Unveiling the Unbeatable: Why Superman & Lois Shatters Expectations Beyond DC's Superman Movies

Summary

Superman & Lois focuses on characterizing Superman as a relatable and human hero, contrasting with the symbol-like portrayal in DC films.

The series offers a realistic portrayal, giving more importance to family conflicts rather than constant action, presenting a unique perspective on Superman's narrative.

Superman & Lois fully embraces the unconventional aspects of DC, introducing a multitude of distinct and innovative adversaries, all while maintaining a compelling emphasis on the connection between Superman and Lois Lane.

Superman & Lois has received positive reviews and is considered a more faithful adaptation of the characters than many DC films. The series, which originated from the CW Arrowverse's Crisis On Infinite Earths storyline, created its own separate canon to focus on a more specific story outside of the Arrowverse's Earth Prime. Although Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch reprise their roles as the titular characters from the CW's Supergirl, they portray alternate versions of their previous characters.

Unlike the DC movies, which have struggled at times to accurately portray Superman, Superman & Lois has emerged as one of the best Superman TV shows. It successfully delivers important storytelling elements to the duo and their universe that the movies have often overlooked. While part of this success is due to the series format, allowing more time for character development and building a strong connection with viewers, the deliberate choices made to achieve a higher level of faithfulness to DC's most iconic couple should not be disregarded.

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10 Superman Isn't A Savior Figure

Superman's portrayal in the DCEU has drawn criticism for presenting him primarily as a savior figure. Rather than grounding him in a relatable, everyday life, movies like Man of Steel opt to depict Superman as a Christ-like symbol. This approach, while offering opportunities for intriguing symbolism, diminishes the character's relatability as a humble, down-to-earth farm boy. It becomes challenging to connect with a hero who embodies more of a symbol rather than a fully developed individual.

Luckily, Superman & Lois has ample time to portray Clark Kent not only as a husband and father but also as Superman. Instead of being an unattainable deity, the portrayal of Superman in the series depicts him as a compassionate and charming individual with an unwavering moral compass that extends to his duties as a superhero. Although undeniably mighty, Superman's true strength lies in his inherent humanity.

9 Superman & Lois Is More Grounded

In a universe as extraordinary as the DC Universe, opting for a more realistic approach may seem unconventional. The Arrowverse embraced the zanier aspects of DC storytelling, making Superman & Lois' down-to-earth family conflict stand out even more. Throughout the show's two-hour debut, Superman is only seen in his iconic costume for a mere two scenes, as the majority of the pilot is dedicated to mourning the loss of Martha Kent and exploring Clark's complicated relationship with his sons.

This focus on family is at the core of the series, a welcome change from the constant action and world-threatening crises depicted in Superman's previous films. Witnessing more of the character's personal life and delving deeper into his relationships is a privilege that previous Superman movies have not quite fulfilled as satisfyingly as Superman & Lois does. Not surprisingly, this approach resonates well and amplifies the impact of the action scenes.

8 The Show Isn't Afraid To Embrace DC's Weirder Side

Despite originating as a character-driven drama, Superman & Lois fearlessly explores the more fantastical elements of DC's universe. With Bizarro taking center stage as a primary antagonist and forays into alternate realities, the show fully embraces the science fiction aspects of DC's lore while maintaining a grounded direction. Its success lies in venturing beyond the overused villains typically associated with Superman, offering fresh and captivating storytelling.

While DC's cinematic offerings do not shy away from this aspect, the stand-alone films featuring Superman often choose to overlook the more unconventional elements of DC canon. Bizarro, for example, has never been adapted into a live-action film, and the transformation of The Stranger from villain to friend lacks a true representation on the big screen. However, just because Superman & Lois aims for a more grounded approach does not mean it never ventures into the realm of the bizarre.

7 Superman & Lois Has Explored More Diverse Villains

When it comes to adversaries, the Superman movies have a tendency to focus too much on Lex Luthor. Undoubtedly the most iconic of Superman's foes, Lex Luthor has been featured as the main antagonist or the mastermind behind characters like Nuclear Man in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace and Doomsday in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While Lex Luthor is a captivating villain and a compelling opposition, introducing a diverse range of adversaries would prevent Superman stories from becoming monotonous.

6 Superman Cleans Up His Messes

While Lex Luthor does make an appearance in Superman & Lois, his role is just a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to the vast array of villains. From The Stranger to Bizarro to Tal-Rho, the show takes creative liberties with characters from the comics, offering a fresh twist and generating original rivalries that are potentially more captivating than those presented in the films.

Many films featuring Superman, including those in the modern DCEU, have faced criticism for the excessive collateral damage caused. The finale of the 2013 film Man of Steel resulted in extensive destruction in Metropolis, amounting to billions of dollars in damages. Considering the way Tyler Hoechlin's Superman responds to crises, it is quite unthinkable that he would simply fly away after witnessing such devastation.

