I’ve been an ardent Superman defender for a while now. He’s a far more interesting and important character than a lot of people give him credit for. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice, and I’ll say it a thousand more times.
But I’ve never really given an example as to why. So let’s do that. As we discussed one of my favorite Batman stories last week, now, I want to do the same for my favorite flying boy scout. And I could think of no better example than the subject of today’s review: ‘Superman VS the Elite.’
During the 90s and the early 2000s, comics were going through something of an edgy phase. Gone were the days of silly men in tights walloping ruffians in wacky scenarios. Heroes of that time took themselves much more seriously, trading out spandex for trench coats and killing their villains rather than incarcerating them repeatedly. The landscape of the genre had changed so dramatically that it’s founding father didn’t seem to fit in anymore.
‘What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, & the American Way’ by Joe Kelly is a direct response to this sentiment. It explores the question: is the Man of Steel a relic of a bygone era? Or is there still a place in the world for the iconic hero?
Spoilers: the answer is yes.
Also, general spoiler alert. I’d highly encourage you to watch this movie before reading the rest; it’s far more enjoyable to watch it blind. But if you don’t care, then let us begin!
The story begins with our main antagonist, Manchester Black, played by the excellent-as-always Robin Atkin Downes, watching a collection of news reports on various screens. They all boil down to the same thing: things are bad. Like, everywhere. All the time. Smiling, Black says its showtime, and we cut to a very stylistic opening credits sequence.
As opening scenes go, this one is pretty good. It creates mystery around our antagonist and lays the groundwork for the plot and its themes. Plus, the opening credits are awesome, using stylized comic-style visuals along with classic Superman panels to create this old-timey feel that plays into the story’s core concept really well. Off to a strong start.
On a similar note: this is a really good looking movie. It’s got some strong character designs and the animation is fantastic. I’m not super in love with the soundtrack; it’s not bad, just really forgettable. Still, the entire production crew deserves high praise for their work.
Getting back to the film: we cut to Clark and Lois watching a cheesy in-universe Superman cartoon. It’s sweet and dumb and innocent, and all the proceeds go to charity. Clark doesn’t see anything wrong with it, but Lois thinks it too silly and stupid. The two argue back and forth for a bit, make to kiss, and get interrupted by a villain attack. The standard Superman fare.
Short at this scene is, it does a fantastic job of establishing everything we need to know about our leading duo. Clark is classic Superman through and through; he cares about doing good, no matter how ridiculous he might look to others, and sticks to his convictions no matter what. Lois, however, believes that the Man of Steel needs to adapt to the times, although she herself is unsure how to do that or if he even can. Despite their disagreement, the two clearly love each other as deeply as any other version of the pair and work together incredibly well. It’s a great dynamic that carries the film wonderfully.
I just wish Jimmy had more than a few throw away lines…
It’s even better thanks to the excellent voice cast. George Newbern is fantastic as Superman; the dude perfectly captures the character’s charming innocence and confident demeanor. Dude has got serious range; here, he played the goodest dude to ever good, then went off to play Sephiroth in just about everything up to Crisis Core! Pauley Perrette is just as amazing as Lois, bringing a dry wit and sarcasm to the character that makes her endlessly entertaining in every scene!
Anyways, Atomic Skull, played by Dee Bradley Baker, is attacking Metropolis. Clark does the Superman thing and flies in to save the day. One pretty good fight scene later, and surprising literally no one, the villain is defeated and the day is saved. Though not before the radioactive villain took more than a few innocent lives.
This leads to a debate between professor Terrence Baxter, played by the excellent Ogie Banks, and Superman himself. The professor possets that Superman’s particular brand of justice is continuously costing innocent people their lives, and Superman argues that everyone, no matter how terrible, deserves a chance at redemption. It’s an interesting debate, especially since professor Baxter makes it clear that he actually agrees with Superman’s perspective; they’re not bickering, they’re genuinely exploring the question.
Before the debate can come to a proper conclusion, another disaster draws Superman away. As he struggles to save the day from some rampaging monsters, our titular antagonists, the Elite, appear to lend a hand. Once all is said and done, however, the four new heroes vanish into thin air, leaving a baffled and concerned Clark alone on the battlefield.
I have mixed feelings on the Elite. Black is a great antagonist, with cool psychic powers, a dark and intriguing backstory, and a delightfully loathsome, snotty personality. The others, however, are all flat and boring. You’ve got the horny lizard lady, the big bruiser, and the drunken magician. Their powers make for awesome action sequences, but in terms of personality and depth, they’re clearly just attachments to Black.
Shortly after their first appearance, the Elite become extremely popular with the people of the world. Not because they’re friendly and charming, but because they do what Superman would not: put the bad guys down for good. After so many years of being terrorized by super villains, the good folks of the world are glad to have the permanent relief that the Elite provide.
Completely ignoring the massive red flag that is a group of psychotic super humans killing whoever they feel like. Because who needs checks and balances for those in power?
It’s honestly kind of sad. Most of the film has the Elite working together with Superman in tenuous alliances to save people. Despite their differences, they all work together really well! If they weren’t so blood thirsty, they could be as genuine a group of heroes as the Justice League itself!
This puts Clark in an interesting and difficult position. He still believes in the good of people, in his dream of a better world. But it seems that the world he’s spent so many years protecting is eager to leave Superman behind.
Until, after a whole movie of adventures and moral debates, the Elite turn their murderous gazes upon him.
What follows is one of the most terrifying climaxes in any Superman story. After being brutally beaten by the Elite, the Man of Steel snaps and starts playing by their rules. He shows exactly how terrifying a Superman who kills truly is, far better than any of the ‘evil Superman’ stories we’ve been getting recently. Clark clearly took some notes from Batman, because he’s scary as fuck! Even Black is scared shitless of him!
Except that it was all a lie. Superman hadn’t gone berserk, and he hadn’t killed anyone. He was making a point on just how horrifying violence as a solution could be. When Black tries to rebuke him, claiming he’s just a naïve dreamer, Clark responds with one of the most powerful lines in the character’s history.
Good. Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us into something better. And on my soul, I swear that until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice are the reality we all share, I’ll never stop fighting. Ever.
This quote is the exact reason why I love Superman. He knows the world is a messed up place; as he himself puts it earlier in the film, peace isn’t perfect. Yet he’ll never give up on it, nor anyone in it. This is why Superman is timeless; no matter the era, be it the 1940s or 2024, the world always needs a dreamer like him.
‘Superman VS The Elite’ is the Man of Steel at his best! A spectacular rebuttal to those who believe the character to be outdated or boring! On top of that, it’s a solid animated movie with some fun action scenes, great dialogue, and spectacular voice performances! It’s a classic every bit as amazing as ‘Superman Smashes the Klan!’
Yet another Superman story you ought to check out. I’m not even joking. It’s a genuine masterpiece.
I enjoy watching racists get punched in the face, alright? Sue me.
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