Superman Unbound Movie Press Release

Recently, over on the Superman home page, the back trade dress for the Superman Unbound was posted. They (and other sites) also posted the press release Warner Home Video has distributed for the movie. Here is the link: http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php?readmore=12637

One thing that I have talked about is how the last 5 plus years have been something of a golden age for Supergirl fans. Starting with ... at least for me ... the Gates/Igle run, the character has really been showcased to the world more than ever. A solidly selling comic, multiple statues and action figures, important roles in company crossovers, and now starring in 2 animated movies. I remember days when there was no Supergirl. I remember days when there were bad Supergirl stories. Let's face it, Supergirl fans have had it pretty good.

And this movie looks like another great piece for the character. We know how Supergirl grew as a character in this arc and ends up saving the world. That was the beginning of a rehabilitation of the character away from the insanity of Loeb and Kelly.

Now the back of the box does have one interesting sentence. "It's just another day for the heroic Man of Steel ... only this time, for better or for worse, he has his unpredictable cousin by his side." For better or for worse? Really? My guess is Supergirl comes out as a star in this movie.

Here is the press release (long) and my comments afterwards:

A destructive force is devastating planets across the galaxy - with Earth next in its sights - and even Superman may not be capable of halting the terror in SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives May 7, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as a Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP), On Demand and for Digital Download. The Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack will include UltraViolet^TM*.

Based on the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank 2008 release "Superman: Brainiac," SUPERMAN: UNBOUND finds the Man of Steel aptly handling day-to-day crime while helping acclimate Supergirl to Earth's customs and managing Lois Lane's expectations for their relationship. Personal issues take a back seat when the horrific force responsible for the destruction of Krypton - Brainiac - begins his descent upon Earth. Brainiac has crossed the universe, collecting cities from interesting planets - including Supergirl's home city of Kandor - and now the all-knowing, ever-improving android has his sights fixed on Metropolis. Superman must summon all of his physical and intellectual resources to protect his city, the love of his life and his newly-arrived cousin.

The film's stellar voicecast is led by Matt Bomer (White Collar) as Superman, John Noble (Fringe, The Lord of the Rings films) as Brainiac, Stana Katic (Castle) as Lois Lane and Molly Quinn (Castle) as Supergirl. Additional voices in the cast include Golden Globe Award winner Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) as Ma Kent, Wade Williams (The Dark Knight Rises) as Perry White, Diedrich Bader (The Drew Carey Show, Office Space) as Steve Lombard, Stephen Root (Boardwalk Empire, Justified) as Zor-El, and Alexander Gould (Weeds) as Jimmy Olsen.

Supervising Producer James Tucker (Justice League, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) also directs the film from a script by Bob Goodman (Warehouse 13, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns).

"SUPERMAN: UNBOUND adds an all-new chapter to the growing legacy of animated films featuring the Man of Steel and his epic challenges to maintain peace on Earth," said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Home Video Vice President, Family and Animation and Partner Brands Marketing. "Matt Bomer's voice epitomizes the All-American hero that is Superman, and John Noble counters that tone with a commanding, chilling delivery for Brainiac. A superhero is only as good as the depths of his opposition, and Noble brings out the best in his villainous portrayal of Brainiac."

SUPERMAN: UNBOUND Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack has over 4 1/2 hours of exciting content, including:
Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
UltraViolet^TM*
Sneak Peek at Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie

Featurette - "Kandor: History of the Bottle City" - An all-new featurette. Kandor: a peaceful scientific community dedicated toward the preservation of all that is good on Krypton, the home world of Superman. That is, until the city was ripped from its world and placed into a small glass bottle! This is the short story highlighting the shrunken city of Kandor. Its history just as fascinating as it is unique, here is how it ties in directly with the Man of Tomorrow.

Featurette - "Brainiac: Technology and Terror" - An all-new featurette. Mostly machine, but part sentient being, Brainiac steals cities and destroys worlds. Is he the most vile of Superman's villainous foes? Experience the Brainiac mythology and find out why Superman barely stands a chance!
Audio Commentary - Featuring members of the creative team: Mike Carlin, Bob Goodman and James Tucker.

Four bonus episodes from Superman: The Animated Series ("The Last Son of Krypton, Part 1"; "New Kids in Town"; and "Little Girl Lost, Parts 1 & 2"), all handpicked by producer Alan Burnett.

Digital Comic - Excerpt from the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.

Some interesting stuff here. This looks to be early in Supergirl's career (earlier than in the actual comic) since Superman is 'acclimating' her to Earth. The Supergirl in the Brainiac arc, the one who didn't know about breast implants and was terrified of Brainiac, read a little younger than the one who had been living alone and sulking for 2+ years in her own book. So I suppose that makes better sense.

I also like the continuity nudge that Kandor is Supergirl's home city. It better explains why Zor-El and Alura will be there, avoiding the Argo City story. Of course, if her parents are trapped in a jar in Kandor, who rocketed her to Earth?

The bonus features sound great. A whole featurette on Kandor! It will  have to include the classic Superman #338! And the animated episodes include "Little Girl Lost", the first solo adventure for the animated Supergirl including a nice smackdown with Darkseid. "New Kids in Town" have the Legion going back in time to Smallville when Clark first is discovering his powers to thwart a time-traveling Brainiac.

I know where I will be on May 7th!