SUPER SERIES

Max Fleischer’s Superman and Superman - The Lost Episodes DVDs aren’t new to store shelves, but if you’re an animation fan they should definitely own a spot on yours. Between 1941 and 1943, Fleischer and Famous Studios produced some of the most visually stunning animation to date. These Superman shorts are fast-paced thrillers, showcasing the noir style of film classics like Laura and The Third Man. Orson Welles even lends his voice to a few of the episodes, and Burt Lancaster is the opening announcer. They offer all the mood, dramatic lighting and special effects with hand-drawn charm and purity. Each episode has been beautifully restored with enhanced sound that, at times, distracts the viewer from the cartoon’s classic charm. There is also history and production info on each short. The very first Mighty Mouse short is also included on The Lost Episodes disc. The stories reflect the wartime era in which they were made. Several pit the Man of Steel against the tyranny of the Japanese Empire and Nazi mad scientists. Sure, Lois is still a nitwit for not seeing Kal-El through the bespectacled guise of Clark Kent, but she’s a red hot dame with a smart mouth and a great set of gams. I wish Fleischer were around today to make cartoons about Superman kicking the shit out of the “Axis of Evil”. No, those days are long gone, Jack. The head-shrinkers and sob sisters have slipped us a politically correct mickey that we can’t shake off. But at least we have 17 classic Superman episodes to show us that we weren’t always PC pussies, and that truth, justice, and the American way was a good thing.