Superman (1941 Cartoons) Episode: Superman




 * " This looks like a job for Superman "
 * --Superman

Episode: The Mad Scientist Airdate: 1941 Production Number: None (Pilot episode) Animation: Steve Muffati and Frank Andres Writers: Seymour Kneitel and I. Sparber Musical Arrangement: Sammy Timberg Director: Dave Fleischer

Synopsis
Principal Characters:
 * Superman
 * Lois Lane

Main villain(s):
 * Mad Scientist
 * Mad Scientist's vulture sidekick

Other Characters:
 * Perry White

Locations:
 * Metropolis
 * Daily Planet
 * Diamond Bridge

Items:
 * Electrothanasia-Ray

Summary: A mad scientist sends a shocking letter to the offices of the Daily Planet. Asking for no ransom, he threatens to strike back at those who laughed at him. At midnight, he will launch his Electrothanasia-Ray at an unspecified location. City Editor, Perry White, asks reporter Clark Kent to cover the story, but Clark's rival, Lois Lane, takes the initiative and decides to get the story before Clark.

Acquiring a small, single-engine airplane she flies to the mad scientist's mountain observatory. As the scientist primes his Electrothanasia-Ray he notices the lights from Lois' plane outside the window. Lois approaches the front door of the laboratory, but the scientist grabs her and pulls her inside. He vows to give Lois the "greatest story of destruction the world has ever known". To prove that he means what he says, he fires his massive laser weapon destroying a large portion of the Diamond suspension bridge outside the city.

Radio broadcasts begin reporting news of the bridge's destruction. Clark hears the disturbing tale on the radio and changes into Superman. As he flies off in search of the mad scientist, the villain fires a second shot from his ray-cannon. This one strikes the lower levels of the Daily Planet. Superman catches the building as it begins to topple and pushes it back into its proper upright position.

The scientist takes note of Superman’s presence and fires another shot directly at him. Superman flies towards the ray pounding the energy back with his fists. As he reaches the observatory, he grabs the barrel of the Electrothanasia-Ray and twists it into a knot. A surge of energy travels backwards down the barrel destroying the weapon.

Superman flies inside and rescues Lois. The mad scientist attempts to escape, but Superman nabs him and flies him to prison. Lois writes the article concerning the mad scientist’s evil plot to destroy the city.

Trivia

 * In the continuity of the animated series, Superman was raised in an orphanage. No mention is made of his foster parents, John and Mary Kent.


 * The Mad Scientist owns a pet vulture, which acts as his de-facto evil henchman. In a moment of humor, often uncharacteristic of this series, the vulture is seen imitating the mad scientist's movements and actions. He even helps him make adjustments on the Electrothanasia-Ray.

Related Episodes

 * None