Superman/Batman: Apocalypse: complete story of the animated film and The Supergirl from Krypton arc
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Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) is a DC animated film that adapts the comics arc "The Supergirl from Krypton" (2004) by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner. The film presents Kara Zor-El's arrival on Earth and the fight to protect her from the clutches of Darkseid. In this article: the genesis of the project, the source comics adaptation, the voice performances, the analysis of the story, and the legacy. By the end, you'll understand the importance of this DC animated film.
📋 Contents
Context of the 2010 animated film
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (French title: Batman et Superman: Apocalypse) was released in September 2010 by Warner Bros. Animation. A direct adaptation of the Superman/Batman #8-13 comics arc (2004), it's one of the most appreciated DC animated films.
- Release : September 28, 2010 (DVD/Blu-ray)
- Studio : Warner Bros. Animation
- Direction : Lauren Montgomery
- Writer : Tab Murphy (adapting Jeph Loeb)
- Runtime : 78 minutes
- Critical score : very positive
- Previous film : Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009, another animated film)
This film is part of the DC Universe Original Movies, a series of DC animated features produced since 2007. This series notably produced Apokolips War (2020) as the finale of the DCAMU. To explore Apokolips War, our complete analysis of Justice League Dark: Apokolips War develops the extended context.
Source comics: The Supergirl from Krypton
The film adapts the comics arc The Supergirl from Krypton :
- Source comics : Superman/Batman #8-13 (2004)
- Writer : Jeph Loeb (The Long Halloween, Hush)
- Artist : Michael Turner (Witchblade, Fathom)
- Concept : the return of a modern Kara Zor-El
- Innovation : reintegration of Supergirl into post-Crisis comics
- Reception : very positive from critics and fans
- Genealogical : redefined the place of the modern Supergirl
This source comics dimension explains the film's narrative quality. Loeb and Turner had created a reference saga for the modern Supergirl mythology. The animated adaptation brilliantly picks up these elements. To explore the comics mythology, our complete guide to Superman comic books develops the extended context.
The plot of the film
Theplot of the film unfolds in several phases:
- Mysterious arrival : a spaceship crashes in Gotham
- Discovery : Batman finds a young Kryptonian (Kara Zor-El)
- Initial confrontation : Batman / Superman / Kara
- Learning : Kara learns to control her powers
- Darkseid's intervention : he tries to kidnap Kara to make her his Fury
- Kidnapping : Kara abducted to Apokolips
- Rescue mission : Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman go to save her
- Final battle : Darkseid defeated
This plot is one of the most successful Apokolips stories. The dimension of Kara as a potential victim of Darkseid creates a unique drama. To explore the Darkseid dimension (main villain), our complete analysis of Darkseid versus Superman develops the extended context.
Supergirl's arrival
Thearrival of Supergirl is the central narrative event:
- Origin : sent by her parents as the "protector" of the young Kal-El
- Journey : rocket adrift for several years
- Landing : Kara is still a teenager (15-17 years old)
- Comics innovation : post-Crisis reintegration of Supergirl
- Relationship with Kal : discovering family
- Learning : controlling her powers on Earth
- Personality : rebellious, impulsive, more innocent than Kal
This Supergirl arrival dimension is unique: it was the first modern reintegration of Supergirl. After the heroic death of the original Kara Zor-El in Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), the character had been absent from the main continuity for 19 years. This return made an impression on fans. To explore the complete Kara Zor-El dimension, our complete analysis of Kara Zor-El develops the extended context.
Darkseid and Apokolips
Darkseid is the film's central antagonist:
- Origin : tyrant of the planet Apokolips
- Objective : kidnapping Kara to turn her into one of his Furies (female lieutenant)
- Powers : Omega Beams, cosmic super-strength
- Plan : exploiting Kara's naivety
- Conditioning : Kara temporarily turned into a Fury
- Final battle : Superman + Batman + Wonder Woman vs. Darkseid
- Defeat : Darkseid sent back to Apokolips
This Darkseid dimension is central to the story. The tyrant of Apokolips sees in Kara a potential recruit for his circle of Furies. This dimension explores the villain's manipulative potential. To explore the Krypton dimension (origin of Kara and Kal), our complete analysis of Krypton develops the extended context.
Voice performance
The voice cast of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is notable:
- Superman : Tim Daly (the iconic voice of Superman: The Animated Series)
- Batman : Kevin Conroy (the definitive voice of Batman: The Animated Series)
- Wonder Woman : Susan Eisenberg
- Supergirl (Kara) : Summer Glau (Firefly, Terminator)
- Darkseid : Andre Braugher
- Reception : highly praised voice performances
Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy brought together for this film their vocal expertise from Superman: The Animated Series and Batman: The Animated Series. This audio dimension is one of the film's great successes. Summer Glau brings freshness to Supergirl. To explore the Batman v Superman cinema dimension (a later comparison), our complete analysis of Batman v Superman develops the extended context.
