Today's comic book industry and cinematic universes are inextricable from popular culture, but the road to global recognition was long and arduous. Superpowered: The DC Story chronicles a fraction of that journey including the quiet beginnings of the publishing house as Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's response to being bullied, all the way to the risky investments in film and TV adaptations and championing diverse voices. The three-part series delves into the "holy trinity" (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman) and how the cultural phenomenon of comics evolved over the years. Every era summarizes how DC creators had to overcome rigid executives, competing publishers like Marvel, and the highs and lows of relevancy in the ever-changing consumer market. With contributions from creators, innovators, directors, and actors, the attention to the politics of media and the call for diversity round out the somewhat-insightful and fan-sustained life of the DC universe.
Synopsis
This docuseries takes an unprecedented look at the enduring and influential legacy of DC, allowing fans to rediscover the universe of characters, as well as the iconic comic book company’s origins, its evolution and its nearly nine-decade cultural impact across every artistic medium.
Storyline
A docu-series that tells the story of DC Comics, from its humble beginnings to its status as one of the most popular and influential comic book publishers in the world.
TLDR
I guess another Superman movie is coming soon.
What stands out
It is impossible to summarize decades of art and stories into three episodes, but the series makes the admittedly wise decision to posture most of its talking heads as a love letter to both fans and DC. It does touch on how DC situates itself as an all-American staple while calling into question how the comics reflect and address issues of race, gender, and sexuality. Were all of the talking heads needed? No. Did all the milestones feel skewed to popular (or polarizing) properties? Absolutely. But for fans and casual viewers alike, you'll remember that everyone who worked for DC loved DC.