10 Mind-Blowing Facts You Didn't Know About '90s Superman Cartoon
4. Superman Was Made Weaker
Over the years, Superman has showcased his unequalled strength countless different ways; lifting a planet, holding a black hole in his hand, destroying a solar system by sneezing, etc. Excluding when he's exposed to Kryptonite, Superman was basically invincible.
This posed a problem while making the series since the story would lack tension if Superman couldn't be harmed. The villains could immobilise him with Kryptonite but it would get repetitive if a criminal did this in every episode.
Looking to the comics for inspiration, Bruce Timm was blown away by John Byrne's 1986 rebooted comic, Man of Steel. In this version, Superman was still superstrong but he was also vulnerable since he could be brainwashed or killed with brute force.
Timm used Byrne's series as a template while adapting the character for animation. Throughout the series, the titular hero is beaten unconscious, kidnapped, tortured, and brainwashed. The show also made it clear that Superman could be weakened with magic.
If Superman couldn't be injured, the audience wouldn't care because there would be no suspense or consequences. But because the show depicted Superman as a person who could be hurt, terrified, or defeated, it was far more satisfying when the Man of Tomorrow inevitably triumphed.