Superman and Lois ended recently, bringing a brilliant chapter of superhero television on the CW to a resounding end and countering a number of complaints I've heard over the years about them and their DC Universe. While Superman and Lois closed after the cancellation of the Arrowverse, the series shared much of its DNA with the popular television universe. Tyler Hoechlin's Superman first appeared in Supergirl before returning for several appearances in some of the show's huge team events.
Making superheroes on the small screen is a complex beast, and some of DC's best live-action series haven't received as much praise as they deserve. Although HBO has built a name for itself and excellent shows like The Penguin are seen as prestigious for their links with cinema Batman universe, other series were viewed less favorably. The CW has specifically created so many amazing superhero television showscrafting an incredible superhero story focused entirely on the small screen that doesn't get the credit I believe it deserves.
Superman & Lois set a high standard in the CW finale
The program was one of the best programs on the channel so far
Superman and Lois ended the superhero era as one of the best and most acclaimed superhero TV series in recent memory. The show was critically acclaimed and warmly received by audiences, especially during its final season. Using complex ideas about hero lore, the series brought a wide range of iconic DC characters to life in new and innovative ways. Most importantly, it tied these pieces together into a complex and beautiful story of family, love and community, creating a unique and compelling series that wasn't afraid to enter unprecedented territory while also honoring Superman's legacy.
More than that, I don't believe it's possible to create an iteration of Superman with this kind of depth without the time and space that a long-running television series allows. The show has had incredible Superman moments in all four seasons, exploring interesting and complex characters from Superman comic book history while putting different spins on certain parts of DC lore. The final season's visuals and story especially ended the show on a high note, serving as a counter to a notable critique of the overarching Arrowverse.
Saying Superhero Releases “Look Like The CW” Isn’t the Insult You Think It Is
From Arrow to Superman & Lois, the CW has done a wonderful job
Over the years, I have heard many say that something “looks like the CW“pejoratively. I've heard this complaint used to describe the costumes in Lady Teiaas well as other projects outside of the superhero realm such as Wheel of Time. Many use it as a catch-all term that refers to any mix of oversaturated lighting, cheap costumes, weak writing, and shallow characters. While this may apply to some moments in the shows the channel has crafted, it's an unfair assessment of its incredible superhero fare.
While Arrow started the Arrowverse with a smaller budget, the series used that money smartly and kept the beginning of its universe more grounded. Of finding success there, the creatives began to expand the universe, which came with additional fundsallowing for some of the Arrowverse's best follow-up series, such as The Flash to employ a more visual and stylistic touch. Since the expansion of this series, until Superman and Loisthe channel has done an excellent job creating in-depth superhero stories that feel authentic and that use their time and budget effectively.
The CW's Arrowverse Launches Deserve Much More Credit
The Arrowverse's legacy should be extremely positive
If this derogatory understanding of the CW were true, one would expect the final season of Superman and Lois would suffer, especially as the budget would have been cut. Instead, the series' final episodes were crafted with deep care, bringing together rich characters, stunning visuals, and strong writing to create a compelling ending to the series. This success is actually a better reflection of what the CW isespecially after creating hundreds and hundreds of well-thought-out and effective television episodes in the larger Arrowverse.
Of course, there are some mistakes in this incredible run of shows. Even the best of these series had some episodes that didn't live up to their potential. However, understanding these flaws as the legacy of the Arrowverse and the CW is a mistake. The channel and universe have done a lot to expand superhero storytelling on television in a number of ways. Most of this was done well, and the CW deserves much more credit for these successes.
Superman and Lois might be the CW's best superhero show yet, although that's actually a pretty high bar given that the Arrowverse was created with a level of care and dedication that needs to be recognized. The CW's legacy shouldn't be seen as beautifully superficial shows, but rather as excellent character dramas that, especially in their superhero content, expand the scope of what these stories can do. I'm sad about this Superman and Lois It's over, but I'll definitely be watching it many more times in the coming years.
Superman and Loisthe Arrowverse's seventh spinoff series, will take the titular characters from Metropolis to Smallville. The CW series is set after the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, which saw the collapse of the multiverse and the merging of worlds on what is now Earth Prime. Superman and Lois sees Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) and Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) dealing with all the pressures of their jobs, as well as being parents to two teenage children. Lois and Clark are no strangers to the Arrowverse, with Hoechlin's Superman having been introduced way back when. Supergirl season 2. Meanwhile, Tulloch's Lois made her debut in 2018's “Elseworlds” crossover. The pair are joined by a growing cast of characters that includes a new iteration of Lana Lang.
- Release date
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February 23, 2021
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