About the Style of Metropolis in S:TAS, JL and JLU Cartoons

[Raider969]

About the Style of Metropolis in Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited cartoons, and Tell Me If I am Right.

I have seen the Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited cartoons several times and here is what I noticed and tell me if I am right on this.

This is what I saw for myself and heard from the producers of each show and from other people.

Superman: The Animated Series came out and takes place in the 1990's but it has an ocean liner art deco feel and looks retro futuristic for Metropolis. It was a pseudo future past look. The buildings and cars look both old and futuristic looking while the fashion looks old like 1950's or 1960's, (except Jimmy Olsen, who has the 1990's look).The music is inspired by 1950's science fiction music.

But then in the Justice League cartoon, they changed Metropolis to have a more modern and realistic look until Justice League Unlimited, where they changed it back to the retro futuristic look.

[achilles]

Yeah, pretty much it.

[Raider969]

Yeah, pretty much it.

Ok so I am right then. Thanks for the reply.

[Lightning Rider]

That's interesting, I never noticed that. Could you post some screenshots?

It's kind of fun, now that I look back, that much of the aesthetic in terms of fashion does have a 50's influence. Lois and the Planet in particular, if not from the cartoon then from many of the comics.

[Raider969]

That's interesting, I never noticed that. Could you post some screenshots?

It's kind of fun, now that I look back, that much of the aesthetic in terms of fashion does have a 50's influence. Lois and the Planet in particular, if not from the cartoon then from many of the comics.

I didn't find any good images on Google, but if you watch the series again and look at the backgrounds of Metropolis and the people, you will notice a lot of people wearing old fashion clothes from around the 1950's or 1960's and that Metropolis looks retro futuristic. But then in Justice League, you'll notice Metropolis looks more modern and realistic. Then in Justice League Unlimited, you'll see that Metropolis is back to the retro futuristic look.

[Vordan]

Originally they were going to go with a more retro look akin to the Fleschier cartoons but they decided against it, I remember reading about it. I do like the 1970s sci-fi vibe I think they were going for, it did give the city some personality that’s sorely lacking in the comics.

[achilles]

Ok so I am right then. Thanks for the reply.

Thanks for bring it to my attention! Interesting observation, BTW. Never gave it much thought myself, but yeah, in retrospect, it's obvious, but I suppose enough in the background to slide underneath my radar, leaving me instead to just enjoy the visuals. Nice new way to appreciate them.