Superman: The Complete Animated Series

After the successful revival of Batman as a stylized cartoon noir in the ‘90s, Superman was the logical follow-up. Tim Daly voices both Superman and Clark Kent (the mild-mannered reporter and his secret identity), Dana Delany is Lois Lane, and Clancy Brown is arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, who first rears his supervillain head in the opening three-part origin story, “The Last Son of Krypton” (originally presented as a 90-minute special). The show, which lasted three seasons (1996–2000) and 54 episodes, was produced with the same fluid style and visual energy as Batman, but with an altogether sunnier, brighter look and an old-fashioned flair befitting the all-American hero from Krypton—the ultimate immigrant patriot. He's an icon, to be sure, and the series is nicely crafted and far more engaging than the old ‘60s and ‘70s incarnations. But the red and blue Boy Scout is a lot less conflicted and far less vulnerable than the more interesting (and very human) Batman, and the stories lack the dynamism and character drama of the Justice League series, with its supercharged personality conflicts. The seven-disc set is collected in a double-wide case with hinged trays and includes all the commentary tracks and featurettes from the previous releases, plus a bonus disc with the exclusive documentary “The Despot Darkseid: A Villain Worthy of Superman.” Optional. (S. Axmaker)