5 Superman & Lois Nails Its Titular Character's Chemistry

After a fight, the Superman & Lois version of the character not only stays behind to ensure everyone's safety but also showcases his exceptional linguistic abilities by speaking multiple languages. This enables him to offer assistance in the aftermath no matter his location in the world. He only departs once he is certain that everything is under control.

Traditionally, Superman movies had a lot to fit into a two-hour timeframe: From exploring Superman's origin story, to showcasing the development of his powers and moral code, and of course, featuring epic battles. Unfortunately, amidst all this, his relationship with Lois Lane often took a backseat. However, with the focus of the series centered around this very aspect of the character, as clearly depicted in the title, it is no wonder that Superman & Lois succeeds in portraying their chemistry like never before.

The authenticity of the relationship portrayed in the series is like a breath of fresh air. Unlike the typical scenario where Lois Lane is portrayed as a helpless damsel who falls madly in love with Superman after being rescued, her character in this adaptation is refreshingly independent and fully realized. With her quick wit and ability to handle crises, Lois Lane proves to be much more than just a love interest. The banter, teasing, arguments, shared hardships, and even binge-watching of TV shows between Lois and Clark make their relationship come to life in a truly authentic manner. This portrayal stands out as one of the most realistic depictions of a relationship out there.

4 Superman & Lois Get To Be Parents

In addition to their well-developed relationship, Superman & Lois stand out from other Superman tales due to their challenges as parents. This unique aspect of Superman's story has never been given as much emphasis in any other live-action portrayal of the characters. Despite having twin boys, the extroverted Jonathan and the sensitive Jordan, the series beautifully captures the emotional journey of Superman and Lois as they navigate the ups and downs of parenthood.

One of the primary struggles of the titular couple is the upbringing of their twin boys. Alongside the typical challenges of parenthood, Lois and Clark also grapple with their children's Kryptonian powers coming to the surface. The fact that only one of the twins has exhibited such abilities thus far adds an element of drama, as Clark must balance any favoritism with imparting the immense responsibility of his powers to a child—an aspect that the Superman movies could only fantasize about doing justice to.

3 Superman Isn't Overpowered

Balancing Superman's immense powers is a major challenge when crafting a captivating story around this iconic character. With his extraordinary abilities, it becomes tricky to find the right equilibrium between showcasing his status as the world's mightiest hero and introducing obstacles for him to face. Translating this dynamic onto the big screen increases the difficulty, as there is limited screen time to explore Superman's moments of vulnerability. However, Superman & Lois masterfully navigate this predicament, finding a perfect middle ground that captivates audiences.

From enduring a brutal beating at the hands of Doomsday in the Season 3 finale to having his powers drained by Ally Allston's power absorption, this rendition of Superman has experienced defeat, heightening the stakes. Not only is he no longer impervious in a battle, but his internal struggles to control his abilities, set a positive example for his sons, and come to terms with the realistic challenges faced by his loved ones also render Superman emotionally vulnerable. The poignant revelation of Lois Lane's breast cancer diagnosis serves as a prime illustration of the vulnerability exhibited by the central characters of

2 Superman & Lois Is Able To Tell A More Focused Story Without A Wider Universe

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In the culmination of Season 2, General Sam Lane, who holds a high position, delivers a speech to Jon and Jordan, characterizing Superman as the exclusive superhero of Earth. This solidifies the hints dropped earlier when Clark's marriage proposal to Lois was portrayed differently from its previous depiction in the CW, definitively establishing Superman & Lois as existing within its own distinct universe. In this realm, Superman primarily stands alone.

1 The Character's Relationships Matter More

: The distinction of a separate continuity in this show allows for a stronger focus on Superman, Lois, and the Kent twins, without the interference of other characters from a larger universe stealing the spotlight. In contrast to films, where the presence of other DC heroes in Superman's world can vary, Superman remains the central heroic force, fully invested in facing threats. This ensures that the tension of world-ending adversaries like Ally Allston and Doomsday is maintained, as Superman cannot rely on last-minute assistance to take over the show.

Superman & Lois delivers an exceptional portrayal of the enduring and heartfelt bond between Lois Lane and Clark Kent, captivating audiences with their genuine connection. However, the series goes beyond just exploring their romantic journey, delving into the intricacies of their relationships with their sons, John Henry Irons and Natalie. Additionally, the inclusion of more complicated dynamics such as the strained relationship with Sam Lane ensures that the show remains character-driven rather than solely relying on events. This emphasis on interpersonal connections represents the essence of Superman's iconic presence in DC films, television shows, and comics.

The primary focus of the series lies in the depth of the character's relationships, which makes it more engaging compared to the climactic events Superman faces. Unlike the relatively stagnant arcs of Superman's relationships in the films, such as his love for Lois or his initial conflict with Batman, Superman & Lois surpasses them as a compelling character study. While the advantage of a series allows for ample development time, this is a lesson that the character's big-screen adventures can and should take note of.