STRAY DOG (1949) dir. Akira Kurosawa
The Fleischer Superman shorts are just so much fun to look at.
I hope everyone appreciates what *Insanely* good animation this is for the 1940s.
Not just “insanely good”, although that’s a great descriptor.
This series introduced to a mass audience/popularized the idea of rotoscoping. A physical actor would stand behind a white curtain, acting out the body language and movements of the characters. The Fleischer Studio animators then painstakingly created animated frames from the still images of those actors portraying the scenes and activities. A guy behind a sheet jumps around and pantomimes lifting a railroad tie, etc. The animators turn the single frames of action caught on film into a series of cartoons. The details like the suits, the facial expressions, the colors and especially the details of the locations and backgrounds are all added later by the animators. That’s called “Rotoscoping”. Say it with me: “Roe-Toe-Scope-Ing”.
Next. In the National Publications comics that preceded these serials, Superman was a novelty. Masked heroes were not new. The Shadow, the Phantom, Zorro, Doc Savage, etc. Superman was the first overtly “super” powered character. And no mask.
Before these animated shorts, his feats were limited. He could “leap tall buildings in a single bound”. He could jump, not FLY. These animated serials introduced the idea of Superman being able to Fly.
Finally. They’re distinguished as “serials” because they would appear as animated shorts, played at movie theaters before a feature film was presented. There would be a short newsreel, a humor serial - that’s why they’re called “Looney TUNES” from Warner Brothers, or “Merry MELODIES” from Disney. Animated humor shorts with MUSIC and SOUND.
And then, out of no where, a new feature: Fleischer Studios presents: SUPERMAN!
Faster than a Speeding Bullet!
More powerful than a Locomotive!
Able to Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound!
The Blue Falcon And Dyno-Mutt
Art by...
1) Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour Color Model Cel
2) Steve Rude
3) Dustin Weaver
4) Kyle Hotz
5) Alexandre Salles
6) Blue Falcon And Dynomutt Lunch Box
7) Dynomutt #01 by Paul Norris
8) Blue Falcon And Dynomutt Model Sheets
Page from Secret Origins #45. 1989. Art by Grant Miehm and Terry Beatty.
some black and white artwork by the late great John Paul Leon.
Tim Burton The Black Cauldron Animation Drawings (Walt Disney, 1985)
Meg Donnelly Kara Zor-El / Supergirl Legion of Super-Heroes (2023) dir. Jeff Wamester
The Spirit #17 - Strange Bedfellows (August 10, 2011)
writer: Howard Chaykin | artist [penciller & inker]: Brian Bolland | letterer: Rob Leigh | editor: Joey Cavalieri | publishing company: DC Comics
