had both Superman and Batman. Shortly before the Super Friends series was developed, Superman
and Wonder Woman guest-starred in two episodes of The Brady Kids, while Batman and Robin appeared in two episodes of The New
Scooby-Doo Movies.
1988: Superman
Superman was morning cartoon television series produced by Ruby-Spears featuring the DC Comics superhero with
veteran comic book writer, Marv Wolfman as head story editor with noted comic book artist, Gil Kane, providing character designs. The final four minutes of each Superman episode were devoted to a brief snapshot from
the "Superman Family Album." These biographical segments deviated from the contemporary comics to have Clark
have his powers fully developed since infancy as opposed to developing as he matured. These stories depicted the Smallville
misadventures of the young Kryptonian immigrant as he faces typical childhood trials with his first day at school, an overnight
scouting campout, getting a driver's license, his first date, and more.
1996: Superman: The Animated Series
2001: Justice League / Justice League Unlimited
2006: Legion
of Super Heroes
A group of teenagers from the 31st century travel back
in time to recruit Superman in their fight against evil in their time. Unfortunately, they go too far back and land in a time
when Superman was younger, just before he went to Metropolis. Taking him back to their future, the young Superman helps the
Legion in fighting evil and upholding the laws of the United Planets.
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