Superman: adaptations and adoptions

Another adaptation of Superman was released worldwide on July 9th, with premieres as early as June. Two of the first three Superman films came out during my early childhood, so I was introduced to the Man of Steel early on. Over the years, whenever a new Superman film came to theaters, I made sure to watch it. This includes “Smallville”, where a young Clark Kent experiences adolescence, and “Supergirl”, where Superman’s cousin takes the spotlight. I appreciated that the latest Superman adaptation stayed faithful to the storyline, and in this age of over-sensitivity, they kept Superman’s character true to his origins.

A 1995 academic study shows that Superman has been a childhood favorite among Filipino boys and girls. Homegrown heroes like Darna and Captain Barbell were inspired by the Superman mythos, and new Superman movie releases always attract Filipino audiences. Superman was created in 1938 by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, originally conceived as a villain in a 1933 short story titled “The Reign of the Superman”. Thankfully, the character evolved into a hero inspired by science fiction, mythology, and popular culture.

Superman’s first media adaptation was “The Adventures of Superman” radio show in 1940, which popularized his mythology. In 1941, Fleischer Studios produced Superman animated shorts, praised for their animation and storytelling, introducing visual elements now standard in superhero media. The first live-action adaptations were Columbia Pictures’ serials “Superman” in 1948 and “Atom Man vs. Superman” in 1950, shown in chapter formats. In 1951, “Superman and the Mole Men” introduced George Reeves as Superman, leading to the Adventures of “Superman” television series (1952–1958), known for its moral clarity despite special effects limitations.

A major milestone was “Superman: The Movie” in 1978, a critical and commercial success. “Superman II” (1980) followed, praised for balancing action and character development. “Superman III” (1983) and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987) were less successful, especially the fourth.

In the 1990s, Superman regained popularity through television. “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (1993–1997), focused on Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s relationship. Superman also thrived in animation through “Superman: The Animated Series” (1996–2000), produced as part of the DC Animated Universe, known for its depth, visual style, and faithfulness to the comics.

From 2001 to 2011, “Smallville”, explored Clark Kent’s teenage years before becoming Superman, focusing on his origins, friendships, and moral dilemmas. In 2006, Bryan Singer released “Superman Returns”, starring Brandon Routh. It served as a sequel to “Superman II”, honoring the earlier films. Although visually striking and well-acted, it had modest box office results, preventing a sequel.

In 2013, Superman was rebooted in “Man of Steel”, and starring Henry Cavill. It presented a more somber take, emphasizing alienation and moral ambiguity, launching the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). This included “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) and “Justice League” (2017).

As of 2025, a new Superman film simply titled “Superman” was released to positive reviews, marking the start of the DC Universe (DCU) under director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran. Actor David Corenswet is the new Superman.

Superman’s story resonates with me as a genealogist. Superman was adopted by the Kents, while Supergirl was fostered by the Danvers family. Traditionally, family was defined by blood, but both stories show that families can also be formed through love and trust. These themes underline Superman and Supergirl’s narratives.

Globally, Superman remains one of the most enduring fictional characters, symbolizing truth, justice, and hope. His journey from comics to radio, animation, television, and blockbuster films reflects the evolution of modern storytelling. Filipinos connect with Superman’s character, believing in the inherent good in people and his values mirror Filipino ideals.