Something that has been said of comicboook superheroes is that they are our modern mythologies. This is a comparison that I agree with, where we had Poseidon, there is Aquaman. Where there was Hera, there is Wonder Woman. We had Hercules, and now we have Superman.
What makes the superheroes more interesting is their pliability, they can be adjusted to be seen through whatever lens the writers and artists would like to see them in. So not only do we get vastly different stories with our heroes, but the characters themselves can change depending what kind of story is being told.
The same goes for the films. While the comic books are used as the templates for the characters and their adventures, the film versions don’t have to strictly adhere to every single element that made them last as long as they have. If you loved the latest James Gunn’s version of Superman, or if you prefer the Zack Snyder version of the character, you should seek out these animated films that take the Man of Steel into wildly different territories.
5) Superman: Man of Tomorrow– (2020)
In this modern version of Superman’s origin we see Clark before the cape as he’s just flying around in a bomber jacket and goggles helping people around Metropolis. He goes up against the crooked Lex Luthor, the space bounty hunter Lobo, and the life energy sucking creature Parasite. When he finally dons the suit he shows us why he’s called Superman.
4) Superman: Red Son– (2020)
Marvel has it’s What If..‘s and DC has it’s Elseworlds. In the comics we have seen Superman fighting in the Civil War, taking on the aliens from “War of the Worlds” and even becoming Batman. But the best animated Elseworlds tale has to be what would have happened is baby Kal-El didn’t land in a Kansas farm but in Ukraine? Eventually recruited by the Soviet Union and working for Joseph Stalin, Superman threatens to help take over the world for Mother Russia. In the mix we get to see alternate versions of Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Brainiac. It’s an interesting film that gives a glimpse of how the Man of Steel could affect our world and our history.
3) The Death of Superman– (2018
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Done not as well way back in 2007 in Superman: Doomsday over ten years later the landmark comic story is told right. As a creature in a containment suit crashes on Earth, and makes short work of the Justice League only Superman can take not he monster dubbed Doomsday. In a epic battle lives up to the word ‘epic’ this film sets the stage and makes you feel every earth-shattering punch as Superman and Doomsday fight to the death.
2) All-Star Superman– (2011)
When a space exploration team is sabotaged by Lex Luthor, and Superman as usual saves the day he’s surprised by Luthor’s real plan. To use the Sun which is the source of Superman’s powers to slowly poison him. Once Superman realizes there is no way to stop his eventual death, he creates a bucket list of sorts in a effort to leave the world better off after he dies. This is by far my favorite Superman animated film, based on the Grant Morrison classic comic book run. As it has the best battle between Lex and Superman, the battle of wills. You will also see a lot of similarities between this and the James Gunn film as he used it as a source of inspiration.
1) Superman vs. The Elite– (2012)
Adapted from a Joe Kelly, Doug Mahnke, Lee Bermejo story from 2001, this film has Superman meeting the vigilante team The Elite. As he sees that they genuinely want to help humanity, but when their methods begin to divert vastly from Superman, he becomes concerned. Not understanding why Superman doesn’t just eliminate the threats to the world, The Elite challenges the Man of Steel to become the one and only protector of the world.
