Time Periods on Superman: TAS

[Karkull]

On the original Batman: TAS, the creators have made much about the timelessness of the series. It was a world where black-and-white T.V. existed side by side with sophisticated computers; futuristic aircraft with blimps. You really couldn't tie the show to a specific date.

However, did anyone notice that on Superman: TAS they delibrately set the time period in the present/near-future? It was fitting--it was a reminder that modern technology had come to the point where it could actually hurt the Man of Steel (cyborg robots, lasers, warsuits, satillites that could block out yellow sunlight, etc.).

However, the Superman that they thrust into this world was the "classic" 1940s Superman (the squint in his eyes, the stern look on his face) and this was more than just him being from the small town of Smallville. This was apparent whenever Superman, looking for an excuse to get away, would say "I'll find a phonebooth," then race away while Lois would reach for her cell phone or when he'd give Maxima the old-fashioned talk about relationships while humans nearby would look at him thinking "what planet is he from?"

I just thought that it was neat, and a conversation on another link reminded me of this.

[MattL.]

Actually, the Metropolis in Superman TAS was still in keeping with a timeless mythical 20th century like Batman TAS.

But Metropolis requires and entirely different vibe than Gotham. In Superman TAS Metropolis was truly the city of tomorrow.

Its was the 1939 Worlds Fair vision of the future beerslammed with the Information Age. The open spaces and gleaming white towers fit the atmosphere of Superman.

Gotham is a great city that has been corrupted from within, and the Batman is trying to purge it.

Metropolis is a symbol of hope and the future that Superman has dedicated himself to preserve and protect.

As modern and slick as Metropolis was in TAS, there was still plenty mixed in with it that you can't pin it down as then, now, or later. Its just as timeless as its counterpart.

[Tim Drake]

I don't know about that. BTAS time is timeless I agree. But Superman seems pretty modern. It seemed to keep in step with modern/new future of the current US/world. They have computers, color TV, cell phones, etc.