“The New Adventures of Superman” are mainly just shorts trimmed from the series “The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure” from the sixties, and given their own spotlight. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, but you can sense that the shorts here were once a part of something bigger and more diverse. That said, “The New Adventures of Superman” works considerably well if you’re okay with crude animation.
Filmation essentially takes the Hanna Barbera route by re-using much of the same animation over and over, and eliciting little motion and fluidity. Though awkward at times, “The New Adventures of Superman” is really just old fashioned Superman fighting crime and getting in to unusual situations. He’s mostly battling evil scientists and mobsters as he did in the Fleischer shorts, and uses his powers and clever quick thinking to solve most of his problems. Bud Collyer and Julie Bennett perform the roles of Lois Lane and Clark Kent, giving way to many scenarios where they’re thrust in to perilous situations that Clark has to get them out of.
Among some of the more entertaining episodes, Superman begins breathing fire when he ingests an experimental rocket fuel, and Lex Luthor kidnaps Jimmy luring Superman to a fireworks show that’s laced with Kryptonite. The shorts are simple and to the point, giving the focus on Superman first and foremost as he battles the Prankster, Toyman, and Lex Luthor, all the while showing why he’s the man of steel. Though mainly for the hardcore Superman fans like myself, “The New Adventures of Superman” is a great release from the Warner Archive that helps set the template for “The Superfriends.”