Superman: The Animated Series
Episode 4
Fun and Games
It’s slated as episode four but it’s technically only the second episode. We meet Toyman, a villain unknown in prior TV shows and films. A smart choice to exclude Lex Luthor or Brainiac so as to establish Superman having a deeper rouges gallery. The story is solid, Toyman is the son of a Winslow Schott who ended up working for Intergang leader Bruno Mannheim. Mannheim used Schott’s store as a front and got busted for it. Toyman wants revenge against Mannheim for screwing over his dad. His gimmick is weaponized toys.
In his very public efforts to kill Mannheim, reporters Clark Kent and Lois Lane are on the case trying to get the story. Mannheim gets kidnapped via a giant toy duck. It’s very similar looking to the boat ducks Penguin had in the BtAS episode The Mechanic. For some reason the DCAU creators must think rubber duckies are scary. It probably relates to a childhood trauma.
The toy weapons aren’t too difficult for Superman to destroy but since Lois gets also gets kidnapped along with Manheim that’s where the challenge is. How does Superman save the day? Superman isn’t in danger but the people he wants to help are. Being Superman, giant explosions happen, he saves everyone, it’s revealed Toyman likely faked his death.
Toyman isn’t the most interesting villain, his voice is annoying, his gimmick is ridiculous. He’s not much of a challenge for Superman. What works for him though is he’s not as well known as other villains in the Superman world. That allows for plenty of creative freedom. The concept of wanting revenge isn’t new to the DCAU and is a plot recycled in BtAS many times. What lets BtAS get away with it is the villains have far more depth and interest. As far as villain introduction episodes go this is still a solid episode and an interesting enough story in of itself. The strength in this episode lies in Clark Kent’s investigative reporter abilities and how he leverages that to save the day as Superman.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
