DC Animation: Superman Versus The Elite

Hanzo the Razor · 24 Jun 2007

Quote:

New 'Superman vs. The Elite' Trailer Arrives Online [Video]

Following a few still reveals earlier this week, Warner Bros. Animation has supplied MTV with the full trailer for Superman vs. The Elite. Set to debut at WonderCon this weekend, the animated feature adapting the 2001 Action Comics #775 story "What's So Funny About the Truth, Justice and the American Way" by Joe Kelly, Doug Mahnke and Lee Bermejo seems pretty spry in 2012. Though the original story was deliberately illustrated to evoke the gritty tone of The Authority and other edgy superhero titles of the early 2000's, the more traditional WB animated style doesn't seem to detract from the gravitas of a plot that pits a virtuous hero against self-appointed killers devoted to breaking Superman. Click past the cut to see the new trailer for Superman vs. The Elite.

Comforting as it is to hear George Newbern (Justice League/Justice League Unlimited) voicing Supes in the trailer, the best thing about the trailer is the confirmation that Robin Atkin Downes didn't overdo Manchester Black's accent. Downes provides what seems to be a good balance of menace and psychotic whimsy rather than pulling a Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, although I'm sure Downes (and the rest of humankind) could stand to emulate Van Dyke's dance moves.

Still no word on a proper release date for Superman vs. The Elite, but I suspect it'll be announced soon. See the new trailer below.

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/03/1 ... ler-video/

Rick Lundeen · 04 Oct 2004

That's really weird---I love the idea that they're putting this story out there---talking about Superman being relevant and all, that was a great story that showed just how good he was and still is. Also love that they got Newbern to do the voice instead of Daly.

Unfortunately, that animation style looks worse than any I've ever seen in any of the videos so far and I'm including the Doomsday mess and the lack luster "Doom" style they just had. That lame humorous anime look does not fit this story at all. Pass.

Hanzo the Razor · 24 Jun 2007

I loved the style of Doom but agree that this style is not the best. Odd, since most times they trhy to emulate the original artist of the book.

Rick Lundeen · 04 Oct 2004

Yeah an this is almost the polar opposite of the comic if memory serves. I just watched JL: Crisis on Two Earths again the other day. Man, that might just be my favorite one they've ever done. I think that style ---or just about any other one they've used ---would be more suited to the story than this one.

Potato · 11 Oct 2006

I will give it a watch.

With the exception of Braniac attacks most of the dc animated stuff has kept me entertained.

Professor Plum · 10 Oct 2006

Has anybody watched this? I'm on the fence about buying this one sight unseen.

Rafael · 03 Dec 2006

I bought it, but haven't seen it yet. Maybe tonight.

Hugh · 30 Jul 2005

I'll be watching it later.
While the animation style might not be to some people's liking, it is, to me, miles better than the original book's art style. I love this story, but the art is wretched looking.
It'll be interesting to see how much they keep, and how much they tweak.

Rafael · 03 Dec 2006

This is my new favorite of the DCU Animated movies. I loved it with all my heart.

Professor Plum · 10 Oct 2006

Rafael wrote:

This is my new favorite of the DCU Animated movies. I loved it with all my heart.

Hmm....maybe I'll pick it up this weekend then.

Hugh · 30 Jul 2005

This was...interesting.
Some of the changes were good, like taking it out of that goofball time when Luthor was president, and all the weird stuff was going on with Metropolis.
It did feel watered down somewhat. Like the Elite was not nearly as powerful as they were in the book. I guess that's because Supes' power levels always seem lower in these movies. And the team-up was really kind of...odd. It didn't seem to fit with the characters. Manchester seemed more like a kid with a mancrush on Supes, instead of a tough guy who just didn't give a rat's ass about anybody else except his team. These movies are supposed to be geared to a more mature audience, but The Elite seemed like they were softened up a bit.
The art was much better than the book, but it was still strange to look at at times.

I dunno. I liked it, it may be a keeper, but I'll need to watch it again to decide.

Allen Berrebbi · 07 Sep 2004

Hugh wrote:

This was...interesting.
Some of the changes were good, like taking it out of that goofball time when Luthor was president, and all the weird stuff was going on with Metropolis.
It did feel watered down somewhat. Like the Elite was not nearly as powerful as they were in the book. I guess that's because Supes' power levels always seem lower in these movies. And the team-up was really kind of...odd. It didn't seem to fit with the characters. Manchester seemed more like a kid with a mancrush on Supes, instead of a tough guy who just didn't give a rat's ass about anybody else except his team. These movies are supposed to be geared to a more mature audience, but The Elite seemed like they were softened up a bit.
The art was much better than the book, but it was still strange to look at at times.

I dunno. I liked it, it may be a keeper, but I'll need to watch it again to decide.

My exact reaction. Enjoyed it though.

Potato · 11 Oct 2006

It was good enough, the art threw me for a bit but once i got used to it the film was enjoyable.

NOt the best, but certainly better than some

Jeff · 05 Oct 2006

This is on Netflix instant, I discovered last night, so I watched it while working out. A lot of changes, but it worked well. It doesn't beat the original comic story for me, which is one of my all-time favorites, but it was an enjoyable movie.

Hanzo the Razor · 24 Jun 2007

Rafael wrote:

This is my new favorite of the DCU Animated movies. I loved it with all my heart.

Is this still your favorite? I've always avoided it because of the weird animation style.

Ocean Doot · 25 Oct 2007

This is on my Amazon wish list.

Rafael · 03 Dec 2006

Hanzo the Razor wrote:

Rafael wrote:

This is my new favorite of the DCU Animated movies. I loved it with all my heart.

Is this still your favorite? I've always avoided it because of the weird animation style.

I don't know. Maybe. Since then I've stopped having in such high regard straight adaptations of comic book stories, so I guess my favorite animated one in the Crisis one.

But I watched this and read the comic (and the sequel of the comic, where Lois's death doesn't turn Superman into a murderous despot) the other day and still liked it very much.

Ocean Doot · 25 Oct 2007

Rafael wrote:

Hanzo the Razor wrote:

Rafael wrote:

This is my new favorite of the DCU Animated movies. I loved it with all my heart.

Is this still your favorite? I've always avoided it because of the weird animation style.

I don't know. Maybe. Since then I've stopped having in such high regard straight adaptations of comic book stories, so I guess my favorite animated one in the Crisis one.

But I watched this and read the comic (and the sequel of the comic, where Lois's death doesn't turn Superman into a murderous despot) the other day and still liked it very much.

Who wrote the comic?

Rafael · 03 Dec 2006

One Joe Kelly, Esq.

Ocean Doot · 25 Oct 2007

The guy whose work pretty much directly influenced the highest grossing superhero movie of all time?!?!?

Wow.

Rafael · 03 Dec 2006

I'm afraid the Komedy Kalashnikov missed me, good sir.

Fraxon! · **Joined:** 22 Aug 2004 **Posts:** 40603

Ocean Doot wrote:

The guy whose work pretty much directly influenced the highest grossing superhero movie of all time?!?!?

Wow.

Joe Kelly's work directly influenced The Avengers?

DC Animation: Superman Versus The Elite

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