Superman: Adventures of the Man of Steel

Superman Adventures #new1

by Paul Dini, Terry Austin, Rick Burchett

Based on the beloved animated series-Superman takes flight!

Superman: The Animated Series was an instant classic, developed by the same team behind the beloved Batman: The Animated Series and featuring some of the greatest Superman adventures ever committed to film. Dive back into the world of Superman: The Animated Series with this collection of comics, featuring the iconic cast and some legendary creators!

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES VOL. 1 collects #1-10 and features stories by animated series co-creator Paul Dini (BATMAN: MAD LOVE) and acclaimed comics creator Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Zot!) and gorgeous animated-style art from Rick Burchett (THE BATMAN ADVENTURES). SUPERMAN ADVENTURES is the perfect book for Superman fans of all ages!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superman, Superheroes, Fiction, Childrens

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Paul Dini is an American television producer of animated cartoons. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Duck Dodgers. He also developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog and contributed scripts to Animaniacs (he created Minerva Mink), Freakazoid, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. After leaving Warner Bros. In early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the popular ABC adventure series Lost.

Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)

During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.

The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.

In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.

He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.

Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.

Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.

In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".

In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.

Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi

Reviews

[Scott]

3.5 stars

"I find the whole mythology on superheroes fascinating. Take my favorite superhero, Superman. Not a great comic book. Not particularly well-drawn. But the mythology . . . the mythology is not only great, it's unique . . . Superman didn't become Superman. Superman was born Superman." -- David Carradine as 'Bill,' in the cinematic Kill Bill, Vol. 2 (2004)

Although less-remembered and operating at a somewhat lower profile (although not an inferior product in any way) than its 'brother' series Batman: The Animated Series, the DC Comics / Warner Brothers production Superman: The Animated Series ran for four seasons (1996-2000) and was a briefly a staple of the televised afternoon airings of cartoons. Likely released to coincide with the first season of the show, the graphic novel Superman Adventures features the Bruce Timm-inspired illustration styles that were visual signatures of both aforementioned animated series. These ten adequate stories are family-friendly - this is truly an 'all-ages' type of book - and very straightforward without too many surprises (expect the usual super-villain guest stars and Daily Planet co-workers in supporting roles), but the volume is nicely paced that things don't really have a chance to get boring.

[Diz]

This is a collection of Superman stories that really get who Superman is. The stories are character driven rather than event focused, so you really get to know and love the characters.

[Drew Canole]

A collection of really wonderful short comics. Inspired by the animated series. I feel like this does a similar thing that All-Star Superman did, really hone in on the key aspects of Superman. More geared for kids and with not a ton of seriousness outside of the characters.

I wanted to check this out because of Scott McCloud and Cartoonist Kayfabe did a video on issue 2. I actually wasn't prepared to read beyond issue 2. He does up to issue 13 and also a 2005 series called Superman Strength - I'll have to read that too.

Great artwork through out.

[Himanshu Karmacharya]

Growing up, Superman: The Animated Series was one of my favourites. It made me appreciate Superman as a character, and admire him as a hero. This particular run not only encapsulates the essence of the series, but also provides some really good stories that made the original great in the first place.

[TheMoonDog]

Do you like classic Superman? The heroic, inherently optimistic and positive Superman? Then you'll love this book. It's a collection of short, self-contained stories featuring villains like Toyman, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Livewire, General Zod and many others.

Rick Burchett draws the book in this unmistakable, charming style the animated series was known and loved for (making Metropolis look like a 50's Utopia, with lots of trenchcoats, Art Deco skyscrapers and classic cars), while Paul Dini and Scott McCloud handle writing duties.

It's a fine blend of classic silver age silliness (Superman vs. shrunken Kryptonian criminals), and more contemporary issues, like feminism in the media, among other interesting themes.


If you want a Superman comic free of unnecessary clutter (crossovers, etc.), with great characterisation and gorgeous, colorful art, then give this book a chance. You won't regret it.

*John Williams theme starts playing in the background*

[James Bowman]

Just plain good superhero storytelling, with the right balance of fun and seriousness, and a generally upbeat vibe. Fans of Superman and/or the 90s animated series should be pretty pleased with this. (A-)

[Jake Nap]

A fantastic collection of basic, fun Superman stories. I got everything I wanted out of this book and some. Scott McCloud tells amazing Superman stories that really understand the core of the character.

