Superboy - The Complete First Season (1988)

Produced by Alexander and Ilya Salkind, who revitalized Superman's movie career in the '70s with Christopher Reeve in the title role, the syndicated television series Superboy (1988-92) was a flawed but likable attempt to put a youthful spin on the Man of Steel by placing him in college and ridding Metropolis of crime between classes John Haymes Newton (the "Cable Guy" on Desperate Housewives) did a respectable job in both Clark Kent's oversized spectacles and in the cape and boots, and the series certainly made attempts to acknowledge its comic book origins by utilizing original characters, including Lana Lang (Stacy Haiduk), Lex Luthor (Scott Wells), and even villains like Mr. Mxyzptlk (a wonderfully eccentric performance by character actor Michael J. Pollard). Unfortunately, budget restraints and some woefully hackneyed scripts prevented the show from presenting Superboy's exploits in the grand style of the comics, and 20 years after its release, the first season is best appreciated as a camp exercise than a true action-adventure series. Still, there are some moments that approximate the high-flying style of the comics books ("The Alien Solution," which pits Superboy against a belligerent invisible alien, and Pollard's turn in "Mr. Mxyzpltk"), and guest stars like a youthful Joaquin Phoenix (billed here as "Leaf Phoenix) in "Little Hercules" provide some interesting turns (though Leif Garrett's appearance as a wealthy rock star who catches Lana's eye in "Bringing Down the House" pushes things back into camp waters). The extras include a making-of featurette, which covers the series' conception and casting, and commentary by Newton (who gets the show's camp appeal) and Ilya Salkind (who doesn't) on two episodes; Newton's screen test and an excerpt from Ken Burns and Bryan Singer's Superman documentary, Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman, round out the supplemental features. --Paul Gaita Amazon.com

SUPERBOY

ITS AMAZING THAT BETTER ACTORS AND OR WRITERS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR THIS SERIES. IT IS POORLY DONE, AT LEAST THE FIRST SEASON. SOME REVIEWS HAVE SAID THE LATER SEASONS ARE MUCH BETTER. IT DOESN'T EVEN COMPARE IN THE LEAST TO SMALLVILLE OR TO THE WORST OF THE SUPERMAN MOVIES. August 28, 2008

Surprised

I was very surprised by this show. I'm a huge Superman fan, and don't remember this one which is surprising to me as I've always loved the Superman mythology. As a Superman and an adult who was a kid in the 80's I'm glad I discovered this show. I just got it in a few days ago, even though it is very "80s" I believe that adds some nostalgic value to the show! As someone else mentioned, the first 12 episodes were low budget, but it seems as starting with episode 13 it takes on a whole new feel, less campy and more cinematic which is a great thing.

Any Superman fan will ove this, a great addition to the Superman mytholgogy. I can't wait for them to release the second season.

August 26, 2008

Next Season(s) please !

Hey Warner Brother ? This is not a one seasoner ! Still waiting for Season 2 and 3 !!! So dont be shy and do it :)

August 22, 2008

Seasons 2, 3, and 4

I Hope Warner Bros. still has plans to release the 3 remaining Seasons of Superboy in the near future, like the Holidays of 2008 perhaps. Or maybe Warner Bros. may have to sell the show to Shout! Factory who just might be willing to re-release Superboy Season 1 and release Seasons 2-4 without stalling. Please say there is hope for Superboy! June 22, 2008

Skip This Season...You Won't Miss Anything Important

For those of you who want an interpretation of the Superboy character that isn't as "down on the farm" as Smallville, this show is for you. However, one large caveat exists: Stay away from the first season! The special effects are never spectacular, the plots are more often then not boring, and the acting is sub-par. While Stacy Haiduk plays a great Lana Lang, John Newton's Clark/Superboy and Scott Well's Lex Luthor are wooden, one-dimensional characters who do not draw you into the plotlines.

Obviously, the writers/producers of the show must have felt the same way I do, as after the first season the Clark/Superboy part was recast and given to Gerard Christopher, while Lex Luthor was switched to Sherman Howard, both enormous upgrades. From that point, the show really began to take off.

My advice, then, is to not waste your time on these episodes. If you are a true Superman fan who has never seen this show before, wait for the release of the second season (whenever that will be...hopefully soon). If you remember being enthralled by this show during your childhood (like I was), it probably wasn't this season you remembered in the first place. June 14, 2008

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