Fanboys Anonymous

The Death of Superman is the latest in the line of animated DC direct-to-video films. Is it worth the watch or it is something that should be skipped?

The Death of Superman
Directed by Jake Castorena Sam Liu
Written by Peter Tomasi

STARRING:
Jerry O'Connell (Clark Kent / Superman), Rebecca Romijn (Lois Lane), Rainn Wilson (Lex Luthor), Rosario Dawson (Diana Prince / Wonder Woman), Nathan Fillion (Hal Jordan / Green Lantern), Jason O'Mara (Bruce Wayne / Batman), Christopher Gorham (Barry Allen / The Flash), Matt Lanter (Arthur Curry / Aquaman), Shemar Moore (Victor Stone / Cyborg), Nyambi Nyambi (Martian Manhunter), and more

Here are some specific thoughts that ran through my mind during the course of the film as a stream of consciousness:

• Intergang doesn't get much play. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because they never should stand a chance against Superman? Still, I like Intergang. Glad to see they're in here.
• "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a bully." - Superman, you just threw Mannheim into a building and made a giant dent in that, and the cement. Property damage, dude. You're a bit of a bully, too.
• Bibbo!
• LOL at Flash showing up immediately. Awesome touch. Especially that they want him to be a janitor of sorts.
• Dick move, Clark. Let Lois meet your parents.
• Irons should have been voiced by Shaq. Why not, right?
• Steve! Or should I say, The Stevenator!
• I love Batman's nonchalance of having enough money and not thinking twice.
• Same bat time, same bat channel.
• Lori Lemaris on the swim team. Quite a catch. Ha! I love it.
• I love seeing Flash be Flash and actually use his powers well.
• Dabney Donovan. Damn. They're really doing some deep cuts. That's what I like to see.
• Stupid Joey.
• I like the touch of it being at night, so Superman has no solar radiation to drink in.
• A neck snap? A stabbing? References all around to different things, and this feels like a Man of Steel / Batman v Superman nod. I love it.
• Oh damn. Bibbo's prayer to God was brutal.

Out of all the adaptations they've done of this story so far, this was definitely my favorite. I loved the references and the acknowledgement of continuity, the tone staying true to the comics, and pretty much everything about it. This is the type of animated comic-to-screen stuff that I want to see more and more and more of. If every good story from the comics was treated this way, more people would be able to get to experience how great some of these tales are. Top notch!