8/10

[Thomas]

This is an awesome collection of what might be the best Superman series of the past 20? years. Inspired by the sublime Superman: The Animated Series (which is in turn inspired by Batman: TAS) it hits all of the great beats about Superman that work, past and present for the time.
It mines the Silver/Bronze Age stories for ideas and characters and is very much a part of the era of the Byrne reboot. It is a perfect blend of Classic and Modern and something wholly it's own. Do you like different colored Kryptonite but want it to make sense? Check. A slightly less powered Superman that has to work for it a bit? Check. Do you like Ma and Pa Kent alive? Check. A classic Lois and Clark and Superman love triangle? Check. Clark not a nebbish nerd but a wholesome farmboy? Check.
Seriously, if you want modern feeling but classic Superman this series is it.
I'm also a huge Scott McCloud fan (The Sculptor was awesome) and he did the series because he always wanted to write Superman, see, he's a fan too.

[Derek]

Quintessential Superman stories. A lot of people will stay because of the "all-ages" label and that's a real shame.

[Kieran McAndrew]

Superman Adventures Vol. 1

Superman has only been in Metropolis a few weeks and he's already made an impression on the city's inhabitants. As he faces off against rogue robot replicas and scheming villains, the Man of Steel grows to become a beacon of hope for everyone.

A collection of fun stories which the in well with Dini's animated series. The artwork is strong and there is a sense of humour to take the sting out of some of the harsher interactions.

[ISMOTU]

Fun stories set in the world of the animated series. Art and writing both capture the tone perfectly.

[Ben]

I cherished the first volume of Baman Adventures and this outing with Superman was no different. It’s made with a respect and affection for the show and characters, and it builds on what’s established instead of lazily copying it. Perfect bedtime stories for fans of the DCAU - I will be inhaling the rest of these.

[Andrew Beet]

The superman adventures graphic novel was quick to read I like that the stories were inspired by the superman animated TV series the artwork was good and very close to the animation style of the TV series

[Joy ;)]

Very nice!
I love the bright colors and 60s vibes. Absolutely great!
Supes is so charming and funny! I love him!
And Lois is just an icon. I mean seriously.
All in all, a great read!
8/10 “I lived through it, and can still hardly believe it. Mmm. Good cocoa. Anyway…”

[Victoria Nebolsky]

I grew up watching Superman the animated series as a kid, and it’s still one of my favorite cartoons to this day. The nostalgia I felt reading this was awesome, I wish some of these stories were featured on the show.

[Annice22]

Reading this was just like watching the animated series, there are good well-written stories in this first volume. I like that you get more character development in this as well.

[Beth]

*3.5

[Michael]

An absolute blast, some of my very favorite Superman comics ever.

[James Calefato]

Happy Superman Day! A great re-read.

[Brian Christian]

Great continuation of the cartoon, would be good for younger kids who can read on their own.

[Peter Van Der Raaij]

I had forgotten how good these stories were. This book contains the first 10 issues of the Superman Adventures comic which was based on the Superman Animated series. Apart from issues 7 and 8, these are all one and done issues. Some clever story telling in here.

[Skjam!]

After the success of the Batman animated series of the 1990s, the DC Animated Universe became a “universe” with the release of the Superman animated show that shared the same continuity. While perhaps not quite as brilliant as its predecessor, the Superman animated series was still very good and depicted the characters well.

So naturally, there was a comic book tie-in series as well. Paul Dini (who’d worked on the TV show) and Scott McCloud wrote issues, with various pencillers and inker Terry Austin imitating the show’s artstyle. In this first volume, we primarily see sequels to television episodes.

Some standout stories: Issue 2 has “Superman’s Girlfriend” who is not Lois Lane, but an ordinary woman who allows a joke to roll out of control because she initially likes the attention. Which is fine until she’s held hostage by Metallo, the man with the Kryptonite heart. Issue 5 has the return of Livewire, an electrically-powered woman who’d been created for the TV show. This time she’s striking a blow against the patriarchy by banning men from all electronic media. Somehow. It’s a bit heavy-handed, but allows Lois and a female TV reporter to bond a bit–it’s the first time the latter has been allowed to be the primary reporter on real news stories.

#7&8 is a two-parter in which two Kryptonian criminals get access to size-changing technology. It’s most interesting for spotlighting police officer “Dangerous” Dan Turpin (a Jack Kirby creation who was made to look even more like his creator after Kirby died) and his refusal to back down against impossible odds, despite his utter lack of superpowers. And Issue 9 features a teenager who has two heroes, Superman and Lex Luthor. We see some depth from Luthor in this one, as he does seem to care about the boy, even as his greed ensures that the teenager will lose faith in him.

