By The introduction of Superman to the people of the world is given a new telling in the latest in the on-going line of DC Universe Animated Original movies. You might be thinking that we hardly need another version of the origins of Superman. While there are certainly familiar beats on display in Superman: Man of Tomorrow, this is an origins tale that offers something a little different to the telling of Clark Kent becoming Superman.
Clark Kent (Darren Criss) has just moved from Smallville to the city of Metropolis to begin an internship as a reporter for The Daily Planet. All the while, he is starting to come to terms with his powers and consider how he can be of service to the world. Matters are complicated however when he discovers he’s not the only alien on the planet, with the arrival of intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo (Ryan Hurst). His target: the last son of Krypton.
Superman: Man of Tomorrow is very much about Clark finding his feet and deciding what kind of hero he wants to be. He starts out without the suit, without his fortress of solitude, and only a hood and a pair of goggles hiding his identity. He’s working things out, and the arrival of Lobo (and an encounter with a certain Martian Manhunter) leaves him questioning his place in the universe even more. But it also demonstrates to him how much the human race needs him. It’s a more crowded Superman: Year One story than some may be used to, but it allows some fan favourite characters to come to the fore, with the characterisations of both Lobo and Martian Manhunter proving to be very faithful.
Full review over at Filmhounds Magazine, originally published September 7th 2020.
Andrew Gaudion 