The Prometheon
Episode #27 - The Prometheon
Original Airdate - September 12th, 1997.
A giant humanoid creature with incredible strength and heat-sapping
abilities, falls to Earth and now threatens the planet. Superman has
to fight the creature's advances and send it back into outer space.
Media by Amazing Spidey, Bird Boy
Review by Jim Harvey |
Credits:
Story by Alan Burnett, Stan Berkowitz
Written by Stan Berkowitz
Directed by Nobuo Tomizawa
Music by Michael McCuistion
Animation Services by TMS-kyokuichi Corporation
Voices:
Tim Daly as Superman/Clark Kent
Dana Delany as Lois Lane
David Kaufman as Jimmy Olsen
Victor Brandt as Professor Hamilton
Charles Napier as General Hardcastle
Frank Welkers as Creature
Jennifer Hale as Female Vacationer
Marcelo Tubert as Sonar Man
Townsend Coleman as Captain
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A nice twist on the classic 'giant monster' stories from the early
Superman comics. I can remember going through stacks of old Superman
comics and coming across these great stories where all Superman has to
do is defend Metropolis from a huge, hulking monster. A simple enough
story, yes, but always enjoyable. This episode brings back that type of
story, and throws in a couple good twists.
Superman discovers an alien chained to an asteroid heading for Earth.
Thanks to some mistakes from an untrusting sergeant, the alien is freed
and falls towards Earth, landing near Metropolis. A creature that
requires heat to live, Superman has to find a way to stop it before it
destroys Metropolis. A very simple story, yes, but the interaction
between Superman, Prof. Hamilton, and the General make this a compelling
story. You know Superman will save the day, but it's intriguing to find
out how.
The design of the alien is a clear homage to Jack Kirby. Kirby created
literally dozens of aliens monsters for various stories back in the
1970's, and this creature embodies all the trappings of a Kirby monster.
The monster is very one-note and one-dimensional, but it series it's
purpose. There's no need for there to be an elaborate back story for the
creature. There could have been, and that would've dramatically altered
the story. I think the creature works as is. Not every bad guy needs to
have some traumatic childhood or elaborate motive. This creature just
wants heat, and that's all we need to fuel this story.
The General in this story is one who makes a very crucial appearance in
"Legacy," so this episode plays as a great introduction to his
character. He doesn't trust the Man of Steel, and wants nothing to do
with him. The stuff he says in this dialogue acts as a chilling prelude
to his actions in "Legacy."
A lot of people right off this episode as just a waste of twenty
minutes, but I find it to be just intriguing. We have Superman fending
off this enormous monster, fighting with all his might and using his
brain. There's also a solid introduction to the General, a character who
becomes very important down the line. Plus, you have that Kirby-inspired
monster, wreaking havoc. It's feels like an old-fashioned fun story.
With beautiful animation by TMS, I find this episode hard to resist.
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