Animation and style
Theanimation of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse adopts a distinctive style:
- Style : picking up Michael Turner's art (source comics)
- Turner characteristics : elongated silhouettes, large eyes
- Palette : bright classic DC colors
- Action : fluid fight sequences
- Apokolips : dark industrial design
- Costumes : faithful to the comics
- Reception : very positive visual reviews
Adopting the Turner style for the animation was a successful creative decision. This distinct visual dimension makes the film a standalone artistic object within the DC Universe Original Movies. To explore the complete list of Superman films, our complete list of every Superman movie develops the extended context.
The film's legacy
Thelegacy of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is notable:
Modern Supergirl reference. The film established the Supergirl iconography for the post-2010 generation. This dimension influenced Supergirl's arrival in all later adaptations.
DC Universe Animation reference. The film is hailed as one of the masterpieces of the DC Universe Original Movies series. Its unique Turner style and its narrative quality make it a reference.
Influence on Supergirl CW (2015-2021). Several elements of Supergirl's arrival developed in the film influenced the CW series. This multimedia dimension is notable.
Loeb/Turner comics reference. The successful adaptation reinforced the reputation of the Superman/Batman 2003-2008 source comics. This cross-media dimension is productive. To explore The Death of Superman dimension (another animated film adaptation), our complete analysis of The Death of Superman develops the extended context. To explore the whole source mythology, our complete guide to the history of Superman and our analysis of the Superman logo develop the extended context. To celebrate the animation dimension, our store offers a complete selection of Superman figures, Superman posters and Superman decorations.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions
What is Superman/Batman: Apocalypse?
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (released in France as Batman et Superman: Apocalypse) is a DC animated film released in September 2010. A direct adaptation of the comics arc 'The Supergirl from Krypton' (Superman/Batman #8-13, 2004) by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner. 78 minutes, directed by Lauren Montgomery.
What is the main plot?
Kara Zor-El's (Supergirl) arrival on Earth, her learning to use her powers, and the fight against Darkseid, who tries to kidnap her to turn her into one of his Furies (female lieutenant). Final battle Superman + Batman + Wonder Woman vs. Darkseid to save Kara.
Who are the main voices?
Tim Daly as Superman (the iconic voice of Superman: The Animated Series), Kevin Conroy as Batman (the definitive voice of Batman: The Animated Series), Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Summer Glau (Firefly, Terminator) as Supergirl/Kara, Andre Braugher as Darkseid.
What is the animation style?
A distinctive style inspired by Michael Turner's art (source comics). Turner characteristics: elongated silhouettes, large eyes, bright classic DC color palette. Dark industrial Apokolips design. This adoption of the Turner style is hailed as a major creative success.
Why does Supergirl return in the source comic?
After the heroic death of the original Kara Zor-El in Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), the character had been absent from the main continuity for 19 years. The Supergirl from Krypton (2004) by Loeb/Turner reintegrated the modern Supergirl. This dimension made an impression on fans.
Was the film well received?
Yes, very positive reviews. Praised voice performances (Daly, Conroy, Glau), successful Turner-style animation, dramatically satisfying Apokolips plot. Considered one of the masterpieces of the DC Universe Original Movies (animated film series 2007-2020).
Is it linked to the DCAMU?
No, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) predates the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU 2013-2020, starting with The Flashpoint Paradox). It's part of the DC Universe Original Movies series, which also includes Superman: Doomsday, All-Star Superman, etc. Standalone animated films.
What is the film's legacy?
Modern Supergirl reference (establishes the 2010+ iconography), DC Universe Animation reference, influence on Supergirl CW (2015-2021), reinforces the reputation of the Loeb/Turner source comics. One of the most enduring DC animated films and a reference in the fan community.
Conclusion
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) is one of the masterpieces of the DC Universe Original Movies. A successful adaptation of the comics arc 'The Supergirl from Krypton' (2004) by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner, the film brilliantly presents the arrival of the modern Kara Zor-El and her fight against Darkseid. Iconic voice performances (Tim Daly as Superman, Kevin Conroy as Batman), successful Turner-style animation, a dramatic Apokolips plot.
The film's legacy is notable: a modern Supergirl reference, influence on Supergirl CW (2015-2021), reinforced reputation of the Loeb/Turner source comics. This productive multimedia dimension makes Superman/Batman: Apocalypse a lasting reference for Supergirl and Darkseid fans.
To explore all the other film/animation dimensions, our Kara Zor-El analysis, our Darkseid versus Superman analysis, our Apokolips War analysis, our complete list of Superman movies and our complete guide to the history of Superman retrace the whole extended dimension.