Superman has been one of the most popular superheroes, inspiring numerous adaptations over the years. The renowned figure behind the DC animated franchise, Bruce Timm, also brought his vision of the superhero to life in the successful four-season run of Superman: The Animated Series. Yet, the portrayal diverged notably from previous iterations.
To fans, who found the superhero’s depiction less formidable and deviated from established character traits, Timm’s approach to the character seemed to display his dislike for Man of Steel. However, the animation producer later clarified such assumptions, offering insights into the creative decisions shaping the portrayal of the Kryptonian superhero in the series.
Bruce Timm Discussed the Challenges of Updating Superman For The Animated Series
In an interview with Comicology, Bruce Timm reflected on the complexities of adapting the beloved character Superman for modern audiences. He argued that they could have updated the character more according to the modern setting, suggesting that it could have improved the show’s reception.
“I think that the show would have been more successful if we had reinvented [things] a little bit. Superman’s just not as intrinsically cool as Batman. Superman makes a lot of sense in 1940; he doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense in 1999—He’s just been around for so damn long.”
He highlighted the challenges of adapting the character and making it more relevant in contemporary times, arguing that he’s a character rooted in the past. Timm also shared that while he incorporated elements from various eras, he still opted against mimicking the Fleischer style to avoid unfavorable comparisons.
Bruce Timm Clarified His Stance on Superman
Bruce Timm has been associated with multiple animated series and movies under the DCAU. However, the one that has remained legendary is his first series following the Gotham vigilante, Batman. The series was a huge hit and the creator has not shied away from stating his preference for the character.
However, he has also clarified that it does not imply that he hates Superman. In an interview with Anime Superhero, he expressed his lifelong admiration for Superman and emphasized his absolute commitment while working on The Animated Series. He said,
“I couldn’t POSSIBLY produce 52 episodes of a series starring a character I flat-out hated, or had disdain—I’ve loved, respected, and admired Superman since I was a kid…I even dressed up as him for Halloween and brought my lunch to school in my beloved Superman lunch box.”
He also said that although he may prefer Batman over Man of Steel, it didn’t mean he dislikes Superman. “If I had to choose one over the other, sure, I’d pick Batman in a heartbeat,” he said before adding, “It doesn’t mean I don’t like Superman, too; I just like Batman BETTER.”
While he acknowledged shortcomings in Superman’s portrayal during the first season of Justice League, he also asserted that steps were taken to revitalize him for future seasons. Timm personally contributed to this revitalization by crafting memorable scenes and argued that he wouldn’t have made such efforts for a character he disliked.
Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series are available to stream on Max.