These are kid-friendly stories (#10 even has a kid help Clark Kent solve a mystery) with enough depth for adult fans to enjoy. There’s a certain amount of fantasy violence, and some people die in the backstory, but the worst that happens to anyone in the present day is a trip to the hospital.

The art style may take some getting used to for those who never saw the show, but is clear and effective.

Recommended for young Superman fans, and Nineties kids with nostalgia.

[Michael]

Superman Adventures Vol. 1 is a good read for the whole family*.
*Unless your family is only into Marvel, then you might want to leave it aside for now, until your therapist has finished with you.

This, the first volume of Superman Adventures, collects issues one to ten and has a number of redeeming features, the highest of which is issue five.

Issue five, originally published by DC Comics in March 1997.
Written by Scott McCloud, penciled by Brett Blevins, inked by Terry Austin, colored by Marie Severin and lettered by Lois Buhalis, is the story 'Balance of Power'

Upon waking from her coma, the villain Livewire decides to engage in community service.
“You see, I think men and women should have equal time. As in, they had the last few thousand years, we should have the next.”
Livewire deletes newspaper files, stops radio and television broadcasts (that contain images of men) and defeats Superman.
As Livewire says before she defeats Superman in a brief battle in the West River power plant, “Oh, I’m on the side of the angels now, Supes. And this time I’m gonna win!’

An entertaining yet tragic exploration of oppression and abuse issues within society and the media, it focuses on the ongoing and pertinent themes of censorship, male oppression and the subjugation of women's rights.

[Niche]

Pretty straightforward Superman series based of the animated run. It's not necessary to have seen the cartoon, but it assumes you're familiar with the characters as you won't really get much if any exposition on their origin or abilities. Fairly episodic and formulaic, it does a good job of being a cartoon in print form.

The Livewire story stood out more than the others since it had touch of that tragic pathos that makes a villain more interesting/sympathetic. It sees Livewire blocking all broadcasts featuring men as sort of Bechdel filter. A bit on the nose, it had bit more substance to it than the others, but it runs into that dilemma of the hero's plan kind of being a stalemate and the antagonist's actions resolve it rather than having the hero be less than sterling.

[Nate]

Good fun. This is the first collection of comics based on Superman: the Animated Series, written by Scott McCloud (with Paul Dini on the first issue). These all-ages stories retain the bright nature of the show, full of joy, humor, and excitement. And the artists being that clean, Silver Agey style that leaps off the page. Most issues see Superman facing off against one of his foes: Brainiac, Livewire, and Toyman, to name a few. All of the stories are at least enjoyable, but it’s issue 9, “Return of the Hero”, that stands out as the best. It’s about a kid who just wants a hero to look up to, and finding that hero in an unexpected place.

[B]

This really strips down the Superman experience to the true essentials. Unfortunately, it seems a little bit like it misses its own complexity.

Some of the stories seemed to require more explanation.

(Also how could people with Superman's power sock Lois Lane in the jaw and not, like, explode her? )

-------

Whoops. Didn't mean to re-read. The "new" Goodreads scan function is so diffulcut that it causes all sorts of problems Anyway, this is still just fine. It seems to maybe want to go somewhere?

[Sarah]

This was a fun read. It was obviously aimed more at kids, considering it was based off of the animated series. But a fan of the Man of Steel at any age could still enjoy these adventures, especially since some of them actually dealt with a few more complex issues, such as feminism. These stories obviously came from a time when kids' media respected their intelligence and focused on storytelling and theme. It seems as though there are very few things meant for kids' nowadays that still maintain those same goals.

[Kelvin Reed]

"Superman Adventures Volume 1" was a free download on Barnes & Noble. The artwork is a based on the artwork from the 90’s TV show “Superman; The Animated Series.” In this one, Superman fights a billion-dollar robot "Superman" financed by his arch enemy, Lex Luther. Corny but great fun. Unfortunately it’s no longer free. Highly recommended.

[Craig]

Based on the animated series, the interior art matches the cover art. This book has Superman battling the usual foes. A lot of people's complaints of Superman like, overpowered or too much of a boy scout are in full effect with this one so you've been warned.

[Pamela]

This was great! All the stories felt like actual episodes of the animated series.

Some were better than others (the one with Livewire felt a bit dated with how the men were speaking about women and feminist women in particular) but all in all it was lots of fun to read.